Vampire Knits: Projects to Knit From Twilight to Dawn

Sep 11, 2010
Renee Blixt

Vampire Knits - Potter Craft

Read the review of the knitting book, Vampire Knits: Projects to Keep You Knitting from Twilight to Dawn. Knitters will love it immortally.

From the Carpathian Mountains to the Louisiana Bayous, mortals adore fearing the mysterious vampire. Modern vampires are sexy, and sometimes, mortals just can’t, or don’t want to, help themselves. Surrender to the magnetism of immortal knitting; take a look at the book by Genevieve Miller, Vampire Knits: Projects to Knit from Twilight to Dawn.

The Book: Vampire Knits

Miller introduces readers to the dark arts…and crafts…through her book and its many vampire / werewolf themed projects. There are 5 chapters to the book; each chapter is organized by “purpose.” The book contains a total of 27 patterns.

Chapter 1, Protect Me, covers all the ways a knitter can keep herself safe from immortal creatures. After all, not everyone wants to succumb to an eternal master. Included in Chapter 1 are the projects, “Pulse Protectors,” designed to keep succulent wrist and neck pulse points covered up, “Silver Bullet-and-Blood Scarf,” intended to repel the Cold Ones with the purity of silver, and a “Vampire Diary Protector.”
Chapter 2, Just Bitten, comes in handy immediately after a knitter has fallen prey to the Undead. In this chapter are a “Tourniquet Scarf,” “Blood-Drop Socks,” “Rampage Fishnet Gloves,” (perfect for a newly-turned vamp), and two more patterns appropriate for the newly turned.
Chapter 3, Vampire Style, addresses the age-old problem (in this instance, ages-old) of what to wear. The knits in this section cater to the “turned,” as well as those who want to emulate them. “I’m Thirsty Stockings,” are over the knee-wear, and “The Prim Reaper’s Corset” is beautiful enough to wear as outerwear.
Chapter 4, Bloody Accents, is all about accessorizing. “Blood Bottle Cozies” is a unique project that results in a set of Fair-Isle drink wrappers. Each blood type is charted out so the beverage drinker can camouflage a drink while sharing her blood type with everyone. The cozies also help keep drinks at a perfect 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit / 37 degrees Celsius. Three other patterns are included in this chapter, including cute charted totes and jewelry.
Chapter 5, Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?, caters to the mortals whose hearts and allegiance are with werewolves; this book has animal magnetism covered. Unleash any inner shape-shifter with the "Werewolf Hat" or the "Shapeshifter Shrug."
In addition to the patterns listed above, there are plenty more: "Bellissima Mittens," "Under Cover of Midnight Hooded Cowl," "Love Bites for Him Sweater," "Descent Into Darkness Wrap," "Lore Hoodie," "Countess Bathory Scarf," "Palm Reader," "Be Still My Beating Heart Capelet," "The Black Veil," "Little Fang Sweater," "‘Got Blood?’ Pillow," "Vampire Totes," "Glamour Earrings & Sangria Bracelet," "Paw Warmers," and an "Imprint Pillow."

The Author: Genevieve Miller

The Wall Street Journal, NY Heard & Scene Section, August 19, 2010, by Marshall Heyman states that Miller was inspired to design her own patterns after reading Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. The knitting book was her brainchild. Miller told the WSJ that the "Tourniquet Scarf was the first thing Miller designed in homage to Meyer’s novels. ‘People like to bring together their hobby of knitting and their passion for other things,’ Miller explained.”

Miller is married and is the mother of three children. She resides in Pasadena, California, USA. There are 17 other contributors who have a …steak…stake…in the book.

The Review

Vampire Knits is the first collection of knitting projects for vampire fans. The projects are appealing, easy-to-knit, and range widely. They are fun to make and evoke the spirit of beloved undead characters. Charts are included when appropriate.

But the seductive projects are not the only reason to buy this beautifully laid-out, lush book. It is also filled with entertaining folklore. For example, one of the projects is entitled “Sidhe Lace Shrug.” Vampire Knits explains that according to myth, “the Irish Sidhe was a beautiful fairy that lured men to their deaths and fed on their blood.”

Another pattern, “Sitio Stockings,” is named as such because “SITIO” is Latin for “I'm thirsty,” and the stockings are made up in a blood red color. A final example is the “Countess Bathory Scarf,” which is named after the Countess who is known as the “Blood Countess,” a woman accused of torturing and killing hundreds of young women and bathing in their blood to preserve her own youth and beauty.

In addition, there are “Tid-Bites” sprinkled throughout the book. These little factoid boxes are full of interesting trivia about vampires and friends. For example, did you know that the first “reluctant” vampire was Barnabas Collins from Dark Shadows in 1966? Looking for new activities involving Dracula et al.? These tidbit(e)s are very helpful; one explains “Selene from Underworld is both a vampire and a warrior fighting against the Lycans (werewolves), only to find herself falling in love with one.”

There are also full pages devoted to reading about The Undead and their fang-gangs. Tips for getting blood out of your clothes as well as informal quizzes that test the reader’s knowledge of who’s who among the denizens of the night provide entertaining reading.

One word of warning: crochet. Chapter 4’s projects in particular depend on a bit of crocheting. It’s minimal, but it is there. Nowhere on the book’s cover is this revealed.

The target audience is fairly obvious; knitters, vampire fans who craft, and anyone looking for a gift for a knitting-vamp. Unlike The Anticraft, another book targeting “eccentric” crafters, Vampire Knits will easily appeal to non-vamps. The projects are not so peculiar as to alienate more conservative crafters. Anyone with a love of Victorian or Gothic style will find suitable projects.

Knitting has been around as long as the undead have been spoken of. This book is highly recommended without reservation for open-minded (and open-hearted) knitters interested in both...and, it won't bleed anyone's bank account.