The Complete Book of Knitting [Hardcover]

Barbara Abbey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1971

Silver titles on red cloth with full color dust jacket. This book thoroughly explains all the basic procedures of knitting, from eight different ways of casting-on to the final details of blocking and lining garments. 200 pattern stitches included with detailed written instructions and over 500 illustrations show how to knit and purl, increase and decrease stitches, knit left-handed, knit with more than one color, make cables, and much else. Includes chapter on Abbreviations and Terms. This book gives all the information you need for knitting including selecting and using equipment, choosing yarn, how to knit in several different styles, how to work with other materials and much more.The total how-to manual of knitting!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 239 pages
• Publisher: The Viking Press; First Edition edition (1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670233994
• ISBN-13: 978-0670233991
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #301,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Basics, November 21, 2002

By 

BeachReader (Delaware) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Book of Knitting (Paperback)

I am a recent born-again knitter, having started again after 35 years of never touching a knitting needle! I forgot everything I had ever learned. Once I re-learned how to cast on, I found this to be a good reference book for the rest of the basics.

Abbey begins with all kinds of needles, regular and "special needs", then proceeds to the extra equipment like counters, stitich holders, ring markers, etc.

The next chapter covers all types of yarns, man-made and wools that include vicuna, cashmere, and alpaca. Also included is a description of how yarns are made and the history of yarn.

A really valuable section was the part on abbreviations since every pattern uses them extensively.

All basic techniques are covered: casting on, yarn over, increasing and decreasing, casting off, cross-overs, measuring, assembling and finishing.

The illustrations are good if no-nonsense, but I am glad I have a friendly knitting/yarn store nearby to demonstrate for me!

I was fascinated with the large section about knitting with ribbons, but I have a long way to go before I am proficient enough to do this gorgeous technique.

The final section was devoted to a huge variety of pattern stitches which I may someday be able to do--with lots of practice.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good, clear, solid reference, July 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Book of Knitting (Paperback)

I bought this book many years ago when it was first published, but only recently have begun to appreciate it. After a hiatus from knitting, lasting nearly 20 years, I have taken it up again. I have bought some of the newer references to review the more advanced stitches and techniques, many of which I'd completely forgotten, but I have found this book, originally published in 1971, to be more complete and clear than any of the newer books I have. The text is good in explaining the techniques, and the illustrations are outstanding! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it contains none of the glossy, color illustrations or projects that characterize the newer references and which most of us have come to expect. As noted in another review, this is a no-frills reference; but the information is solid, and I'm sure I will be consulting this book often.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Basic Reference, April 21, 2002

By 

"jmyost" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Book of Knitting (Paperback)

This was one of the first books I bought when I decided that I needed some reference books. I still turn to it regularly, especially for the pattern designs in the back. This book provides a good overall reference and covers the basics that everyone should know, especially a beginner. I don't know if I would want to teach myself to knit from this book, although it does cover the very basics. I especially appreciate the breadth of the book and the pattern reference which is a good starter reference, rather than buying a second book. My first knitting book was the Leisure Arts "Learn to Knit" booklet and this book would make a good companion to that for a complete beginner. For the price I think it is one of the best overall references for a beginning or relatively inexperienced knitter. For a more advanced knitter, or one who is adventuresome, I recommend Montse Stanley's "Knitter's Handbook" although that does not have a stitch pattern guide.