Customer Reviews

Knit: A Personal Handbook (Nelson's Personal Handbook)

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

 

 

I fell in love with the cover of this book and was even happier once I opened it. I'm not a knitting journal type of person, wanting to include yarn ball bands and photos of completed projects in a book. I am, however, a person who wants to be able to do some quick calculations and pattern charting on the go, determine gauge even if I don't have a ruler and figure out what size those dpns in the bottom of my bag really are. The information and tools provided in this book are just enough to let you do all of that in a very compact package.

Most helpful for me were the tables for estimated yarn requirements for all types of projects in all sizes and yarn weights. I also appreciated having a standard measurement size chart for men, women and children.

As far as tools, I like the gauge ruler and needle sizer near the back, as well as the little zippered pouch in the front. I'm planning to keep yarn needles and a tiny foldable scissors in mine. Graph paper is always useful and the large section in this book should last through quite a few inspired moments where you need to chart something right now.

You could gather all of the tools and information provided in this book yourself, but having them all bound together in one stylish little book makes knitting that much more fun.

I was a little hesitant about buying this journal because of a user review that said that it did not have any space for notes about finished projects. The publisher's summary said that it did, but the user said that it didn't. I went ahead and ordered it to figure out this little enigma. As it turns out, the user was commenting on the fact that there are no standard ruled pages to write on. The publisher expects users to write on the graph paper. That is why the graph paper section is so large -- basically everything about your finished projects goes in that section, not just graphs. Really, I think that's ideal. I didn't design my own graphs for all of my projects, but for one project in particular I made several graphs. It's ideal to be able to take several pages to put the graphs in right next to the photos and notes. That is the main reason that I prefer this book over most knitting journals that don't have any graph pages. Finally I can store away those charts that have been lying around on loose leaf paper for the past year!

I also love the knitting needle inventory. I have accumulated many needles at this point and everytime I start a new project I can't remember what I already have and what I don't. The inventory page even lets me keep an organized record of what lengths I have in each size. It records straight, double pointed, and circular needles. The favorite yarn sources is also very helpful, I'm always forgetting which websites have the best deals on which yarns. The knitting holidays section turned out to be exciting because I found out that there's actually a big knitting event in my sister's town. It also includes note lines for each month that I can use to pencil in relatives birthdays, etc. There are also four folder pouches and a zippered plastic pouch to store miscellaneous items.

The graph section already mentioned has a line up the outside for a title, then a small line for a date and another for a number. Other than that, there is just the graph design. I think I'll stop in at a craft store to get some corner braces to neatly place photos on some of the pages. That section is the majority of the book.

Then there's some basic knitting info: abbreviations, pattern for an all-sizes rolled brim hat, estimated yarn requirements chart for various standard projects (hats, throws, sweaters, etc), standards for body measurements & gauges, a knitting needle gauge and ruler. I also love the elastic band that keeps the book neat and together after you've stuffed it.

Incidently, this is sort of a companion to the Weekend Knitting book, which I also highly recommend. The journal has some photos from that book.

I picked this up as an impulse purchase and am really pleased!

First of all, it's just lovely. The cover design is very attractive. The binding is "o rings" and they are concealed by the hard cover- important, because you don't want them caught in your precious yarn! There is a wee plastic zip bag inside which I've found to be perfect for stitch markers and finishing needles, both of which I'm always misplacing.

The knitting needle inventory is amazing. I've never seen one so complete and that is what drew me to this book. It covers every size I've ever seen- from 6-0 (.75 mm!) all the way up to size 50! It also allows you to track the length of those needles, as well as dpn's and circ's.

There are sections to keep note of your favorite yarn sources, favorite patterns, and a small calendar with space to note dates for yourself (perfect to keep you on track with that blanket you're knitting for your grandma's birthday) as well as major yarn events.

All the sections are divided by pocketed dividers with space to write. Perfect for that napkin that you brainstormed that pattern on- at least until you put it in the next section!

The next section is all graph paper- perfect for designing your own pattern or merely keeping your thoughts in line. For some reason, doing gauge conversions on graph paper really helps me keep my math in order.

The last section is extremely useful for everyone- new and experienced knitters alike. A pattern for an "Emergency Rolled-Brim Hat" that was clearly written by someone who really understands the knitting mind. The introduction says, "...when you need a last-minute gift; when you're faced with a long car ride; when you're itching to knit but dont have time to focus on starting a complicated project." There's also space for you to write down what yarn you used and who you gave a hat to... so you don't accidently give the same gift twice.

Following that is a section on Estimating Yarn Requirements and it covers all projects- socks, hats, sweaters, what-have-you. Followed by standard body measurements, standard yarn weights, and a very cool page on finding yarn if you're travelling overseas.

Finally, there's a knitting needle gauge & ruler in both US & Metric sizes. One less thing to get tangled in my yarn!

I recommend this journal highly. Give it to your favorite knitter and it will be a favorite gift, or give it to yourself!

I was looking for a place to journal my completed projects, and this little book proved to be just the ticket. The trouble with using an ordinary journal for knitting is that it quickly 'outgrows' it's cover when you add yarn labels at yarn samples to it. I found that this journal has extra space around it's spiral type binding, and has a built in elastic to hold it shut. The needle inventory, quick patterns, tips, etc. are just an added bonus for me. My only wish is that it was a little bigger, to accomodate more projects.

I bought this book because it was getting such rave reviews.
The book is portable and has a nice cover picture, the cover is hard with an elastic strap to hold it closed so it won't get bent up when thrown into your bag.
I was disappointed that it didn't have pages to keep track of completed knitting projects. There is a calendar and graph paper and a page to keep track of needle inventory.
I already own the Knitters Companion that contains everything in this book and more so The Knit; Personal Handbook is just excess baggage.

I got this book at a gift shop on vacation. Little did I know the great resource it would become. It has reference page to suggest estimated yarn requirements for common items, body dimensions by age (so you can knit socks to fit a 3 year old using a generic pattern). It has pocket pages to tuck little notes of wisdom gained from other knitters, my needle inventory, and the elastic band holds the pages together in my knitting bag.

Most importantly are the blank journal pages. This is where I've noted every project I've knitted in the past 3 years! When I begin a project, I note the day I begin, pattern name, where it came from, size I'm knitting, gauge, needles the pattern called for and the needles I used, yarn name, and everything from the yarn label (maker, yarn composition, colorway, yardage per 50 gm, care instructions) and how many skeins I bought. I note how many stitches I cast on and any changes I make to the pattern so I can reproduce it another time. I also note any problems I encountered and the remedies. I express my emotions about the project and most importantly who the item is for and the date I finished it. I staple a sample of the yarn to the page to help jog my memory and a small picture of the item. The grid pattern paper helps me to write small so each project only takes 1 page.

I have one journal section where I've noted the many decrease and double decrease techniques (rt, vertical & left leaning, from knit and purl sides), so its always handy without getting out a book.

I note alot of this on Ravelry as well but this is always with me to make notations as I knit it. I'm so glad its still being published because I'm ordering another for my daughter who has begun knitting!

This is a wonderful little book for all my knitting information, pattern ideas, websites for yarns, notes...and the yarn estimate charts in the back will provide excellent informatain when trying to figure out how much yarn I need for a sweater or socks for my family! The little zip pocket already has my stitch markers and holders, thanks to an idea from another reviewer, and overall I love this little handbook! I wish it had more pages in the "yarn source" and "Favorite Patterns" sections, as I've almost filled both of them already, but otherwise, I think it's great to have!

This is a very attractive journal. If you want something ready to fill in, then I highly recommend it. But I found that it had some things I wouldn't use...and other things missing that I needed. So, I decided on a custom-made journal for recording all my knitting notes, projects and patterns. What I came up with was purchasing a mini-binder (5-1/2 x 8 size) and then ordering binder accessories from Day-Planner. (Or you can choose Day Timer, if you prefer.) I purchased clear top-loading page protectors, business card holders, and graph paper. When I have a project/pattern to preserve, I type it up nice & neat and stick it (folded down to size) in the page protector. Can also add a photo on the backside. I put yarn shop business cards in their designated holders. And the graph paper is for both handwritten notes and doodling designs. There are lots of other binder accessories to choose from: address book, calendar, etc. I also decorate the outside of my binder with knitting stickers...especially love the one called "Knitting is Knotty"!!! :-)