Book Review
The Teen Knitting Club will benefit beginners and knitters of all
ages and stages because it is an all-encompassing book of knitting
instruction and fun and interesting projects. It is a great
resource for this purpose, but it can also be useful to anyone who
wants to knit and needs a bit of guidance as to where to start.
The authors open the book with a good deal of instruction so when
you are ready to start knitting you are definitely prepared in every
way possible. It is an absolute must to read the first sections
called, All You Need to Know, Materials, Stitches and Techniques,
and Top Ten Problems and What to Do About Them.
These sections are especially important if you are a new knitter
because they will educate you on many important things such as the
properties of the yarns you may be using that you must consider
before making a knitted project, how to follow the instructions
on the label of the yarn you purchase (especially the dye lot number
so your yarn will all look the same which can affect your final
product, with solutions if you run out of your die lot number),
how to choose your knitting needles and how this would affect your
knitting. Also covered are the necessary accessories to ensure
your knitting projects are successful, a how-to section to get you
started if this is your first time knitting and visual as well as
written instructions on the various stitches you may be using.
It is also important that you pay close attention to the section
on gauge or tension (to ensure your projects come out the right
size they are supposed to) and the information on the techniques
of increasing and decreasing to shape such projects as the Headkerchief
and the Boatneck Pullover. To finish off your project you
need to know about binding off, joining yarn, weaving in ends, blocking
(the label on your yarn in combination with the gauge piece you
made before you started your project will help to ensure your final
knitted piece is the proper size), and seaming or the mattress stitch
which is used to sew up sweaters and ponchos, among other things.
Especially important after you have learned the basics is to have
a quick read through the section on the Top ten problems and what
to do about them so you will have an idea what it contains.
As you are working on a knitting project, you will know that you
can refer back to these solutions if they apply to your problem.
The authors also give you other options for assistance such as asking
help from other knitters you know (there is testimony from teenagers
included in the sidelines of the book about this very thing and
how it brings them closer to people) to seeking out your local yarn
store and even books, magazines or websites that may give you the
answers you seek for your questions.
After the initial instruction in the book the projects contain further
instruction that pertain to the individual projects such as How
to Add Fringe (instructions for various methods of fringe are included)
for the Fringed Scarves, Knitting in the Round for hats such as
the Narrow Ribbed-Brim Hat, Adding a strap (two different types)
for bags such as the Raggy Bag, and Determining your Size for such
projects as the Chenille Tank Top. There are also instructions at
the back on how to Start Your Own Teen Knitting Club, how to get
started Knitting for Others (including a list of organizations and
websites to contact if you are interested), how to make a Teen Knitting
Club Scrapbook and a very useful Glossary to help you fully understand
the terminology and abbreviations used in the patterns in this book.
I really like that the authors did such in depth research into the
knitting habits of young adults and even some teachers around the
country and included their comments in this book. These comments
are almost as important as the instructions themselves because they
are empowering, positive and heartwarming stories about other peoples'
successes with knitting. It especially comes across in these
comments that knitting is a relaxing, friendly, rewarding and positive
activity in which to be involved.
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