BOOK FEATURE : : : :

Another boring scarf? More mittens? We're not gonna take it! And neither should you!

Knitting doesn't have to mean recycling the same patterns that your grandmother used. No offense to Grandma, but there are enough fringe-trimmed wooly scarves and toaster cozies in the world. Rather, try knitting up a micro mini, skull-and-bones wrist warmers, or a felted earflap hat with Mohawk fringe. Turn heads with a checkerboard choker and a vertical-striped ribbed corset.

PRETTY IN PUNK salutes counterculture fashion with 25 original designs inspired by punk legends and fashion icons like Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano. Whether you're new to knitting or a veteran desperately seeking patterns with an edge, you'll find projects for every mood and every genre. With step-by-step instructions, helpful technical illustrations and intarsia graphs, plus high-fashion photos of all the finished projects, PRETTY IN PUNK is the sole authority on anti-authority knitting.

So, what inspired authors Alyce Benevides and Jaqueline Milles to merge the seemingly disparate worlds of punk and knitting? "We began knitting together eleven years ago, long before needles and yarn became fashion accessories seen on movie sets and Soho streets," says Benevides. "Sure, we began with the standard scarves and hats. We were novices. But soon we realized that our knitting skills didn't have to limit our expression or creativity. We took an unorthodox approach and experimented with outrageous colors, materials, and yarn textures."

The authors' bold designs have some high-profile fans. "I made our signature Mohawk hats for Depeche Mode and gave them to the band as gifts at an in-store CD signing in 2005," says Benevides. "They've been my favorite band for 22 years, so we were beyond thrilled that Martin Gore loved our hats and introduced our design to the world by wearing it onstage throughout Depeche Mode's 2006 world tour."

Other celebrity fans include Tori Amos, Madonna, Michael Stipe, and Ana Matronic from Scissor Sisters. And the authors might have some new tiny fans soon. "We are currently working on baby versions of our Mohawk hat and hope to get them to our favorite celebrity moms—Gwen Stefani and Angelina Jolie to name a couple," says Benevides.

Aspiring punky knitters, take heed. "Like anything creative, put your own spin on what you make," says Benevides. "Whatever your personal style and tastes may be, the process of creating and crafting with your own hands is satisfying and freeing in itself, and therefore punk and anti-establishment."

"Art can inspire art," Benevides adds. "We encourage others to find their artistic outlet and run with it. For us, music inspired us to knit and so knitting is our outlet to release our inner rock star. Knitting your own accessories and clothes incorporates the true spirit of punk rock, which is essentially a do-it-yourself phenomenon. You have to have balls to wear your punk rock knitwear—it's not for the faint of heart. You will get attention and stares."

We've posted instructions for one of our favorite projects from the book—skull and crossbones wrist warmers here. Just click for everything you need to make the perfect rock-and-roll accessory.

WIN A HANDCRAFTED MOHAWK HAT
The authors are donating one of their handcrafted Mohawk hats to one lucky newsletter subscriber. To enter, email webmaster@chroniclebooks.com with the subject line: PRETTY IN PUNK. And check out the authors' entire collection of handcrafted knitwear for sale at: www.knit-head.com.

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