Monday, August 01, 2011

the Knook!

When I first began to knit I literally went to my local craft store and purchased every tool I could find on the market that had anything to do with knitting.  This is no joke, even if I had no idea what it was or how to use it, if it said it was for knitting it was in my basket. That was 7 years ago and since then there are very few tools on the market that I find myself saying 'I have to have that'.  However, that has all changed when I was introduced to the Knook!


What is a Knook you ask?  Well, let me tell you.  It is a tool that blends the best of both the crochet and the knit worlds.  Invented by Leisure Arts, a Knook is basically a wooden crochet hook that has a removeable thread at the end making it possible to knit with a crochet hook!  Brilliant if you ask me.

It is very helpful to the crocheter that wants to learn to knit, or the knitter that has a hard time dropping stitches or picking up stitches along the edge of a piece and wants to use a hook instead of needles.  The Knook is sold in a kit that includes 3 wooden crochet hooks, thread, a booklet with great instructions for the right and left-handed crafter, along with lots of how-to-photos. It is currently only available at Wal-mart but will be in other stores this fall. 
  

Is it a crochet tool or a knitting tool?  Both...knitters and crocheters will find that using a hook to pull the yarn through a stitch is easier than using a needle and they will find that the string attached to the hook helps them with the dreaded dropped stitch.  Yes, you read that correctly...no more dropped stitches! 

With the Knook, the dreaded dropped stitch doesn't happen because the thread acts like a life line for your work.  So, if you have been fearful of knitting because of dropped stitches I want to encourage you to try the Knook.  It might be your new favorite tool in your crafting bag.

If you are like me and need more visual instructions than a booklet to show you how a Knook works, Leisure Arts has how-to videos on their web site as well as free patterns!

http://www.leisurearts.com/how-to-knook
 
And as a special thanks to you for stopping by I'd like to GIVE AWAY a Knook kit!  To enter leave a comment on this blog. I'll select the a winner from the comments received before Friday August 12th.

60 comments:

Amouse said...

I love this Idea why hadn't someone tought of it sooner

Stitch 'n Frog said...

I've been knitting, off & on, for almost 30 years, and crocheting off & on for 60. As you might guess, I handle a hook better than a needle. So the knook is a real "find" for me and I am super anxious to start working with the knook hooks!
I never did get along with double point needles, so crocheted all of my socks. It will be a real treat to knit a few pair now!

Happy Hooking . . . ah . . . Happy Knooking

Debbie said...

Would love to win a kit!
Thanks for the nice giveaway!

Max Robinson said...

Marly, thanks for the info about the knook! I crochet and knit, and have been wondering how to combine them for a while. I can imagine putting a crocheted insert into the leg of a sock, or crocheting a heel in an otherwise knit sock.

I hope you pick me! I'm itching to learn new skills.

Miss Kelly said...

This is so neat! I went to leisure arts and watched the videos and was so excited I shared it with a friend who was over who has been knitting and crocheting for years. We both like this and can't wait to give it a whirl. :)

jenhong218 said...

Thank you for your review. You are right, the how-to videos are very helpful.

Will you be adding knook patterns to your repertoire?

Melissa said...

Would love to win this tool! I can't wait to learn how to knit with it.

CrochetByKrista said...

Can't wait to try it. Swatching will help decrease my yarn stash a bit!

Brenda Weiss said...

I've tried learning to knit for years & managed to make a simple hat and scarf that seemed to take forever since I crochet. I'd love to learn knooking and have checked my local Walmart's with no luck so far. They seem to be flying off the shelves or not carried yet. :(

Kitten With a Whiplash said...

It's funny how we do throw ourselved into things! I'd already outgrown the habit for collecting crochet goodies, but 30 years of experience will do that for ya. That is, until the next new hobby comes along! Like, you, I wound up with tons of knitting tools when I first started. And now I kneeds a Knook! Thank for the giveaway.

Michelle said...

What a treat for those of us that are bi-craftual.

CottonCandyG said...

I've attempted to teach myself to knit.. Casting on is no problem, but there is where the problems begin.
I've always envied those that could both knit and crochet. Heres hoping that I find or win a Knook!
Great blog!
Happy Knooking.

Ruth said...

It sounds so intriguing - I am on my way to Walmart to get one.

ravelry id - rmusso

Jane Delcambre said...

Please include me in this wonderfulish KnooK giveaway! It's geniouS!

Artes Mágicas said...

I'd really love to get my crocheting hands on a Knook! There are so many lovely knitting patterns I have my eye on... ;)
Thank you for the lovely giveaway!

Kim Reid said...

Can't wait to try the Knook!!
Thanks :)
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

amhv said...

The more I hear about the knook, the more I am anxious to try it!

Diana H said...

I would love to try something that will enable me to do both knit and crochet in the same piece - that isn't something and an edging.

Hookedewe said...

I would love to have the knook kit! I've made my own but I'd love to have a "real" one :-)

hookewe at sbcglobal dot net

Dreaming Diva said...

Lol.. I till go to my LYS to see if there's a new "must-have-tool" out :). And I would LOVE to win a knook!

Abby1 said...

Trying my hand at winning a Knook! Love the visit to all the different blogs!

Karen said...

I don't knit but I just found something today that I really want to make. It is part knitting and part crochet. The knook would be perfect for the knitting part.

Laurie_belle said...

I really want to get one, but I can't find it! Looks great!

Karen Williams said...

I'd really love to win one of these kits. None of the Walmarts close to me carry it yet. I'm not much of a knitter, I'm more comfortable with a crochet hook. Actually, tonight I sent my mangled shawl to my mom to try to help me get my stitches right again. I'm just no good at fixing dropped stitches!

Sharon P said...

I'd love to win a Knook! :D

YarnOvers said...

I'm dying to try this knook!

Anonymous said...

This looks so interesting. I want to try it.

Melody J
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

Cindy AKA ChessWidow said...

I've been looking for this kit but it doesn't seem to be in any of the Walmarts in my area. I would love to win this kit!

Feral Housewife X said...

I would love to be entered in the knook giveaway! I think this might be the tool to get me on the knitting train!

Denise Calderon said...

This is great, I'd love to have one. :)

Manda - Handmade with Love said...

I love knooking too! I first discovered this fantastic technique last July and made my first pair of socks with it. I immediately hooked!

Sandie said...

I am so glad you mentioned the bit about dropping stitches. I am a crocheter, but I know the procedure of knitting. However every time I've tried it I leave it because I mess up (dropped stitch) and that is it. I've gotten to the last row of a project and done this. That said, I'm anxious to try this knook of which you speak. :-)

Maggi said...

The Knook looks like so much fun! I haven't had much luck with learning to knit so far, I would love to give this a try!

Donna B said...

To think, actual knitting with a hook...

Anne said...

I'm really looking forward to trying a knook. I crochet but only recently learned how to knit.

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

Would love to win a knook kit.
Thanks for the nice giveaway. It has been so fun following all the blogs about knook this week.

amiblue (Ravelry) said...

My Wal-Mart doesn't have these and I seriously want one! This is a new idea to me - thanks to people like you who blog about yarn hobbies.

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a Knook! I know how to crochet, and am learning to knit - this sounds like a great addition to my list.

Di said...

would love to win a Knook kit! curious to try it..

Shar said...

KNOOK ME :-P

Rachel M said...

This kit sounds amazing!

Diane P. Rhodes said...

Reminds me of a tunsian (sp?) hook. Part crochet part knitting.

Julie said...

Sign me up! It looks like it'd be a great way to get over the fear of lace.
Thanks!

Christel said...

Looks like something I'd definitely like to try. Thanks for the chance!

Patricia said...

I would love to win a kit!! Thanks for the chance!!!

Lareina said...

I'd love a kit! This is just what I need to knit all those cute things for my kiddies! Thanks!

yarn whisperer said...

I have been looking for a Knook and haven't found one here in Canada yet.
I enjoyed meeting you at Sock Summit, we knit for awhile on Friday.
Would love to win one.
Arlene
aka yarnwhisperer on rav

Dana said...

I wonder if I could take my mini bamboo hooks and make them into knooks and mini with them for my dollhouse friends :) this looks like lots of fun :)

Anonymous said...

I had no idea this type of needle existed until an e-mail from Leisure Arts and I started to research them. I love anything that you can use yarn with.

Tracey Jean said...

Knook me now! It's been 5 years of trying and I still haven't figured out how to knit! I definitely need to use a hook...

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a Knook! Thank you!

kroshey at yahoo dot com

Holy Needles said...

Why should I get a Knook? After teaching myself to crochet, I started a group called Holy Needles (in March 2009). I’ve taught so many people how to crochet, that I lost count! We have created 5500 items for the needy in the Tucson area… mostly for newborns. Lately, many Holy Needles members want to learn to knit. Oh, boy… that’s asking a lot! I taught myself to knit years ago, and never got past the basic knit a square or rectangle! I believe that The Knook is the answer! Holy Needles survives on donations, so ‘winning’ a Knook would be a blessing to us!

Anonymous said...

Can't believe I am just hearing about this. I am a knitter and crocheter but this sounds like great fun. I will definitely have to look for the Knook at my Walmart. Thanks for giving us an opportunity to win one!
Grammy A

Anonymous said...

Just finished watching the video on Leisure Art site, and the went on the walmart site to order the knook kit. Could not find one listed. I love to knit and it would be great to incorporate crocheting with the knitting. What a great pattern that would make. I would love to win the knook kit.

Azsuraya said...

I would love to try this.

RhennRainbow said...

I just got this for Christmas and am sooo happy! I know for sure that mine came from Michaels art store, since that's where I saw it. Go check your local one!

I was delighted at how easy it was to learn, but was left really wishing there had been more instructions. I love making beanies and hats, so I was disappointed that there were no directions on how to increase or decrease. I'm currently searching to see if there are any more books, sets, or hooks to buy. I sure hope so. This is a really, really great alternative for those of us who can't seem to make friends with knitting needles. I'm really, really hoping that this won't be one of those things that disappears in a few years, never to see a trace of them again. This is such a wonderful product, I really hope enough people catch on to keep it around. :)

KayakGirl13 said...

This is so cool. I know it's a bit too late for the contest, but....wishful thinking! I just heard about knooking and it sounds great!

Thanks :)

Deborah said...

I have just recently bought a Knook kit. I seemed to have caught on quick enough for the testing swatch of 10 stitches. But I have not figured out how to get to the next row (154 stitches). If I pull the string out, I will lose everything that is not on the hook itself.I have surfed and I can't seem to get the answer. Maybe I don't understand it or see it correctly. Do I need to use 2 stings?307 Does anyone here know what I am talking about? Thanks for any insight!

Anonymous said...

Does this ever sound interesting. At present I am attempting to knit scarf with Sashay yarn--with cortisone injections in one eye and cataract in other. Not finding it easy. Havee knit for 50 yrs. and crocheted for about 20. Sure would like to win this set and start something new. Sounds very intriguing and finished products are lovely.

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited about this new "tool." Been knitting and crocheting over 50 years - makes me sound old - but I feel like I'm still in high school (with a few aches & pains). Looking forward to creating new fun things with this fabulous inventive idea.

Linda Simon