Customer Reviews

I Can't Believe I'm Knitting: Updated Edition (Leisure Arts #4062)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I already know how to knit, but I bought this book for a friend that I'm teaching basic knitting. The front portion of this book explains knitting basics well, both continental and english styles (you don't always see that - it's usually one method or another). It also explains pattern verbage and other advanced knitting techniques that you won't be picking up any time soon if you're a new knitter.

The drawback: If you've never picked up a knitting needle, most of these projects are challenging. Instead of starting you with a basic garter stitch scarf, you are making placemats, knitting in the round on circular needles and even tackling socks (which I'm STILL trying to get the hang of and I've knitted a few years!).

My advice is...this book is worth getting to teach you the basics. Once you have practiced the basics, go online and find a few easy, basic knitting projects to complete before coming back to this book after you have a little experience under your belt.

This book shows how to knit with yarn in either right hand (most Americans do it this way) or left hand (how I learned, and usually faster). Very clear instructions and very complete about a lot of things. An older edition of this is the book I consistently refer to when I need to learn how to do something new. It covers a lot of things beyond the basics, and very clearly. I agree with the other reviewer that many of the projects are too hard for beginners. But this is a very useful book you will want to keep long after you are no longer a beginner.