Knitgrrl, by Shannon Okey

This is not your grandmother’s knitting guide! In conjunction with the recent knitting resurgence, Shannon Okey’s Knitgrrl offers amazing DIY advice and proves that knitted goods can actually be stylish. From classic scarves and caps to text messaging mittens and ipod cozies, this book offers a project for every modern girl. There is even a quiz readers can take to determine which kinds of yarn (like natural fibers, eyelash yarn, or boucle) best suit their personal style.

With detailed written instructions and colorful photos and illustrations, Knitgrrl is great for all levels of knitters. It provides basic advice on selecting needles and yarn and then walks beginners through casting on and the basic two stitches. More advanced knitters can learn difficult techniques like ribbing, cables, and using double-pointed needles. Okey’s suggestion for a knitting party made me wish I had some knitting-knowledgeable friends to invite me over!

Readers can explore beyond the text at its companion site, www.knitgrrl.com. The book also provides links to online yarn suppliers and project idea sites. I would recommend this as a gift for a crafty young lady who is always looking for a new project. Librarians can use Knitgrrl and similar texts to promote a knitting programming at their library. It won’t sit on any shelf for long!

Okey, S. (2005). Knitgrrl. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications. ISBN 0-8230-2618-3