Starred Review The title clues girls in that this book is shooting for a hip audience, and the text delivers. Everything works here, from the design to the enticing projects: hats and scarves, leg warmers, and purses among them. Okey adds plenty of extra teen-worthy extras, such as a bag with a place for an iPod, and text-messaging mittens, gloves with a thumb tip that can be flipped, the easier to press tiny buttons. The bright pages feature graphic-novel-style illustrations and plenty of color. Instructions are clearly written and aided by sharp color photographs. More advanced techniques, such as felting and embroidery, are also introduced. There are even suggestions for having a knitting party. The back matter is particularly good; it includes ideas about where to go for help or inspiration: books, magazines, and Web sites, such as www.knitgrrl.com. Not your mother's knitting book.

Gr 7-10-A lively, teen-friendly book with all the basics, plenty of additional information, and appealing color photos and illustrations. Some knitting experience would serve crafters well, although the introduction is encouraging to newcomers. Topics include reading a yarn label, colors, needles and other tools, reading patterns, mistakes, and more. Various hues are used for the large typeface headings, and individual creativity is encouraged for projects. A few DIY inserts are interspersed throughout, such as a page on hosting a knitting party. Items to make include a faux fur stole, a ponytail roll-brim hat, leg warmers, and a lacy double-diamond scarf. All are accompanied by a color photo of a teen model and the completed garment. Back matter includes lists of yarn companies, online knitting and craft resources, magazines, books, online organizations, and "Meet the Designers" (readers can ask questions directly, online).-Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Okey provides a great staged introduction for the beginning knitter, and at a reasonable price, it is a steal in a world where most knitting books start at $20. The book is geared toward young adults, with patterns for boom-box bags and illustrations that include both cartoons and photographs of teenagers. The author is speaking to young adults, as illustrated by the title, so although the instructions are clear and well organized, it is not a beginning book for the adult collection. Beginning with "What do you need?" each chapter introduces a different skill and a pattern or two on which to practice it. By the end of the book, a beginning knitter will have made scarves, leg warmers, cat toys, and bags and will have conquered enough of the basics to go on to sweaters and other fitted clothes if they desire. Nine designers have contributed the patterns to this book, so if readers have trouble following one pattern, they can try another with hope that it will make sense. A Knitgrrl Web site provides a forum where one can ask the designers questions about the patterns as well. Although some of the patterns are also available online, the step-by-step addition of each knitting skill, when paired with the patterns, is the true strength of this book. It is a great way to start or embellish an existing knitting book collection for teens.-Beth Karpas.