Funky Knits: Knitting Know-How for Hip Young Things

If you think knitting is too square for you, think again! Here's the most fun collection of fresh, innovative projects ever to hit the pages of a book.

Funky Knits is organized into themed sections to suit you and all your hip friends from domestic goddesses to skater boys: Urban Playground, Night Owls, Home Comforts, Punk Garage Rocks, and Festival Folk (not to mention introductory and technique chapters that get you down to the knitty-gritty with a minimum of fuss).

Choose from more than 30 wild designs, like the super-easy (and strong!) key chain, the great knee pads, the kooky cacti (never needs watering!), and the fun-but-practical fruit protectors.

And there are some tried-and-true designs like hoodies, scarves, fingerless gloves, and hats - after all, if you gotta stay warm, why not look cool? You'll love the variety of soft, colorful yarns we've used, too - including the ecologically minded market bag to knit with plastic grocery bags.

It's all here: the techniques, the how-to, the yarn-selection advice, the photos and illustrations, and enough designs to get you itching to stitch. So stop twiddling your thumbs - grab your needles and some friends, and get together with Funky Knits!

Reviews: "I am neither young nor hip, but I love those designs. They encourage one to depart from the it's-gotta-be-perfect mode of knitting."-Bangor Daily News

“A perfect addition to a knitting circle—with plenty of items for male knitters, too! The book is heavy on projects, with all techniques described for the novice.”-C N A magazine

"These are tried and true designs... all with a little added fashion twist for the chic." -Fiber Line Magazine

Introduction

• Materials
• Equipment
• Getting started
• Knit and purl
• Binding off
• Patterns and charts
• Increasing
• Decreasing
• Other stitch techniques
• Color work
• Finishing

• Knee pad covers- Worked in a sturdy DK-weight cotton yarn, these knee pad covers are created in bright colors with attitude.
• Power wristbands- This Celtic-design pattern is suitable for beginners and is a great introduction to color work.
• Key chain- This essential item will help keep your keys safe and sound no matter what you are doing. No real knitting skills required!
• iPod covers- Keep your iPod safe and scratch-free with a knitted iPod cover, complete with tab top buttons to stop the iPod from slipping out.
• Striped beanie- This hat, worked in a two-color stripe using a wool/cotton blend yarn, is a great introduction to simple shaping techniques.
• Hooded top- This garment is perfect for keep you wrapped up and cozy on chilly days.
• Textured zip-up top- Ideal for everyday wear, this textured zip-fronted sweater is worked in an Aran cotton-blend yarn.

• Distressed hold sweater- Give your sweater that worn and lived in look using simple casting-on and binding-off techniques, along with intentionally dropping stitches.
• Extra-long skinny scarf- This scarf is knitted lengthwise to give vertical rather than horizontal stripes.
• Fingerless gloves- These gloves are knitted using a twisting cable design, producing a rich vertical texture to complement the horizontal stripe pattern.
• Arty badges- Even the dullest outfit can be jazzed up with these easy-to-knit felted badges.
• Party dress- This little black dress is knitted in bulky-weight cotton, giving it beautiful drape. The hem edge and armholes are trimmed with a simple but pretty lace edging.
• Bangles and baubles- Create your own knitting jewelry using the simples of techniques.

• Fruit protectors- Protect your fruit from jostling around your lunchbox with these groovy protectors knitting in stockinette stitch.
• Egg cozies- Fun, frivolous, funky, these egg cozies will keep your boiled eggs nice and warm.
• Washcloths- Practice your increasing and decreasing techniques with these soft and simple washcloths.
• Plastic wash bag- Recycle your old plastic bags to create this brightly colored bag.
• Cozy-toe slippers- These simple slippers are thick, warm, and great for relaxing.
• Snuggle blanket- Wrap yourself up in this beautifully textured fabric created in a bulky merino wool.
• Felted buttons- Can't find buttons to match your garment? Make your own- they only take minutes to knit!
• Houndstooth dog coat- Keep your canine pal protected from the elements in the utmost style in this Fair Isle coat.
• Easy-care cacti- No green fingers are needed for these cacti. Worked in simple ribbing and seed stitch, then stuffed and placed in pots, they are really low maintenance!

• Safety-pin sweater- The randomly placed horizontal slashes between the stripes in this sweater are held together with safety pins to make you stand out in the crowd wherever you go.
• Guitar case- This guitar case is worked in a machine-washable Aran-weight cotton and microfiber blend yarn, perfect for protecting your guitar from knocks and bumps.
• Record bag- Carry around all your essentials in this roomy bag, created in stockinette stitch, with a shoulder strap created in seed stitch.
• Musical pillow- This pillow features a guitar fretboard design and uses pretty shell buttons to indicate finger positions
• Purple-passion disco top- Get up, get down, get funky with this super halter-neck top.

• Sporran and sporran bag- This quirky little project was inspired by the traditional Scottish Highland dress sporran.
• Flower-power poncho- Individualize your outfit with this 1960s-inspired poncho.
• Two-tone socks- Whether you're doing an outdoor pursuit, dozing in bed, or simply lazing around at home, these socks keep your feet warm and toasty.
• Pixie hat- This pointy pixie hat with cozy earflaps is knitted in a super bulky merino wool yarn.
• Patchwork picnic blanket- Perfect for taking to a picnic, this patchwork blanket makes a cheery statement that will put everyone in the mood for summer fun.