[.uk] Knit Knack Kit (ISBN 0811838579)

Warning!:
This kit is the re-packaged version of "Knitting Pretty", by Kris Percival, my first ever knitting book. It's an enjoyable book and it did the trick, but I have a slight bone to pick with the kit. I remember only too well one day a few months after I had become a successful knitter. I wanted to knit my dad a hat for his birthday, and with a smile on my face picked up a pair of circular needles. The experience was horrible! I kept getting tangled and snarled, and after 15 minutes I was in tears! Now I'm a bit more advanced and have successfully completed a hat, and circular needles are my friends. But for a beginner, I would not recommend this kit for the sole reason that it expects people to learn on circulars. I would more recommend buying "Knitting Pretty" and some STRAIGHT needles, instead of buying the Knit Knack Kit. Same book, less money and suffering... PS: One thing that "Knitting Pretty" doesn't explain, which is crucial to know when you DO pick up circular needles, is that "join yarn" means MAKE SURE THE YARN ISN'T TANGLED. It confused me that the instruction to "join yarn" was in all the "Knitting Pretty" hat patterns, but I had no idea what she meant. So just so you know... Hope I helped!

It Got Me Knitting:
I taught myself to knit from this book. While I agree with others that the round needles were not easy to work with, I was able to get started. The store I bought it at told me there was no yarn included - so I bought a ball and was knitting that night. It's great to inspire someone to knit.

A useful tool for kntting teachers everywhere:
Every Friday I teach a small class of 2nd- 6th graders the art of knitting. Initially, I had a hard time finding patterns for the children that were quick, easy to read, and most important...FUN! The children love the cards that come in the kit because they can stand them up on the table in front of them. This saves these newbie knitters from having to put down their work to check a pattern. Also, it includes kid friendly patterns like the head kerchief, child's halter top, and the beer cozy, which we use for our Cokes instead! The skill level ratings on the cards are great as well, because they help the kids decide which patterns are feasible for them. If you have a child who wants to learn how to knit, this is the perfect starting kit.

very nice but has what I see as a big flaw:
This is really a very nice kit for beginners as well as knitting to go since most projects are smaller. The 25 projects are all super nice or cute. BUT as a long time crocheter \oand a knitter of just a few years\c with this kit, what I consider as the big flaw and perhaps an oversight is that all yarn measurements are listed as # of balls/skeins and # of grams/ounces. If there is any yard lengths mentioned on the back of the cards; it is not noted if this is total yards or per skein/ball. I can only say of my own yarn purchasing experience - I do not buy any yarn by the weight; I do however check the yard length which insures that I will have enough yarn to make any project.

Excellent gift for a beginner knitter:
I did not like this Kit since I found the designs very basic and some were not particularly practical. However; for the beginner knitter it would be an excellent gift. I did like the scarf pattern and the baby hat. Plus, the designs are well written and convenient to put with the project.