Please post your favorite knitting book if you have one.
Not looking for anything specific, just insights into what books [I]you[/I] like according to your interests or tastes in knitting. You might like a book because of the way it’s written, or maybe you just prefer references on yarn or sock knitting. Please share! :sun:
Nvm, I tried to do a search earlier and nothing came up. I just found a few threads and not able to delete this one. Will catch up on a few of those other threads today 
Well, I purchased “Knitting Without Tears” for a bargain price (the latest one which I think is '75). On it’s way to me now.
Just wondering though, why the comments about this one are so varied across the board. I’m not looking for a beginner’s book, but one that sort of “feels” like I have someone looking over my shoulder, if that makes any sense. I’m aware that it’s lacking in illustrations, but I’ve been able to find many on the internet. Would love some feedback on this one, negative and positive. Thanks!
Well, Jemm, I don’t own this book, maybe you can give us a review after you’ve spent some time with it
I have a bit of a collection of knitting books myself, I suppose it might be easier to figure out which ones I could let go of. I love my stitch pattern books; I’ve done very little knitting that involves seaming and fitting so this would make sense. My favorites from these are the ‘Big Book of Knitting Patterns’ and Barbara Walker’s first two Treasury of Knitting Pattern books. I also own ‘The Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques’. I like using this book as a referral.
Have you gotten your copy of ‘Knitting Without Tears’ yet?
I have almost all of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s books, and Knitting Without Tears is probably my favorite of them all. EZ was all about learning knitting inside out, so that you knew what your stitches “did”, what they looked like so that you could read your knitting, get why gauge matters. EZs practices are a very organic Zen form of knitting. Gain confidence and learn by doing, just as importantly learn from your mistakes, and above all enjoy the process.
IMO, those who love it and her other books, are those who want to learn the whys (theory) of their knitting so that they can work without a pattern if they choose or change what they don’t like about a pattern.
Those who want a pattern to tell them what to do in explicit detail seem to be the ones most disappointed in her books.
YMMV. Happy knitting!
[FONT=“Comic Sans MS”]Thanks Claire, that’s exactly the sort of response I was looking for when I originally worded the op. Knitters tend to gravitate towards all varied aspects of the craft according to what they love and I enjoy learning what people like and don’t like about knitting - I haven’t done much seaming, but I can already tell it’s not an aspect I enjoy. On the other hand, I’ve been preparing for sock-knitting ever since I started knitting earlier this year.
Even though I need a general book on my shelf, I didn’t want one that felt “clinical” for lack of a better word. Always wished I had a close relative that knew how to knit and grateful that the internet makes learning so accessible. In any case, it helps to know what books people prefer for the many different areas that interest them and why they like them.[/FONT] 
IMO, those who love it and her other books, are those who want to learn the whys (theory) of their knitting so that they can work without a pattern if they choose or change what they don’t like about a pattern.
Those who want a pattern to tell them what to do in explicit detail seem to be the ones most disappointed in her books.
[FONT=“Comic Sans MS”]
Charlotte, wonderful analysis on the differences of opinion, thanks so much! Can’t wait to have this in my hands now.
One woman on Amazon complained that she goes on too much, yet I don’t think I’d mind that. I guess I’ll just have to see what her writing style is like, otherwise sounds promising. [/FONT]
Hey Jemm - It sounds like you may do the same thing I do before a purchase. When doing my research I go straight to the negatives to get a feel for what people didn’t like about the product, in this case a book. I can usually get a pretty good idea of what I’m getting myself into, and if I do make the purchase, I’m more often than not very pleased with it
When doing my research I go straight to the negatives to get a feel for what people didn’t like about the product
Agreed, I feel the negatives generally give the best insight whenever I buy a book. But based on Charlotte’s post, I get the impression that Zimmermann is guiding the reader towards being an instinctive knitter and I can see how a few might be put off by that. This is however more of what I was looking for - wasn’t sure though and paid practically nothing for it.
I often buy used books in great condition to save and this one was brand new. I haven’t gotten it yet, forgot to address your post above when you asked, but will report back when I do.[/FONT]
EZ was an incredibly bright woman, and her writing style reflects that, as do her patterns/recipes. In Knitters Almanac, she describes the math behind the increases for her Pi Shawl (worked in the round), but there is no discussion of working a half circle shawl. I was fine with that because a half circle shawl is simply working half of the pattern with a little modification.
She assumes a working knowledge of basic math, which I don’t have a problem with. Knitting and math go hand in hand if you want to be able to modify a pattern or write your own.
Congratulations on getting Knitting Without Tears for a steal! I look forward to hearing what you think of it.
I like picture books. My favorite books are:
Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together by Larissa Golden Brown and Martin John Brown
For the Love of Knitting by Voyageur Press
Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book by Vogue Knitting Magazine Editors
Mason-Dixon Knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Meador Shayne. (I bought this one for a KAL, but love to flip through it just for the photos!)
I don’t have Knitting Without Tears so I don’t have any comments one way or the other. I have two Elizabeth Zimmerman books (Knitter’s Almanac and The Opinionated Knitter) and they aren’t glossy photo books; I only have them for particular patterns and don’t spend much time looking at them. They are interesting to read, but not ones I pick up just to look at the pictures.
- Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book by Vogue Knitting Magazine Editors
[FONT=“Comic Sans MS”]This one is next after I get my hands on Ann Budd’s sock book :).
I’m kind of curious about Zimmerman’s “The Opinionated Knitter”, but I’ll wait to collect a few more before that one, plus I’m still waiting for the other one by her.[/FONT]
Hi Claireweber - In your post did you mean “The Big Book of Knitting”. I’ve ordered it at the library with a view to buying it.
This is the book I was referring to The Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns
When I first began knitting, I would receive 40% off coupons from Borders - I could hardly wait for them to arrive. I would go right down to the store and peruse the knitting book section, find a book and bring it home
I love stitch patterns, although this winter I got sampled out. I knitted little sample swatches for months. Now I just want to :knitting:
I saw a couple of her books on Amazon, which one are you waiting for?
I have a whole list of favorite knitting books, but my all time favorite is Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick. The pictures in it are a knitting wonderland. Whenever I miss the fall knitting season I pop open this book. The patterns are straightforward, but fun and teach you new techniques. My favorite pattern is the garter stitch mitts. I make a pair every year at Christmas for someone as a gift.
Claire I must have missed this post when I saw your last one, I do apologize.
The one I received about a week ago was Zimmerman’s “Knitting Without Tears”. I have mixed feelings about it. What made me put it down immediately was her method for joining yarn, and Staci’s from Very Pink is far superior (and quicker) when you’re using 100% wool. Zimmermann said something about being too lazy to do it; she prefers to just join the new yarn together with the old in one stitch (hard for me to explain). After eyeing it suspiciously for a while, I picked the book up again.
I’m sure she must have been a force to reckon with back in the day, but thinking this book might be a little dated. She says that the only way to really do socks or mittens well is with dpns. I believe that to be true in the past. This is something she said close to 30 or 40 years ago! I believe this comment has more to do with circular needle construction and the cords, not sure :shrug: I’ve seen some pretty great looking gloves made with magic loop and they knit up quickly. I learned both ways myself.
Lastly, I feel that much of it was written in haste, and I think this is why it isn’t beginner friendly. She could have elaborated a little more on thumbs with regard to mittens - a very difficult area for many knitters. She does relate some very valuable construction advice without going into too much detail and the book in general is very easy to read. I’ll have to go through it some more in order to relate more positive feedback.
Overall I do like this book, just not what I was expecting. I ended up purchasing “The Principles of Knitting” almost immediately after - a very daunting book and a hardy reference when needed. The one I’m looking forward to purchasing very soon is the one by Vogue, and my references should be nearly complete (except for my socks books, I have one from Cookie A …just…waiting…) I’ll need experience with at least a dozen pairs of socks before attempting hers, so still debating if I’m going to just take the plunge when I’m ready, or get Ann Budd’s first. My first socks will most definitely be top-down but I’m not averse to trying toe - up!
Thanks for posting that one by Melanie. I’d love to look that one up later, sounds great!
Knitluck,
I thought you should know tonight I had a look at that book and realized I bought one just the other day by the same author:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/handknit-holidays-knitting-year-round-for-christmas-hanukkah-and-winter-solstice
I plan on making a few of the cabled stockings this year and will make the tree skirt throughout the coming year. Have my wool picked out already.
I must make a few of the flowered washcloths from “Weekend Knitting”:
http://www.melaniefalickbooks.com/weekend-knitting-gallery/weekend-knitting-gallery/
Very cute!
I have the ‘Weekend Knitting’ as well as ‘Handknit Holidays’, both by Melanie Falick; they were books I picked up in the days of 40% off coupons at Borders @Jemm - The floral treeskirt is so pretty, I would love to do it but have not practiced the skills required…yet. 
The cabled one that you have planned will turn out beautiful, I’m sure. Thanks for your feedback on EZ’s ‘Knitting Without Tears’. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this.
I wish I had more time to :knitting: and share about :knitting: Time to run errands :out: