Knockout Knits is a new knitting book featuring accessory patterns by Craftsy instructor and knitting designer Laura Nelkin. As one would expect from this publisher, Potter Craft, the photography and styling are wonderful. Knockout Knits has a really nice rustic vibe, and the patterns featured are super perfect for fall knitting and wearing. (For a fuller look at the patterns in this book, check out this page of Laura Nelkin’s website.)
The book is divided into three chapters: Wrapped Stitches at Play, Get Your Lace On and Beaded Beauties. Each chapter kicks off with a pattern for a knitted cuff designed to get your feet wet with that chapter’s featured technique. As you knit your way through each chapter, the patterns get progressively more advanced within that technique. As someone who learned to knit by working her way through every pattern in her knitting books in high school, I love that Knockout Knits is formatted this way. It’s time consuming, but I’ve always found it a really fun way to improve your knitting.
If you’re getting this book hoping to add to your knitting skill set, but you’re worried you might not be at the right level, you’re in luck. There’s an illustrated Knitting Essentials section at the back of the book you can refer to for help as you go. I love appendices like these because you won’t find yourself stranded while knitting on a plane trip (you know, when there’s no wifi or smartphone data to Google that stitch you’ve never heard of?). Not that that’s ever happened to me before… ;)
Overall, this book is absolutely on my to-gift list for the holidays this year, particularly for knitting friends who are looking to build their skills. If you’re looking for a knitting book that has appeal for millennial knitters, I really think this is a good pick!
You can get Knockout Knits by Laura Nelkin for $22.99 at Random House. Blogging for Books provided a copy of this book in exchange for a review. Opinions are my own.
Thanks for the great review! I’m thrilled you “got” it!
NO problem! Now to find the time to knit it all, haha! :)
The book and its contents are gorgeous. I thought it’d be filled with foo-foo stuff I’d never make like many accessory books are, but I bookmarked so many pages on the copy from the library that I’m going to have to get a copy. Which I forgot to do. Eep! I have an excuse–two new kittens :)
I love how the patterns are meant to teach and expand skills. I’ve been knitting for almost two years and I’m ready to learn new stuff, but not sure what. I’ve looked at the “next steps” for newer knitters and nothing really grabs me. But Knockout Knits offers new techniques I haven’t seen before and a bunch of ways to use them. I think it’s a great next-step book, no matter what someone’s skill level.
What a great book! I’m a new knitter and I pick projects that will teach me something new. I love how Laura Nelkin’s book is organized, it’s like having a tutor with me all the time!
I love hats, which is how I happened to stumble upon this book – and I am so thrilled that I did! What beautiful, artistic, and unique work Laura Nelkin does.
I’ve knitted for many years, but haven’t actually knitted anything for many years, if that makes sense – because it gets stale and you need something new – something that speaks to you, grabs your interest – and it is so nice to have something interesting and fresh in knitting!
I am looking forward to learning new techniques, how to apply old ones differently, and trying as many of the patterns as I possibly can.
That’s the best part about this lovely craft! A great excuse to keep learning. :)