Chain knitting is a brand new idea by Lisa Gentry. Gentry has written her first book called, I Can't Believe I'm Chain Knitting! Get an idea about what the buzz is before this top-notch book is even fully released!
The Author
“I Can’t Believe I’m Chain Knitting” by Lisa Gentry is scheduled for release in March 2008. Gentry has already earned a name in the fiber art world. She holds the title, “World’s Fastest Crocheter” from The Guinness Book of World Records, and is vying for the “World’s Fastest Knitter” title, as well. She is a designer, has had numerous patterns published, is a regular guest on several knitting and crochet television series, and owns her own business. Gentry is a terrific and succesful person.
The Review
Finally, there’s something fresh in knitting – really different, not just the same stitches and projects re-done in different ways. Once seen, it becomes a wonder that the new technique has been overlooked until this point in history. It’s that nice-looking.
Chain knitting is an entirely new technique in the world of knitting. It can be described as somewhere between knitting and crocheting, but that’s not quite accurate – it’s much, much more than that. It’s a bit like combining the two crafts, but again, that not exactly correct, either; it’s not simply doing both and then “sewing” the pieces together.
Having said that, what exactly is chain knitting? Imagine knitting along as usual, and then adding crochet chains wherever they are desired; at the cast-on, right in the middle of the knitting, or at the end. The technique, at its most basic level, can be described as knitting in the normal way, occasionally putting the knitting needles down, grabbing a crochet hook, and adding chains to the knit work. However, Gentry has created the procedure in such a way that the knitter continues to use knitting needles all the way through the project; no crochet hooks are necessary.
The technique and book is appropriate for knitters of all levels. A basic understanding of crochet helps, but certainly is not required. In fact, once chain-knitting is mastered, a knitter will understand basic crochet chains completely.
The book is laid out well, is easy to follow, and has great illustrations. It inspires the reader / knitter to be more creative in her own way. This is absolutely a five-star book by a five-star author. At $12.95 USD, it’s also a five-star bargain.
The book will be available through Leisure Arts in March of 2008; more information is available at the author’s website.
