Simply brilliant for all knitters (Simply Knitting)

Member Name: GizmoPig

Product:	Simply Knitting
Date:	08/06/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: covers all levels, interesting articles, step by step instructions, variety of patterns

Disadvantages: some patterns not to my taste

I started knitting in 2006 in my mid twenties after it was recommended as an antidote to stress and anxiety and have been addicted ever since. I was a bit wary of knitting magazines, believing them to probably have hideous patterns with cheap yarn, so I was pleasantly surprised with Simply Knitting.

First of all there is often a really genuinely useful free gift. I have had a project bag that has been in constant use and still going, a set of stitch holders and markers and a needle gauge among others, including the odd set of needles and crochet hooks. These are things that I would have spent upwards of £3-£5 on so well worth the cover price and they work as well as singly bought shop bought ones.

Going through the magazine, there is a great news section and I also enjoy the letters page as it covers a wide range of ages and readers. There's often some good baby patterns (I don't have kids yet but am stockpiling knitted items and knitting for friends - Baby clothes are so instantly gratifying too!)

There are also good articles on item like hand dyeing and animals that yarn comes from which is interesting as I enjoy reading around knitting rather than just looking at patterns.

Finally the essential guides at the back are great for how to's on the basic stitches and other techniques in a step by step photo format. I really do enjoy this magazine and would recommend it to anyone at any level.

Summary: great value for money, even if only for the free gifts