Diane Serviss

This book is a hard one to review fairly because I dislike many of the designs and I certainly would not use the yarns Ms Serviss has chosen. As I went through this collection of knit hats the first time, my eye was drawn to bits of construction mechanics showing though in the photos – colored hat body showing in the hat brim and poorly (or at least oddly) matched seams. Some of the designs seemed outright unattractive. Will adults wear "bonnet type hoods" (meaning hats with long knitted or braided hangy things at the sides of the face like the one on the cover) regardless of how "chic and trendy" Ms Serviss thinks they are? Not me. I thought too, that the models – even the women of color – should get their hemoglobin checked they are so pale. What is it with pale models in knitting books???

But some of that is the fault of the photographer and the color editor, and as I went through the book a second and third time, several of the patterns started to grow on me, assuming you changed the yarn, gauge and color. Others no way ever.

Most of these hats are knitted in the round which appeals to me but might not to everyone. These are not particularly complicated designs and the instructions seem adequate.

I suggest that you look through the book before you buy.

I received a review copy of "Knockout Knit Hats and Hoods: 30 Engaging Designs for Beanies, Tams, Slouches, and More" by Diane Serviss, Photographs by Gale Zucker, (Rowman & Littlefield-Stackpole) through NetGalley.com.… (más)

I received an ARC of this book to read from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Knockout Knit Hats and Hoods by Diane Serviss is a book I look forward to adding to my collection. There are 30 beautifully designed hats and hoods for all ages, from glamorous to whimsical, stylishly warm hats any one would be delighted to wear. The photographs by Gale Zucker are gorgeous, and what I really like is that many of the patterns explore techniques that some may not have done before and these hats and hoods provide the perfect vehicle to learn the new techniques. The patterns are well written with clear and concise instructions and the back section of the book has one of the best set of instructions for the Kitchener stitch that I have seen... Kitchener Stitch being one of my bugaboos ... I hate it but I happened to have to finish off a sock at the time I was evaluating this book and was quite happy that I now think I’ve mastered it. Excellent Book Publishing Date October 1, 2018 #NetGalley #Knockoutknithatsandhoods… (más)