One More Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit

by Leigh Radford, John Mulligan (Photographer)

“Two needles and one (or one more) skein of yarn—the possibilities never cease to amaze me,” writes Leigh Radford in the introduction to her new book. Radford’s fascination with the creative potential of these raw materials is evident throughout One More Skein, where she melds the alternative approach to knitting and felting she introduced in AlterKnits and AlterKnits Felt with the magic she worked with a single skein of yarn in the bestselling One Skein.

One More Skein features 30 diverse projects that can be completed with one or two average-sized skeins of yarn or multiple bits of leftover yarn. Projects include an earflap hat sized for the whole family; fingerless mitts; sweaters, britches, and capelets for baby; hemp jewelry embellished with jump ring “beads”; a felted, pleated sleeve to dress up a vase; and a multicolored blanket worked from assorted stash yarn. All of them are quick and relatively easy to make, without sacrificing beauty or ingenuity.

John Mulligan (Photographs)

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, Ebooks

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Leigh Radford is an award-winning author, designer and teacher. Artistic, inventive and resourceful, Leigh frequently explores creative re-use and imaginative application of unusual materials.

Her books include AlterKnits Felt: Imaginative Projects for Knitting and Felting (STC Fall 2008), AlterKnits: Imaginative Projects and Creativity Exercises (STC Fall 2005) and One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit & Crochet (IWP Spring 2006). Winner of the 2006 Craftrends’ Award of Creative Excellence (ACE award), One Skein is the fastest selling title in Interweave Press history. One Skein also won the Western Regional Book Design and Production award for the best How-to Book of 2007 by the Publishers of the West.

In 2006, Leigh created Silk Gelato, offering knitters a fiber with enhanced texture and plays of color for her unique pattern designs. Her enterprising efforts have resulted in a highly successful business collaboration with Lantern Moon, producers of Silk Gelato. Leigh provides artistic, product development and marketing direction.

from http://www.leighradford.com/bio.html

Reviews

[Ann LaBar]

Love these patterns

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gathered a few ideas (like little knit gift bags) but didn't feel overly inspired. Felted cuffs, really? The few things I could make were relatively boring, and I've found much more interesting patterns for my skill level on Ravelry. But there should be at least 2 projects for any level of knitter. If you're a beginner you'll want another book (like Stitch 'n' Bitch) to help understand some of the notations and what the stitches actually mean. A personal preference for me is to see the finished project before the pattern, because that helps me visualise it; this book had it the other way round. Minor, but annoying.


Patterns included:
Fingerless gloves
Earflap hat
Linen cap
Felted cuff
Rosette stitch cowl
Horizontal rib scarf
Circle & stripe scarf and cravat
Jewelry trio (earrings, bracelet, necklace)
Baby's britches
Garter-stitch baby sweater
Baby capelet
Drawstring baby hemp shorts
Mohair baby kimono
Baby legwarmers
Mini gift bags
Summer satchel
Wickerwork accessory bag
Felted bag
Silk gelato clutch
Connected squares felted handbag
Cat toy (ball)
Hot water bottle cover
Lavender pillow
Washcloths & mitt
Stash blanket
Basic pillows
Pleated vase sleeve
Petite vessels (little knitted boxes)
Linen placemats
Serving tray

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute patterns, but mediocre instructions, and not enough images to really get a feel for what the project is supposed to look like.

[Donna Hutt Stapfer Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small projects with flair

Small projects that have utility but remain attractive. Also, not difficult but not so easy they prevent the user from making pretty things.

[Cristin Morrissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

Easily understood instructions, makes knitting fun.
Perfect ideas for leftover and small quantities of yarn.
Great for inspiration when overwhelmed

[Atlantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice collection of patterns. I am such a slow knitter though I wouldn‘t call anything “quick.” I liked the felted cat toy(s), the hot water bottle cover and the linen cap.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great idea for the book, but I didn't find many projects I wanted to make. It would have been nice if the book contained more basic patterns.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely patterns

There is a lovely mix of quick patterns using only a few skeins for project completion. Cute pants and kimono sweaters for babies along with household items that will make terrific hostess gifts. From striking hats and scarves to felted cat toys, knitters are sure to find many projects to fit their need for something just a bit different and artistic.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked better the author's earlier book using just one skein, as I would think there would be many more creative projects that one could do with two skeins, but that's not what I found. This book would be great for a beginner. There are many simple projects, simple shapes, and not too complicated stitch work. Beautiful photography and styling, just not anything that interested me.

[Toni Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

I was expecting more. Not a fan of felted items. I work primarily with acrylic yarn for charity, and only a couple of these items could be considered for that purpose

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so weird, I know. I read this like a book. There were some cute projects here. I may go back and make something, but I just liked reading through it and looking at all the cool knitting. I think a lot of this was above my pay grade. ;)

[Arlian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likely a good introductory knitting book. It has a pattern for knitting for babies, which is not necessary or interesting to me. Also the other patterns aren't my style. Heavily focuses on accessories such as basic hats and scarves, and housewares such as place mats and pillows.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Always a crap shoot with pattern books- only found one pattern in here I'd even think about making, so glad I borrowed from Library instead of buying.

[Tosh Oles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of quick knits

This is packed with lots of lovely and quick knits for gifts. I love all the baby knits. Looking forward to starting a few projects from the baby patterns here🙂

[Tammy Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a skein

I really enjoyed this book. All the patterns fit my level of knitting. I can't wait to do more of them. Great Christmas ideas

[Carol Ontto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I wouldn't buy it

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like a few of the patterns in this book as things to knit for quick presents and use up small amounts of yarn. Most of the patterns suggest an ideal type of yarn, but give more exact amounts of yardage than most, so you can actually determine if you have enough spare yarn. Many of them also have several versions so you can gear your project to the amount of yarn you have.

Most of the patterns are text. There are a few charts for items that have more detail in the design.

I had a few problems with the layout, but I read the eBook version of this book, so that might be why. I had a hard time figuring out what pictures went with what items, and I couldn't find the titles of a few of the items, so it was hard to tell where one pattern ended and another began. Maybe in the print edition, this would not be an issue. I felt that the pictures were suited to the items and that there were enough to get an idea of what you would be making.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

One More Skein is divided into four sections, containing patterns for adult hats, gloves and scarves, some unusual garments for babies, a collection of bags, and household items. Each project requires a couple of skeins of yarn, with the exception of the blanket pattern, which would be great for using up leftover yarns in different colors. My personal favorite is the linen placemat pattern. The appendix includes instructions for specific knitting techniques and a list of suppliers.

While author Leigh Radford has introduced some original design elements, as a lifelong knitter, I find this collection a bit too basic. On the other hand, it would probably be of great interest to beginners or those looking for some quick, easy, and attractive gifts.

Beautifully photographed by John Mulligan.

[Writerlibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less interesting than the original One Skein book. A few original patterns but overall a lot of déjà vu pieces. I'll definitely do the hot-water bottle cover (I know one or two friends who have been dying to have one). The fingerless gloves are blah, the baby patterns are okay but nothing to write home about. The pictures are beautiful, the instructions clear, the yarn choices are fine. It's a beautiful book but it didn't much to offer me as a knitter unlike the original One Skein.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a lot of really fun, quick projects that I can't wait to try! BUT...
After trying one of the patterns I am not that excited about the book anymore. The top down ear flap hat is quite a trial to get started. Both my sister-in-law and I had to restart a couple of times each. It makes me hesitate jumping into a more complicated project!

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a diverse collection of small knits! While I wouldn't knit every single little thing in here, there are enough items I was wild about to try- and some simple enough but with nice stitch patterns that they would look well in either a luxury tonal yarn (like Madelinetosh) or a simple single color you might find in your local craft store.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of baby projects in this followup to "One Skein". Also quite a few household items. Good ideas for something quick to knit. Nothing too trendy so it will make a good reference book for quick projects.

[Kimberli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific collection of a variety of patterns. Great to have on hand for gift knitting ideas.

[Mzfitz]

tclib 746.432 radford

cute baby sweater
linen cap
felted cufff

buy this

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really what I expected but there are beautiful patterns!

[Julie]

Several patterns caught my eye in this book; Baby's Britches, Drawstring Hemp Shorts (baby), Summer Satchel, and Pencil Sketch Washcloths.

[Liz De Coster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers projects up to 2 skeins, so a little more variety and possibility than the first book.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Variety of items just nothing much catching my eye.
So take a look for ideas - the 2 stars is just my personal preference reflecting the projects included.

[lk]

only found a bag pattern

[Tessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing bad but not really anything good either. There was one scarf that had an interesting rib pattern but nothing else was original.