60 More Quick Knits: 20 Hats*20 Scarves*20 Mittens in Cascade 220® Sport

by Sixth & Spring Books (Editor)

Following the success of 60 Quick Knits and 60 Quick Baby Knits , 60 More Quick Knits offers a plethora of patterns using the versatile, beautiful, and economical Cascade 220 yarn. Knitters are treated to hats, mittens, and gloves featuring Cascades brand-new "Sportweight" yarn, a lighter variety with a crisp finish and great stitch definition. Projects include a snowflake scarf, a checkerboard muffler, Fairisle Beret, Herringbone Mitts, and a Zigzag Lace Stole.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

Reviews

[Leslie Jem]

There’s a couple of gems in here; would definitely buy a used copy.

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was published a dozen years ago but most all of the patterns are still fashionable and current. I don't understand the appeal of fingerless gloves, but there is a pattern of Convertible Mitten-Gloves (p. 148), one of only two patterns that I flagged from the entire book. Good, clear photos. There is likely something for most anyone in here.

[Marie Segares · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Sixth & Spring to review on my blog.)

60 More Quick Knits: 20 Hats*20 Scarves*20 Mittens in Cascade 220 Sport is a sport-weight follow up to 60 Quick Knits: 20 Hats*20 Scarves*20 Mittens in Cascade 220. As the name suggests, this is a "pattern only" book that emphasizes quick projects. Overall, the layout and photographs are very attractive (just what I expect from Sixth & Spring's books). In keeping with the book's "quick" theme, I'm providing a quick, snapshot review.

Concept
60 patterns using an inexpensive and easy to find (at least in the U.S.) yarn, Cascade 220 Sport. Patterns are equally distributed between hats, scarves, and mittens.

Pattern difficulty
Easy - 6 patterns (10%)
Intermediate - 35 patterns (58%)
Experienced - 19 patterns (32%)
Conclusion: This book is geared towards an intermediate to experienced knitter.

(Main) Needle type
Circular needles: 16 projects total (27%) - 11 hats (55% of hats), 4 scarves (20% of scarves), 1 convertible cowl/hat
DPNs: 20 projects total (33%) - 17 mittens (85% of mittens), 1 scarf (5% of scarves), 2 hats (10% of hats)
Straight needles: 24 projects total (40%) - 15 scarves (75% of scarves), 5 hats (25% of hats), 3 mittens (15% of mittens), 1 hooded scarf
Conclusion: Comfort with DPNs is a must if you plan to make mittens from this book. Other projects can be largely made with circs or straights (though many projects recommend DPNs after decreasing becomes difficult on circulars).

Favorite patterns
I was particularly taken with these patterns:
Scarves: I-Cord Squiggle Scarf by Angela Juergens, Triangle Lace Scarf by Anastasia Blaes, and Woven Ribs Muffler by Lynn M. Wilson.
Hats: Birdcage Beanie by Amy Bahrt (my favorite!), Colorblock Cap by Carol J. Sulcoski, Striped Earflap Hat by Jacqueline Van Dillen, Garter Hood with Lace Edging by Edna Hart, and Ribbed Newsboy Cap by Yoko Hatta.
Mittens: Cabled Mittens by Linda Medina and Convertible Mitten-Gloves by Yoko Hatta.

Summary
If you are an intermediate knitter looking for some quick holiday projects to make in sport weight yarn, this just might be the perfect book for you. I enjoyed that all the projects are made with the same yarn - not only does it make the book visually consistent, but it also means that you can use stash remnants from larger projects to make smaller projects in the same book.

If you fear (or loathe) DPNs, you may want to look elsewhere for mitten patterns. The book has no instructions and so isn't suitable for a beginner. There is a range of styles but obviously all of the projects are made with sport weight yarn, so if you prefer lighter or heavier weight yarn, this book may not be for you.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful Sixth & Spring pattern book, filled with thoughtful - and lovely - patterns along with detailed instructions and beautiful designs. The use of charts is omnipresent, which I don't enjoy much, but it seems to be the fad these days to use them not only for colorwork (necessary IMO) but also for cables - not necessary for, IMO, it makes more sense to write out the cable pattern inside the actual pattern instructions. But it's a terrific book, and delivers exactly what its subtitle says: 20 hats, 20 scarves, 20 mittens patterns, all using Cascade sport yarn. I expect you can, as always, substitute a different brand if you wish.

Some fair isle patterns, some intarsia-like colorwork, a lot of cabled designs, an apparent fondness for checkerboard patterns (there are several of them)and a lack of "Cute!!!!!" make this a good resource for those of us who need interesting designs for useful things that so often get made in a vanilla-style pattern; there's enough variation of colors and patterns here to keep you knitting for quite some time, on projects that are each of them not very time consuming. Recommended.

[Anne Hawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Sport Weight Cascade 220 and it is as good as the Cascade 220 worsted weight. As with the worsted edition, there are wonderful patterns and I can see myself doing most of them. I did the Basketweave Pocket Scarf once and have plans to make it again. I especially like the Nordic Tube Scarf, 2 beautiful stranded mitten patterns, a tam, a couple of lace scarves and a wonderful hooded scarf.

[Nicolette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The colourwork patterns are beyond my skill-set currently, but I love that I'd do all but one of the projects in this book. 59/60 patterns makes this book a very welcome addition to my knitting library.

I haven't tried any of the patterns yet so I can't yet determine how well the patterns are written. However, the book is to me well structured with great photography.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't see anything to knit in this book, but there are some cute hats in there. Just not my cup o' tea.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has lots of great patterns. It would be 5 stars but I found errors in one of the patterns. I was able to catch them but I should not have had that problem. Still a great source though.

[Stacie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only two patterns I might want to knit. Not having easy access to Cascade 220 puts a damper on things. Would not buy - checked it out from my library.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cascade 220 Sport, #3 Guage 5.5 -6sts = 1"
US #5-6
164 yards

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some really cute patterns in this book, especially hats and fingerless gloves/gauntlets. I checked it out the max number of times from the library.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like many patterns, and could be fun to try out new techniques. I hope they aren't too difficult.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked most of these knits, I just wish I had time to make them all. I like the use of charts because I cant seem to follow written well anymore. Just give me a chart and I do just fine.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hats, scarves and mittens. Plenty of interesting stitches and intarsia to keep you busy.

[Bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cable-Accent Fingerless Mitts p.65
Hourglass Knits p.100

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty patterns; hard to follow. Not for beginners.