Customer Reviews

Getting Started Knitting (Getting Started series)

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

 

 

I read this book as part of my ongoing quest to learn to knit a bit better. Luckily, I knew the basics before reading it, as I think it's just about impossible to teach the very early stages of knitting through a book. When I read and looked at the instructions for the first knit stitch, I felt confused and overwhelmed even though I already know how---I think it's something you just have to see in person---any diagram makes it look much harder than it is. Other knitting skills were mixed in how effectively taught they were. I really understood I-cords for the first time after reading about them here, and the descriptions of yarn types and materials was very clear and well done. However, the projects jump to hard way too fast! I wish there was a beginning knitting book that just stuck to total basics for a while---very simple hats, scarves, etc., and also didn't use knitting notation---there is time to learn that, but it really intimidates beginners. Some parts of the book were too cutesy for me, like the silly little quizzes that began most chapters. But overall, one of the better knitting instruction books I've read, with clear photos and a reassuring tone.

I searched and SEARCHED for the 'best' beginner's knitting book. I wanted something with clear instructions that was also fairly comprehensive. This book does not meet that criteria. The instructions on 'how-to' are the best I've seen, very clearly written and drawn. Easily understandable. However, the book does not provide detail as to WHY a person would do such-and-such or the availability and relative virtues of other ways to accomplish the task (like for instance binding off, etc.). It only tells you how to do the uber-basics and then some showy things like pom-poms and whipstitch. There are more patterns than instruction in this book. Perhaps a good choice for someone interested in knitting by rote, but not a good choice for someone who wants to learn to knit actively. As for me, I'm ordering Knitting in Plain English and we'll see if that suits me any better.

For those of us who do not have a mum or mum-in-law to show us how to knit this book is godsend for the absolute beginner. It assumes not prior knowledge and starts at the absolute basics about different types of yarn, needles etc and takes you through a series of knitting projects from the humble scarf to more challenging projects. It even has a handy section on rectifying mistakes. An excellent beginners introduction.

I agree with other reviewers that this book is excellent at explaining different types of yarn, needles, notions, etc., and for that I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. However, other books such as Sally Melville's Inspiration & Instruction series (The Knit Stitch, the Purl Stitch, etc.) have much better patterns for beginners. This book tends to introduce a lot of new concepts at once, and doesn't always explain everything clearly.

Also important for beginners: check the publisher website for errata! This book does have errata in the cable-knit hat, and I believe I found an error with the Skirt pattern, that I just reported to the publisher.

In the end, knitting instruction works best when you have easy patterns to start with, and in-person or video instruction. Searching a particular stitch on YouTube to see how it's done is a great complement to any book, if you can't attend a live class.

I bought this as a gift to my sister-in-law for her birthday since she told me she just started knitting and only learning through videos on YouTube. I thought...hey, since I love knitting, why not spread the love of it, and also buy a beginner's book for her. Well, when I got this book, I almost didn't want to give it up to my sister-in-law for her present, as I loved it! I've been knitting for 2 years, albeit still an advanced beginner level, and I still find something new to learn in this book. But it's also really easy and simple enough, and teaches very basic elements of knitting, and quite comprehensive for a beginner's book. Of course, it doesn't cover everything, but it covers what a beginner is able to do, with extra knowledge of what knitting is all about. Did I mention it's easy to read too? I haven't tried out the knitting patterns provided, but some look really nice!! Anyway, I told myself I've got way too many books on knitting and I can give this one away...only after really browsing through another time perhaps...

If this book were a beginner's book about subjects such as selecting yarns, knitting vocabulary, or how to read patterns, I probably would've rated it much higher. But it's a book on learning how to knit. I found the writing very clear EXCEPT when teaching you how to knit. I had to go to other sources to clarify what the author was saying. A few times I needed help on some steps, but the book did not provide an illustration for that step. Now, some people might be thinking, "But writing and illustrating how to knit is just hard, it's much easier for someone to show you or for you to watch a video." But some of the other sources I went to were other books. True, it was much easier when I went to YouTube and watched some topics, but that doesn't explain why Boye's I Taught Myself Knitting (the booklet which is often sold in crafts stores) was able to teach me a purl and this book wasn't.

There are some good qualities about the book. It has a nice layout that enhances learning. I think the approach is good. It teaches you some techniques, then introduces projects appropriate for how much you have learned. It then repeats the process with more advanced techniques and more advanced projects. However, the main point of the book, teaching someone how to knit, is weak. I borrowed this book from the library and am happy I did so. It does a good job of supplementing another how-to-knit book, but that's all I can recommend it for.

This is a great book for almost any knitter to have on her (or his) knitting reference bookshelf. As an intermediate knitter myself there's a lot in here that I know how to do BUT in teaching others to knit and as a quick reference book for basics this book can't be beat. The patterns are wonderful, the directions and drawings are clean and clear and the feel of the book is really friendly. You won't regret this purchase!

I was very pleased with the quick service. The book was in very good condition as it had been advertised.

The book is good for motivating someone to knit or learn to knit, but fails to properly demonstrate simple techniques. I had to go internet video to fill in the gaps. Otherwise, the patterns are neat and the book has some neat project ideas.