In which Kia reviews a non-fiction book. This doesn’t happen often. But when she found this book, that is such a cute point on the knitting/nerd fandom Venn diagram, she just couldn’t resist requesting it from NetGalley and thus giving you, reader, a review.
Knits for Nerds is a non-fiction book of nerdy knitting patterns by Joan of Dark, aka Toni Carr. It will be available for purchase on 2-21-12. Buy it. You will want to MAKE ALL THE THINGS.
The Blurb
[via NetGalley]
The best of science fiction, manga, and animaguiri meets knit one, purl two as knit siren and part-time roller derby girl Joan of Dark offers up an out-of-this-world assortment of knitting nerdiness inside Knits for Nerds. The patterns for 30 iconic clothing and accessory items inspired by popular TV shows, books, films, comics, and more—including Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Firefly—are presented alongside full-color photographs showcasing completed projects, such as:
- Lieutenant Uhura’s sexy Star Trek minidress
- Hobbit feet slippers
- Firefly-inspired scarf, socks, hat, and jacket
- Tank Girl socks
- Hermione Granger’s secret beaded bag
- Manga-inspired leg warmers
- The Big Bang Theory-inspired his and hers sweater-vests
- Lord of the Rings-inspired shrug
In addition to a wardrobe of costume finery, hobbyists will also find instructions for practical projects such as an e-reader cover or a laptop bag crafted of checkered fabric that serves double-duty as a chessboard and carryall, as well as patterns for plush toys inspired by Star Trek, robots, and the comic book Squee! Wear (and knit!) your nerdiness on your sleeve with Knits for Nerds.
My Review:
The introduction to this book says, “[T]hese patterns have something for every kind of nerd!” and that’s no lie. This book has knittables from Star Trek to Firefly, from American Gods to Tank Girl – and, of course, The Lord of the Rings.
Honestly, all they had to say was “Tank Girl,” and I was sold. Sadly, this is one of the patterns that is “inspired” by the original instead of being built straight from it. That will not, however, stop me from knitting them… just as soon as I finish a couple of other projects!
In fact, there are several things I’d like to complete from this: the “Secret Beaded Bag,” based on Hermione’s magic purse from the last Harry Potter films; the “Aim to Misbehave Brown Jacket” is gorgeous, even while I’m not a Firefly fan; the “Creepy Bunny” is both cute and creepy, as promised; and – of course! – the Tank Girl socks! In this book, I see lots of projects to make for friends as gifts, and several more I’d like to have all for my own!
The only project I’m not interested in making would be the hobbit slippers. Because knitting up something that looks like big hairy feet? Ew. Just – ew. As funny as the idea is, I can’t imagine a single person who would want that. At least, that’s what I keep repeating to myself. (I think the thing really freaking me out is that I probably DO know people who would be excited to receive a pair of these and that’s just… It freaks me out, okay?)
In short: Awesome book. Great patterns. Useful tool in the arsenal of all nerdy knitters out there. And fun, too. Which is really the whole point of the thing, isn’t it?
I plan to buy a hard copy of this as soon as it releases, because I’ve found that working patterns from an epub file is not as easy as it might sound! To facilitate my getting started on all the great projects that I’m planning because of this book – and to celebrate my upcoming birthday Kiaras Festivus, I’d like to do a giveaway of something made from one of these patterns. In the “Science Fiction” section, there’s a pattern called Troublesome Toy. The resulting object looks something like this:
Kind of looks like a tribble, doesn’t it? It also looks like a quick and fairly easy pattern to make, so I’m offering up two of these, made by my own two little hands (in varying colors that probably won’t match the photo at all) to those who enter by commenting on this post. Sadly, I will have to offer these to US-only mailing addresses, as international packages cost more than I make on this website. (P.S. – For the record, I don’t make anything on this site.) Comments will be closed at midnight in the US Eastern time zone on 2/24, after which I will choose two winners.
So get to commenting. This may be your only opportunity to win something this rare. 😉
