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Hands Occupied

Contemporary yarn crafts by Heidi Gustad. Knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.

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Knockout Knits

October 15, 2014 6 Comments

Knockout Knits Book Review at handsoccupied.com

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.)

Knockout Knits Book Review at handsoccupied.com

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.

Knockout Knits Book Review at handsoccupied.com

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… ;)

Knockout Knits Book Review at handsoccupied.com

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.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book review, fall knits, knit accessories, knockout knits, kntting books, laura nelkin, potter craft

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is an artist, author and crafts designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame. In addition to running the Hands Occupied Blog and Pattern Shop, you can find her making videos & co-hosting the Very Serious Crafts podcast.

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Comments

  1. Laura Nelkin

    October 15, 2014 at 9:35 am

    Thanks for the great review! I’m thrilled you “got” it!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      October 15, 2014 at 9:48 am

      NO problem! Now to find the time to knit it all, haha! :)

      Reply
  2. Denise

    October 15, 2014 at 10:04 am

    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.

    Reply
  3. Jaime

    October 15, 2014 at 11:12 am

    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!

    Reply
  4. Leslie

    March 12, 2018 at 6:35 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      March 13, 2018 at 9:04 am

      That’s the best part about this lovely craft! A great excuse to keep learning. :)

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi, an author, yarn craft designer and content creator specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. My work unapologetically features primary colors and vintage-meets-modern style. My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

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knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s ab There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s about how I’m going to take the next 2 weeks off to rest & recharge. ☺️🧶 No new content for y’all means I can also take a moment to zoom out & plan what’s next. Link is in bio. 
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A note on Very Serious Crafts: In the post I discuss stepping away from the @seriouscrafts podcast to give myself more time to devote to some minor medical issues. Don’t you worry - my health will be fine, & @molliejohanson @redhandledscissors and I are still pals, and after a short break of their own, the podcast will be back! Just sans moi. 💁🏼‍♀️😆 
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See you in a couple weeks! ✌🏻#handsoccupied #knitdesign #craftdesign #sofadedsweater
Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it shoul Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it should be. ☺️🎄The past few days have been filled with a lot of catching up on festive zoom calls & raising toasts to the camera. 🥂 Connecting with people has been a welcome change of pace! Now I’m feeling ready to meet my inevitable end-of-year deadlines. 😆
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Warmest wishes for the season, my friends! ❤️💛💙
Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker beh Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker behind Hands Occupied! 👋🏻 I’ve been enjoying making Reels a lot lately, but I wanted to bop in to share a regular photo & say hello. 🤓 
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rather than giving you my bio right now, I have a question. I just got this new sweater & I can’t stop imaging how funny it would be to wear this to a knitting class ... is that bad? 🤣🤣🤣
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Pictured: a blond woman with glasses wearing a sweater that reads “all your sweaters are ugly” standing in front of a Christmas tree.
Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is o Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is one of the most common methods for finishing a knitting project and helping ensure its final size and shape. Learn basic blocking for absolute beginners in an easy-to-follow (non-Reel!) video tutorial! Catch the tutorial on YouTube or the Hands Occupied Blog, link is in bio. 🧶 #handsoccupied #stopswatchandblockit #KPAmbassadorsDec20 #sponsored
Had to share this perfect capture of one of my fav Had to share this perfect capture of one of my favorite weird homemade Christmas ornaments: a simple macramé Santa face with beads for the eyes and nose! My Great-Grandma made it too. 🎄
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Might have to try making a quickie Reel tutorial for this guy - I think it’s the perfect project for it, don’t you? 🎅🏼 #handsoccupied #macrame
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