Hip Knits: 65 Easy Designs from Hot Designers

Yes, some of the patterns in here are a little, um, NOT-hip. But I've seen my fill of knitting books with patterns for skull wrist bands, crocheted bikinis, finger puppets, water-bottle cozies, etc. I like the simple patterns. Especially the baby/kids patterns. In fact, I've used one pattern in this book for a baby sweater like 6 times. Everyone loves them! And yes, some of the adult sweaters are boxy, but there are several that are not. My main complaint about this book is the way it's laid out. I don't like how one thing runs into another. I find that a little distracting when I'm trying to follow a pattern. But otherwise, I think this is a good book, especially for an advanced beginner, and defintely worth the money. I'm an intermediate knitter, and I still find value in the book.

This is the best knitting book I have purchased in a long time. I already have a long list of projects lined up from it. The sweaters are cute and simple...but there are also enough intermediate and experienced patterns to keep interesting to all levels of knitters.....I also love that the authors made many of the products with inexpensive, easy to find yarns. I live in a rural area with WalMart and WiseBuys being my only suppliers and in order to get the yarns used in many pattern books I am forced to mail order. Shipping costs really add up! Anyone looking for easy, quick sweater patterns for all family members should pick this book up.

I got this book through a book club, and was surprised (and pleased) to find some crochet patterns in it, even though it says it is a knitting book. While I still can't knit yet, I had just learned to crochet and this was my very first book to try. I made a shawl (crocheted) from the book that was super easy - considering I had only spent an hour learning and practicing the basic stitches - and I have used that shawl pattern for four shawls already! They are quick to do and good for folks who hate super long and complicated patterns. And the finished product didn't look like a beginner had done it! So, while I haven't tried many of the patterns in the book yet, it was worth it for me to find one or two patterns that a total beginner could use successfully. But on the other hand, there are only a few patterns in the book that I might ever use, so if you want a lot of usable patterns, then this book might not be for you.

One of the newest needlecraft titles from the editors and writers of Better Homes and Gardens magazine, Hip Knits: 65 Easy Projects From Hot Designers offers diverse knitting and crochet projects that will please even the most experienced needlecrafter while being presented with such easy-to-follow illustrated directions as to make every "do-it-yourself" design accessible to even the most novice beginner. These projects range from charming baby sets, stylish sweaters and vest, useful totes, warm mittens, imaginative hats, lovely scarves, and more. Each project comes complete with a materials list, step-by-step instructions, and project diagrams. Enhanced with knitting and crochet basics, Hip Knits is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to any needlecrafting reference collection.