My own private Knook blog tour post and week of giveaways, day 3
A few weeks ago, I was browsing the Leisure Arts website when I came across this ad for the Knook.
I had never heard of the Knook or knooking before but soon discovered that I must have been living under a rock because there are Knooking groups on Ravelry with hundreds of members and knooking videos on YouTube that are almost two years old. I immediately felt that it was my duty as a crochet teacher, needlecrafter, and citizen of the earth to discover what the fuss was all about.
Unfortunately, since I live in an urban area, I am nowhere near a Walmart. (Ok, normally I consider this fortunate, but since the Knook kit is currently exclusively available at Walmart, it posed a problem in this instance.) I decided to harness the power of the internet and appeal to the thousands of members of the tunisiancrochet group on Yahoo. Within days, thanks to GD and AP, two Knook kits were making their way to my home, purchased on my behalf by crocheters in Walmart communities. But being the impatient shopper and learner that I am, I had already read about using locker hooks, the Amazing Needle, or Magic Needle sets and had placed the appropriate bids on eBay.
Once all of my various knooking implements arrived, it was time to learn how to do it. I decided to use the booklet that came with the Leisure Arts Knook kit and was able to get started with relative ease during a lengthy Long Island Rail Road trip. I was surprised to see that knooking is actually different than Tunisian crochet and produces “real knitting” stitches. (I know, I know, everyone was saying that already, but I needed to try it for myself to believe it!) I planned a post on my knooking adventures and then learned that there was a Knook kit blog tour in progress. I decided to host my own private Knook blog tour post here on the Underground Crafter blog as soon as the official tour ended. Kind of like my unofficial after party 
.
My first attempt at knooking. I tried the Pennant stitch pattern (p. 12) from Claire Crompton's The Knitter's Bible Stitch Library.
I found the booklet quite helpful but confess that I didn’t love the shape of the Knooks from Leisure Arts and actually preferred using the locker hook. Of course, locker hooks are only available in one size, so that will get old soon. (For you long time crocheters, Knooks have points that are shaped like Susan Bates hooks while the locker hooks are have points that are shaped like Boye hooks.)
The start of the Tumbling Blocks stitch pattern (p.16) in the same stitch guide.
I haven’t opened my magic needles yet, but I plan to do some more knooking explorations and post an update on a future WIP Wednesday or FO Friday. I think I will have quite a bit of fun once I get the mechanics down.
The Giveaway
Today’s giveaway is the third in my week of giveaways in celebration of my 100th blog post!
Today’s prize is your very own Knook beginner set from Leisure Arts
The kit is brand new in the package and includes a booklet with both right and left handed instructions and four patterns and 3 Knooks with long cords in sizes G-6/4.0 mm, H-8/5.0 mm, and I-9/5.5 mm.
You will have 10 days to enter each giveaway. To enter for a chance to win this Knook Kit,
- Leave a comment on this post by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 17, 2011. Be sure to include your email address (which won’t be displayed) so I can contact you if you win. (Please note that my comments are moderated, so if you are a new visitor, it will not appear immediately.)
- For a second chance to win, like the Underground Crafter Facebook page. Then you can either post a comment on Facebook or here again so I will give you a second entry. (If you already like my Facebook page, you can still post a comment for another chance to win.)
- For a third chance to win, share the link to this giveaway via Twitter, Facebook, or your blog. Then post a comment here with the link to your Tweet or blog post, or leave a comment on my Facebook page so I will give you a third entry.
- I am willing to ship this internationally, so please feel free to enter from any location.
Good luck to everyone!
I’ve never heard of this either so don’t feel bad about that! Count me in, I want to learn more about this Knook thing.
Trenody85@wmconnect.com
Already “like” your page.:)
@ Barbara: I think you will have a lot of fun with it, especially if you are not already an accomplished knitter!
very cool! ive seen these before i think they use something similar in other countries..i was watching a you tube video and the woman was knitting with them…this would be cool to give to my sister who thinks knitting is way to hard..maybe she would find this easier to get started with..thanks!
i already like your fb!
I am wondering if you will start making your own knooks since you dn’t like the tips on these! I have noticed thaqt a lot of people are doing that instead of trying to purchase them. I haven’t bought a beginners kit yet, but have been thinking about getting one. I think you have inspired me to do so.
I would like to learn knooking. There has been a lot of comments about it.
@ Patty: Welcome! I don’t think I’m ready to enter the world of knook/hook modification yet, but it does seem like “everyone is doing it” so maybe I will eventually give it a shot!
@ Barbara: Welcome! I think you will really enjoy it.
@ Lorraine: They take a bit of getting used to, but if I didn’t already know how to knit, I would probably find knooking easier to learn.
I’ve never tried knooking, but I do knit. I was wondering, are your stitches supposed to be twisted for the pendant stitch? It may be a trick of the camera, but this knitter thinks you may be picking up stitches from the wrong angle or wrapping the wrong way. I don’t know, I’ve never knooked, but I did have a problem with twisted stitches when I first started knitting.
I’d love to win the knook kit. I’m wondering if knooking is faster than knitting, or it’d be great for those times I want to have a knitted finished product but in the mood to crochet.
I already like you on FB.
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/Meanderinghome/status/100264359372132353
@ Kacy: My stitches are definitely twisted
. It is different than knitting and I had a bit of trouble picking them up at first. At least for me, it isn’t faster than knitting, but I’ve only been knooking for about a week! I think once I got it down, it might be about the same speed as my knitting.
I’ve tried this using Denise interchangable crochet hooks but would love trying the Knook .
I’ve been following the blog tour for these, and every stop has some new info – I’d never heard of the other products you mention. I’ve seen Portuguese knitting before, which usse two hooked needles, (it can be done without the hooks, but their needles have hooks). It’s all fascinating to me because you could walk into a room where several people had identical garments, and each was made with different tools! I’m not on FB, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like you – I just can’t Like you.
Can you imagine the Kneedle Pet lady has never used the Knook before! Wow, I would love to be the winner of the Knook. I like trying new things.
Jackie
I haven’t decided if I will look into knooking or not. I suppose if I win the drawing, that will give me a reason to try it!
@ Kitten with a Whiplash: Thanks for liking me even if you can’t like me on FB
. I’m not an official stop on the tour, which is why I can mention these other (competing) products. I am no where near ready to knook up garments, but I do hope to achieve that level of mastery one day!
@ Brenda: I haven’t tried with my Denise hooks yet, so that will have to be on a future post!
I have dabbled in knooking, and it’s great! Thanks for the giveaway!
I liked you on facebook, but I don’t have a twitter account.
@ Jacqueline: Welcome, and I’m sure you will enjoy knooking (and have one more set of hooks to add to your Kneedle Pet).
@ Margaret D: I think knooking is definitely worth a try.
I like your attitude of learning new techniques! I’ve been crocheting for a long time, but my list of new things to try is incredibly long!
I have been doing needlework for more than 50 years bu I haven’t knooked yet – shame on me. It looks like fun and learning it would be another notch in my belt. When my local Wal-Mart gets the startup kit I am saving my money to buy it.
I was so excited about knooking when I read about it on the Tunisian Crochet groupsite that Icouldn’twait to get to walmart to get one. Well after going to9 different walmarts I still have no knook kit.seems that they either never heard of them don’t carry them or only got a few in and are out. Thanks for doing this it is really nice of you.
This seems like an interesting technique to learn. I’d like to try it.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
How well I remember the LIRR trips to / from NYC!!
It will be great to learn yet another technique.
Thank you.
What a generous giveaway! I have been loving Tunisian
for about 2 years and do not knit so this sounds very interesting.
Ruth.
Oh, boy! I read your post on Tunisian Yahoo groups and here I am.
Please enter me twice. Here’s my blog post with a link back.
http://the-godiva.livejournal.com/322808.html
@ CP: Thanks for liking Underground Crafter on FB, and I’m glide to hear you are enjoying your knooking adventures.
@ Renee: Thanks! My list of things to learn is longer than the amount of time I have for crafting
. But I do try out new techniques periodically.
@ Carolyn: Welcome. It takes a while to get the hang of it – I’m still twisting stitches and my tension isn’t that even. But it will be funk!
@ Carol: Welcome! It seems these kits are hard to find. Good luck!
Welcome Melody, and good luck!
@ Marlene: Welcome! Then you must remember the glaring light and the constant chatter – both of which make learning new craft techniques easier.
@ Ruth: Welcome! I think this may be easier for you to learn than knitting.
mlaiuppa, Welcome, and thanks for posting on your LiveJournal!
Hi,
I took a crochet course at Chain Link a couple of years ago, and learned a little about Knooking. Seems interesting, though the purl stitch is a little harder to learn. Sorry I’m not on Facebook or Twitter, but I like your blog.
Gail
@ Gail: I’m glad to hear you learned a bit about it at Chain Link. Thanks for your complement!
Weee!!
A chance to win a knook! Thanks for such a fun contest.
Hmm. I don’t know where my link is to my blog but here it is again.
http://the-godiva.livejournal.com/322808.html
@ Andi: Welcome!
Thanks for this chance! I would like to try knooking, too.
Would love to learn how to knook. Looks very interesting.
it sounds interesting, i would love to try!!!
I would love the nook kit,I have tired for weeks to find it at walmart,but NO LUCK,when ask about it they never heard of it. I read your e-mails an blog all the time you are so crafty an do great things an forever sharing THANK YOU we all appreciate all you do. bobbijk
@ mlaiuppa: I can see the links in my dashboard but they don’t show up here (so I know you posted it!).
@ Sarah, Elaine, and Katrin E: Welcome, and I think you will enjoy knooking.
@ Barbara J: Thanks so much! I am not sure how but these two ladies in the Tunisiancrochet group on Yahoo were able to track it down for me.
I think I may have inadvertantly been “knooking” when I picked up a crochet hook for the first time this weekend. I know I was holding the hook all wrong, and my stitches came out looking suspiciously like stocking stitch! I figured I was just doing something strange and wrong though
@ Nat: It sounds like a pleasant mistake
.
thanks for the opportunity to win a knook.
I’d like to toss my name into the hat to win a knook. I crochet, so it would be an interesting skill to acquire.
Knooking sounds like fun and at age 81 I’m ready to learn a new technique. I’m anxious to see if it’s easier than knitting and crochet.
I have been knooking with a locker hook and have done very well. I didn’t find it very hard since I do both knit and crochet, but my purling is awful when I knit. I did have some tension issues with my first dishcloth, but the second turned out quite nice.
I am expecting a nephew in November. In our family, someone makes a stocking for the newborn and that stocking is used every year. I am seriously considering knooking my nephew’s stocking.
Great post!!! I have been intrigued about knooking for a few months but haven’t had the cajones to try it out, this would be a great way! Also, thanks for pointing out the difference between the knook hooks and the locker hooks, I prefer boye myself so I will watch out for that. Thanks Marie!
@ Cynthia, Diane, and Nancy: Welcome! I think you will enjoy knooking but I’m not sure if it could be described as easier than crochet
.
@ Donna B: Welcome, it is great to hear about your knooking adventures with the locker hook. I do have high hopes that my first project will look better than these swatches
.
@ MissH: I’m also going to try the Denise Interchangeable Hooks and will report back on those too.
how interesting! would love to enter!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a really great prize!
I made my own version of these as soon as I saw it and I am so excited to see they finally have made up a kit I do so love knooking
http://twitter.com/#!/CrochetOutLady/status/100684325539946496
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1323319308
Count me in–this is FUN and makes me feel like a kid again! Goopd luck to all of us!
blessings,
Kathy
@ Shateen and Kathy B: Welcome and good luck!
@ Cherise: Thanks for stopping by – it is great to have a knooking pro stop by!
I have some old lg sz wodden hooks, have my son-in-law drilling holes now. I would love to learn this so I can teach seniors.
I learned to crochet when I was young but really love the look of knitting. When I came across knooking online, I was so excited. So, being the “creative” person that I am, I, of course, made my own: a crochet hook with yarn taped to it. LOL Needless to say, that was quite a challenge! I would love to have a REAL knook. Thanks for this give away!
I would love to win the Knook!
tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/cmouse01/status/100752135356039169
@ Karen Mokas: That sounds like a great reason to learn to knook.
@ Patty: You sound much more improvisational than I am
.
@ Carmen: Thanks for entering and tweeting!
I randomly heard about knooking on Ravelry but haven’t been able to get anywhere to start it but it sounds neat and as a crocheter who loves Tunisian and has crossed the “dark side” into knitting I’m always eager to learn new techniques!
@ Aradia: Welcome and thanks for tweeting. I love Tunisian too. I just checked out your Artfire shop and love your motto.
Commented, Liked, and now Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/FTHWRKS/status/100775203122057216
I, like you live in the city (NYC) where there aren’t any Walmarts! I’ve been crocheting for 4 yrs and love it. I’m self taught in crochet (books, internet, youtube) & I’ve also wanted to learn how to knit for sometime. I just haven’t been able to get how to start w/ two needles and saw the Knook on Leisure Arts and can’t wait to try it. Unfortunately I can’t get it on the internet until October! So here’s hoping I win one somewhere…that would be awesome!
@ D. Quinones: Welcome and good luck. If you are anywhere near the Michaels in Manhattan (100th & Columbus Av), I teach knitting and crochet lessons there
.
It looks very interesting. I wouldn’t mind trying it — perhaps if I win! Thanks for your blog.
I followed the 13 day Knook tour on Leisure Arts blog. There were so many interesting and useful articles on the knook. I can knit but can’t crochet. I am hoping to learn how to knook.
@ Rose: I think you will enjoy knooking!
@ Knittingdancer: I think you are the only person I’ve heard from yet who is interested in knooking who can knit but not crochet. I bet it would help you feel more comfortable with the hook!
I have been to Wal-Mart 2 times to look for the knook kit and can’t find it. I would like to have one.
@ Colleen: They seem really hard to find. Thanks for stopping by to enter!
I so love the knooking thing. I am new to it myself. I could never get how to knit but I am having luck with knooking. Love your blog
@ Kim: Welcome! I’m glad to hear you are enjoying knooking. I’m hoping to improve my knooking skills soon!
That’s cool. I was wondering what the Magic Needles on Ebay were. I looked at them, but until now, I couldn’t figure out what made them magic!
@ Shanan: It took me a while to figure out why they were magic too
. Welcome!
The knook is facinating, but not available in Canada. Love this site
@ coffeeklutz: Welcome! I’m sorry to hear that about the Knook. It seems pretty hard to find in the US too…
I do want to sign up for the contest.
@ coffeeklutz: Thanks for entering!
Lovin’ the international shipping
@ Tan: Thanks for entering!
Thanks for introducing us to knooking! I’d love to try it!
Welcome Emily! I’m glad to introduce you to something I only recently learned about myself
.
I would love to be in the contest
Welcome Genna and thanks for entering!
Sign me up. Can’t wait to try. I switched to knitting because I like luxury yarns and crocheting uses about a third more yarn for similar projects. Yet I am a crocheter at heart and knitting is so slow for me. Can’t wait to see if I regain speed using this method. Thanks for blogging about this and holding the contest.
Welcome Cat! I would say it probably isn’t as fast as crochet (even with practice, since you do have to move the stitches after working each row) but it may become faster than knitting with practice.
Just saw you are having a giveaway for a knook! Had seen on facebook, and it stated available at Walmart-nope! at least not where I am. Going to get started on the test scarf….now!
Thanks for stopping by Crochetgammy! Unfortunately, this giveaway already ended
.
Thanks for your comparison of the Leisure Arts knook vs the locker needle (or hook). That is helpful to know.
Cathy
Welcome Cathy! I have been meaning to write another post comparing different hooks for knooking, but haven’t been practicing my knooking enough to make solid comparisons
.