Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice

It's almost a shame this book was organized around the "holiday" knitting theme. I didn't even look at this book for months because I assumed it was limited to Christmas stockings and tree skirts. Of course, there ARE a couple of Christmas stockings and tree skirts, but there is so much more. There are ambitious projects, such as a beautiful fair isle sweater, and quick projects, such as the thick cabled "Log Cabin Socks". There are great bags, like the lacy "Counterpane", along with sweaters, hats, mittens, and, oh, yeah, holiday decorations. I have knitted a couple of items from this book for gifts (the flip-top mittens are a great gift, for example), but of the 6 items I've finished so far, 4 were for me! The over-the-knee stockings are next on my to-do list from this great book.

I completely agree with all the glowing reviews. Handknit Holidays is gorgeous to look at, and, even more importantly, the patterns are charming and elegant. I want to make up all of them now! That said, I have to warn my fellow beginning knitters that this is a fairly advanced book. In fact, although I just went to the bookstore to buy this book, I didn't end up bringing it home with me. It's just too hard for me right now. But there's always next Christmas!

I LOVE this book. I will be knitting many of the projects throughout the coming year. One thing to mention is that the Hanukkah Menorah is not reasonable. I had very much been looking forward to a book that contained a Hanukkah Menorah. The look and idea of the knitted wire with beads has lead me to make votive holders as gifts. But to use it an a Hanukkah Menorah will not work. The Menorah needs to use the larger candle as the Shamus to light all of the other candles. As a votive athat is a good 1/2 below the the line of the votive holder I do not see how this could actually work. That said, I LOVE this book. I will be making the Menorah Pillow doing our holiday trip and the Knitted Table Cloth to use next year. The book is amazing in its variety. So many things to make, so little time. I bought the book sight unseen and do not regreat it. 5 stars is an understatement.

I really wasn't expecting a lot from this book. I thought it would be another Christmas-hype book. I couldn't be more wrong. The projects are wonderful and the photography is great. The projects are varied and will suit many types of knitters. There are quick and easy projects like the knitted ornaments and garland, as well as more complex projects like a stranded tree skirt and a lace shawl. There are a variety of lovely yarns used in here, and some in unexpected ways (e.g., a linen-blend yarn for above-the-knee stockings and mountain colors bearfoot for a stranded cape). The projects are inspiring and I've found myself thumbing through the book while sitting on my sofa for three nights in a row. I'm so happy to add this to my knitting library.

This book is definitely a winner. It is one of the few knitting books that I have looked at and said, "I want to knit everything in there!". There are Christmas ornaments, garlands and treeskirt and stocking sets. Also, several styles of table runners and a clever lace tablecloth by Annie Modesitt that uses panels of linen in between lovely lace strips. One item I think I'll be making this year is a delicate lace "frame" to use as a mat for a photograph (within a wooden frame). The garments are wonderful and most (except a little tank) are in a variety of sizes, from small to plus sized. ALL yarns in this book are of the best quality; no craft store yarns here :^) This means some of the projects can be very expensive, but I like to see projects knit with luxurious yarns because I know I can always substitute if I need to. I know shrugs have been done to death lately, but there is a new and interesting shrug idea in here from Norah Gaughn that is lovely. Highly recommended for all your gift knitting, and holiday decorating needs. The book is slanted more toward Christmas and Winter Solstice celebrations, with only one specific Chanukah project (a lovely cable pillow in which the cables form a mennorah). Many great designers, many fabulous yarns.