Nov
06

Step It Up Knits, NOW AVAILABLE!

It’s finally official: my 7th book, Step It Up Knits: Take Your Skills to the Next Level with 25 Quick and Stylish Projects, is on shelves now! In this book I present all the techniques needed to become an accomplished knitter, plus 25 gorgeous projects. From cabled wrist warmers to slouchy beanies, lacy headbands, and cozy cowls, each project is small enough to take on the go and whip up in just a weekend. The step-by-step photographs, detailed instructions, helpful diagrams, and inspiring project shots make it easy to follow along. Beginners will become pros in no time; pros will have finished projects in a snap!

I love how designer, Allison Weiner added graphic details to match those from my knitted designs!


This is actually the first title I’ve had published by Chronicle Books, and am thrilled to say that this book is as rich, colorful, and well laid out as all of their products. Thanks to the always-beautiful photography of my friend, Jody Horton and Chronicle’s attention to design detail, Step It Up Knits is a feast for the knitter’s eyes! So, my friends, I present to you the culmination of over a years’ worth of work. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Step It Up Knits Projects: Sneak Peak

Raindrop Wrap
Yarn: Madeline Tosh Merino Light
Step It Up Skills: Lace, Center-out Construction, Reading Charts
Wild Warmers
Yarn: Bernat Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell
Step It Up Skills: Intarsia, Reading a Color Chart

Fair Weather
Yarn: Bernat Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell
Step It Up Skills: Fair Isle, Knitting in-the-round

Sock it to Me
Yarn: Staccato Sock by Shubui
Step It Up Skills: Short-row Heal Turn, Kitchener Stitch, Using Dpns

Cadet About It!
Yarn: Bernat Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell
Step It Up Skills: Interesting construction, Twisted Rib, Adding a Brim

Stop, Drop & Cable Cowl
Yarn: Bernat Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell
Step It Up Skills: Dropping Stitches, Cables, Knitting in-the-round
You can see photos of all of the projects from this book on Pinterest, Flickr and Ravelry — pick yer photo-viewing-site pleasure!
Step It Up Skills: Sneak Peak

Each project in this book employs at least one, step-up-your skills technique. Step-by-step tutorials of those techniques are all written out and/or photographed to assist in the learning process. Here’s a list of the skills covered in Step It Up Knits.
  • Cables
  • Blocking
  • Bobble Stitch
  • Brioche Stitch
  • Circular 3-Needle Bind-off
  • Crochet Chain
  • Dropping Stitches
  • Eyelet Stitch
  • i-Cord
  • Intarsia
  • Kitchener Stitch 
  • Knitting-in-the-round on a Circular Needle
  • Knitting-in-the-round on Double-Pointed Needles
  • Machine Feltine
  • Mattress Stitch
  • Mitered Squares
  • Mosaic Knitting
  • Needle Felting
  • Picot Bind-off
  • Reading a Chart
  • Single-crochet Edging
  • Short-row Heal Turn


“Slouchy beanies and infinity scarves are just a few of the fantastic on-trend accessories you can knit with the easy-to-follow instructions in Step It Up Knits!” —Jenni Radosevich, author of I Spy DIY Style 

“Step It Up Knits is the perfect combination of eay-to-understand instruction and on-trend accessory and gift items. Whether you’re a beginner knitter looking to elevate your skills, or a more advanced stitcher looking for quick, but amazing projects, this book’s for you!” —Trisha Malcolm, editor in chief of Vogue Knitting 

“This is the knitting book I’ve been waiting for! Get creative and improve your skills at the same time — what’s better than that? I can’t decide which project I want to knit first.” —Brett Bara, host of PBS’s Knit & Crochet Today!


Still want more info? Well ask, and you shall receive. Keep your eyes open the rest of the week for reviews, features, interviews and more, Step It Up-ness on the following sites:

  • Crafty Pod (Nov 7th — Sister Diane & I chat via video)
Still reading this post? Well then, you’re eligible to win a signed copy of Step It Up Knits! To enter, simply post a comment telling me which project(s) from the book you want to make and/or which skills you’re hoping to learn. Comments must be posted by Wednesday, November 14th. 
Note: I’ll post the winners on this blog, so if you don’t already, please make sure to add me to your RSS or Reader list so you’ll see the posted names. Books not claimed within a week will be given away to a new winner.

Stitch.Rock.Love,

filed under Books/How2 Goodness, Knitting/Crochet, Stitch.Rock.Love Sheep(ish).

55 Responses to “Step It Up Knits, NOW AVAILABLE!”

  1. Melinda

    I can’t wait to make the Stop, Drop and Cable cowl. Love it! The Cadet cap is also fab, and and and….

  2. Allison Hoffman

    Vickie, I am no expert knitter, but I’m willing to bet your book can sharpen my skills! I am loving that Fair Weather cape/wrap thing! Congratulations!!

  5. Dana Jonsgaard

    I love the Raindrop Wrap..the Sock it to me socks, and the cowl..I would like to learn more cabling techniques, intarsia, and needle felting to keep my creative juices flowing..I also would like to incorporate these techniques into my charity giving. I feel that even though you can’t afford to look good..doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to. Thanks Vickie!

  6. knit one, knit two

    I love the mo’ warmers and the raindrop wrap. Looking forward to your new book – congrats!

    PS – petunia has the same panda hoodie as clover – she lurves it!

  8. Bonnie

    There are a lot of great projects! Congratulations! From first glance, my favorite project is the Felt Good pattern.

  10. ~Ruth

    I’ve been fawning over the Stop, Drop & Cable Cowl since you first posted pictures. There are lots of nice patterns but this is the first one I’ll knit.

  11. Maureen

    I love cowls so my favorite is the stop drop and cable cowl. I’d like to learn intarsia.

  13. ajz

    I would love to learn how to knit in the round on dpns. Really loving Cadet About It. Congrats on the launch, and thanks for the chance to win.

  14. Julie Witt

    I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! I have all of your other books, Vickie, and this one looks like it will make a great addition to my “Vickie” library! I’m really looking forward to learning more about color knitting, e.g. fair isle, intarsia and even entrelac:) Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy of this awesome book!!

  15. Suzanne

    I’d love to win a copy of your book. I just found your blog after I discovered your yarn at Joanns! I just mastered the kitchener stitch. I’d love to know how to knit the mitre squares (love those blankets over at Ravelry) and also the picot edge. I can’t crochet to save my life and sometimes an item just needs a finished edge to it. Thanks for a chance to win this fabulous book.

  16. Anonymous

    Stop, Drop & cable looks great. I would love to give that a shot although the thought of dropping a stitch, even on purpose, sounds scary!!

    Stephanie Ax.

  18. Brenda Boulton

    I love the Raindrop Wrap. Love lace, love shawls, so this is right up my alley. Congratulations, the book looks like it’s so beautiful.

  20. Sharon Melendez

    Super love the baby leggings. Would love the pattern to make. I am a newbie at knitting and crocheting, but a quick learner. Your pic’s are so nice, I have pinned a few on my Pinterest page.

  22. TracyK

    Fancy pants!!! I have a lot of little ones arriving in my life these days and all their mommies would love these!

  24. Cathy

    I love all the information in this book! I would love to win. 2 things instantly are, reading charts (lace), knitting intarsia. Thank you for this opportunity.

  26. essiewb

    This is a truly modern a collection of knitting projects. I love Cadet hat and the Stop, Drop and Cable cowl. They are gorgeous and new.

  27. Jill Taylor

    I didn’t realize you were going to have so many stitch tutorials in there. I recently learned i was doing my yo’s backwards! Having the book for the different bind-offs would be great.

  28. Anonymous

    I do need to “step up” my knitting. Too long in the mostly flat, square, knitted object phase!

  29. PC

    I love the Leg Bone leg warmers…. looks like cabling and fun design! and the Fancy Pants are really cute!
    I looking forward to learning the techniques to add texture!

  30. cookyfan

    I am so glad that I discovered your blog, Vickie. I was a big fan of your show on HGTV, “Knitty Gritty”! I definitely need to step up my knitting technique with the mitered square and learn how to read a chart. What a neat idea for a knitting book.

  31. lizzie

    Step up my knitting? I need to get a firm grasp of the concept first! I’ve been trying to knit for years and it’s like another language to me /giggle. I of course would love to ‘step up’ my knitting and knit all the projects in the book. Esp the leg warmers! my daughter would rock those!!!!

  33. Diana

    I’d love to make the Stop, Drop & Cable Cowl. And there are so many skills I still need to master — particularly knitting in the round!

  34. Suzette

    Love the color in the Stop, Drop and Cable cowl. Thanks for the invitation to join your RSS blog feed and the opportunity to win this amazing book!

  35. mrs eviltedi

    Brioche … altho i have been knitting for *cough* 30 odd years it’s only in the last year i’ve really tried with things i’ve not done much if any of … knitting in the round is covered now (altho still get those darned ladders at the joins lol) … but i have NEVER done any brioche yet

  38. JudithG

    I’m a beginner knitter so all of these are techniques I want to learn. I love the Stop, Drop and Cable Cowl…

  41. MTMomTricia

    I would love to do the Wild Warmers. I have a little girl turning 4 years old in a few days, and she would love to have these. She’s my diva! 🙂
    I would also like to do the Cadet hat. I’m relatively new to knitting, and always wanting to learn more!

  42. Annie

    I would love to make the Fair Weather…they come in very handy when it’s cold…..oh, I would love to win a signed copy of the book…there is much I need to learn. Thank you.

  43. Pokabelly

    Sock it to me 🙂 They look so pretty peeking out over those super cute shoes…. I have had problems some figuring out short-row heel turn so would love to step it up and learn how to do that…

  44. Ieda

    Hi, Vicky, I’m Ieda from Brazil, and one of your millions of fans. I loved the Fair Weather & would like to learn the fair isle technique. It sure seems scary but beautiful. xoxo for you and good luck for me ♥

  45. Anonymous

    I’ve always wanted to learn brioche stitch – looks versatile!

    Turtleknits

  46. Anonymous

    i would love to make the cable hand warmers for the local bank tellers.. they need them to keep their hands warm..lol.. julie bauer

  47. Brenda

    Stop, Drop & Cable Cowl would be my first pick, I love the texture and the color of this amazing piece.
    thanks,
    Brenda

  48. Anonymous

    I would love to make the cabled hand warmers, rainbow wrap, and wild warmers, for starters! Dianne

  50. Margaret aka: Fact Woman

    I really want to make the wild warmers to learn more about how to knit Intarsia. The item I want to make just for fun is the Fair Weather. Oh how I want to make that!!! It’s gorgeous!

  53. Anonymous

    Totally digging the Fair Weather – it would look quite fetching on both my girls! Been waiting for the book to arrive (read about it also on another blog…can’t wait!) – Amy B.