quick is (very) good

i got a neat little book in the mail last week and i saved it for today to share it as a holiday treat.

with 60 quick knits, sixth&spring books has produced a winning collection of hat, scarf, and mitten projects featuring the ever-versatile cascade 220 yarn.

what i like so much about this book (besides that it is chock full of attractive projects) is that “quick” in this case does not translate to childish or underwhelming.

most can be completed in a few evenings and will make make lovely last-minute gifts. though not all qualify as quick enough to start the day before a gift-giving event, there are a few winners in that category too . . .

the projects are quick because they are smaller accessory pieces that are stylishly and effectively detailed, without involving a lot of fussy work. the results speak for themselves

neat and tailored pieces with a dollop of whimsy that are sure to generate the great compliment of being worn over and over by the recipient.

what is especially notable about this book as a whole, is the attention the editors have given to color choices as an effective component of successful quick projects.

color packs enough impact to carry a design and will eclipse the need for laborious embellishment when speed is a priority. this concept is illustrated extremely well throughout the book in the sample projects

color is fun, fast, and a very effective vehicle of style—once you’ve chosen the right colors for a simple project, all you have to do is knit it up very nicely. everyone appreciates an accessory in an awesome color.

as i said, the collection does not descend into childishly executed pieces, but there are a number of wonderful knits included that are appropriate for children.

in fact, every age is well represented and many projects are of a unisex design—again, think color; changing the colors of a project can completely transform it

i love this hat in soft, neutral tones, but i can totally see it in pinks and greens for a very different effect.

various fabrics and techniques are well represented; cables, lace, colorwork, special stitches—you name it, it’s all in here.

i know i’m gushing a bit—forgive me. i just love a book full of fun, classic projects that could conceivably be sourced over and over for years—that’s the kind of book i grew up with, back when knitting books were very few and far between.

as much as i want to keep my copy, i think i’m gonna send it to my mom—now that she is rediscovering her knitting mojo, she been experimenting with small projects like the ones in this book. i think she’d enjoy it (and who knows—maybe she’ll knit me a great hat or scarf for christmas).

here’s your chance to receive one too—once again sixth&spring books is allowing me to raffle off a copy of 60 quick knits to one lucky winner. if you’d like a copy, leave a comment at the end of this post some time before 9 pm on sunday, april 4th. i’ll ask david to draw one name and announce the winner on monday morning.