Customer Reviews

How to Knit: The Definitive Knitting Course Complete with Step-by-Step Techniques, Stitch Library, and Projects for Your Home and Family

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Some of these reviews sound suspiciously like they are written by a paid reviewer. True, the book has big diagrams for basic stitches, but the diagrams are ambiguous. I had to consult other books to clarify the techniques. Any other book I looked at explained it better, with better diagrams. The two needle cast on is not as good as the one I learned from the pamphlet that came with my knitting needles.

I knit up the entrelac sampler, and found a mistake in the pattern. Furthermore, you have to 'pick up and purl' to make this pattern --a technique not explained in the book. These are nits to someone who's been knitting awhile, but very frustrating for the beginner.

For these reasons, I can't recommend this book to another new knitter, yet the book is marketed that way. Beginners, beware!

The book has a bias towards cotton yarn. I like cotton yarn, so I call that a good thing. It's something to think about if you don't happen to like cotton yarn.

On the plus side, the book explains a wide variety of techniques. If you already had the basics down, you could use probably use this book to expand your range of skills. You might have to look at other books to clarify some explanations, but the book does survey a variety of knitting techniques. The photos are very appealing.

I really liked this book because it was very detailed. It explains technique, terminology, and patterns that a beginner can understand.

It is written so that you build your skills as you go, with project lessons for each section. I have completed the first lesson, a garter stitch tote bag, and am working on the second lesson, a stockingnette child's sweater.

The only complaint I have is that I will the very beginning projects were a little smaller, so that you can learn quickly and move on to the next lesson or section. But, the directions are very easy to follow and you do really learn the stitches this way in a slow enough method that you really LEARN.

If you have never picked up a knitting needle, I highly recommend this book. If you are a crocheter, like I am, and are wanting to learn knitting, you will learn with this book. I have tried four other books before I found this one and this is the one that I'm sticking with.

Finally, this book does include more advanced techniques such as Fair Isle, intarsia, and jacquard as well as designing your own patterns. Not only do you learn the basics but you can keep advancing your skills as you become more comfortable with knitting. A true book for learning the craft!

As a beginning knitter with no experienced mentor to ask questions of, making the jump from scarves to "real" items was intimidating, to say the least. The patterns were all in another language, and many other books (including those written by Debbie Bliss) often showed beautiful but very complicated patterns. Finding this book was a gift. So that's intarsa! That's how to cable! Best yet, the items made are attractive and useful, so you don't feel like you are doing your homework until the real fun starts. A wonderful resource for those not blessed with an experienced friend to show the way.

I am coming back to knitting after having learned as a child, and really wanted to find a book that not only explains the basics but also helps me expand into new territory. I hoped this was the book but it isn't. The instructions on how to do the foundation stitches are very sketchy--for example, there is no indication at all of what your hands should be doing! There are only diagrams of what the needles and yarn should look like. Then when more advanced techniques are explained, the supposed step-by-step diagrams show only what each step looks like AFTER it has been completed, again with no indication of what the knitter's hands should be doing. I found it confusing at best, and even a bit misleading. The projects are not very inspiring and seem, as has been remarked upon, to focus far too much on items for children. I have some small children in my life but frankly, as a not-very-proficient knitter, I prefer to spend my energy on projects for people who will be the same size when I finish as when I started! All in all, if you can find an old copy of Barbara Walker's Learn To Knit Afghan book, you won't get the slick photography but you will get a terrific, clear, and very complete introduction to knitting. That's a much better way for a new or returning knitter to get started.

I am a self-taught new knitter. I struggled with not knowing at times where the yarn was supposed to be placed etc. I checked this book out of the library and the explanations, diagrams and descriptions are excellent. I have bought this book as reference for my collection. Debbie Bliss keeps the language simple, informative and the projects are good. Not too hard but defintely challenging. She also has good taste and a nice color sensibility. It is like having a knitter by your side. I certainly will refer to this book for a long time.

I taught myself to knit using this book, and I would recommend it to all beginning/aspiring knitters. The diagrams clearly illustrate every technique discussed. They accurately portray the textual descriptions, which provides a visual "quick reference" for each technique. The text is engaging and easy to follow. Bliss explains even the most complicated techniques without "dumbing it down." My only problem was that many of the projects in the course were for children. Since I neither have nor know any kids, I actually found myself searching for easy, similar patterns as substitutes. Even so, Bliss does a great job of walking the beginning knitter through the basic skills and on to more advanced techniques. Probably the best aspects of her book are the Aran and color-knitting (Fair Isle and Intarsia) and Entrelac workshops. They provide me with a lot of inspiration, and something to look forward to as my skills increase. I would also recommend this book to anyone looking to brush up on their skills, or to have around as a reference book.

This book is probably not the best choice for absolute beginers. For the very basics--casting on, knitting, and purling--you really need to find an experienced knitter to show you. No illustrations will really be the same. Try your local yarn shop, or your friends and relatives, you'll probably be surprised by how many knitters you didn't know that you knew.

However, once you get past knitting and purling in straight rows to make scarves (or other various sized squares of knitting), and you feel you are ready to move on to colour or shape or texture or cable or four needles, then this is the book for you. This is the book equivalent of attending workshops of the different techniques. I still refer to the finishing chapter when putting somethig together.

Yes, most of the patterns are for kids. But the reasoning behind this is sound--knitting a tiny sweater for kids is much less discouraging for a beginning knitter than starting out with something adult sized. While some people will see something through to the end once they have started, there are many who get bored or frustrated, and give up. I still have trouble with full sized items, and often find myself starting a child sized sweater when I know I'm supposed to be working on the one that was last year's Christmas present for the man in my life (he's getting it for next Christmas now!). So, if you don't have kids, see if you can find someone who does to give the finished product to.

In conclusion, nothing beats having a knitter show you how to get started, but this book makes a good effort.

As a beginner with no one to consult, I found this book to be extremely helpful. I had no trouble with scarves, but was ready to move onto bigger things, and a bit nervous about actually knitting from a pattern. Debbie Bliss actually takes you step-by-step through patterns, each one a little more challenging than the next. However, with each one you also feel a sense of accomplishment and a self-confidence to try something more demanding. However, the sweater designs are mostly for children....which is good and bad. While they are quicker to knit (also using less material and allowing you to move quicker through the lessons), the finished project is useless unless one has children. My only real complaint is that the adult sweaters aren't in sizes larger than 38. Beyond that,I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn to knit. My chihuahuas would also like to endorse this book as they now have a whole new wardrobe for fall and winter!

Finally, a really well written and illustrated basic knitting book, complete with great looking projects and lots of decorative stitches to adapt to anything! Consistent with Debbie Bliss' books, the photos are great and the instructions are easy to follow. A must-have book for any knitter, whether they're first learning or experienced -- a great resource!

This is a clear, well organized "Learn To Knit" book written by a well-published British designer. This book takes us step-by-step through a progression of basic knitting skills that are organized in a logical and well presented manner. After Ms. Bliss makes sure you have the necessary knitting skills, a small stitch dictionary is even included. Simple sweaters are interspersed along the way to show you how the techniques covered look in a finished garment. As Debbie Bliss is a well-known children's knitwear designer, it is logical that many of the finished garments included in this book are intended for children. With a few minor adjustments, a tape measure, a knitting gauge and a basic grasp of simple math, any of these designs could be scaled up in size. Ms. Bliss helpfully provides basic design guidelines in one of the book's final chapters, in case you need a gentle nudge in the direction of putting your newfound knowledge to practical use for yourself. While showing new techniques, I found the book's emphasis on actual knitted result, rather than needle or hand position a good idea. Knitters vary greatly in personal style, therefore the focus on the end result, shown in clear line drawings, rather than the process, makes sense. Too often knitters are discouraged from trying a new technique when they allow themselves to focus too much on the process and not enough on the end result. I like to tell knitters to trust their own hands. They will help you find a way that works for you. While perhaps not THE definitive knitting course, all in all, I thought this was a good, well-sequenced book. Ms. Bliss's explanation of entralac was so simple and well-pesented that I found myself seeing design possibilities in a technique I had never before found inspiring . I can't wait to begin knitting. I recommend this book to any inquiring knitter interested in developing new technique skills and design ideas.