5 comments about Knitwear Design Workshop: The Comprehensive Guide to Handknits.

1. I bought the book sight unseen having become familiar with her wonderful designs in my magazines. The material is mainly about sweaters with additional material on skirts and dresses. I didn't find vests or such simple items as capes, wraps, etc so I hope she might consider another book on those items. The book will be very helpful to me as it covers very thoroughly the subjects of saddle shoulders, raglans and circular yokes; but raglans seem to be knit in pieces although one of her sources is the Fee book on the subject. The book is a huge encyclopedia of information and the index will hopefully help me with the questions that keep cropping up as I knit. Put me down as someone who is also not happy with the spiral binding because I am worried I will end up ruining some of the pages. The book just seems to be a bit unwieldy with this binding as it is so large. She gives only 3 buttonholes and half a page on zippers. So comprehensive is a misnomer .Her writing style is very clear and understandable. Aside from the binding, I have no complaints with the type, paper or illustrations. Her bibliography does not include Meg or her mother but does have many other important books. A welcome addition to my knitting library.



2. I was just able to get my hands on a copy of this wonderful book. I haven't been able to put it down since. Like its title suggests, this book is dedicated to helping designers think through, map out and see design projects come to life. It contains four patterns of sweaters all of which are awe-inspiring. I was shocked to read the other review that boo'ed the spiral binding, but I am beyond ecstatic about it. The hardcover wraps around the spiral binding so you can stand it up on your shelf. And the spiral binding allows the book to lay flat! Every single knitting, crafting, sewing, quilting book out there should be spiral bound, I say! Since it lays flat, you don't have to break the binding in hopes of taming the book open. I think that is essential when your hands are occupied with other things.
   
   The subtitle: "A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits" - is no lie. Comprehensive it is. It is more like a beautiful textbook and it belongs in every aspiring hand-knitwear designer's library.



3. Love this book! Really a great resource for designing your own creations in hand knitting.



4. I have been eagerly awaiting Ms. Paden's book ever since I heard it was being released, and now that I have it in my hands, I am not disappointed in the least. This is a complete reference on knitwear design, lacking almost nothing on the subject.
   
   First and foremost, Ms. Paden presents the idea that we are creating FABRIC with knitwear design. The fabric that is made has it's own properties and characteristics; not just shaping and overall silhouette. This approach is similar to the dressmaker/sewer, who also works with a specific fabric in mind.
   
   Ms. Paden begins at the beginning; that all design begins with the gauge swatch, and for the first time in all of my reading on the subject, she breaks down in a LOGICAL way all the math and how it corresponds directly to the gauge swatch. For example, the total yardage requirement for a sweater design is calculated by the total area of each garment piece (makes sense! I suspected this all along, but didn't quite know how to go about it...now I do), and how many "gauge swatches" will "fit" in the total area of the garment. Knowing the amount of yardage used in the gauge swatch can then be carried out to the entire garment. The entire design process is presented as a series of mathematical calculations that when broken down into logical steps, make perfect sense to even math-haters.
   
   Garment shaping is also broken down into sections. For instance, different neckline styles (as well as many other garment areas) are actually graphed out so you can SEE the shape of the garment changing with increases and decreases. Ms. Paden makes graph paper the designer's friend; not the enemy, and makes the whole process easy to visualize and execute.
   
   Another very notable and useful addition to the book is the series of charts and worksheets to be used for planning out the design. Using these worksheets in conjunction with the design schematic, a designer can create a blueprint for the garment construction, and progress from all the math into a written pattern. An ease chart ranging from actual body measurements of 32" to 48" is also included, as well as the complete CYCA standard size charts for all sizes from baby through men.
   
   Some finishing techniques are also presented here, as well as an overview of fibers and yarns. The projects included are absolutely gorgeous, but not really necessary to this text; however, they do serve to show how the design process works with more complex garments. The cover design is an absolute masterpiece, and elements of it will be sure to inspire readers.
   
   The ONLY thing that is lacking here is an explanation of designing top-down garments. Ms. Paden does cover cardigans that are knit in one piece to the armholes, then split into front and back, but I have not found anything on top-down design. Since this type of construction is fast becoming the favored way to knit a sweater, I was surprised to see it left out. It would not be so hard to apply all the design principles given to a top-down garment, though.
   
   This book is a must-buy for anyone even remotely interested in the knitwear design process. No, it is not for the faint of heart: this is a serious text that could easily be used for a college course in design. There's no fluff here. Everything presented here, however, will transcend all fashion trends and styles and will be useful for students of fashion and avid knitters alike.



5. I've admired Shirley Padden's stunning designs for years and have hoped she might someday publish a collection. Instead she has done something better: meticulously and comprehensively laid out her procedures for designing carefully fitted and beautiful garments. This book not only guides the reader step by step through all that is necessary to produce original designs, but also offers a backstage glimpse into the thinking process of a gifted designer.
   
   The publisher has gone to the extra expense of binding the book with an enclosed spiral binding, which allows the pages to lie perfectly flat. Many knitters prefer this and take their books to Kinko's for a spiral binding, which unfortunately involves amputating the spine. Knitwear Design Workshop, by contrast, has a strong and decorative spine so it can be found in a bookcase.
   
   This 343-page book is essentially a textbook for knitwear design. Every classic silhouette is each presented with detailed reproducible worksheets, schematics, and measurement instructions to insure success, with sleeve, cuff, neckline, collar and edging variations offered in a separate section. Practical suggestions include comparing your detailed body measurements to the detailed measurements of a knitted garment of similar weight and texture (my suggestion: if you don't have an appropriate garment, go shopping until you find one to try on, then lay it on a clean cloth in the changing room and measure it carefully) to discover exactly how much ease you want exactly where (and there is a worksheet for recording each individual ease measurement). The author also offers sober gauge advice: knit a more realistic 8-inch swatch, instead of the usual 4-inch size, and after working about 5 inches of the actual garment, stop and carefully compare the gauge of the the garment with your actual swatch). Why take such care? Well, we all know what a fickle creature gauge can be. Clearly, the author wants you to end up with a garment that fits!
   
   A small collection of rather ambitious knitwear designs are included as well, each one demonstrating how to apply the principles described in the first part of the book. These designs are explained in much more detail than usual, because they are meant to teach you how to think like a designer. The mesmerizing cover garment, for instance, called Double Leaves and Twists Duster, runs from page 291 to page 305.
   
   There are also interesting discussions of how different categories of knitted fabric behave -the way they move horizontally and vertically, and careful discussions of selvedges and how to use them to achieve perfect seams.
   
   This is a book to add to your knitting library, to use for education, for reference, for inspiration, and as a map for designing and knitting an original garment.

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

1. Everyone's comments about how great this book is, are so accurate. I am very glad I bought this book. It has been a fantastic resource for me, a moderately experienced knitter. Highly recommended.



2. I highly recommend this book. The illustrations are very clear. I've had no trouble at all finding what I need using the index. You can also browse through the appropriate chapter to find what you need, the chapters aren't that long. My mom, a veteran knitter, was very impressed and I've been able to tackle harder patterns because of this book. I rather like the way it's organized and the clear font and spacing make it easy for me to read; I don't lose my place. The small size and "perfect binding" make it easy to use.



3. I received this book and so far I'm happy with it. I had a question about a knitting term and picked up the book and was able to find my answer quickly. There is a lot of information in it and I plan to keep it handy for future reference. I have knitted for many years but have only made fairly easy projects. This book will help me read more difficult patterns and I've found it easy to understand.



4. This book really does have most if not all the answers to the questions you might have as you learn how to knit. It was hard to get used to finding things in the question and answer format - but now I'm used to it, and it's like any other book. No question is a dumb question, and the author takes the time to answer each one.



5. In my opinion this is the best book for any level of knitter. Over the years I have purchased many books and discovered this one last summer. Wow, what a super surprise. A must have for every knitter and at a reasonable price.

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

1. I got this book along with a skein of yarn and a pair of US8 needles. I had no idea how to knit. I'm gonna be honest, I am not a book learner when it comes to practical handmade stuff, so most of my knitting learning was through a lot of very useful videos on youtube. However, I found this book a pretty good reference every time I needed to check on something that was not uploaded as a video or the video quality was poor. With this book I learned how to do intarsia and learned how to fix mistakes among other things.
   
   Now, this is FAR from being a knitter's handbook. It's a good starter, but once you learn the basics, you can pass it along to somebody who needs how to learn and get yourself something more advanced or a stitch dictionary.
   
   The pros:
   - Easy to read and very clear instructions for most directions.
   - Teaches all you need to learn as a BEGINNER.
   
   The cons:
   - The patterns are outdated or silly. But maybe because once you learn all the amazing things you can knit, the beginners knits are no longer attractive.
   - Agree with other reviewers on the fact that sometimes it goes in too much into talking about something else before hitting the point. Not a big deal if you just skip paragraphs.
   
   The polemic:
   
   - Some sexual references and some words not suitable for the conservative or the child. But you know that from the tittle, so if you are either a child or a too conservative buyer, it comes obvious that this is not your book. I never understood why people buy this to later post a bad review talking about the tone and language managed by the author.
   
   - The infamous garter stitch scarf. This pattern seem to be an issue for most bad reviewers here. But hey! it's very obvious that this is a BEGINNERS book. Is it not a garter stitch scarf the very first thing you learn on knitting? If we assume that "we all know how to knit a garter stitch scarf" why bother in even writing a book teaching how to knit and purl at all?... So, if you know how to knit and need a more advanced reference: PASS THIS BOOK. So the rest of us can skip the complains about how basic a book is when it is the buyer's responsibility to have a better criteria when choosing books appropriate for one's skill level and goals.
   
   - The snobism that can be felt in the air while reading some of the passages that are not technique specific but just anecdotic. Yeah, I feel the same snobbism in the editorials of most knitting magazines and while in the specialty yarn store. It comes with the craft for some people.
   
   One last thing: this book is really aimed for the teenager audience. More mature readers will probably find this outrageous others find it amusing and others... simply don't care. You make your choice.



2. I'm a new knitter and was in search of some books that I could keep on the shelf for reference when I run into a term on a pattern that I don't recognize or when my mind goes blank and I can't remember what a seed stitch is. I found this book and at first, I balked at the purchase due to the title. After reading the reviews, it seemed like most people found it to be very helpful, so I pushed aside my reservations and ordered it. I'm so glad I did! The book is a fun read! It put some terms and stitches into easy language accompanied by clear diagrams that made it a lot easier to learn. It comes with a wide variety of patterns - scarves, bags, hats, sweaters and blankets. Well worth the money spent!



3. When I expressed interest in knitting, many people suggested I read this book. After watching YouTube videos for hours, trying to teach myself the stitches, I broke down and bought the book. It was fantastic! I couldn't believe a book would be better than a video! I recommend this to anyone who is learning how to knit or wants suggestions on fun projects.



4. Fantastically written book. Easy to understand. Illustrations are nicely done. Learned a few things with things the first time I opened the book.



5. This is a wonderful introduction to knitting written by someone who is clearly head-over-heels in love with the craft. I have been knitting for over 5 years and have read a lot of knitting handbooks, and this is by far the best one that I have ever encountered. (Indeed, I cite it as the book that got me hooked on knitting.) Not only are the directions and illustrations clear and easy-to-understand, but Stoller's witty writing style is fun and informative. Best of all, Stoller makes it clear that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to knit.
   
   Also, while this is clearly written with beginners in mind, experienced knitters will find the tips and ideas helpful as well. There are also a wide range of patterns ranging from beginner to complex-a great addition to any knitting library.

5 comments about 100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet: A Collection of Beautiful Blooms for Embellishing Garments, Accessories, and More.

1. Wow! This book is great. This book was better than anticipated and that is always a plus. Not only are there flowers in this book but there are vegetables also. I can't wait to make the peas, carrots and asparagus to decorate my gardening hat with. What fun! The book is laid out well, also. Items that are similar are placed together so that you can look at and compare them easily. The book is not for beginners as the crochet patterns require at least an intermediate skill to understand them but for a true hobbyist, this book is marvelous. It is one of the few times I've purchased a book that ended up being much better than I thought it would be.



2. The patterns in the book are well written and demonstrated with wonderful pictures. I like that the patterns are organized according to their difficulty levels. I've done several flowers without problems, even the advanced levels although I consider myself in an intermediate level.



3. I thought these patterns were going to be over my head but they're not! Fun, easy, well-written and a million inspirational ideas!



4. I loved this book except for one thing; too many of them were instructions for crochet, which I do not do well. I would have loved to have had all patterns written out for crochet and knitting



5. I have been crocheting and knitting for a long time. This book has beautiful and easy to make flowers. Any level crochet or knitter can make the flowers. It also has butterfiles and other insects that add to the beauty of the garden. Love this book.

5 comments about Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch.

1. Although a beautiful book, I find the instructions confusing and have put it aside for my next garage sale. I think knitting should be zen-like and not something so complicated that I have to constantly refer to a picture or instruction. Not fun........ Probably fine for someone that has taken a class prior to buying the book.
   Dianne



2. Wow, this book is exciting. A new take on an old stitch. This is a must-have for every knitters library. It shows how taking hand dyed yarns and a solid color yarn can make for some very intricate looking items. Very nice patterns in the book that make you want to make them all!



3. A bit of a challenge for a novice knitter, but with patience, I got the hang of it. It is fun to create the contrasting colors. You do need to purchase double ended needles for this technique.



4. I ordered this book because of the new technics of knitting that are available. I have read about some of the technics, and am anxious to learn them and to understand the directions. I have to finish a project (or two) before I am ready to give this book a try. The items here look really great.



5. After trying for almost one month to knit a simple hat in brioche (based on instructions downloaded from internet), I bought this book with the hope that I could finally understand instructions and illustrations. It did the trick. I could knit the hat and a beautiful scarf, and I am now knitting a sweater. Thanks to this book! I do recommend this book to all who want to learn brioche. And the book is beautifully illustrated.

5 comments about Lily Chin's Knitting Tips & Tricks: Shortcuts and Techniques Every Knitter Should Know.

1. I read this in one sitting. It's very easy to understand and it gives fixes for many mistakes that I always thought I would have to rip out and re-do to correct, such as incorrectly crossed cables. There were a lot of "why didn't I think of that?" tips as well, such as going and getting one skein only of the yarn you'd like to use for a project, then using a grid to figure out how many of your swatches it would take to make a sweater the size you want and using that information to figure out how much yarn to buy. Thus, you are able to get what you need all at once in one dye lot. You don't run short and you don't end up with skeins you don't need that you can't return because they've been wound into balls.
   
   While there was a lot of information in there I already knew, in almost every section, there was at least one method of doing something or resolving a problem that was new to me.
   
   I normally check knitting books out at the library to determine if I want to buy them. I don't typically buy crafting books if I'm not going to use them repeatedly. Frankly, even if I never crack this book again as I've now read through the whole thing, I'm happy to have bought it as Chin deserves the royalties.



2. I love this book. It is very concise, quick references, specific instructions and diagrams. A great book for a person who is very busy and needs a quick reference guide for knitting projects.



3. Very nice job crafting this book. It is the perfect size for knitters to tuck into their knitting bag. Despite its small size, it is packed with information and clear illustrations. The information it contains is quite detailed and thorough. I also like that there is an index in the back.



4. I know I am going to refer to this book over and over again. My favorite tip is to use spring clothes pins to keep stitches from twisting when joining a circular knit project...genius!



5. I was expecting this to be a book for knitters with experience and have more tips and tricks. For anyone who is not a novice knitter too much time was spent on the basics: yarns, needles, etc. There were some good tips - just not enough of them. Is she saving them for her classes or another book?
   Also, page numbers are tiny and buried in little flower designs - cute, but really hard to read. This is supposed to be a practical book and clever graphics should be last on the list of what's important.

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

1. I love this book. I can't say it enough. For me, I picked it up when I really couldn't even knit, and immediately put it back down. It won't teach you how to knit, but then that's not it's purpose. EZ starts with the assumption that you can already cast on, knit, and execute a decrease. None of which are hard and can be found easily online. So...
   
   It also probably will not be loved by those who love patterns. That's clear from other reviews. You HAVE to be a little bit flexible to appreciate this book. But to me, flexibility is the hallmark of creativity. If your happiest moments in life are reproducing a pattern so closely it looks like the picture on the front of the pamphlet, you won't understand the draw this book has. But if you want to be the master of your own knitting, this will be something you return to again and again. That's probably her fundamental purpose behind the book, that you be the master of your own knitting. That you aren't afraid to rip out, or drop a stitch down a few rows to fix something, because your knitting is your knitting and it will only do what you make it do. And that's why i love this book. It gave me confidence I didn't have before. It showed me I didn't need to be a designer or an expert to make my own stuff. And as others have said, it teaches you the absolutely essential skill of GUAGE and swatching. I tried a Zimmermann sweater without this... bad. Very bad. And I can't say she didn't warn me. :)
   
   The pictures are not helpful, I'll admit. They're more for sake of visual interest I suppose than for instructional purposes. And yes, she's an uneven knitter, but if you read she admits that... and then says if you want a machine-even sweater, go buy a sweater. Otherwise, what's the point of handknitting? It shouldn't look store-bought anyway.
   
   I was truly surprised how negative some of the reviews were... I have to say that obviously those people just didn't get what they were looking for... a pattern book. It's NOT a pattern book. It's a treatise on knitting. I found it inspirational and instructive.



2. I am a serious knitter, but I am not an advanced knitter. Besides my lack of skill and experience, I am extremely ADD. So, this book is better than I expected, it is insightful and funny. It shows diagrams and written instructions for most practical stitches such as the different kinds of cast on stitches. So, if you are like me and can just knit and purl and have at least average intelligence or less-like me, this book is the answer to all the problems that arise in knitting. Some have said she lectures about gauge, but do you really want to knit a sweater and find it too big or worse, too small? I cannot wait to purchase all her other books, I feel that I will enjoy them as much and look forward to designing my own sweaters, with EZ's guidance. This is the best knitting book that I have seen, and I whole heartedly recommend it. I want to say this to all the people who gave this book less than five stars-patience-it is a virtue and necessary for knitting more than a scarf!



3. I had the book years ago. Got just what I wanted. Great book!



4. It's a great book, honestly, but I need someone sitting there with me talking me through it. If you are like me, stick to joining a knitting club in your local area, then buy the book later!



5. Excellent got my book and already read it and made a baby jacket as well.

5 comments about Knitting For Dummies.

1. I love this book. It's easy to read and understand. It is helping me figure out how to read patterns and work on a few more projects. It also has great tips and ideas. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in knitting.



2. I purchased this book as a gift. The description said there was a chapter on "left-handed knitting," which was what I was looking for. It was really just a half-page blurb on knitting for lefties. The rest of the information seemed fine, although I've definitely seen better knitting instructions for right-handed folks.



3. I knitted sweaters etc. many years ago. I bought this book to refresh my memory but found it extremely helpful. It showed how to do many things I did not really know how to do correctly. The pictures are very helpful in explaining exactly what to do. I would recommend this book for any beginner and even for us "knitters" who think we know how to do things.



4. I went to a Michael's and got this book, thinking it'd be great to learn to knit. I read the pre-knitting section, which got me pumped and thinking I could SO do this. I'm college-educated and generally crafty/creative, but the illustrations and directions were incredibly spotty. The two-tail cast on was somewhat easy based on the directions and illustrations, but once you get to the Knitting/Purling section, the authors don't tell you how they cast on and if you did the two-tail cast-on, you'll have this dumb extra thread that gets in the way and undoes your knitting. I know I'm probably making a stupid mistake, but I'm not a moron. I only found some success casting on using internet videos.



5. Okay, I had never once held knitting needles. Add to that issue the fact that I am not a great learner when it comes to diagrams. That makes me the dummy, right? The book is straightforward, diagrams and directions are clear, alternatives are offered. But I still had to call in some knitters to help me translate the directions into action. Once I saw a live demonstration from another knitter, the directions were immediately understandable. So, this is a helpful aid when one has a teacher or grandmother to go along with it. As a stand-alone teacher, however, the book may not teach absolute dummies like me to knit. But then, I am still on that scarf I started with and it will get longer and longer because I don't know how to "bind off." Watch for it. A blue, knitted scarf coming down the road at you.

5 comments about Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book.

1. I've been hearing about this book for some time on Ravelry, an online forum for knitters, crocheters, and other fiber fans. When someone asks "What general knitting book should I buy?" 8 times out of 10, the reply includes Vogue Knitting. I've been knitting for over 20 yrs. and don't feel the need for a how-to book, but I finally succumbed to the "peer" pressure.
   
   First, let me say that this is in no way a how-to book for beginners, although it does start right at the beginning--with how to make a knit stitch and a purl stitch--the techniques extend well into the advanced level, so unless you're Elizabeth Zimmerman, you will find plenty in this book that you didn't already know.
   
   Second, the illustrations are wonderful. Techniques are shown via detailed drawings and photos. The photos of stitches are well lit and close up, so you can see them easily.
   
   Except for a few new cast-on and bind-off techniques (invented after this book was published), the basics of knitting are all here: an explanation of fibers and knitting tools, casting on, binding off, English and Continental knitting styles (would have liked to see Portuguese included), increases, decreases, joining yarns, gauge, knitting charts and symbols, knitting in the round, fixing mistakes, and finishing techniques.
   
   The more advanced techniques include Fair Isle knitting, intarsia, striping, mosaic knitting, and embellishments such as embroidery and knitting with beads.
   
   The stitch dictionary alone is about 40 pages long. Each stitch is illustrated with a color photo and is nice and close up so you can really see what's going on. Similar stitches are grouped together, e.g., ribs, embossed stitches, cables, lace.
   
   The design section of the book covers sweaters only, but it does cover just about any type of sweater you could think of, including different necklines, sleeves, and so on. I would have liked sections on designing other garments, too, but I can understand their reasoning: sweaters would be the most difficult to design (you don't necessarily need a book to teach you how to design a triangular shawl), and the techniques could be applied to other designs. Still, a short section on hats, mittens, and socks would've been nice, especially given the sudden popularity of sock knitting.
   
   The index is 8 pages and reasonably detailed, far more than I'm used to seeing in knitting books.
   
   The subtitle of the book is The Ultimate Knitting Book, which is not really an exaggeration. At the very least, it's a very fine knitting reference book.



2. This book is excellent and I love the fact it is color. One would never think of Vogue having simple directions, but this book does. It is practical and trendy.



3. This book is wonderful. I am new to knitting and make quite a few mistakes. A friend of mine is a very experienced knitter and has this same book. She shared it with me, and informed me that this is a great book to have on hand, because it is so helpful. She was right, it has helped me so much already in just the short time I have had the book.(It is very easy to understand.)



4. When my wife said she wanted something for her birthday that would "keep her in stitches", I thought she was talking about a joke book. That's how much I know about knitting.
   
   After she cleared things up, I began my search on Amazon and came up with this one. Turned out to be a wise choice, since she has affirmed that it is
   the definitive reference source for knitters of all levels, complete with remarkable illustrations. These are her comments, not mine. As usual, my selection was at least, partially predicated on the many positive reviews from previous Amazon buyers. Without whom, she might have ended up with a copy of
   "Captain Blly's Whiz Bang".



5. I was a new knitter and wanted an overall reference book for stitches, techniques, yarns, pattern abbreviations, etc. This book is all that and more. I looked at many books and checked out various reviews before deciding on which book to buy. Many sources recommended this book as the one to get and now I know why - it was an excellent choice. This book has given me the confidence to try more challenging projects that I would not have even considered doing before. The text is clear and concise and the illustrations are excellent. Happy knitting!

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

1. I've had this book on my wish list for quite awhile and was very surprised to receive it as a gift from a friend along with some handspun yarn. All I have to do is decide what to make first! All of the projects look interesting and EZ's "pithy unventions" will make them fun!! Highly recommend this and any of her other books! Now I'm off to play with yarn - thanks for reading...



2. Elizabeth Zimmerman's newsletters and this almanac read like a knitter's blog with the difference that most blogs don't contain as much useful technical information.
   
   Getting to know Elizabeth through her writings places her "patterns" in context - her background information is intended to enable you to create your own patterns and to knit your way. She encourages you to depart from her methods and by explaining the whys and wherefores of knitted fabrics, makes this possible.
   
   For those who have read Elizabeth Zimmerman and disliked her chattiness and her approach to patterns in the past, you will not likely enjoy this book either. For the majority of knitters, though, this book is a treasure.



3. Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac
   
   Like all of the EZ books, this one delivers good technique, humor and basic patterns which can be adapted to one's own needs.
   
   Elizabeth Zimmermann did not simply place patterns in a book, but she taught knitters how to create (and have fun doing it) on their own. Knitter's Almanac is no exception to her classic style. I've used the shawl/baby blanket techniques, alone, to create several unique designs for myself and for gifts.
   
   The layout of the book suggests the types of knitting projects that might be chosen as appropriate for each month of the year. For instance, mittens are listed in the Spring so that one isn't rushed to have them ready for the winter. Other projects are chosen as being ideal to take with you while traveling, as being lightweight enough to enjoy knitting them during hot summer, etc.
   
   The leggings technique works for baby to adult (ski leggings anyone?). So do the mittens, hats... it's simply a very versatile book that can give a novice knitter confidence and an experienced knitter creative inspiration.



4. Who did the noro mittens in the picture they are beautiful! I was wondering what you did about the thumb, how did you do the gussets?



5. This little book of a pattern for each month is the best money any knitter can invest in a knitting book. Good gift item for a new knitter or a secret sister in your knitting club, that is if your knitting pal does not already own it! (check her Ravelry page!)
   
   Some of these patterns have been adapted into other patterns by other designers for their techniques. The Pi Shawl (July) is an innovative way for designing a circular or half circular shawl based on the mathematical pi. It is one of those "Ah ha" moments when you read the instructions. And then you realize that knitting a round circular shawl does not have to be that difficult.
   
   Another favorite is the February Baby Sweater. As a baby sweater, it is a cute quick knit. This has been adapted for an adult pattern, and is a favorite on the knitting website Ravelry.
   
   For a long time, I discounted the EZ philosophy, but once I started reading her down to earth writing and instructions, I realized that this is what knitting was about. It is a practical art. Knitting should not be made so hard as to cause anyone heartburn. EZ was all about taking a lot of the mystery and complications out of knitting with her frankness and honesty.