The Knitting Experience Book 2: The Purl Stitch, Becoming Intuitive [Paperback]

Sally Melville (Author), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2003

Picking up where "The Knitting Experience: Book 1: The Knit Stitch" left off, this primer on the purl stitch uses clear, step-by-step photographs to guide beginner knitters through unique knitting projects. A natural progression of skills is taught, and each skill is punctuated by a knitting project, enabling new knitters to create an entire wardrobe featuring jackets, sweaters, hats, socks, and mitts. This book acts as a knitting coach, offering advice, anticipating difficulties, and providing rescue techniques. Patterns are presented in an accessible format with ample text, photographs, and line drawings. While this book is written for the new knitter, more advanced knitters will enjoy the knitting projects as well.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sally Melville teaches knitting and is the author of Sally Melville Styles: A Unique and Elegant Approach to Your Yarn Collection and The Knitting Experience: Book 1: The Knit Stitch. She lives in Waterloo, Ontario. Elaine Rowley and Alexis Xenakis lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: XRX Books (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893762149
• ISBN-13: 978-1893762145
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,912 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

195 of 197 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Einstein Coat but still a welcome addition to my library, September 26, 2003

By 

Carol Peterson Hennekens (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Knitting Experience Book 2: The Purl Stitch, Becoming Intuitive (Paperback)

Straight out of the gate I must say that I am a huge fan of Sally Melville's books. "Styles" remains my bible for ideas on stash reduction and I've told enough friends to buy "The Knit Stitch" that I could qualify for a referral fee. That being said, "The Purl Stitch" is a very good book overall.

The book is a terrific book for the advanced beginning knitter who's ready for some interesting looks but appreciates (and needs) a detailed pattern that doesn't assume much prior knowledge. This is the same as "The Knit Stitch." Where this book differs is in what it offers the advanced knitter. The earlier book may have all been garter but the designs were so spectacular (most notetably the "Einstein Coat")that it was a "must have" book for me and most of the veteran knitters I know. The designs in this book are still good, but because stockinette stitch and knit & purl patterns are so prevalent, the designs just seem a bit more familiar and a little less compelling.

For those of you who can't flip through the pages, here's a quick sense of the chapters:
1. 23 pages of basic skills including the purl stitch (both right and left handed versions); purling with the yarn around your neck; decrease stitches; reverse shaping; and seaming in stockinette.
2. Purling one row in six - a triangle shawl (with optional edging) and a boxy (but cute) v-necked cardigan/coat for both women and children. It concludes with a good piece on "reading your knitting" (i.e. knowing where you are by looking at your work).
3. Stockinette stitch - a shaped, fitted, rolled neck shell; an a-line jacket in bulky wool; and the turtleneck mini-dress (or top) from the front cover. The final section teaches ways of attaching new yarn and hiding the loose ends.
4. Reverse stockinette with five patterns--a serape; a set in sleeve, two toned top; a unisex zippered vest; an Asian inspired cross over vest/top (cute); and kangaroo pouch hooded sweat-shirt styled tops for adults and kids. The skill section teaches fulling (aka as felting or messing with wool and hot water).
5. Ribbing - four patterns-- a raglan, open necked 2x2 ribbed snug blouse (cute); a 3x1 rib sleeveless or long-sleeved turtleneck; a 3x1 ribbed masculine pullover; and a 3x2 v-necked collegiate style unisex cardigan. There are two many tips to list.
6. "A little of everything" - two mistake rib scarves; basic cuff-down socks; a round lacy scarf/miniskirt; gauntlets (sort of like fingerless gloves); and a Canadian weight hat and mitten set for adults or kids. The skill section is about grafting the toe stitches of socks.
7. Using charts for mixed knit & purl patterns - a collared wrap; several variations of a basketweave look for adults and kids (including the ritual "Touch Me" decadent yarn top).
8. The book finishes with more great advice on sizing, gauge, picking yarns and such.

Scattered through the book are "meditations" where Sally takes a step back from the technical stuff and muses on knitting things including a charming list of the 10 things she wishes she'd learned earlier.

It's a good for any knitter and should be super book for the wonderful group of folks who've taken up knitting during this latest popularity surge. Thanks Sally for another good one.

153 of 154 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent instructions, hard to choose what to knit first!, October 4, 2003

By 

Catherine Martin (Sheboygan, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Knitting Experience Book 2: The Purl Stitch, Becoming Intuitive (Paperback)

I love her previous book, "The Knit Stitch," which was my primary source of instruction when I learned to knit this past spring. I anxiously awaited this new book, and I was surprised at how many of the designs I am eager to make.

I am particularly pleased at the inclusion of less expensive yarns this time around, such as Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Chenille and Boucle. "The Knit Stitch" yarns ranged from fairly expensive to unbelievably pricey (the Muench "Touch Me" yarn that the previous reviewer mentioned--this yarn is included in this book as well, but I appreciate the balance of expensive and affordable yarns). Good quality yarn is important, and I love many of the more expensive yarns, but it's nice to find a pattern to fit a tighter budget.

"The Purl Stitch" includes more designs for children and men than the previous book, which concentrated more on women's designs. I was very glad to find such a variety of choices to knit for my two young children and my husband.

I highly recommend this book and the previous one for beginners or advanced beginners who don't have someone nearby to help out (I only have access to an experienced knitter once a month or so). The knitting instructions are excellent, and the patterns are detailed and well-written. I knit a couple sweaters from "25 Gorgeous Sweaters for the Brand New Knitter" and needed help to figure out the instructions. The experienced knitter who helps me out from time to time noted the significant difference between the two books' patterns--"The Knit Stitch" patterns are much clearer, while the "25 Gorgeous Sweaters" had many omissions and unclear instructions (for example, "reverse all shapings" with no clue as to how to do this--"The Purl Stitch" goes into this issue in detail). She felt that Sally Melville's book was truly appropriate for a beginner, whereas the "Gorgeous Sweater" book needs an interpreter for the beginner.

I have several knitting books, and the only one that has stayed in my knitting bag has been "The Knit Stitch." Now I'll have to make room for "The Purl Stitch" as well.

67 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars KNITTER BEWARE, February 12, 2006

By 

Mdens - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Knitting Experience Book 2: The Purl Stitch, Becoming Intuitive (Paperback)

Knitter beware. Pages with MISTAKES 19, 23, 104, 137, 148, 158, 169....maybe more. I love the patterns in this book. So, I decided I'd knit my husband the Classic cardigan. I knit quite a bit, this was my first sweater and was glad to find a book with what seemed to be clear instructions.
I started to have problems with the front left I had to write the editor and this is how they responded...First, there is a mistake on page 104, Left Front, V-neck shaping, Row 5. It should read as follows: Work 3 x 1 rib to 2 sts before marker, etc...(they were very nice). Then I had a problem with the sleeves with the # of stitches the book said I would have to have on my needle after working the increase, the book had the same number as when I started. When I called the editor she read it and the said "congratulations-you win, you've found a mistake" I know she was trying to be funny but I was really frustrated. I don't want want to be right, I just wanted to knit the sweater. In all I had to contact the editor 3 times & one of the times they said the would have to contact Sally to get clarification. But they were very nice when I contacted them
It's funny that the tag line on this book is becoming intuitive, that is exactly what you need to be to get through a garment.
This book is an instructional book, it's supose a book for knitters to pick up and go. Beware it is not that way. If you don't know how things should work together you will have problems. If you want to see more corrections you can go to knitting univers for XRX books. Please read the corrections page before starting a project. Also realize your project may end up being the newest correction on the page after you are half way into it.
I am sad to see a book with so many corrections.
I rated this 2 stars rather than 1 b/c I do like the patterns in the book, I did use some of the tips and in the end my sweater did turn out. It was just an extremely frustrating process rather than a fun one.
Good luck and KNITTER BEWARE!!!!!