What's in your library?

#1

Windfall! For Christmas, I got a substantial amount on a gift card from my students - one of the perks of being a much-respected high school English teacher - and, of course, I want to splurge and purchase some knitting books. What I have so far:

Knitting for Dummies
Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker
Wrap Style by Pam Allen
The Sweater Workshop by Jacqueline Fee
Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book
Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman
Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti

So, knitsters, what other books do you recommend? What have you found to be indispensable tomes in your knitting library? Just so you know, I’m interested in garments more than I am in doodads (so no knit art or stuffed toys for me) and my skill ability is between the realm of “oh, i can read patterns and follow directions (especially Amy’s :smiley: ) and have finished multiple scarves and two shrugs” and “holy moly, I can’t follow that intarsia pattern to save my life and DPNs scare the bejeezus outta me”.

I think I want to get Barbara Walker’s Treasury of Knitting Patterns but don’t know if I want to invest in all 4. Plus, aside from swatches, I don’t think I’m advanced enough to design garments so I don’t know how useful they’d be at this point. Ditto Vogue’s Stitchionary. But both books are soooo tempting…

I’ll stop rambling now and post this and see what you folks come up with. Thanks loads!

#2

Well, what I have is The Knitter’s Bible, The Big Book of Knitting, Knitting Without Tears, The Encyclopedia of Knitting, The Vogue Quick Reference Booklet and another one that is good for figuring out how to adjust your yarn and thread to the pattern–like socks or mittens, etc. But I don’t have that one with me right now!! Sorry–I’ll add it later.

#3

Some of my favorites:

The Knitting Goddess by Deborah Bergman
The Mitten Book by Gottfridsson & Gottfridsson
Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting & Crochet Stitches - Reader’s Digest
The Ladies’ Self-Instructor, a 1988 reprint of an 1853 manual of needle arts.

The last is a great resource for anyone doing historic costuming; once you translate the stitches from their mid-Victorian jargon into the modern equivalents, they’re pretty straightforward. I particularly love the mitts, muffatees and carriage shoe patterns in the knitting section. I also learned to make my first bonnet through this publication.

#4

Today I got Ann Budd’s Handy Book of Knitting Patterns and Walker’s Treasury of Knitting Patterns (blue). I’m so happy!!

#5

The Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques is a very good one. Her illustrations and descriptions are right-on, and I’ve found that the things I learned from this book made a real difference in my finished products.

#6

SOOOOOoo jealous :shock:

#7

I have

The knitter’s book of handy patterns
Folk Hats by vikki square (AWESOME book if you love hats)
The SNB books
Knit Wit
Encyclopedia of knitting
and i just got the best of knitter’s magazine: scarves and shawls ( not a big hit with me, but it was christmas and it’s a knitting book :slight_smile: )

And loads of magazines…

I also plan to get books by Elizabeth Zimmerman, Vogue Stitionaries, Vogue Knitter’s Handbook and Vogue ultimate knitting book, Hollywood knits, knitter’s companion, …and various others lol my list is LONG.

#8

I REALLY like The Knitter’s Bible…
and, I wouldnt be without the 365 Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar

I also have
The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns
The Knitters Handy Book of Sweater Patterns
Knitting for Dogs
Puppyknits
Folk Shawls (beautiful!!)
The Knitter’s Companion

#9

So after reading all these responses, I’ve just discovered that my own knitting library is woefully inadequate! I do have (and like very much) “Knitting on the Edge” by Nicky Epstein. There is a second book of hers called “Knitting Over the Edge” which is on my list.

#10

I have a debbie bliss knitting book.
I just boworred the book Knitting on the Edge, by Nicky Epstein. I think this is going to be one I will buy.
Also if you are a new knitter, I got my daughter Knitgrrl, it was amazing, excellent graphics and explaination of knitting, and some easy , attention grabbing teen things. It was a hit.

#11

I LOVE this calender! I highly recommend it.

#12

I find these most helpful:
Vogue Knitting
Knitting In Plain English - my favorite - funny, and easy to follow.
Stitch n Bitch
Freeform Knitting and Crochet - great for color ideas
365 Stitches perpetual calendar

I also have:
SnB Nation - fun patterns
Pursenalities - my favorite bag is in here
Felted Knits
Knit One Felt Too
Felting (Vogue On The Go)
Weekend Knitting
Knitter’s Stash - gorgeous pieces
Simple Knits for Sophisticated Living - gorgeous photography
Simple Knits With A Twist - "
Last Minute Knitted Gifts - "
Scarf Style - good inspiration
Bags A Knitters’ Dozen
Folk Bags - Vicki Square
Odd Ball Knitting - how to use your leftovers and small stash pieces
Knitted Toys

book about knitting:
At Knit’s End - hilarious
Yarn Harlot - " x2
The Knitting Way - interesting, very good for introspection, fun meditative exercises
Beyond Stitch N Bitch - great stories
Knitticisms - fun facts
The Knitter’s Gift - great stories
Knitting Lessons - great stories

books I want that are coming out soon:
Knitting Rules! : The Yarn Harlot’s Bag of Knitting Tricks
One Skein : 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet
Pursenality Plus: 20 New Felted Bags

#13

Oooh! I was looking at these on Amazon. Out of the three, which one do you feel had the best info/fun patterns?

#14

[quote=“keelan”]

Oooh! I was looking at these on Amazon. Out of the three, which one do you feel had the best info/fun patterns?[/quote]

Knit One Felt Too has a more in-depth explanation of felting, I think (sorry I’m at work, or I’d look). if you haven’t felted before.
Felted Knits is written by Bev Galeskas, owner of Fiber Trends, and the goddess author of the clog pattern (that pattern isn’t in the book but there are other slippers in there).
both have good patterns.
I say if you can, buy two of them - Felted Knits and Knit One Felt Too.

#15

Ha ha! I’m at work too. But being an English teacher affords me some time to surf the Internet in between lecturing. I shall purchase both on your recommendation; I’m really wanting to get into felting right now. Must find cheap wool yarn…Noro Kureyon - which is what most free patterns seem to call for - is just too rich for my blood.

#16

Because I’m entirely too lazy to type everything out…
(This is most of it anyway.)

#17

Lol that looks like MY bookcase! (with slightly different books of course… I didnt type all of mine out either)