Customer Reviews

Knitspeak: An A to Z Guide to the Language of Knitting Patterns

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Knitspeak definition: "A combination of words, abbreviations, numbers, and punctuation that is unintelligible to the average human and - unfortunately - to the new knitter." - from Knitspeak

Like any group, culture or trade, knitting possesses its own languagee, one which can be is incomprehensible to the uninitiated. New knitters are often prohibited from stretching their knitting muscles by a pattern which makes as much sense as ancient Greek.

Andrea Berman Price rides to the rescue with her book Knitspeak: an A to Z guide to the language of knitting patterns, a handy volume which translates the symbols, abbreviations, and terms while explaining the logic and structure in which knitting patterns are written.

The first section of Knitspeak provides an overview "of how knitting patterns are organized and how to read them effectively." The second section is organized alphabetically beginning first with symbols. This section, which comprises most of the volume, is much more than just a dictionary. Scattered throughout are detailed illustrations, helpful tips such as choosing the correct decrease method, and longer entries on topics like measuring gauge or choosing a needle size.

The appendix is chock full of helpful information: fixing mistakes, estimating yardage requirements and an "abbreviations at a glance" table. Rounding out this handy volume are three worksheets which Price suggests photocopying and using to track knitting projects; for times so that when you put your knitting down, you have a record. A sound idea - especially for knitters like myself who have double digit UFOs (unfinished objects) that may, or may not, be stored with the required instructions.

Knitspeak's compact size means it easily fits into your knitting bag. The next time your pattern calls for LLI, grab knitspeak for a translation (LLI = left-lifted increase). As Price suggests: "Never stop knitting again because you don't understand your instructions!"

Armchair Interview says: Wonderful book for a beginner knitter.

I had a terrible time trying to decide between this and the Knitter's Companion (KC). I needed a handy little reference guide that would fit into my purse whenever I took my knitting somewhere. I'm not very familiar with reading patterns, but I'm also not new to knitting so all I really needed was a quick reference to remind me what "ssk" or "yo" means, or which cast on to use, etc., and keep me moving. My only other reference was Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Handbook, and that wasn't going to fit in my purse. I ended up buying both copies to bring home and compare carefully. Both the KC and Knitspeak were designed to be a pocket reference and both covered similar topics. The KC had the added advantate of spiral binding, but the paper did not slide easily along the rings and I could see the pages quickly becoming weak and bent, and eventually falling off. They also squeaked unpleasantly. In the end, I returned the KC and kept Knitspeak because I found the illustrations clearer and preferred the organization, but it was a close call. Both are great products.

Great for when you are in the middle of a pattern and suddenly don't know what an abbreviation means.

This book is easy to understand, easy to use, and has valuable illustrations. It's the perfect size and book to have on hand.

Amazon keeps writing to me, asking me to review this. So instead, since I wrote it and think it's the next best thing to indoor plumbing, I'll just ask YOU if you ever find yourself needing a simple, clear explanation for a word you find in a pattern. If so, this is handy book to have around. Also, it has a nifty ruler on the back and a picture that shows you where a GUSSET is. Isn't that worth the cost of the book??

This book is permanently in my knitting bag, and I've probably opened it for every project I've knitted. I have a horrible memory for remembering even basic stitches (like kitcheners) and the illustrations are super clear.

Like many of the other reviews mention, this is a great book for beginners. I have my (overdue) copy from my local library, but I plan on buying it soon.

The best thing about this book is that it's laid out dictionary-style: forget how to do a cable cast-on? Don't know what LLI means? You don't have to look to the index, or even the table-o-contents, just look it up alphabetically!

It's a great reference book, and small enough to fit in with your project.

I am a beginner knitter. I taught myself about a year ago. This book has helped me with numerous knitting projects!! I keep it in my knitting bag and probably use it with almost every new pattern, since I love to try new things all the time. It is easy to find information since it in an alphabet format. I recommend this book to all new knitters.

This the most clearly written book on the subject of knitting that I've ever read, and with 20+ years of knitting experience under my belt, that's a lot of knitting-related reading! Knitspeak explains what to do, why to do it, and when to do it, clearly, concisely, and elegantly.

Knitspeak is organized in such a way that you can find any stitch or instruction quickly and easily. Perhaps because of my 20+ years with knitting needles, I can't always remember some of the more esoteric abbreviations. Having this little book in my knitting bag keeps me from having to run to Google.

The illustrations are clear and easy to follow.

All of my knitting friends ooh and ahh over my copy, and rush off to buy a copy of their own. Mine lives in my knitting bag!

K2tog means what? Psso is not a bad word. This book goes into detail of what these accronyms mean and how to execute the direction. Great little book to keep in your knitting bag.