No comments about Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines: Patterns, Stories, Pictures, True Confessions, Tricky Bits, Whole New Worlds, and Familiar Ones, Too.

5 comments about Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes.

1. I love EZ's writing style. Even though this book was a bit too beginner-like for me, I enjoyed reading her tips, and it made it easier for me to advise some of my sisters who wanted to learn to knit.
   
   I think the best advise I read was that "washing hides a multitude of sins." Before reading this, I was quite obsessive about my knitting gauge. I'd measure my knitting after every row (and sometimes every few stitches), just to make sure my gauge was right where it should be. EZ, of course with wit and humor, chided people like myself who spent more time worrying about having the perfect gauge than they actually spent knitting. She pointed out that if the gauge is off a bit, washing it will usually even things out quite a bit. Thus the advise, "washing hides a multitude of sins."
   
   Now I spend more time enjoying my knitting, which has actually allowed me to be more creative with my knitting. After reading EZ's words, I'm no longer afraid to change a pattern if it's not exactly what I want, and (at times) I've even "unvented" my own patterns. If you want to see the type of creativity EZ can inspire, you can get my free patterns at http://www.geocities.com/mama_bear_007/.
   
   I think the most important thing about this book.... EZ showed me how to actually have fun with my knitting. In my opinion, she was the Diva of all the Knitting World.



2. Everyone should have this book in their library. What more can I say? :)



3. This is not a linear learn-to-knit book, & Zimmerman's approach takes a bit of getting used to, but it provides useful information to both the novice & the experienced knitter. It was helpful to me, & I've been knitting for 40 years. I plan to use it to teach a friend to knit.



4. This is a great book- for a beginner. I unfortunately bought it well after I'd been knitting for a while, and found it very simple and not what I needed. I have, however, used it to teach others, and have found it a great reference book for the beginner. It is very much a literature book, though, with a few patterns at the end of the book, one of which I've personally used and found quite wonderful and precise.



5. What a great little book. The patterns are written in prose rather than the standard format so that they are very clear and easy to understand for the beginner. Although photographs of the finished pieces are not included it's quick and easy to find the projects made by other knitters with a simple internet search.

No comments about Knitted Lace of Estonia: Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions.

5 comments about The Knitter's Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn.

1. As President of Signature Needle Arts yarn makes our needle business possible. This book is fantastic--whether you have just started to knit or are the most experienced. All the information about fiber and yarn manufacturing you have ever heard (and a lot you probably don't know) is in one place. It explains so much about what a knitter experiences from one yarn type to another. Understanding of the basic raw material of all knitting projects will prove invaluable and save time, expense and the heart-break of choosing the wrong yarn. Knitter's Review is a great website, but this book should be on every knitter's shelf as a reference.



2. ....cover to cover. And eagerly, at that. On the first page the author reads my mind and answers my most pressing question. "Why the ^%*@ do my garments never turn out the way I expect"?!?
   It's all about the yarn.
   This book will take it's place as my number one knitting resource.



3. This is a great book...I find a lot of useful information and lots if interesting patterns. I'm just about to start the Calla Lily bag. This book a good addition to anyone's library.



4. She likes this book enough to buy it, which is unusual, so her opinion speaks for itself. Especially since she crochets, not knits.



5. This book is the equivalent to a college course on fibers and their characteristics. NOW I know why some of my projects were not what I had hoped they would be; I substituted yarns that were the same gauge, but that wasn't enough. The patterns in this book are examples of each type of yarn (not just the fiber, but the number of plies, etc.) and are very user-friendly. I've already completed a small project, and this time my yarn substitution worked extremely well. I've knitted for many years, but feel that I've graduated to a new level because of this book.

5 comments about 2-at-a-Time Socks: Revealed Inside. . . The Secret of Knitting Two at Once on One Circular Needle Works for any Sock Pattern!.

1. I found the directions in this book incomplete, and, while the color photos are really beautiful, they don't show the step-by-step as much as I needed it to. I had to do outside research to understand the technique she's showing us here. Once I figured that out, I had to figure out how to keep my various strands of yarn from becoming intertwined (which I don't see addressed in this book), especially when you flip the work.
   
   I learned a thing or two from this book, but, I think this book is best suited to experienced sock knitters who know a thing or two about the magic loop method. A beginner will probably not be able to 'read between the lines' in the directions without research from other sources. When I spend my hard-earned money on a book, I don't expect to have to do additional homework to understand what the author is trying to say.



2. I'm just learning to knit socks. Since I can't use the dp needles, the 2 circular needle method and teh 1 circular needle method are a blessing for me. The pictures are very good and helpful.



3. This is a pretty good book for intermediate knitters who want to get in with the magic loop crowd. Morgan-Oakes spends a good 17 pages explaining the magic loop technique. Her instructions aren't overly illuminating (it took me a few solid hours to understand precisely what she was saying each step of the way), but they aren't horrid either. A few more pictures would have helped, but I got by alright.
   
   The patterns, on the other hand, are disappointing. I found 4 out of the 17 patterns worth making. The rest are quite boring, dowdy, and "crafty" looking. I think Morgan-Oakes was trying to offer a variety of patterns (one for the fashionista, one for baby, one for the rugged hiker etc.), but in doing so, she loses any kind of continuity. If your tastes in socks are wide and all encompassing then you will enjoy the patterns in this book. If you are a discriminating knitter, like me, then you will be disappointed and, perhaps, even a little horrified at the "Ragg Hiker" socks, which are nothing if not a throwback to the 90's.
   
   Initially, I was attracted to the book by the socks on the cover (the color, the texture--it just works), but the pattern is actually for a child's foot. That was a bummer. But either way, with Morgan-Oake's book, I achieved what I set out to do--knit two socks on one circular needle. The technique is indispensible for anyone who is a periodic sock or sweater knitter. It gets rid of the second sock/sleeve syndrome nicely.
   
   Final verdict: get it at the library.



4. I have been wanting to get this book for a while (unfortunately paid more for it at a chain store) and it has lived up to my expectations. I have started a pair and the directions are very clear. The first trial pair are very step-by-step with clear pictures. Then at the beginning of every pattern in the book there are very clear lists of what stitches are used so you know ahead of time what you are getting into. I love the way she layed out each pattern subdividing each 'part' of the sock ie: "knitting the leg", "working the heel", "turning the heel", etc. It is a great book for beginners, but don't let that 'put off' experienced sock knitters as there are a lot of really nice patterns in this book for both types of knitters. There are basic 'Ragg-type', to colorwork, to fancy cables and lace. I started with "Berry Season". It's a short ankle sock with an easy 4 row stitch. I have made a pair of socks (one) on circs (one sock on one circ---couldn't bare to hold 4 DPN's--I'm a crocheter at heart) but this is my first attempt at two on one and while it is a tiny bit tricky at first, once you get past the first couple of rows it is easy (get rid of your starting tail as soon as you know you are going to make the pair as it gets in the way). There is a good glossary in the back with the assumption that you know how to basically knit. And there are good pattern stitch keys and a really nice sizing chart. The book is on a wire spine so it lies flat when open--a nice plus. Thanks Ms Morgan-Oakes for a really nice book.



5. I LOVE IT! This book first of all lays FLAT because it is spiral bound. I have knit socks with double point needles and tried 2 circular needle sock knitting but this is hands down the best way! I suggest you make sure to buy at least a 40" circular needle and the best one would be the bamboo ones because the tubing is VERY soft & bendable. This book is great, easy to follow, and has some really nice patterns. I would suggest that you be a fairly good knitter and if you have knitted socks it would be a very big plus!

5 comments about Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook.

1. I am relatively new to knitting and this is a great book for teaching yourself how to knit. It's also a great reference if you need to get back to the basics.
   
   I am currently making the baby blanket and it seems as if the pattern is wrong. Has anyone else encountered this? The photograph of the blanket (the four sections that make up the middle of the blanket) doesn't match the pattern.
   
   Am I crazy or does anyone have the correct pattern?



2. I picked up this book to re-learn how to knit. I had knit a bit in the past, but basically just long swatches I called scarves. This book was amazing. I read through it and made the dog sweater pattern in it on the first day. The diagrams and descriptions are clear and helpful. The index makes things easy to find. Also, the patterns in the book list what skills you will need and what page you can find information for those skills on.
   
   I look forward to learning more and tackling the harder projects in this book. There is no doubt all the information I need is in here.



3. Overall, it is a great book. If you're a beginner and really want to learn all the basics, then this is the book for you. Unfortunately I was surprised that not all the techniques were clearly/fully described, so I had to Google for some explanations and clarifications while learning to knit. But guess what, because of this book and thanks to Google )), I can knit anything I want now. And I'm a busy person, so I was only knitting in the evenings for a couple of hours while watching TV and relaxing.
   One of the greatest advantages of this book is the author's style of writing and explaining things. It felt like I were talking to a friend while learning to knit and you come to realize that the person who wrote the book really cares enough to make things interesting and exciting for readers and especially for the beginners like myself.
   So, go ahead and purchase this book. Also, I have a tip for you. If you want more patterns, go online and Google them. There are a plenty of resources online, so you'll get really excited about the whole process.
   Happy knitting))



4. There are a lot of reviews on here complaining about how 'young' the patterns are, and the light-hearted tone of the book. I think people are forgetting that this book has been written for a young audience. If you are out of your 20s and looking for more serious knits, this isn't for you (although you may be able to modify some of the designs in here to your tastes). As for the tone, it's what you should expect from a book with the title 'Stitch 'n Bitch' - it's going to be less serious than the heavy tomes you'll find on many knitters' shelves. It's written to fall in line with the new wave of young knitters, many of whom want the magazine-like and irreverent style found in this book.
   
   People also complain about how simple the patterns are, especially the garter stitch scarf. This is a book for BEGINNERS. I don't know about you, but I felt a huge sense of achievement when I finished my first garter stitch scarf! This book has been written with this in mind. Those of you who are holier-than-thou knitters who have been holding needles since birth, buy more advanced books and stop bashing this one for being too simple for you.
   
   I'll admit it's not entirely clear at times, and there are errata (Debbie Stoller seems plagued by errata-filled patterns, makes me wonder why her books aren't thoroughly checked before publishing) but these can be found easily online.
   
   I'd still recommend this book to anyone interested in learning to knit, and I'd direct them to http://www.knittinghelp.com too, as watching someone do things makes them easier to learn.
   
   It's not perfect, and it is what it is - a 'hip' guide to knitting written for a young audience. There are still almost 200 5 star reviews for this book, so even with all the 1 and 2 star reviews out there it's still a hugely popular and widely-used book. I still say, buy it - but know what to expect by reading this and other reviews.



5. I love the idea of this book and I love the practical suggestions and patterns it contains. I look forward to a lot of knitting.

5 comments about The Knitting Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask.

1. I believe I am a fairly experienced knitter, and I have this book with me at all times!! It is the only "knitting bible" for me. If you have any questions, the answer is in this book. I have had it for over a year now, and just bought a copy for my friend that is starting to learn how to knit.
   I had a question about buttonholes, wanting to create my own for a cardigan (the pattern called for crochet edging which I have no clue how to do) and not only did I find a wonderful type for my sweater, there were also other types of knitted buttonholes, with complete instructions and pictures!!
   I HIGHLY recommend this book for all levels!!



2. Have yarn but am not great at remembering all of the different special stitches. This will be my reference as I start small projects. Need to get back in the groove. Great, clear reading and good illustrations.



3. I admit that I carry this book in my knitting bag, and use it often, but I find it very frustrating to do so. I'm surprised at how highly it is rated by so many knitters. I bought it to be a reference quide that would be informative and thorough--more than a glossary, but still small enough to be carried in my knitting bag. It is thorough, informative, and compact, but as a reference guide it is lacking. For me, as a reference guide, the question and answer format is clumsy and gets in the way of finding information. That's not a big deal and I would overlook that if the index was robust and enabled me to look things up quickly, but that's the frustrating thing about this book. I'm not a novice, but I'm not always sure exactly what an abbreviation means or maybe I need to brush up on a technique I haven't used in 6 months or I wonder if there is a better way to do something. So I go to the index with a keyword in mind, but too often, it's not there; I have to think about what broader topic would include the information I'm looking for and work backwards. Given the way the information is organized, that isn't always easy and I've found myself skimming chapter after chapter to find something that should be an easy thing to look up.
   
   As I said, I wanted more than just a glossary and when I do find what I am looking for I appreciate the detailed instructions and clear illustrations. I'm impressed with the amount of info in such a small book and there are lots of answers here. The problem is that most of the answers will only be found if you sit down and read the book chapter by chapter. If you have a specific question in mind, it will be hit or miss trying to find the answer. I realize that this book can't be all things to all people, but I have to think that because it is small, at least one of the intentions is that it be a portable reference guide. If that's true, then the content needs to be a lot more accessible. If the index was beefed up, I would recommend this book with 4 stars and feel that it's worthy of taking up space in my crammed knitting bag.



4. As I am teaching myself to knit and crochet, many questions keep popping up during my projects. Though I have purchased a multitude of books, I find that only this book has the answers to the perhaps "offbeat" or unusual questions that I generate.



5. I've been knitting forever, and have lots of books and magazines on the subject. This book is now my ultimate resource for clear instructions and tips for nearly every step of a project. There is no wasted space; every single topic is concise and logical. The question-and-answer format was a little annoying at first, but there's a good index in the back. BUY THIS BOOK before stocking up on more expensive, larger books that may not have the clear answers that this one does.

5 comments about 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders: A world of possibilities inspired by just one skein.

1. This book is loaded with great and practical ideas - new and fresh! Not the same old, same old. I want to knit them all!



2. This is another excellent resource for small knitting projects that use up leftovers. I like it better than the first book and the fact that the projects are organized by weight of yarn. There are some charts but mainly all the patterns are written out. "About the designers" in back of book is interesting reading also. Good purchase for any knitter. I found only one crochet pattern and suggest next to the publisher to come up with an all crochet collection.



3. I refer to this book often to get ideas on how i can use up my stash.



4. I have both One Skein Wonders books, love both of them for small, elegant projects (this one is a bit more sophisticated) that make wonderful gifts and give us maniac crafters something to do when more challenging knitting or crochet projects seem a little too much for the moment. It's also a terrific way to test a new yarn for its drape and feel -- oh yes -- and a great way to splurge on a single ball of luxury yarn when a sweater's worth just isn't in the budget. A great favorite of mine...



5. Love the book! A lots of fun and interesting designs. Beautiful lacy patterns and convinient layout. Have a few on my list to knit next :)

5 comments about Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac.

1. I bought this for my mother for Christmas and she thinks it's great. A Zimmermann clasic. It's a good book for both knitters and non-knitters.



2. Excellent book for knitters who like to take a pattern and do there own thing! Very entertaining.



3. If you knit you are missing something if you haven't read EZ's books yet. They are all wonderful--you will learn about knitting and EZ's wonderful philosophy of life. You don't need to knit her patterns (and nonpatterns) but you will learn about knitting.



4. I love Zimmermann's technic and pattern. The only negative thing I could find is that the object isn't so top fashion. But the book is absolutely quality and something you need in your knitting collection.



5. EZ is a wonderful writer - entertaining and also very informative. If this book was republished with better photographs, it would easily be a five-star product.

5 comments about Inspired to Knit: Creating Exquisite Handknits.

1. I was completely blown away by this book. Her designs are a vision of romance and elegance. I want to make almost every single one, a rare occurence as most knitters know. She also gives guidance for designing patterns yourself in a conceptual way but I do not know if I could ever equal her exquisite creations. The yarns are also listed with their cyca weights so substitutions should be much easier. Instantly became one of my favorite books. Classic romance a la Lauren by Ralph Lauren or Laura Ashley. Vintage Beauty!!!! Also, there is a realistic size range. Bust measurements can go from XS to 2X-3x so the patterns should be accessible to more people.



2. I fell in love with Winter Wonderland Coat and had to buy this book.
   I am nearly finished knitting the coat and I LOVE it!
   Great book with great patterns.



3. This is an excellent book for the advanced or adventurous knitter. The layout is gorgeous and the author gives a good deal of detail about how she reached her decisions about her designs as well as how to knit them. Do yourself a favour and buy this book! Even if there is nothing to your taste (unlikely) it will inspire you to come up with your own stuff.



4. When I first saw the "Lily of the Valley Shrug" I knew I had to have this book and I was not let down. After viewing all her lovely knits, it was hard to decide what to knit first... from the snowdrift cardigan and the winter wonderland coat to the victorian lace blouse and the pieces de resistance "Wedding Ensemble" which deserves a glowing review in itself.
   
   The yarn choices are endless and run the gamut from #10 crochet cotton sleeve trims to super bulky wool! From gorgeous silks to luscious alpacas, cotton blends, yes, she has it all. Some of the designs use two or more different wt yarns in the same design, adding just that extra touch.
   
   Challenging??? Yes, but who doesn't like a little challenge? I am going for it and will enjoy the whole trip and what a trip it is!!!!



5. I was looking for a such a book for a long time but than I gave up and the book "found "me by itself, when I did not expected it. I read the reviews of this book and they were not convincing me very much but I saw somewhere the picture of the wonderland long jacket from this book and I decided to buy it just for this project. What a surprise! The book is wonderful, the projects are so nice and exclusive I have marked three of them already to prepare the yarn and begin to knit... I love the design workshop, it is so inspiring and helpful. I can just sit with this book and enjoy every page of it without the knitting part, and it also is a pleasure. Should be in every knitter's library, no doubt.