Twinkle's Weekend Knits: 20 Fast Designs for Fun Getaways

by Wenlan Chia

Following her first book, Twinkle’s Big City Knits , Wenlan Chia brings devotees and new fans more fabulous Twinkle designs to create at home (at a fraction of the price you’d pay for them in stores like Barneys, Saks, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale’s). Known for transforming bold, chunky yarns into delicate, body-shaping pieces, Wenlan Chia again shares her signature style; this time in 20 inspired patterns that are perfect for weekend knitting and for wearing any time.

Start the weekend with Friday night out with friends as you Twinkle through the night. The Nightfall Cropped Top is knit with lush silk and cotton yarn, while the Wisteria Scarf creates drama with its cascading clusters of blossom stitches.

Saturday is the day for fun–hiking, shopping, or just going for a stroll. Capture this feeling with the lively, sporty fashions in the Fun Alfresco chapter, including the Oceania Sweater, a vintage-inspired pullover with a built-in iPod pocket, or the Snowdrop Hat & Peony Scarf, the perfect set for a day on the slopes.

Take a moment to recharge on Sunday, the last night away, with more relaxed, simple knits. From the Meridian Tunic Dress, perfect with jeans and sandals, to the Cloudburst Cardigan, a ruffled knit that easily slips on over a dress, the patterns in this chapter are casual and comfortable.

For those starting their very first sweater to experienced knitters looking for new tips and techniques to enhance designs they’ve already mastered, this beautifully illustrated book offers many weekends’ worth of knitting pleasure and fabulous, one-of-a-kind Twinkle wares.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published February 5, 2008

Reviews

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was drawn in by the cute top on the front cover but the inside cover photo of a model who looks about 12 kinda disturbed me. Can't women's clothing be modeled by women? Anyway, I found this book even less to my liking than her earlier Twinkle's Big City Knits. The project photos accompanying the directions were too small to be useful. Many of the model shots weren't showcasing the pieces well, either. I thought the Nimbus Sweater photo was eye-rolling. Would you wear a chunky cowl-neck sweater with your bikini? I think I will hack my own version of the cover sweater-though with better fit.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

as others have mentioned there are a number of accessories and smaller projects in this book of 20 patterns. it's better written, i would say, though less fashionably inventive than big city knits. many of the patterns, for the most part (nobody uses an ipod anymore but you can mod a rectangular cozy out to fit anything) make great last minute gifts. also the bralette/cropped top on the front cover is apparently quite fashionable yet again.

the schematics and sizes were better this time, but the photos were tiny. aside from being typical twinkle patterns, where anyone should expect to need to be able to knit intuitively and find errata before beginning, the modeled shots were modeled shots. but the straight-up photos of just the knit items themselves were much too small, so overall you can't often make out some of the finer details. but also, this book is printed in a smaller format, even hardcover, than the others, which might have something to do with that as well.

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess if I were Blossom and this was 1993, maybe some of the things in this book would be appealing to me. However, I am most definitely not blossom and it's damn near 2012. Why is it so hard to find knitting projects that are actually stylish things I might want to wear? Just because I like to knit doesn't mean that I'm completely out of touch with contemporary style. This book did not help me find things I might be interested in making.

[Dayini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not even one pattern that I want to make! I normally love Twinkle patterns and small, quick-to-knit projects, but there are largely uninspired. Some variations on exiting patterns in her other books (e.g. borealis sweater is a long-sleeved version of the shopping tunic).

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my style. I couldn't find anything in here that I'd like to knit or wear. Not for my DD either, who is still a teen. The book also has many duplicate photographs. I'd prefer seeing the knit item shown from different views rather than the same photo appearing multiple times.

[Denise]

Great patterns in this one too! A couple I thought looked too young for me. Like the one on the cover but there are quite a few that I would love to do. I really love her style!

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as knitting patterns go these are very pretty. I do not find them wearable as I think bulky only works on certain people. Nice to look at but other than that....

[Purl Scout · Rating 3 out of 5]

i wnt to make everything in this book. the urchin hat is going to be my first summer project.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my style

[Alison]

I don't know why I keep bothering with Twinkle. All of her patterns are so chunky, they end up making me look like a linebacker.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big, chunky yarns for women's clothing. I bet these would go quickly! A plus. May have to try a pattern out and see. Not normally a big fan of chunky on myself.