400 Knitting Stitches: A Complete Dictionary of Essential Stitch Patterns [Paperback]

Crown (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 17, 2009

Whether you're a beginning knitter or advanced, whether your tastes range from simple knit-purl stitching to fancy Daisy or Moroccan screen, a dictionary of stitch patterns is indispensable!
 
Young knitters, old knitters, hip knitters, traditional knitters: they all enjoy different styles. But every knitter from age 5 to 95 needs a good dictionary of stitches.  400 Knitting Stitches is a comprehensive guide that invites knitters to experiment with a variety of new stitch combinations. The book is conveniently divided into eight categories: knit-purl, crossed and cables, slipped, lacy,double, twisted, cast-off, and fancy stitches.  Making a romantic lacy wrap or a classic cable sweater? Whatever your style, there's a stitch in here for you.
 
Each of the 400-plus featured stitches is accompanied by easy-to-follow written and charted instructions,as well as a full-color photograph. A section on basic knitting information and techniques at the front of the book makes this volume even more invaluable.

From advanced knitters experimenting with their own designs to beginners looking for clear instruction and explanation, 400 Knitting Stitches is an essential reference for knitters of all kinds.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft; 1st edition (November 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307462730
• ISBN-13: 978-0307462732
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.7 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Knitting
  • #6 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Reference

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

260 of 265 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Sort of a "reader's digest condensed version of Barbara Walker" November 28, 2009

By mahlers2nd TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love knitting stitch dictionaries and have just about everyone that has been written.

This is definitely not the most comprehensive stitch dictionary out there but it has some interesting patterns that are somewhat unusual. (though I really hate it when authors insist on including stockinette, garter, and reverse stockinette stitches as "one of the 400"). My thoughts when looking through it were that it seemed like it was a cross between the Harmony Guides and the Barbara Walker guides with some improvements.

The color pictures are very nice and reminiscent of the newer Harmony Guides.

In addition, the instructions show both a chart and written directions to satisfy both types of "pattern readers". However, in an effort to fit everything into a compact foot print that can be thrown in your knitting bag, the charts are basically unusable unless you photocopy them at an enlarged magnified setting. Also, once again, the publisher has opted for a tight binding that will not lay flat. I know I sound like a one-trick pony trotting this out in virtually every knitting book review I write -- run... do not walk... to your nearest office services place and have the paperback binding replaced with a spiral binding to make this think usable.

Pros:
1. Nice selection of texture stitches -- particularly the cables and laces.
2. Size makes it handy to keep in your knitting bag for "on the go" inspiration
3. It is organized into sections based on the type of knitting pattern (cables, lace, drop stitch etc)
4. Has both charts and written instructions
5. Color pictures are very nice.

Cons:
1. Tight binding -- but can be replaced with spiral binding for small cost.
2. Cramped instructions and charts -- can be "blown up" to be made readable
3. Not a lot of innovation -- but a nice cross-section.

70 of 71 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A lot of variety, but hard to read February 18, 2010

By Patricia Griffiths

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

There is a lot of variety for beginning knitters, but the instructions and charts are hard to read; the type is very small and you need a magnifying glass to read the diagrams. It would have been better to print 200 stitches (leaving out the basic garter, stockinette, etc. which most knitters know)and printing instructions that are easier to read. The instructions, in most cases, are convoluted and in a couple of paterns we tried, pattern steps are missing. Experienced knitters will probably spot those quickly, but where were the proof readers? Read instructions VERY carefully, and adding two edge stitches to the pattern is not always best practice. I give this book a C; there are better ones on the market.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!!! May 5, 2010

By KnittingMom8 VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

If you can only get one book of stitch patterns, get this one. I love to just sit and look through the book at all the beautiful patterns included. I prefer this one to other stitch guides that I own because it contains different stitch patterns than I have seen elsewhere and the clarity and beauty of the pictures. All the swatches are knitted in a natural off-white shade that shows the stitch patterns off well and just looks plain classy. The instructions are in written and chart form, though the charts are small. I, personally don't knit from charts so this is not an issue for me. I also like that the instructions for special stitches (cables, etc.) are included right in the written pattern, rather than having to flip somewhere else in the book to find out what all the abbreviations mean. Right now, I am knitting a scarf for my mom using the "Gathered Stitch" from this book, and it is turning out great. I know that there are a lot of stitch guides out there; I own more than one myself. But, if you can only get one, get this one. You won't be disappointed.