The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting Illustrated, 3rdEdition [Mass Market Paperback]

Barbara Breiter (Author), Gail Diven (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: September 5, 2006

Now with gorgeous color photos!

Updated and completely revised, this guide has been a bestseller ever since its first publication. Plus, it’s the only book to include knitting and crocheting, with both comprehensive instructions and exciting patterns. Readers will get:

• A 32-page, full-color section featuring finished projects
• Goof-proof instructions to get them knitting and crocheting in no time
• Expert advice on how to correct common knitting gaffes
• Terrific tips that will help them decipher knitting and crocheting patterns
• Easy ways to check their gauge—and what to do when it doesn’t match the pattern

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The knowledge you will gain from reading and using this book will bring you great satisfaction." — Nancy J. Thomas, editorial director of Lion Brand Yarn Company; co-author of Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book; and former editor of Knitter’s Magazine, Vogue Knitting, and Family Circle Easy Knitting

About the Author

Gail Diven is a freelance needle arts designer specializing in knitting, crochet, and fabric designs. She is the former knitting editor for Vogue Butterick Co. Barbara Breiter is the knitting guide at about.com and the owner of Knit a Bit, the only website offering downloadable patterns for sale. She also crochets and does needlepoint.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 3 edition (September 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592574912
• ISBN-13: 978-1592574919
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Will teach the basics but buy another book along with it, December 22, 2001

By 

Gwen Kramer "gwenhwyvar" (Sunny and not-so-sunny California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting (Paperback)

I taught myself to knit entirely from books and this is one book that I used to get started. The sections are yarn selection, guage and the history of knitting are rather good and definately inspired me.

The projects are about the best I have ever seen in a beginners book. There are only three but they are enough to teach basic knit/purl patterns, increasing and decreasing, knitting in the round and stripes. Rather than the usual garter stitch scarf (rather boring) we are taught a checkerboard pattern that is simple but looks challenging. This was my first ever project (I knit it on two skeins of Lopi) and no one could believe I was brand new!

As to the technique debates, I HIGHLY reccomend that anyone endeavoring to learn from a book should buy TWO or more books on the subject. These need not be expensive, just get a second opinion. The reason is simple: everyone is wired differently and a diagram that may make perfect sense to everyone else may confuse some. Getting another book with different pictures is the best way to prevent this. For example, I could not get the long-tailed cast on. I tried several books and finally, a book on hats had the perfect instructions for me.

I have not tried much crochet, only enough to complete my knitting project when needed, but I am sure that it is just as good.

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kept me in stitches!, January 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting (Paperback)

I have been crocheting for approximately 30 years. There were several stitches that I never learned and no one could "tell" me how to do. I have tried to learn the stitch by reading various books and trying to follow their examples. This book is the first book I have been able to actually follow the entire explanation of a stitch and complete it. I can now do a half-double crochet stitch! I first learned about this book through the public library. I now plan to buy it for my own reference purposes. A great book to add to your library.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We have a winner!, August 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting (Paperback)

I originally bought this book in the hopes of learning to crochet. I figured I would never be able to learn how to knit. It always seemed so complicated. Well, I stand corrected. I just finished the section on knitting and low and behold I looked down and THERE REALLY WAS A PATTERN FORMING ON MY NEEDLE. I have learned how to knit! So for all of those of you out there who have went to stores and bought these "be knitting by nightfall" books before and have not been able to unravel the art of knitting....this book is for you. The authors not only give you detailed instructions and pictures, but they also provide tips for enjoying knitting, improving your kitting posture and possible pitfalls you will encounter. I also found the little stories that were included a refreshing break from the instuctions. I haven't actually started the section on crochet yet, but I am confident with the help of this book I will do fine.