Teen Knitting Club: Chill Out and Knit

by Jennifer Wenger, Carol Abrams, Maureen Lasher

Overview

All over the country, kids are picking up knitting needles and wildly colorful yarns to make really cool clothes and other fabulous stuff—from cozy chenille scarves to snuggly shawls, funky rag bags to furry tank tops, whimsical brimmed hats to classy cardigans. Whether on their own or together with friends in after-school clubs, recreation centers, or even yarn shops, these kids are discovering that knitting is more than learning basic stitches and following pattern directions.

Knitting is a way to get exactly what they want to own, and it is also a fun way to relax and hang out, a way to surprise a friend with a handmade sweet sixteen present, a way to discover the creative "me" in themselves.

Teen Knitting Club shows them how they can do it all—from learning the basics to forming knitting clubs of their own. Firsthand stories and tips from scores of teens both advise and encourage teens, while lively four-color photographs of their handiwork show what can be done with just a little practice.

Cool kids everywhere will be saying, "Move over, Grandma," and joining in this creative and rewarding pastime.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781579652449
Publisher:	Artisan
Publication date:	08/28/2004
Edition description:	SPIRAL
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	9.68(w) x 7.62(h) x 0.93(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Carol Abrams is an award-winning television producer, an attorney, and a lifelong knitter who lives in Los Angeles.

Maureen Lasher is a literary agent and avid knitter who lives in Santa Monica.

Jennifer Wenger is the proprietor of Los Angeles's Jennifer Knits and has more than fifteen years of knitting experience.

Read an Excerpt

We began poring over knitting literature and studying teen fashion magazines to find the best way to reach out to our readers. We also began to conduct interviews in person, via letters and e-mail, and in phone conversations with hundreds of teen and young adult knitters from Manhattan to Malibu. Almost immediately, something magical began to happen.

The answers we were getting to our questions revealed that knitting meant more to our respondents than anything we had imagined. More than just a hobby, knitting is often a journey of self-discovery: a way to nurture creativity and self-expression, achieve a sense of accomplishment, and boost self-esteem.

Our teens and young adults say that knitting is something productive to do when they’re alone, listening to music, or watching TV. With a group, like a school knitting club, it’s a great way to spend time with new and old friends in a noncompetitive, nonacademic setting.

Knitting healing shawls or caps for children undergoing chemotherapy is a way many young knitters contribute to their communities. And knitting with relatives strengthens family ties.

Of course, everyone loves enhancing his or her wardrobe with one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories at a fraction of what they would cost to buy. And making presents for loved ones proves that it’s better to give than to receive.

Last, but most importantly, virtually every knitter comments on how relaxed he or she feels when knitting—how the soothing, rhythmic act of knitting helps relieve school and social pressures and reduce stress.

Realizing we’ve found the heart of our book in the words and stories of our knitters, we are thrilled to share them with you in these pages. We hope they will inspire you as much as they do us and that you will come to love and benefit from knitting, as we do.

Table of Contents

A Note from the Authors (p.10)

All You Need to Know (p.13)

Materials (p.14)

Stitches and techniques (p. 28)

Top Ten Problems and What to Do About Them (p. 42)

Teen Knitting Club Projects (p. 47)

Scarves (p. 49)

Hats (p. 71)

Bags (p. 87)

Ponchos (p. 93)

Tank Tops and Shells (p. 101)

Sweaters 113

One-Day Projects (p. 125)

Blankets (p. 129)

Start Your Own Teen Knitting Club (p. 133)

Knitting for Others (p.135)

Teen Knitting Club Scrapbook (p. 137)

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations (p. 138)

Editorial Reviews

High schoolers and college students can learn to stitch together hats, sweaters, blankets and more with Teen Knitting Club: Chill Out and Knit by Jennifer Wenger, Carol Abrams and Maureen Lasher. This comprehensive covered spiralbound guide takes teens through the fundamentals-tools, basic stitches, yarn selection and more-before providing clear directions and diagrams for 35 projects plus tips for starting a knitting club. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Gr 8 Up-This sturdy book has a pleasing layout. The section "All You Need to Know" discusses materials, stitches and techniques, and problems, accompanied by helpful charts and illustrations pertaining to such matters as yarn thicknesses and labels. Instructions for scarves, hats, bags, ponchos, tank tops, and more follow, with variations. One-day ideas such as a headband or choker provide quick results. Numerous color photos, many full page, of males and females wearing the garments are included. Encouraging quotes from teens add a special touch. Back matter includes "Start Your Own Teen Knitting Club" and "Knitting for Others," with a list of suggestions for community organizations to contact.-Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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