Thursday, August 4, 2011

Day 11 on the Tour of The Knook!

Many times, while crocheting, I have thought that it would be great to come up with a way to knit with a crochet hook.
Why did I not think of this?
Alas, I am easily distracted by new yarn and new designs..............
Someone had more time and discipline than I have.
What is Knooking?

Here are the details:
A Knook is a specialized crochet hook that has a cord threaded through a hole in the non-hook end. The cord holds the stitches while you work, allowing you to create a true knitted fabric.
The  Knook kit contains:
• 3 bamboo Knooks—These new and unique specialized crochet hooks replace traditional knitting needles and come in sizes G (4.0 mm), H (5.0 mm), I (5.5 mm). They look like regular crochet hooks on one end with a hole for holding a cord on the other end.
• 3 – 36" long cords to hold your stitches
• Step-by-Step Learn to Knook Instruction Book—It’s easy to learn to knit with The Knook. (We‘ve included both right- and left-handed instructions!) The book also includes four beginner projects—Infinity Scarf, Spa Cloth, Baby Blanket, and Diamond Lap Throw.

I think this is a great gateway into knitting and teaching a crocheter to knit. Then again, you may love Knooking so much that this is the way you tackle knitting. I am curious to see what everyone does with this craft.
As for me, I took one of my favorite quilt blocks, Log Cabin, and adapted it to Crocheting, Knitting and Knooking. This is the square that I knooked.
This square is a great stash buster and will give you lots of great practice.

Here are some of the things that I really love about this technique--
1. Casting on is so easy, you just chain the number of stitches that you need to cast on,
     then you pick your stitches up in the chain loops.
2. Binding off is easy to do loosely. Sometimes, I have to go up several needle sizes to
    bind off with my knitting, but not with my Knook!
3. You can teach and learn continental knitting. I have never been able to get comfortable with
    continental knitting, but with the Knook, I caught right on.
4. I love the ease that the hook provides in hooking the stitches.
5. It takes away the fear of ALL those stitches being on the  two needles. Now you have this
    lovely lifeline holding all yours stitches securely. There is no fear of them falling off one of
    your needles.
6. Garter stitch (knit every row) is so easy to do.
7. It takes away the intimidation of two needles that a lot of crocheters have.

Here are some of the things that you might need to watch when learning this technique--
1. You will need to chain the exact number of stitches that you want to cast on.
     Even though you will already have one stitch on your hook, you will start picking up
     in the second chain from hook.
2. The way that you hook the yarn is different than with crocheting. You go over the yarn
     and scoop the stitch up. Whereas in crochet, you go under and  hook it.
     Just warning you. The stitches on my first row were twisted because I did this.

I am glad you stopped by to visit my blog today. Leisure Arts is providing two kits to give away to two winners who leave a comment on this blog post! You could win your own  Knook kit! 

Here is how to enter:
  • Post a comment on this blog post.  Include:
1.      First Name  and last initial
2.      Email address
3.      Your location (State for US, Province for Canada).
  • Be sure to post your comment by Wednesday August 10th, 2011 at 11:59 PM Central Time.  On Thursday morning, August 11th, I will pick the 2 winners using a Random Number Generator.  I will contact the winners to get the shipping addresses to pass along to Leisure Arts. If you don't leave your email address, I will not be able to get in touch with you to let you know that you have won.

    Check out how it is done here. Happy knooking!

51 comments:

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
CrochetByKrista said...

Nice summary explanation. I am fascinated! Krista R, crochetbyk@gmail.com, Michigan

Stitch 'n Frog said...

I like your explanation, easy to understand and concise.

I'd love to win a set of knook hooks. My daughter would love to have a set, and if I were to be sos lucky as to win, my set will go to her.

Anonymous said...

Carrie B.
Minnesota
carrie405@pitel.net
I love to crochet and I don't want to give up my crochet hook. I would love to win one.

Gayle said...

Gayle G
gayle.gammage@gmail.com
Texas

Max Robinson said...

Max R
maxbox51@gmail.com
Seattle, WA

Kay, thanks for posting your impressions of knooking. I both knit and crochet already, so I'm not as interested in knooking as an alternative way to knit as some crocheters might be; but I definitely want to try it out. The built-in lifeline may be a deal changer, and only the knook has it.

Nancy said...

I am so fascinated with the Knook and cannot find one anywhere! Nancy D, Texas, webpossumsniche@gmail.com

Nancy said...

And BTW, you have an awesome blog! I cannot wait to try the Log Cabin Crocheted Bib that I saw. TOO CUTE!

Miss Kelly said...

I love the knooked quilt block! Thank you for the Technique pros and cons. I am excited about this product and am counting the days until I have one of my own. :)...
Thanks,
Kelly A, andersentribe@gmail.com, Oregon, USA

Lost City Denise said...

Okay I'm hooked!


deniseATlostcityknitsDOTcom
Denise B, Lost City Oklahoma

Abby1 said...

Looking forward to learning many fancy stitches with a Knook. Love this contest, and blog reading.

Good luck to everyone trying to win a Knook!

Andrea M.
abbyton@gmail.com
GA

Artes Mágicas said...

I can´t wait to get my hands on one. I don't know if living across the ocean is a disadvantage, but I'm entering anyway!

Sonia A.
artesmagicasonline@gmail.com
Portugal

n7lqk said...

Donna B.
n7lqk1@yahoo.com
Arizona

Nathan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Delighted Hands said...

Just when I think I have seen it all....what a fun way to make an easy transition from crochet to knitting! My granddaughter has CP and knitting is hard but I think she could swing this! Thanks for letting us know about it!

Cindy M
Florida
thesewitall@hotmail.com

CottonCandyG said...

Jessica B
jessica.butler71@gmail.com
I like in the wonderful State of HUMID, I mean Florida.

Happy Knooking

Gale said...

Interesting technique. May have to give this one a try, if only to give my poor knit-weary wrists a rest (would use different movements)

Gale said...

Gale F.
wenamtol@hotmail.com
Arkansas

forgot to add these detail to the original post. But I would still like to try this technique.

JPeters said...

I've tried this a few times on a few rows and I need to work on the purl stitching. Don't quite get it yet. Hope to soon! More information is needed!

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

Your article on the knook was very informative and interesting.

Teresa C
Florence, Alabama
knittingdancer@gmail.com

millymom said...

I had never heard of knooking before and really appreciated your explanation.
Faith M.
millymom@swbell.net
Texas

besnini said...

who knew you had so many followers :) Kathie F. besninix6@gmail.com Arkansas (arkansauna)

Patricia said...

Patricia R. Pcisneros.Rodriguez at gmail dot com. Thanks for the chance to win!!!

Katie said...

Katie B.
Minnesota
katie405@pitel.net
I crochet and knit. I would love to win a knook so that I could learn a new craft.

Glenn said...

Glenn W.
Rglennd at yahoo.com
Arkansas

I'm always up for something new. How does this differ from afghan stitch? Is it the same thing? Just curious...

Carlie said...

I can't wait to try the Knook! Carlie H forevercrafty@gmail.com North Carolina

Maggi said...

Your square looks awesome! I can't wait to try the Knook out, I would love to see if I'd be able to really knit after using it. lol

Maggi F. from North Carolina justaddglitter @ gmail.com

Becky Arnold said...

Sounds good, girl!

Becky A
boo4baby@att.net
USA!

I wondered what you were talking about with the Knook Hooks. Thanks for the explanation. Love ya!

Sharon P said...

Sharon P
sharon.perez@gmail.com
Texas

I love learning more about the Knook!

shortseam said...

This knook looks real interesting I would like to try it. I have trouble knitting and this looks like a great alternative. I am excited to try this new technique. Tammy H Arkansas, hempeltammy63@gmail.com

Tish said...

I am also easily distracted by new fiber craftiness LOL I might have to give this a try.

PS Don't enter me in the drawing, since I have already won something this year :)

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE !

Melody said...

This sounds like a fun set to try.

melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

StarrChild said...

Rachael F
starrchild42@yahoo.com
Arkansas

This sounds like Tunisian crochet but doesn't look like it.

Kay said...

noniex27@gmail.com
would love to learn, Kay S

SSK* said...

It would be just LOVELY if I won this!

~~Joan (Kansas)
ssknits at ssknits dot com

Leslie said...

Wow, that Knocking sounds interesting and I'd really love to try it!

Leslie S, lsharr@gmail.com Mass.

Cori said...

This sounds quite interesting and as a crocheter who also knits, I have to wonder if knooking would be faster. Cori D., Kansas, corih2obug at yahoo dot com

Shar said...

Shar I.
strwbrymay@yahoo.com
New York

Being a long time crocheter, I would love trying out a new technique to get knitted fabric. This is so exciting!

Cheryl Moore said...

Cheryl M, DirtsHoney(AT)aol(DOT)com, KS

crkcraft said...

Sounds like the answer to prayers! Especially for the "knitting challenged". Please count me in! Sue Sm, crkcraft@yahoo.com, Arkansas

chikwithyarn said...

This sounds very interesting. Donna Dyer chikwithyarn@gmail.com Wichita Ks

Dreaming Diva said...

Thanks for giving your "things to look out for." Now all I need is to get my hand on a knook set!

Shaw J
msjones312@gmail.com
Georgia

Hope said...

I have enjoyed your adventures with the Knook.

Hope S, nanigran1@yahoo.com, Arkansas

Debbie said...

Debbie C.
Debbie.Constable@northernhealth.ca
British Columbia Canada

Mei Travis said...

Mei T
yarngear=AT=gmail=DOT=com
Arkansas

Even if I don't win, I will definitely look out for this when it hits stores.

katyquilts said...

The Knook looks like a great tool for teaching knitting!

Susan K.
kckoch@centurytel.net
Greenwood, Arkansas

Anonymous said...

The Knook looks fun! Carmen N, Wisconsin

Tracey Jean said...

This is such a fascinating idea. I'd love to learn to knook. Those 2 knitting needles just confuse my hook loving brain...
Tracey Jean H, traceyjean at gmail dot com, Florida.

jackie-tn said...

Jackie W.
kroshey at yahoo dot com
Tennessee

Thank you for your review!

I would really love to win a Knook. Have looked but not seen in any store yet.

nancilee said...

I am so excited to try Knooking! I went to 3 different Walmarts in San Antonio TX - so sad! no Knook yet but will keep trying til I find one.
Nancilee C.
nancilee1@gmail.com.

gaydenesse said...

Hi Kay! I love making your crochet baby afghans. Could you possibly help me understand something on a blanket that I am doing right now. In fact I'm on the edging of heirloom ruffles, but I don't get round 12 of the edging.I don't get how a cluster takes up 2 spaces Is the pattern a cluster then a shell? And what exactly is in the corner space? Thanks, Gay Denesse