The Weekend Crafter: Knitting: 20 Simple & Stylish Wearables for Beginners

Rating:
Summary: Terrific for beginners
Review: As a knitter of only 6 months, I found The Weekend Crafter to be very easy to follow and encouraging of personal creativity. Once you know how to do the basics: knit, purl, increase, decrease and weave in ends, you can easily complete any of the projects in this book and add your own flair if you so choose. My only complaint is that Ms. Ham only put 20 patterns in the book. Most of them are very nice and I wish there were more.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific for beginners
Review: As a knitter of only 6 months, I found The Weekend Crafter to be very easy to follow and encouraging of personal creativity. Once you know how to do the basics: knit, purl, increase, decrease and weave in ends, you can easily complete any of the projects in this book and add your own flair if you so choose. My only complaint is that Ms. Ham only put 20 patterns in the book. Most of them are very nice and I wish there were more.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Instructions
Review: Cathy Ham's second book is not to be missed! It's filled with creative projects that can be made and enjoyed by all knitters, whether they've been knitting for years or they've just learned to knit and purl. When I looked at the projects, I couldn't decide what to make first. I quickly finished "Where Did You Get That Hat" (p. 43) and began the "Evening Wrap" (p. 73), but I also gathered the yarn to make "GoogliBug" (p. 36) for a friend's new grandchild, and ordered the yarn to make the "Tailored Vest" (p. 60). There wasn't a project I didn't like, and I truly believe that they can all be completed within a short period of time without the frustration that many new knitters experience. The superb photographs and clear directions are among the very best I've seen. As I read through the book, I felt as if the author was speaking to me personally as she carefully guided me through the various steps for each project.
Another thing to consider about this book is the affordable price. Where else can one find a knitting book for [the price]that contains directions for 20 stylish wearables for men, women and children that can be made quickly by beginning and experienced knitters? Even talented knitters should find this book an appealing addition to their knitting library. I urge you to keep a copy in your knitting bag and read it for inspiration. This book has garments that you and your friends will be thrilled to wear, and it has pizzazz.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book for Projects for Beginners!
Review: This is a fine book, with interesting patterns, but based on the spotty lack of information on basic knitting, it really does not function well for beginners. For instance, there is absolutely no written indication on how to weave in the ends (there are better and worse techniques) although one can try to figure it out based on the photos. A beginner should be given this kind of instruction in a detailed, written form in case this is their first attempt. I bought the book planning on giving it to a friend who is just learning to knit, and decided that it wouldn't work for that purpose.

The issue discussed by previous reviewers regarding the notes on knitting the first and last stitches in each row are a fine example. The Cravat-Style Scarf contains instructions that start out telling the knitter to work in k2,p2 ribbing over 24 stitches (thus ending with a p2), then adds a note to knit the first and last stitches in each row. As an advanced knitter, it is easy enough to interpret the intent behind the note, and adjust the stated pattern accordingly. However, it is easy to forget that beginners need much more clear, detailed guidance. Why not print out the full pattern (it would have taken fewer rows of type) to indicate that the pattern should end in k2,p1,k1, and that each row will be the same until you reach the buttonhole, and again, after the buttonhole?

My rating for this book is based on the indication that it is for beginners, when it clearly was written by an expert who has forgotten what it's like to be a beginning knitter. The patterns themselves are fairly simple, however, the communication of them tends towards the intermediate or practiced knitter. If you're an adventurous beginning knitter, or a natural who likes to make up their own patterns and solutions to pattern interpretation, you will probably enjoy this book, as much as I, an experienced knitter, do. The photos are great, and there are some interesting and fun patterns.

Rating:
Summary: Not truly for beginners
Review: This is a fine book, with interesting patterns, but based on the spotty lack of information on basic knitting, it really does not function well for beginners. For instance, there is absolutely no written indication on how to weave in the ends (there are better and worse techniques) although one can try to figure it out based on the photos. A beginner should be given this kind of instruction in a detailed, written form in case this is their first attempt. I bought the book planning on giving it to a friend who is just learning to knit, and decided that it wouldn't work for that purpose.

The issue discussed by previous reviewers regarding the notes on knitting the first and last stitches in each row are a fine example. The Cravat-Style Scarf contains instructions that start out telling the knitter to work in k2,p2 ribbing over 24 stitches (thus ending with a p2), then adds a note to knit the first and last stitches in each row. As an advanced knitter, it is easy enough to interpret the intent behind the note, and adjust the stated pattern accordingly. However, it is easy to forget that beginners need much more clear, detailed guidance. Why not print out the full pattern (it would have taken fewer rows of type) to indicate that the pattern should end in k2,p1,k1, and that each row will be the same until you reach the buttonhole, and again, after the buttonhole?

My rating for this book is based on the indication that it is for beginners, when it clearly was written by an expert who has forgotten what it's like to be a beginning knitter. The patterns themselves are fairly simple, however, the communication of them tends towards the intermediate or practiced knitter. If you're an adventurous beginning knitter, or a natural who likes to make up their own patterns and solutions to pattern interpretation, you will probably enjoy this book, as much as I, an experienced knitter, do. The photos are great, and there are some interesting and fun patterns.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book for Projects for Beginners!
Review: This is a great book for people who are tired of technical beginning knit books like me. I don't need to review how to knit, purl, increase and decrease in every book on knitting that I have. If I need to review the basics I get out my Vogue the Ultimate Knitting Guide and refer to it. I want a book with projects that I can do in short amounts of time at an easy level but are motivating. This book meets my needs well.