Customer Reviews

Field Guide to Knitting

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Field Guide to Knitting isn't a replacement for your Barbara Walker's Collection. What it is, is a great pocket-sized book with color photographs of and instructions for 200 knitting stitches, from simple garter stitch to elaborate cables and laces. What sets this little book apart other than it's compact size is Ms. Pawlowski's advice: How best to use each stitch (is it best for a bag or a sweater? as trim?); How much yarn does each stitch consume relative to stockinette, etc. If you're a beginner to intermediate knitter and like to travel with your knitting, I highly recommend it.

As someone who does knitting as a hobby only, I found this book to be extremely helpful in brushing up on some stitches, while also learning many new stitches and the best way to use them. I thought the combination of instructions and photographs was very helpful in learning the new stitches. Ms. Pawlowski's instructions were very clear and I found myself doing all sorts of new stitches in no time. I would recommend this for all knitters hoping to brush up on their stitches, while also learning many new ones!

The organization of the book follows the field guide structure such as found in the Audubon Society Field Guides to Birds of North America (Eastern Region/Western Region). Knitters who have also used the Audubon Field Guides to birds or wildflowers will feel quite at home with this knitting field guide. As anyone who has used nature field guides knows, the field guides are written by experts and used by non-experts who wish to expand their experience on their own when out in the field practicing their hobby. I know a Robin and a Crow without a field guide but it took a field guide to help me identify my first non-mating male Lesser Goldfinch or my first Bronzed Cowbird.

Just as the bird field guides' glossy photo pages are organized by type of bird (waders, owls, perching birds, etc) and color of bird, this knitting field guide to 200 stitches (which other reviewers have pointed out are considered common to experienced knitters) has a glossy photo section color coded by type of stitch. Knit and purl stitch photos contain samples knitted in shades of pink & red yarn; cable stitches are knitted in shades of yellow and orange; open work & lace stitches are knitted in shades of blue; and ribbings are knitted in shades purple while edgings are in shades of brown. This makes finding a particular type of stitch in color sample pages easy. With the color stitch samples all in one section, one can flip rapidly through them when trying to decide on possible stitches for use in a planned project. The glossy color photos have excellent definition -- so how the stitch looks knitted up is quite clear, unlike the black and white photos in the comprehensive Barbara Walker treasuries which do not always do justice to the stitches.

The rest of the field guide contains white non-reflective pages that describe the stitches with a cross reference to each stitch sample photo in the glossy section. Along with a written description of each stitch covered, there are icons that give one a quick grasp of certain characteristics of the stitch. I love the icons. I can quickly skim the description pages looking for stitches with icons for the characteristics I am looking for. Is it stretchy? Is it reversible? How much yarn does it use compared to other stitches? Is it mindless (good for knitting while watching TV indicated by a TV icon) or does it required single minded attention (indicated by a warning sign icon)? Will it look particularly nice in a variegated yarn? In addition to the basic description of the stitch, the text also includes comments about the thickness/bulkiness of the fabric; its drape characteristics; and whether the fabric lies flat or has tendency to curl or form pleats. Lastly, the guide contains a "Suggested Uses" paragraph for each stitch which I also love: would this stitch pattern be good for a scarf? a belt? an afghan? a pillow? a boxy jacket? a baggy sweater? clothing for a child?

While not useful to experienced knitters who know everything in this book, this book is very useful to someone like me who is ready to go beyond the basics and beyond reliance on patterns written by others. It's a small handy size and does not take up much space: a good book for my knitting bag rather than my knitting bookshelves where my copies of the comprehensive Barbara Walker treasuries and Vogue Stitchionaries must reside due to their size.

Unlike the Audubon Society field guides, the knitting field guide does not have a water-proof cover but it probably does not need one :P.

This little book is great. Firstly, it is small. It will fit in your purse, if you happen to be a commuting/on the road knitter, or your pocket if you travel without a purse. There are 161 photographed stitches and trims, with common variations also included. All stitches are clearly described in words (not charts), and their properties are described: puffy, thick, drapey, etc. Projects and needle sizes are suggested, yarn usage is estimated for you (which is super handy if you have fun yarn and nothing to make with it) as compared to stockinette.

In the front and back of the book are tips and information -- basic stitches, increases, decreases, cast on/off, helpful books and web sites, and and a little chart to keep track of your needles.

If you like to make stuff up as you go (easiest way to never mess up, right? right????), this book is perfect to keep handy. If you like to follow patterns, this book will give you a better idea of the sort of FO you are working on.

Why are you still reading this? Order the book already! Get copies for your friends! And an extra copy for you, just in case!

UPDATE: December 25, 2011
I still LOVE this book and refer to it often! Definitely a great purchase, and a great resource for a knitter's library.

There may be a lot of patterns in this book, but the way it was produced makes it difficult to use. All of the color pictures are in a center section, separate from the pattern instructions. You have to work to match up the picture and the directions in the first place. For example, picture #83 is a lovely lace pattern that you wouldn't mind trying. So you turn to Page 83, and it's not there. It's actually on Page 154, which you find out by searching the front of the book for the name of the pattern -- which isn't in alphabetical order -- so you have to read through the whole list. Also the book is small and has hard cardboard covers and a very stiff binding -- it will not lay open, and if you press on it, the binding cracks apart. To actually do a pattern, you would either have to memorize it, copy it out on a piece of paper, or flip back and forth if you want to check the picture. Not fun!! Good information, but a terrible book. There are many more user-friendly ones on the market.

While this book does have nice stitch patterns, what I really liked was the information in each listing. Things like how much yarn relative to stockinette stitch is used, what the stitch would be good for, what needles work well with it, and the little history given for each stitch. It's a nice little book to add to your collection.

I should have read reviews before ordering. I did not realize that all photos are in the center. This makes it very difficult to use. I like to know stitch multiples immediately, and not have to go to another page to find it. Because of the small size, many row patterns require turning pages to complete which also makes it harder to use. The binding is quite tight, and difficult to keep open. If you want something portable, it may work for you, but not what I was looking for. It is an idea book, not good for working from directly.

This solid little paperback fits easily into your knitting bag (or purse, if you're off to your LYS), but has way more information than you'd expect.

The stitches are shown in a central full-color section, arranged by type: knit-and-purl, cables, openwork and lace, and edging. You find the number of the stitch you want to know about and flip to the main text, where you get a general description; properties (does it stretch, does it drape, is it reversible); yarn consumption (do you need more or less to do this stitch than you would for a swath of stockinette); suggested uses (including recommended needle sizes); and then clear written instructions. The book has written instructions only, no charts, but since I prefer written instructions that's not a problem for me.

With more than 200 different stitches described that thoroughly, Pawlowski packs a whole lot of information into a very compact book. It doesn't have every stitch ever invented, but if you're just starting to expand your knitting horizons beyond stockinette and garter, this is the book to start with. You'll find it helpful and inspiring.

This book does have lots of patterns. It however does not thoroughly explain all of its symbols. Maybe they're supposed to be obvious to a knitter. If that's the case then I'll need a book that's been more simplified. It was also smaller than I expected.

This is my favourite knitting guide. My only wish is that there were more lace and cable patterns, even though there are PLENTY. (I have just worked my way through the patterns and want more!)