Tech Knits Book Review

Tech Knits

‘Celebrate your inner geek with 20 fun and easy projects!’

‘TechKnits’ or ‘Tomorrow Knits’ is the latest book by Sue Culligan.  Previous books by Sue include Techno Cozies; Vintage Knit Knacks and The Knitting Stitch and Motif Directory.

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book for my birthday.  It immediately struck me down with design envy, it is totally the book I wish I had written. 143 pages of pure indulgent geekery.

Tech Knits is a collection of 20 projects inspired by retro technology, toys and sci-fi comic strips.  What drew me to it first and foremost is the styling of the book.  The retro 8-bit graphics screamed at my inner geek ‘come and play with me’.  The vintage colours are inspired and the use of intarsia charts as playful graphics is charming. This book has a great deal of ‘kerb appeal’.

‘Who is the book for?’  The book is aimed at anyone with a nostalgic taste for sci-fi, video games and electronic gadgets.  With gift knitting season well and truly upon us, this is a must have book!

The comprehensive yet succinct technique guide at the beginning of the book is a good reference for all knitters.   Tip boxes for each design cleverly guide you with advice and suggestions as you go.  Tips range from which direction you should read a chart to instruction for double knitting.

The quirky difficulty scoring system made me smile.  Scoring from 1-100, reminiscent of early computer games.

 Headphone Hat

I was itching to cast on the headphone hat, so I cast one on for Katie.  The pattern was well written and easy to follow.  The colour work was interesting but by no means taxing and would make a great project for a knitter with a little colour work experience under their knitting belt.

There is a commendable array of techniques used in this book.  These playful pot holders have inspired me to try my hand at double knitting again; having not used the technique since taking a class with The Dutch Knitters back in 2010.

 Robot Pot Holders

 Space Rocket Desk Tidy

I like the use of everyday materials you find in your home, jars, tubes, plastic plates.  No need for specialist materials! Other projects now on my wish to knit list are, the calculator tablet cover and the reel to reel tote bag.

 Calculator Tablet Cover

This project has clever use of Fair Isle and intarsia techniques. It also suggests using Swiss darning to keep the piece more manageable.

 Reel to Reel Tote Bag

This eye catching bag is worked in one piece.  Short row shaping is used to create the reels and they are then attached to the bag.

Whilst some of the projects are quite challenging, given the quality of the instructions, this book will introduce new skills to new knitters.

Keeping it ‘real’

Of course no book is perfect; my only criticism is I would like to have seen more photos, particularly of the hats being modelled.

Fancy taking a break?  Sue runs knitting retreats from her home in France along with other tutors, such as Debbie Abrahams and Jane Crowfoot, why not check them out Knitting retreat holidays with Sue

Images kindly provided by and used with permission of Quid Publishing, I have not been paid to review this book, and everything I say about this book is my own opinion.