Sweet and Simple Knitting Projects
Sally Walton
In A Nutshell: Useful, well-written book with fifteen easy projects for a novice knitter, but black and white format fails to inspire.
I am generally a fan of the Teach Yourself Books and have found their titles on French and Article Writing very useful. Unfortunately the format is not quite so effective for crafts. Knitting is a strongly visual activity and needs visual stimulation. This is a little paperback book on cheap paper with grainy black and white photos. When I took the time to read the content, I found it well written with good advice. There is also a fascinating section on the history if knitting.
It’s aimed at beginners with how-to-knit instructions and fifteen easy patterns. Though strictly speaking this is fourteen as I don’t consider a garter stitch scarf a pattern. The projects include a hot-water bottle cover, a bag and some hats, quick knits that would make good gifts. Without a colour photo showing the finished articles, they fail to inspire. There is a jeans style hat which is probably quite cool, but a black and white picture does not make me want to knit it.
The book includes some good internet links and interesting tips. I learnt that running needles through my hair will help the yarn slide along better. But although I learnt some useful stuff, it’s not a book I will be returning to.
