Easy Knitted Accessories: Funky and Fashionable Projects for the Novice Knitter

I have to start out by saying I am about as novice a knitter as there could be, so the 'easy' in the title was enticing. Looking through the patterns now, while they are perhaps a bit beyond my skill, seem varied in skill level, with some easy, some that seem more dificult. The projects are not your typical scarf, mittens, etc. that you usually find in 'easy' books; they are fun, stylish and creative. Quite a few projects are beaded and different/unique cabling is used to create many of the styles. The instructions in the beginning are helpful, some of the better ones I have seen, with clear pictures and tips and even instructions for fairisle and intarsia. I can't wait to get started knitting!

I passed on this book first time around as a beginner book because it does have over 30 pages for the beginner at the start of the book. But the patterns are interesting and would make nice gifts. I especially like the beaded items and the gloves. Designs are fresh, book is nicely printed with good photos in color. All the yarns are Jaeger/Rowan but it is easy to substitute. I like it better than the other "gift" books I've purchased and can find many projects from it that I'd like to make.

I bought this book for the fabulous beaded denim bag pattern, hoping it would be full of similar projects. At first look I was a bit disappointed because it's a beginning knitting book, but after further perusal I found I wanted to make more than half of the 30 projects in it. I've been knitting a long time and sometimes it's hard to find challenging and inspiring projects, especially with the abundance of beginner's knitting books currently available. This book was a pleasant surprise - it's full of fresh, fun, trendy, and colorful designs. It would be a wonderful book for a beginning knitter - the instructions are very clear, basic techniques are clearly presented, and the projects teach lots of fun embellishment techniques such as beading and duplicate stitch. At the same time, the designs are creative enough to inspire more advanced knitters, and patterns for items like gloves and hats can easily be adapted for circular or double point needles. All of the projects are both decorative and very functional, and most would be special enough for gifts. If you want to have fun creating unique accessories, buy this book - I got my copy 3 weeks ago and am already in the middle of my third project - and I'm having a great time!

I totally meant to buy Last Minute Knitted Gifts, but was unimpressed with the patterns. I thought to myself, I can figure out how to make all these things without your expensive help, thanks. Then I saw this book. The patterns are so versatile, so fresh, that it's a must-have. Twenty patterns are included, the fingerless glove pattern has four variations. I will probably make fifteen of the twenty patterns, and that's a good ratio. High points: The driving gloves, legwarmers (like none you've seen before), chunky ruffle beanie, ribbed earflap hat, pompon hat, and floral relief scarf. These are gorgeous patterns you won't be bored of while knitting.

Like the book said, the 30 accessories offered here are funky. There is section on how to knit etc with colored photos.Projects are the usual hats, mittens, scarfs, bags, socks, warmers, shawls. But not the usual one colored hat. Of course ,there are classic designs like gloves, socks but for most of the designs, there is a mix of interesting details to each project like lace with beads, sequin glove, color motifs with colored stripes for bag, loops on shawl, patchwork bag etc. The colors of the projects are fun. If there is a new skill to be learned with the project, colored photos are included. Much better than other books on knitting gifts coz they look quite plain.