Review: Knockout Knit Hats and Hoods by Diane Serviss

Title: Knockout Knit Hats and Hoods
Author: Diane Serviss
Pages: 144
Genre: Nonfiction, Instructional, Knitting
Source: Free ARC from Stackpole Books

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from Stackpole Books via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.

One of the many crafts I love is knitting, and some of my absolute favorite projects are hats. Why hats?

  • They work up quickly!
  • They don’t take more than a skein or two, so they are budget-friendly, and a great way to use up leftover yarn from a previous project (or yarn you didn’t get enough of for a different project!)
  • I live in Maine, where winter hats come in handy for at least half of the year!
  • I’m stylistically challenged and don’t care for jewelry, but a cute hat can add a little flair to a plain outfit (my mainstay!)
  • Hats are my answer to bad hair days (or bedhead on days when I don’t have time for a shower before running the kids to school)

However, at some point, it feels like every hat pattern is a variation on the same theme. Not so with Knockout Knit Hats and Hoods! While it does have some classic patterns (the Wedge Beret and Pine Tree Hill Beret come to mind), it also has some whimsical patterns, like the Wood Nymph Hat and the Braided Cable Hood (displayed on the cover, it is the singular reason I requested this book to begin with!), as well as some funky, some cute. With 30 patterns in total, it really does have something for everyone.

In terms of skill level, I probably fall somewhere in the intermediate range, and I’d feel comfortable making all the patterns included. There are plenty for the beginner, and then some that would be a great stretch for those looking to move into intermediate techniques.

Some of my favorite features of this book:

  • They are all written to be knit in the round (my preference)
  • They call for circular needles (also my preference) until the end (then it’s small double point needles for the finish)
  • In the beginning, the author talks about the importance of gauge, needle size, etc. as well as the best ways to make adjustments to suit your project
  • For each project, instructions are written out and provided in chart form
  • Visual and written instructions for each stitch, cast on and embellishment used throughout the book. The images are actual pictures in color.
  • At the end is a visual index of all the projects
  • Pictures, pictures, pictures! As a visual learner, good pictures are truly appreciated.

Overall, this book was a win for me. There is a little something for every taste and every skill level, and the author provides all of the necessary instruction and information in a very effective manner, including visuals, which I consider critical. Plus, the projects are beautiful and creative. What more could a knitter ask for?

9 Replies to “Review: Knockout Knit Hats and Hoods by Diane Serviss”

    • I’ve crocheted since I was 10, so I thought knitting would come naturally to me, but it’s an entirely different beast. Took me about a dozen tries over, spread out over several years, before I could make a basic hat. Hats have been my go to for challenging myself because they are small projects.

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