Posted: 20 Jul 2011 02:04 AM PDT
The Knook Kit
All right, so I received my Knook kit and had to try it out! Because I had a full day and a group meeting that didn’t end until 10 pm, I didn’t get a chance to do much with the kit, but here are my first impressions.
The kit - It comes with the items shown in the picture above: 3 wooden hooks in 3 different sizes, 3 cords, 1 instructions booklet.
At first, I thought the cords were to be used as yarn, which I quickly realized was an incorrect assumption. The cords are actually inserted into a small opening carved on the end opposite from the hook. I have to say that I wish the hole was a little bigger. Although the cord has a hardened end to make it easier to insert it into the Knook, because it’s a tight fit, I can see the end splitting eventually, which would make it impossible to get the cord through the knook. Actually, a longer opening, like what you find in tapestry needles, would probably do the trick.
The good news is that you can actually use any string that slides well against the yarn you are using. So, if the cord splits and you can’t use it, you can easily find a different, thinner cord that will be easier to handle. Another option would be to make the kits with a plastic cord.
I originally thought the technique might involve using 2 hooks, sort of like knitting needles, but once I saw the multiple hooks in the kit were for different sizes, I realized that wasn’t the case. You work with one hook (knook), with the cord inserted into it and any yarn you choose.
My next thought is that, since this is a new product, it would be nice to find out whether larger hooks are available. I haven’t really made a search for it, so I hope it’s already available.
For those who knit and enjoy it, I don’t really see switching to the knook as bringing any benefit. But, if you suffer from arthritis, carpal tunnel, or joint issues, I am glad to say this technique seems much easier on the hands!
I also have a feeling this will be a god-send to those people who always wanted to learn knitting but had a hard time working with the two needles at the same time. Although it’s not like Tunisian (another earlier assumption I made), if you can do Tunisian crochet, you can Knook.
Now, to the actual technique.
I was able to learn both the knit and purl stitches within an hour or so. One thing I have to figure out is why my number of stitches isn’t right. But that could have been because I was tired and not really concentrating so well. Also, the yarn I used wasn’t ideal. I should have used something like Lion Brand’s Pound of Love, and I have tons of it lying around. But, unfortunately, when you live by yourself on a multi-floor home and have a broken toe, you don’t use what you want, you use what’s handy!
In my opinion, you can Knook even if you never knitted before. Other than the fact that you have the working yarn on the back for the knit stitch and on the front for the purl stitch, and that the knit stitch is the back of the purl stitch and vice-versa, knitting and knooking are completely different techniques that provide the same final fabric. Unlike Tunisian
It’s impressive to really have a knitted piece of work achieved using only a hook. And, unlike the Tunisian “knit” and “purl” stitches that, as I mentioned on an earlier post, make a stitch that looks like it was made with knitting needles, but would never fool someone who actually handled the piece, when you use the Knook, what you end up with is a knitted piece.
Being experienced in Tunisian would definitely be the most useful previous experience to get you comfortable learning the Knook.
The most different characteristic in knooking, and that may be the hardest aspect of working this technique for those who have been crocheting for a while, is that you don’t do yarn over when knooking, it’s actually done with “yan under,” picking up the yarn with the nose of the hook down. This makes handling the first stitch of the rows a little trickier.
I’m excited to try again later today, and will probably be working with Pound of Love when I do. I’ll also get some pictures posted once I have a piece worked. In my mind, ideas keep popping up, of things I can potentially do with the Knook. Once I’m more comfortable working with it and have a chance to try making different things, I will post them here for your review!
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