Alterknit Rebellion: Radical patterns for creative knitters
I bought a new knitting book for the first time in years this year. It’s not (just) because it has a beautiful pink cover with a big bold green title across (although it helped) but because I thought it would be “my style of knitting” inside. And I was right, it’s a perfect book for my library of free-form creativity and DIY ideas I think.
When I started knitting as an adult I felt that the knitting world was welcoming and kind, but patterns were elitist and very difficult for me as a beginner to understand. Most pattern designers assumed you knew everything already, but I was stumped so often. That’s why I am loving a more artistic and freer way of knitting these days, although I find myself stumped just as often. There are so many factores to think about, and I like “just starting” which knitting is not the best place for. But these days I try to push through and I know my stumbling-blocks better. I have an easier time recognizing what to avoid and where to find inspiration, as I know myself better. These books are my go-to right now.
I documented myself opening up the new to me book this spring, mostly because I wanted to save the enjoyment of it to experience it again, haha. But I hope it will be of some interest to you anyway.
In my video I talk a bit about what I thought the book would be about as well as two other knitting books that I really like. In the video you’ll get Scandinavian knitting book designers that I love, a new to me knitting book in pink – and ideas for creative rebells that want to knit but does not enjoy following rules or patterns…
Video about knitting books for artists
I hope you will like the video and read the books too (two of them are available in English so if they seam intersting to you I hope you’ll check them out – links and titles below).
If you enjoy colors and knitting (or want to embrace the two) I’d add these two books to your wish list! Winter is the time to cozy down, light candles and do the crafting, right?
Swedish author Anna Bauer’s knitting is inspired by a danish idea of knitting with two colors that is called “hönsestrik”/alterknit. Her book is available in English and it’s called “Alterknit rebellion – radical patterns for creative knitters”. I love this book. It is filled with a kind of free-form knitting that starts with you measuring your body and then deciding on how many stitches to cast on based on your own measurements. It might be a bit of a trial and error method, but it works for me. At the end, you have an entire library of descriptions of rows to knit using two different yarn colors. You have repeating patterns galore, including both fun and a bit crazy ideas and more traditional stripes of leaves, berries, trees and ornamental ideas. I’m sure you will find plenty to get you going.
I am currently knitting a cardigan from this book, but it is taking me for ever to finish. Make sure you’re subscribed to blog posts so you don’t miss the day I am finally able to share a finished knit with you again.
Then Danish knitting designer Lærke Bagger has two books available in English, the one I bought and open in this video is called “Close Knit: 15 Patterns and 45 Techniques from Beginner to Advanced from Europe’s Coolest Knitter”. In English it doesn’t have the glorious pink and green cover (sorry folks) but I’m sure the content is the same. If you’re interested in knitting with left-over bits, embracing a more artistic way of knitting or learning some fun new ideas, this book is for you.
I have yet to check out Knit it out: 12 Knitting Patterns With More Than 30 Variations, described to include:
Woven throughout her personal essays are a number of chic and quirky new patterns—including the Inner Child sweater, the Let It All Hang Out scarf, and Lærke’s version of the Scandinavian classic, which she calls the Family sweater. She shows how to adapt each pattern for a child, and—in a delightful tribute to her own obsession—for a Barbie doll as well.
November only has 30 days so this is my last post of the year for NaBloPoMo challenge – but I will share my thoughts on the experiment tomorrow so please be back then. Same URL, same blogger. xo
This post is part of NaBloPoMo where I write 30 blog posts in November. Thanks for reading and leaving me a comment, it encourages me to keep going. To follow along subscribe to blog posts via email or RSS. I also have a sweet Substack Newsletter about art, craft and creativity that you might want to sign up for so that we can keep in touch in the future. I’d love that. On instagram I’m @ihannas and on YouTube Studio iHanna. Take care and stay creative friends.
You might enjoy previous blog posts on knitting and some great book reviews by iHanna
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Oh, fun and colorful pattern. That book looks intriguing… and I’d love to see the cardigan that you’re knitting.
Knitting clothing is “difficult” because you have the sizing right. I knit a sweater at the beginning of the year and it took me three months but I finally finished it (and it’s wearable – yay! :))
Not only finding out what size you want, but finding the right yarn and swatching it, choosing colors, understanding all the abbreviation and sometimes trying new techniques. And math, keeping track, to frog or not to frog – when there are errors… :-)
Wow, those crazy patterns look amazing … I never really learnt how to knit. Not for lack of trying on my mum’s part in trying to teach me. But I was never a good student. Unlike my older sister who knitted, crocheted, and did all the woollen crafts. And I admire that you’re knitting a cardigan and hope you post pictures when it’s done.