Some Original Ideas, Some Impractical Ideas, Some Ugly Ideas & One I Can't Wait toTry
Written: Jan 27 '07
Product Rating:
Pros: Beautifully put together book. Good for generating your own ideas.
Cons: Not all the patterns are practical or pretty
The Bottom Line: Check this book out of the library or browse through it at the bookstore before buying. If you like "Bohemian Chic" you will find some patterns to enjoy here.
Hapgood's Full Review: Leigh Radford - Alterknits: Imaginative Projects A...
I almost purchased this book based on some rave reviews I read over at a certain online superstore’s website (which shall remain nameless). Thankfully, I found a copy at my library and checked it out instead. I don’t want to say that this book is bad… I applaud its originality and it is photographed and laid out beautifully, but in reality, a good majority of the patterns in the book just aren’t practical.
Most of the projects in Alterknits have a sort of romantic, bohemian-chic feel to them (which is very popular right now). I could picture several of the items in this book coming straight out an Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie store.
The project ideas in the book range from the usual sweaters, to the truly unique – there’s a pattern to make your own screen door, your own paper lanterns and even a pattern to make a rug out of cut up old t-shirts (see below for a complete project list). The patterns for the accessories and home decorations tend to be much stronger than the clothing patterns, which range from a little better than average to downright hideous.
Aside from patterns, the book includes a “creativity notebook” and “creativity exercises.” The creativity exercises aren’t terribly useful. Example exercise: “write down what you would take to knit and why if you were going to live on a deserted island by yourself or with just a few people for one month. Ask your knitting friends the same question.” The creativity notebook is nothing more than a small blank notebook (albeit with a cute design to it).
Despite its flaws, there are aspects of this book that I really like. The author has some exceptionally creative and unique things going on in her projects. Even if I don’t end up making any of the projects in this book, I’ll still take away a few ideas for embellishments to use on projects in the future.
This has been the most interesting knitting book I’ve flipped through - mostly because of the unique nature of the projects and the authors’ unique material choices and combinations. There are a variety of projects ranging from small and quick to large and involved. There are at least a couple projects that can be completed on a modest budget, which is always nice.
Though I enjoyed flipping through the book, I imagine I would have been somewhat disappointed if I having purchased it. I was unable to find a single project that I was really itching to knit. For those who enjoy the bohemian-chic style, I’m sure this book will have some patterns of interest - but I would have a hard time recommending this book to the masses. There are some beautiful items in this book but there are also some terrible patterns (many of the clothing patterns unfortunately fall into this category). The other drawback is that of the cool projects in this book, several are either prohibitively expensive to make or require materials that would be difficult to acquire. So while I found myself liking a lot of what I saw, in reality, there is very little of it that I would actually knit. One last note: About 5 of the patterns in the book require sewing, while some could be hand sewn, several really require a machine.
Below, I’ve provided a list of patterns in Alterknits. I’ve tried to describe the projects the best I can and have included an estimated cost of yarn in parentheses after the projects title. These estimates were reached by investigating the price of each of the yarns by project from various online retailers. Bargain shoppers, or those who use substitute yarns, can probably make these projects for less than the estimated price. It is important to note, the most reasonably priced yarns used in these patterns run $7.50 a skein (and you’ll almost always need multiple skeins) while the most pricey can range upwards of $25 a skein. In some cases a more reasonably priced yarn can be substituted but often part of the charm of the pattern relies on the use of luxury yarns. (FYI my favorite site for reasonably priced, quality yarn is www.knitpcks.com)
THE PATTERNS
1. Silk Skull Caps ($25 per cap) – Two patterns for light-weight summer beanies. One is a done in a nice lace cable stitch with small spaces between the stitches. The other has a very tight gage at the top of the skull cap and then the border consists of a flower pattern done with large openings between the stitches. Final opinion: They're cute but you need someone with a bohemian flare for fashion to pull the look off.
2. Faux Ruffle Tank ($52) - A conservatively cut tank with straps around 2-3 inches in length and a scoop neckline. The “ruffle” in the title refer to 9 rows of ruffles (made with S.R. Kertzer Ranee) attached vertically onto the front of the tank from the collar to the base. Final opinion: From appearances, there is nothing special about this tank top pattern. The ruffles down the front of the tank top are the only thing that distinguishes this from a multitude of other tank top patterns. There’s no special knitting technique to make the ruffles, they’re simply weaved into the basic tank top pattern once the top is completed. The ruffles could be added to any knit tank top (hand knitted or store bought).
3. Multilayered Tube Scarf and Shawl ($20 for scarf / $44 for shawl – yarn cost only, does not include the price of fabric): This pattern uses circular needles to create a tube scarf or shawl (the shawl is the same design as the scarf but bigger). Once the scarf/shawl is finished, a piece of fabric is pulled through the middle. The pattern states that you can vary the yarn and fabric to create different looks. The book uses a silk/mohair blend for the knitting and then pairs it with a piece of silk chiffon fabric. A little sewing is required to finish the fabric (owning or having access to a serger will yield the most professional looking results). Final opinion: The photos in the book look beautiful - though the way the photos on the page are cropped and posed, most of the chiffon portion remains unseen so it’s hard to tell what the scarf/shawl would look like in person.
4. Modern Bustier ($32-$56 depending on finished size of the project. Yarn cost only): On the model this looks like a loose tank top with skinny straps and a silk lace up bustier addition to the back (be prepared to sew your own bustier - that includes installing 54 .25 inch metal eyelets). There is some simple but nice stitch detailing on the back and bottom of the tank. Final opinion: Okay, this one confuses me. It's like a little like a mullet: business in front, party in the back. While the back has the romantic lace-up bustier component, the front is a conservative tank top with a high neckline and a loose, boxy fit. Even with the bustier theme, this top makes the skinny model look shapeless and flat.
5. Silver Squares Necklace (?): A beaded necklace on a black chord. The necklace intersperses silver cube shaped beads with knitted squares (made from sterling silver wire). The squares are anywhere from a half an inch to an inch to in size. Final opinion: Unique and really cool looking the picture. I’m definitely passing this pattern onto my jewelry making/knitter friend. As for me… knitting is an expensive enough hobby without having to go out and invest in an array jewelry making supplies as well.
6. Herringbone Leather Cuff (price ?): 1 spool of 1mm round leather lacing gets knitted into a wrist cuff and finished with a bead detail for a clasp. Final opinion: It’s a cool looking cuff – but aren’t cuffs sooo three years ago? Honestly, for those who can pull off a leather cuff, and can track down leather lacing (the author thoughtfully provides a supplies list in the index) this is a nice looking project.
7. Crepe Paper Crown (cheap enough if you don’t splurge on ribbon): This one’s caused some buzz in the knitting circuit. Imagine Jughead’s crown (from the Archie comic book series) but made out of knitted crepe paper streamers (available at any party supply store for a couple of bucks) and tied in back with ribbon. Final opinion: Probably not a pattern that will appeal to the masses, but I’m sure there’s some little girl out there that would love one of these. Just don’t let her play in the rain in her new toy. If you’ve ever seen what happens to a colored crepe paper streamer when it meets water, it’s not a pretty sight.
8. Lace-Up Scarf, Shawl and Wrap: ($316) This is actually two patterns that add up two a third. Make a scarf and shawl – then when the weather gets cold, lace them together with ribbon to make a wrap. The scarf and wrap are knitted in a very pretty lace and cable pattern. This project uses lots of luxury yarns (7 balls of a mohair/ silk blend and 22 balls an alpaca /silk blend) making it an EXPENSIVE project. Final opinion: Looking at the pictures, I definitely want one! However, I’d have two very big reservations about making this project 1) cost (over $300 for a wrap – YIKES!) and 2) how practical is it really to knit a scarf and a shawl and then bind them together to make a wrap? Just looking at the illustration for how to lace them together with the ribbon makes me tired. Plus, I’m concerned the ribbon would start stretching out stitches along the edges.
9. Lace-Up Fingerless Glove ($15.50/$31.00 for S&M/L. Ribbon not included in cost): Made from 100% wool yarn. I think a more accurate description for these would be fingerless mittens as they have a thumb hole and then one hole for all the fingers vs. many patterns for fingerless gloves in which each finger gets its own hole. These are longer than most fingerless patterns I’ve seen with the gloves/mittens going all the way to the base of the elbow. Final opinion: The lacing is a cute addition to a pattern I’ve seen in a lot of lately. I’ve never quite understood fingerless gloves – but it’s a cute pattern for those who like them.
10. Velvet-Trimmed Raglan Pullover ($115.50-$148.50 depending on finished size of the project. Yarn cost only): Made from a Merino, silk, cashmere blend, this is a comfortable looking sweater with a narrow boat neck and single button close in the back. Knitted on US size 4 circular knitting needles this doesn’t look to be a quick knit project. Velvet ribbon is added along the edge of the collar and sleeves. Final word: An ordinary, but very comfortable looking sweater. The velvet doesn’t do anything special as a finishing touch at least in the photograph.
11. Mohair Cables Pullover ($68.65- $99.45 depending on finished size of the project. Yarn cost only): A nice cabled design on a conservatively cut pattern. The sweater has a boat neck shaped neckline and a somewhat boxy and unfitted body. Final word: From a distance, this doesn’t look any different than the boxy, cabled sweater your aunt knitted 20 years ago. Ribbons on the sleeve provide some nice details when you get in close.
12. Custom Cushion ($188): This pillow definitely looks like something just out of an Anthropologie catalogue. The pattern’s slightly bohemian with a circular pattern on the top (that looks a bit like flowers) and a striped pattern on the sides. The pattern can be adjusted to fit different sized cushions, but the listed pattern is designed to replace the seat cushion of a leather lounge chair. Final opinion: Cute when pictured, but way to expensive to knit on my budget. Not to mention the fact that I’m not in the possession of a large lounge chair that needs a new cushion cover. Lastly, though cool looking; I don’t know how well the style of this cushion is really going to mesh with the average person’s decor.
13. Zigzag Sweater Blanket (?): Instead of knitting, this pattern calls sewing together fabric swatches made from old sweaters that have been felted (the sweaters must be made of 100% wool or some other combination that will felt). Once felted, sweaters are cut into square pieces of fabric and sewn together creating a blanket with an asymmetric design. This pattern calls for the use of a sewing machine. Final opinion: I love the idea of being able to recycle old clothes – but living in Los Angeles I don’t think I’ll ever have enough wool sweaters (in complimentary colors) to make a blanket.
14. Felted Bulletin Board ($72.50 price for yarn only): Designed to hang like a curtain on rod, this bulletin board is made out of felted wool. The pattern uses 4 different colors of yarn with three different colored rectangles making up the board and a 4th colored making up the border. Final opinion: The bulletin board looks fine, but who really wants to sit down and knit a 30 inch by 60 inch rectangle? There’s not a lot more boring than knitting the same number of stitches (in the same stitch) for ball after ball after ball of yarn. This pattern calls for knitting 9 balls of yarn this way!
15. Laptop Cases ($43.50/$50.75/$87.00 for S/M/L bag): A vertically striped, felted bag with a slit cut in the felt for a handle. A pattern for three different size bags is given. Final opinion: I know laptops keep getting smaller every day but I still can’t imagine anyone carrying around their laptop in a bag without a shoulder strap. It’s also not a great idea to carry a laptop in a bag without some sort of protective padding. This is an easy pattern and might make for a nice purse – but it is NOT a laptop case. For a much more function and similarly themed pattern, check out the book Stitch ‘n B*tch Nation.
16. PDA Case ($8.00): A small felted clutch with button closure and flower embroidery. Final opinion: This looks like a cute little purse. I’m not sure how many people want to carry their PDA in a cute little purse, but it is a cute pattern. It’s always nice to have a quick, cheap project to put together when you need a last minute present.
17. Dylan’s Bay Blanket and Hat ($63.50 blanket/ $8.00 hat – price for yarn only): A basic knit blanket and hat set with the twist of using fabric paint for extra detailing. The hat pictured is a basic blue baby cap with darker blue polka dots. The blanket is a simple blanket pattern with a fabric backing. The backing has also been embellished with fabric paint. Final opinion: A basic hat/blanket pattern. The results with the paint look cute. There are some creative ideas of how to incorporate fabric paint into your projects included with this knitting pattern.
18. Cardigans for Clark and Lilly ($60-$84): A cardigan pattern for children (in sizes 2-10) with interesting color choices, layering and embroidered detailing. Final opinion: I’m not crazy about these cardigans, nor have I met too many children who are crazy about cardigans in general. These might work for the right kid but I’ve seen much cuter designs out there.
19. Paper Lanterns ($8.00): You know those small lanterns that you can buy to place over a string of Christmas lights to make any party atmosphere more festive? Well believe it or not, here’s a pattern to knit some. Final opinion: They look cute in the picture and they could be a fun project to knit. The “paper” yarn might be a bit tricky to track down.
20. Mixed Media Pillows ($33/$58.50 for S/M. Does not include the price of 2.5-4.5 yards of silk fabric): Mohair, linen, and chiffon silk fabric (cut into strips) make up these mix-media pillows. The pillows basically look like they were made from ribbon with some larger pieces of fabric interspersed in a somewhat sloppy, though not unattractive, fashion. Final opinion: Not a bad looking pillow. Again with a Anthropologie store feel. Sort of scruffy-chic. I would never knit/want this for my home, but it is not without appeal
21. Bridgetown T-Shirt Rugs (price ???): Large, striped floor rugs made out of 18-26 large or x-large t-shirts cut into half inch strips. The author suggests using old t-shirts that you have around the house as well as asking friends and family for their donations and hitting up thrift stores. Final opinion: The author’s rug looks quite nice; hers has a beautiful sunset color scheme going on. But honestly, who has 20+ t-shirts in complimentary colors just lying around their house? I like the idea of recycling used clothing, but something tells me that my collection of almost all white t-shirts I’ve collect over the years is going to make the rug of my dreams.
22. Abstract Cardigan ($98/$98/$117.70 S/M/L): Imagine a mohair cardigan with a sweater vest on top of it. Only the sweater vest is short and so the cardigan shows underneath. Then attach ribbons to the sleeves and the vest. Final opinion: I’ve sorry, but this is just terrible looking. Words can’t describe it. Maybe it’s better in person, but I’m not going to try to knit it to find out.
23. Unisex Deconstructed Pullover ($171/$189/$198 for S/M/L): This is another pattern that is tricky to describe. Imagine if you knit a sweater with a body and sleeves that were three different colors. Then if you took a lighter colored cardigan with ¾ length sleeves and pulled it over the sweater – allowing the bottom of the sweater sleeves and the color on the body of the sweater to show through. Then imagine if you called a sweater that looked like it had a cardigan over it “unisex” and put it on a male model. Final opinion: This sweater might work for a woman but it is definitely not unisex! It looks horrible on a man, the way its cut makes a very fit, young male model look like he has breasts! I can’t think this sweater looks much better on a woman. On the plus side, this is certainly one of the most unique sweater patterns I’ve ever seen.
24. Recycled Sweater Totes (price ?): This project involves felting a natural fibered sweater (maybe that one in the back of your closet that the moths got) and then using the felted material to make a purse. Final opinion: This is my favorite project in the book. Much more doable than the felted sweater blanket listed earlier. Of course, this is really sewing not knitting - but still, I love the simplicity of the idea and the fact that I won’t have to spend a million dollars on materials. The pictured purses look great either with cut handles or with leather handles.
25. Stash Bag (price ?): A felted bag to use up your leftover yarn (assuming your leftover yarn felts). Final opinion: There are a million projects like this one out there. The particular pattern looks cute, functional and to be of a useful size. There is a nice original idea of using rubber tubing from the hardware store as handles. The drawback is, you’re going to need your stash yarn to be feltable, of worsted weight, and hopefully in complimentary colors.
26. Screen Door (price ?): It is what it says it is: a knitted screen door. This pattern calls for doubled up UV-coated nylon upholstery thread knitted in garter stitch on US 8 needles. You also need a screen door frame to mount your creation. Final opinion: It looks cool. It’s not every day that you see a knitting pattern that lists a “wooden screen door” as a notion. I’d love to see a finished version of this project in action. I’m wondering, should people be worried that the larger gage on this screen door might not keep out the bugs?
27. Decoupage Dress Form (price ?): Take a dress form and decoupage all your knitting labels on it. Final word. As I am my own dress form, I think I will be skipping this one.
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