Product Description

AlterKnits is a collection of nearly 30 projects, each one introducing an alternative way of thinking about the construction and application of knitting. For example, some projects call for unusual materials (such as bracelets and necklaces knitted with leather and silver). Some projects blend different craft techniques into the design or construction (such as a skull cap with a crocheted border). Some projects apply knitting in unexpected places (knitted lanterns and bulletin boards). Scattered throughout the book are AlterExercises, which are creativity exercises for readers to try on their own or with knitting friends, as well as inspirational quotes from such diverse sources as Albert Einstein, Martha Graham, and Benjamin Franklin. While the projects are all innovative, they are not difficult. The design of the book AlterKnits also supports the alternative, experimental theme. The book is constructed as a three-part case, consisting of paper over board for the front and back cover and a cloth spine. Attached to the inside front cover is a large pocket holding the AlterKnits workbook.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #235693 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

About the Author
Leigh Radford is the art director of Interweave Knits magazine and an award-winning graphic designer with over twenty years of experience in graphic design and corporate marketing.

Customer Reviews

Inspiring
I must confess I haven't attempt to knit any of the projects in this book yet, but it is one of my favourites and is one of the star guests of my bedsite cabinet. Nevertheless, that is the point of this book, to inspire you to take your knitting to different levels and to experiment with materials and techniques. It is also beautiful to read. Ah! and it comes with a handy notebook which I have definitely used, and so will you if you get this book.

Not very imaginative nor very creative
This book is over-ambitious and the result is for me utterly disappointing. The presentation, the language and the design tells you it's going to be "something else", but I haven't found any inspiration at all in it. I've seen it all before. The "new approach to fabrics and textures" can be summed up in knitting a boringly simple baby hat and blanket and apply painted dots, or embroidering a felted pda cozy with circles, or knitting a screen with nylon thread. There is one thing that interested me, which was covering a string of christmas lights with paper-based lanterns, and there is a pretty blanket and a pretty cushion, but that's hardly revolutionary. The rest is all adding a satin ribbon to a pair of knitted gloves or a corset tie-back to a dull tank. It all gets more annoying by adding big sentences to it or dressing up the projects with over-stretched pictures, like putting the paper crowns on a girl in a wedding dress. Really over the top, really disappointing. Not worth the money.