Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice
by Melanie Falick
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Book Summary Information
Author: Melanie FalickPhotographer: Susan Pittard
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2005-10-01
ISBN: 1584794542
Number of pages: 184
Publisher: "Stewart, Tabori and Chang"
Book Reviews of Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice
Book Review: Frustrating Moments, but Worth It!
Summary: 5 Stars
I checked this book out of the library a week ago, and since then I have finished 3 projects! I rarely buy books that are available for free in the library, but I definitely have to have this one on my shelf. The menorah pillow was the big draw for me, and I am planning on knitting it for my parents this year; however, most of these patterns are amazing. There seems to be a little bit of everything, and I want to knit nearly all of it! The doll outfits are absolutely adorable, and would be appropriate for your favorite child any time of year. The Candy Cane Striped Hat worked up in two nights (in sizes baby to adult, no less). After I made one, I decided that all my kids need one for this Christmas. The evergreen bag inspired me to (finally!) learn Fair Isle knitting. I finished the bag in just a few days, and I absolutely love it. Snegurochka's Party Hat is a beautiful beaded cap that I am knitting (without beads) for a friend who will be starting chemo soon. It is gorgeous, and so much more classy and stylish than any "chemo cap" pattern I have seen. I also have my eye on a pair of knee-high sock/stockings with an outrageously sexy eyelet faux seam running up the back. When it cools off this fall, I'm going to start on the log cabin socks. The possibilities in this book seem endless, and it includes many, many patterns that are not Christmas-specific. Even some of the Christmas-y patterns, like the stockings, are shown in unexpected colorway that look terrific. And if you love cable knitting, you have to check out the Aran tree skirt. It is absolutely to die for!
There is an error in the decrease of the Striped Candy Cane Hat. I just did a basic K2tog decrease one stitch in each band of the main color in the first row, then knit a row even, then one K2tog decrease in each band of the contrast color of the 3rd row, then knit a row even, etc. I also came up with a couple extra stitches at the end when it was time to start the I-cord topper, but it was no big deal; I just added 1 more decreasing row until I had the proper # of stitches, then did my I-cord. I can't tell you how cute the hat came out; it was totally worth figuring out the details. There is a picture in the customer images.
You can find errata info from the author at [..]
There are corrections for:
Candy Cane Hat
Over the Knee Socks
Menorah Pillow
For the Snegurochka's Party Hat, here is what I figured out while knitting today:
Row 33, Stitch 16 should be a K2tog instead of a knit, so K2tog, K4...
Row 35, Stitches 16-24 should read Ssk, K7, K2tog
For some reasons, rows 31-34 are increased to 37 stitches, then decrease back down to 36. Weird, but it's working.
The errors are definitely frustrating. If I was not a fairly advanced knitter, I would have given up on the Snegurochka's Party Hat pattern. On the other hand, it is coming out so beautifully, and I can't wait to give it away! I might even make another one for myself. There really are some fun, amazing patterns in this book. I don't get too worked up about errors in the pattern, but I do think that it is the author's responsibility to get the correct information on her website. She shouldn't leave it to random knitters and bloggers to fix her mistakes. So, if you are a beginning knitter or get easily frustrated with errors, pass this one by. However, if you are willing to track down the corrections, this book is awesome.
Summary of Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice
For many people, the best part of the winter holidays is the anticipation: planning the perfect gifts, decorating the house, looking forward to seeing family and friends. Holidays can be particularly special for knitters, whose preparations often start months in advance and involve their own creations. In Handknit Holidays best-selling knitting author Melanie Falick presents an eclectic collection of more than 50 original gifts, decorations, and clothing pieces for Christmas, Hanukkah, and the winter solstice, providing year-round inspiration for knitters of all levels.Created by top knitwear designers, the projects include colorful ornaments; funky and classic Christmas stockings; a wire-and-bead menorah; sparkly ribbon scarves; a poncho and matching dog sweater; and a range of super-quick projects for that last-minute holiday rush, from a Santa hat, to elf caps, to flower pins. Rounding out the volume are a few grand projects-an Aran tree skirt, a patchwork afghan, a lace shawl-destined to become family heirlooms, plus features on such topics as the origin of the Christmas stocking, the meaning of the winter solstice, knitting for charities, strategies for finishing holiday knitting (on schedule!), and even a delicious recipe for festive crescent cookies.
Beautifully photographed by Susan Pittard, Handknit Holidays is a creative celebration of the holiday season and a treasure for all knitters who seek to bring more of their own handwork-and artistry-into their daily lives and their holiday festivities.
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