24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Want to learn to knit? Have no one to teach you???, November 22, 2005
This review is from: First Knits: Projects for Beginning Knitters (Paperback)
THIS is the book I've been looking for!!! I know basic knit and purl, cast on and off, and one way to increase or decrease. But I've made very few things because I have no confidence to actually tackle a "real" pattern and pattern instructions, never mind pattern stitches that go beyond knit and purl.
Even if I knew nothing at all, though, I'd be excited about this book. It doesn't OVERWHELM you with information, and the projects are TRULY beginner level without being completely useless at the same time. I'd have bought this book for many of the projects included, alone! Just enough to build my confidence with the tools and develop my technique! NO double points in the book, that I've seen, even though there are a couple of hat projects and a pair of socks! If I patiently work my way through each and every lesson included I am CERTAIN I will be ready to try some of the other patterns I've wanted to make.
From here, I will work my way through "The Sweater Workshop" by Jacqueline Fee. I've had it for a couple of years now, but it's TOO much at once! She takes you through the steps slowly, but I needed a step IN BETWEEN that book and what I already know. I believe after working through First Knits, I'll be excited... rather than dreading... working my way through Sweater Workshop! I'll be ready for plackets and lacing and swiss darning, etc! Maybe even double points after that!
"The Sweater Workshop" does NOT have the wonderful full color instruction photos in First Knits, but after working through First Knits, that won't be as big of an issue. After working through both books, I'll have the basic skills to make most projects that interest me. So, the two together are the best thing I've got with no one nearby to teach me! (Yes, I *could* probably go to a knitting shop for lessons, but I have health and caretaking issues that makes that a problem. Plus, I find it intimidating!)
If this sounds familiar to you, I STRONGLY suggest you take a look at First Knits. Use the yarn types recommended, if not the same one, one similar in texture and weight, and the needles and supplies recommended for each project... and master each lesson and project. If nothing else, you'll have some nice gifts and build CONFIDENCE to go from here. GREAT pictures show you the way through each step and you get just enough, although sufficient, information to build your skills without so much detail you break out in a sweat before you even begin!
A TRULY "First Knits" book! Thank you, Luise Roberts and Kate Haxell! Well done! I can't WAIT to get started! In fact, that's what I'm going to do right now!
--
Note: I DID work my way through the book, every technique/stitch. After working through it, I realized the problem isn't that knitting is hard... it is that I simply lack confidence. After working through this primer on knitting, I feel a lot more confident. So much so, that I've actually begun to "knit on the fly," modifying patterns as I go because I understand better how shaping works and what a given pattern needs to do differently to meet my end need.
I also worked through most of "The Sweater Workshop," although I still don't do double points. I discovered the "Magic Loop" technique instead, using one long circular needle instead of "herding" double points! :-) As I suspected, though, these two have given me a great foundation to work from and almost completely banished my fear of most knit projects I come across. I need more practice, but I'm knitting some, more days than not, and my confidence grows with each project I complete... and I'm completing many, including my own simple designs. :-)
If you don't have anyone to teach you to knit, I recommend these two books, that you learn the Continental technique... and also the wonderful videos and tutorials at www.knitpicks.com... as well as their wonderfully priced products for natural fiber yarns! I bought and love their "modular" circular needle sets!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good first book for beginners, July 3, 2005
This review is from: First Knits: Projects for Beginning Knitters (Paperback)
The best thing about the book are the patterns as they are all knitted flat on two needles. A beginner will be able to knit bags, hats, mittens, sock, once you master the knit & purls & decreases. There are also color changing projects and instructions which can make pretty gifts for friends.
The projects have step by step instructions with pictures on the knitted item in phases. The instructions on how to do the basics are ok but felt that they could have added more pictures in it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
