Pretty in Punk: 25 Punk, Rock, and Goth Knitting Projects

by Alyce Benevides, Jaqueline Milles, Rob Benevides (Photographer)

Another boring scarf? More mittens? We're not gonna take it! And neither should you! Pretty in Punk salutes counterculture fashion with 25 entirely original designs inspired by fashion icons Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano, and punk legends. Indulge your girly side with the Ready Steady Go mini skirt, rebel with Feel the Pain wrist cuffs, or channel your inner rock star with the very same Mohawk hat Depeche Mode's Martin Gore wears on stage. Whether you're new to knitting or a veteran desperately seeking patterns with an edge, you'll find projects here for every mood and every genre. With step-by-step instructions, helpful technical illustrations and intarsia graphs, plus high-fashion photos of all the finished projects, Pretty in Punk is the only authority on anti-authority knitting.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Art, How To

120 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2007

Reviews

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm comparing this book to Domiknitrix, because I'm using both at the same time, and they both have a similar hat (helmet style). Generally, the patterns and projects in this book are much, much simpler, which might make one think it's more suitable for beginners. Yet Domiknitrix offers far more in the way of hand-holding; they recommend specific cast-ons and decreases for each project, and have photos and step-by-step instructions for a variety of cast-ons, increases, and decreases. As a result, both books seem a bit unclear on who their audience is.

[Rachel Jennetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great unique knitting book! I can’t wait to make some patterns from this one!

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, another hard-core knitting book! No, another book of dumb patterns! Don't be fooled, most of the patterns in this book consist of weird fluffy novelty yarns and Union Jacks. Very hard core... *Is Dissappoint...*

[Mckinley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fun ideas. However, needs pictures of projects rather than staged pictures of models. Nothing I want to make.

[Michelle Browne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this pattern book, but more images of the patterns would help. I was hoping for more clothing than accessories, but there's some cool stuff and great inspiration. I love the model photos, though, which showcase a great deal of diversity. The Swindle is every bit as awesome a pattern as knitters around the internet have said. However, I was really hoping for a distressed drop-stitched sweater, and while the Goth Girl pattern is cool, it's form-fitting rather than huge and oversized, which is what I wanted. There's also a severe lack of plus-size patterning in this book, which really irked and frustrated me. A bit of math will help any knitter get around that, though. Still, it's full of really cool patterns and most of them are pretty unisex!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this largely because I was looking for some kind of Renaissance-corset-knit thingie, and this listed a corset with lace detail as a pattern. I wasn't a fan of that pattern, nor did I like most of them. HOWEVER--the knit mohawk hats (one is shown on the cover) are adorable and I'm totally making one. There's also a pattern for a cute argyle knit skirt. The other pattern I liked was the typical punk striped sweater, which looked fairly simple to knit (their version was in mohair). I may attempt it, but only after all my Christmas present knitting is done...

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

By far the Union Jack mohawk cap is the best pattern in the book, and considering a couple patterns are small, simple accessories (arm bands, skinny tie, collar), there really isn't much here to look at. No socks with runs? There were two pullover sweaters at least. This book could really use many more photos of the finished pieces and, warning, directions are written out longhand. It was good to see some diversity in the models but, otherwise, I was disappointed.

[Emily Goff · Rating 2 out of 5]

As knitting pattern books go, this one is not to shabby. I picked it up from the library for their signature hat, the God Save the Queen felted earflap hat with i-cords and mohawk fringe. Other that than pattern, I am not too interested in the rest. Not really my speed. The instructions are clear, but could use additional graphics and larger templates.

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knitted the punk sweater (The Swindle) in mohair. It was easy to follow, but aside from the awesome hat on the cover, there's not a lot else in this one that I would consider knitting. There's a lot of arm bands and scarves (ugh!) and bum covers.

That said, I only bought it to get the hat on the cover and I have yet to make that one, but I did knit the sweater for my daughter.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4.

Some good patterns, many not really punk at all. There are patterns to make the cover hat in different colorways and they're really cute. I haven't tried any of the patterns but they're written out rather than in chart form and don't use a lot of abbreviations. I think this would be a good pattern book for a beginning to intermediate knitter.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me the pattern for the infamous fauxhawk hat. I have made so many of these for people and have branched out and made my own designs. I have also made a number of other projects from this book...it is all good!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

While some of the projects in this book are cute/fun, many of the patterns are repeated with just a variation on pattern or design. As expensive as craft books are, I'd rather see a book chock full of unique patterns.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really fun and the patterns were easy to follow.

[Suzanne Picard · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh.

[Jennifer Perkins]

I gave away a copy of this book on my blog and wrote a review, albeit I don't knit.
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot....

[sara frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best pattern in this book is on the cover. That one aside, there are only 1 or 2 other things I'd consider knitting out of here.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as many patterns in here I would like to do as I thought there would be. Still, the mohawk hat looks awesome and it was a library book, so I'm not complaining.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a couple of patterns I would love to make for myself (like a cute argyle skirt!) and many patterns I would gladly make for friends. All in all a pretty good book.

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

More fun than useful. Can be an age thing...

[Steffmom23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love lots of patterns in this one, and my DD even wants to learn to knit to do a couple of them. :)

[Lys · Rating 3 out of 5]

useful notes, adorable patterns. Will definitely be doing some of these.