What do you think?
Rate this book
Knit Aid: A Learn It, Fix It, Finish It Guide for Knitters on the Go
Vickie Howell, the DIY channel’s popular queen of knitting, knows that all knitters—even the most experienced—sometimes need help. What kind of yarn is best for a specific project? How do you pick up dropped stitches without ripping a project apart? How do you knit and purl Continental-style? With her unmistakable charm, Vickie delivers practical answers to every knitter’s questions, offering tips on choosing a project, selecting needles and yarn, finding the speediest knitting method, and even handy new ways of carrying your knitting and the best times to work on it. With its convenient size, lie-flat spiral binding and easy-to-follow diagrams and illustrations, this is an item that should be in every knitting bag.
95 pages, Spiral-bound
First published May 6, 2008
33 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 28, 2008
http://artlikebread.blogspot.com/
So I got really excited about this book when I watched this video of Vickie's which I linked to from some crafty blog I read on myspace. Oh coolness! She's posted more instructional videos and tips to accompany her book! You can link to them from the video link above.
Vickie is certainly a crafty icon of mine. I have many! It seems like so many crafty powerhouses come out of Austin. Don't mess with Texas, I guess. :o)
Vickie does such a great job of explaining all of the book features on her video, I don't want to simply repeat what she says here. What I can tell you is that to a new knitter like me, this book is incredibly valuable. Before getting the book, I had already learned to knit and purl, but not much else. I'd been watching instructional videos and I've been waiting to find a pattern to speak to me- but I didn't understand them!! Vickie's book is a godsend as it explains all of the cryptic abbreviations that are so intimidating for a new knitter. Next time I see a gorgeous knit pattern, I will be literate!
I tried the gauge exercise she includes in her book. I loved it because it included MATH! I love regular math, higher math, etc. Even these basic exercises make me happy. :o) The exercise is to make a little cozy for your ipod, phone, or whatever small item you keep in your purse. I decided to do one for the book I'm reading. Then I got a little ambitious and decided to make a curved flap for over the top by adding rows and decreasing. (I think I did that a little too quickly, but the techniques that Vickie shared worked!) I also added a buttonhole, also included in Vickie's book.
Picture of book cozy forthcoming.
Well, my tension was not so good on the buttonhole, but it was pretty consistent on the body of the sleeve. I also used the mattress stitch (guess where I learned it) to seam up the sides. It worked! I was amazed. I felt like I did when I first started making origami forms. I would always think, 'is this really going to come out the way it looks in the picture?' Then it did! Magic!!
Vickie also includes instructions on embroidering on knitting. I'm going to try to jazz up this plain green sleeve with some of those instructions. While I was home, I bought a stitch marker to measure gauge, but I am thrilled that if I ever misplace it, there's one bound into this book for me to keep forever!
And super-kudos, Vickie, for including standard sizing measurements for women sized XS-5X. Yes, I do fall somewhere in between those! She also lets you know how many inches you need to add for ease in your garments. How invaluable. Who wants to spend hours upon hours (as well as dollars upon dollars) on a garment that is too tight or too loose?
This book amounts to a compact, lightweight, logical reference book with refreshers for the experienced knitters. If you've never knitted before and want to learn, make this book your second one, or pick it up after taking the basic class from your yarn store.
It was also such a steal at $7.95!!! Buy it full-price, people. Ten percent of the proceeds are going to aid victims of disaster through the redcross.org. Buy the book here, on vickiehowell.com!
So I got really excited about this book when I watched this video of Vickie's which I linked to from some crafty blog I read on myspace. Oh coolness! She's posted more instructional videos and tips to accompany her book! You can link to them from the video link above.
Vickie is certainly a crafty icon of mine. I have many! It seems like so many crafty powerhouses come out of Austin. Don't mess with Texas, I guess. :o)
Vickie does such a great job of explaining all of the book features on her video, I don't want to simply repeat what she says here. What I can tell you is that to a new knitter like me, this book is incredibly valuable. Before getting the book, I had already learned to knit and purl, but not much else. I'd been watching instructional videos and I've been waiting to find a pattern to speak to me- but I didn't understand them!! Vickie's book is a godsend as it explains all of the cryptic abbreviations that are so intimidating for a new knitter. Next time I see a gorgeous knit pattern, I will be literate!
I tried the gauge exercise she includes in her book. I loved it because it included MATH! I love regular math, higher math, etc. Even these basic exercises make me happy. :o) The exercise is to make a little cozy for your ipod, phone, or whatever small item you keep in your purse. I decided to do one for the book I'm reading. Then I got a little ambitious and decided to make a curved flap for over the top by adding rows and decreasing. (I think I did that a little too quickly, but the techniques that Vickie shared worked!) I also added a buttonhole, also included in Vickie's book.
Picture of book cozy forthcoming.
Well, my tension was not so good on the buttonhole, but it was pretty consistent on the body of the sleeve. I also used the mattress stitch (guess where I learned it) to seam up the sides. It worked! I was amazed. I felt like I did when I first started making origami forms. I would always think, 'is this really going to come out the way it looks in the picture?' Then it did! Magic!!
Vickie also includes instructions on embroidering on knitting. I'm going to try to jazz up this plain green sleeve with some of those instructions. While I was home, I bought a stitch marker to measure gauge, but I am thrilled that if I ever misplace it, there's one bound into this book for me to keep forever!
And super-kudos, Vickie, for including standard sizing measurements for women sized XS-5X. Yes, I do fall somewhere in between those! She also lets you know how many inches you need to add for ease in your garments. How invaluable. Who wants to spend hours upon hours (as well as dollars upon dollars) on a garment that is too tight or too loose?
This book amounts to a compact, lightweight, logical reference book with refreshers for the experienced knitters. If you've never knitted before and want to learn, make this book your second one, or pick it up after taking the basic class from your yarn store.
It was also such a steal at $7.95!!! Buy it full-price, people. Ten percent of the proceeds are going to aid victims of disaster through the redcross.org. Buy the book here, on vickiehowell.com!
August 3, 2008
I've spent the last three years trying to find a knitting handbook that really works for me. While I've found a few, "Knit Aid" is a favorite.
Ms. Howell combines instructions for the basic stitches and techniques, easy reference for information like sizing, and tips to keep knitting projects easy and fun. Ms. Howell also includes a few anecdotes and detailed illustrations (that appear hand-drawn), to keep this reference book fun.
Vickie Howell has created a knitting reference and instruction book that is fun to read and easy to follow. Any knitter, whether a beginner or one who is very experienced, will likely benefit from this addition to their knitting reference shelf. I know that I intend to keep "Knit Aid" in my knitting purse (or the purse I carry around school, which tends to include a knitting project for down time or study breaks). I also hope to keep it on hand to help others learn to knit.
Ms. Howell combines instructions for the basic stitches and techniques, easy reference for information like sizing, and tips to keep knitting projects easy and fun. Ms. Howell also includes a few anecdotes and detailed illustrations (that appear hand-drawn), to keep this reference book fun.
Vickie Howell has created a knitting reference and instruction book that is fun to read and easy to follow. Any knitter, whether a beginner or one who is very experienced, will likely benefit from this addition to their knitting reference shelf. I know that I intend to keep "Knit Aid" in my knitting purse (or the purse I carry around school, which tends to include a knitting project for down time or study breaks). I also hope to keep it on hand to help others learn to knit.
May 28, 2008
A unique and innovative approach to knitting on a really practical level. Vickie is a writer with a light touch and lots of knowledge about the craft of knitting. Her how-to's are easy to understand, placed in good order, and deftly illustrated.
I think this little book is good for the new knitter or an experienced one. I've been a knitter for decades, and I still learned some things. Plus, there are several handy tools in the book, updates on terms, info on new tools and materials.
I think this little book is good for the new knitter or an experienced one. I've been a knitter for decades, and I still learned some things. Plus, there are several handy tools in the book, updates on terms, info on new tools and materials.
May 17, 2008
This is a great primer and reference book. Its portable size, illustrations, and tips make it a great all-purpose reference. Plus, it's amusing - the author doesn't take herself too seriously. I'll definitely keep it in my library for future use.
August 6, 2008
I found this book to be very useful, well organised, and covered most of my beginner's knitting questions. The only issue I have is that the illustrations (while cute) for the stitches and techniques weren't clear enough for me to see what was going on.
August 5, 2011
I haven't gone through enough of this book yet to truly review it, but I have been glad to find that it has about 5 different cast on methods, which is wonderful! I knew there was a better way! The pictures could be better--they're all just drawings and some of them are a little vague.
May 11, 2008
Very handy and great for quick knitting references. I will always have it nearby. Sorry, no swapzies on this one ;)
August 5, 2008
A great little book to carry around in your WIP bag. Easy to read with clear diagrams. Spiral bound so it stays open while you work from it.
March 19, 2015
I think ill buy a copy of this book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews