Customer Reviews

The Knitting Experience Book 1: The Knit Stitch, Inspiration & Instruction

5 star:		(91)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I ordered this book sight unseen based on the strength of Sally's previous book - Styles. I couldn't be more delighted with what the came in the mail. The Knitting Experience may not cover everything about knitting. It's all about the knit stitch - nothing about purls (until the next book). So what's in the book---
1. A preface teaching the novice the basics - holding the needles, casting on, etc.
2. Chapter one has several simple scarves and a triangular poncho - sized for adults and children
3. Chapter two introduces knitting in the round with a mini-skirt, leggings, and a cap. Also a flat knit cap and mittens.
4. Chapter three features a jacket and vest knit from side to side.
5. Chapter four features the "star" of the book - the Einstein coat which is knit in panels going different directions (very cool!). Sally offers the coat in sizes from infant to large mens. There's also a purse and a bunting pattern.
6. Chapter five features features several variations of a summer weight pullover with styling ranging from modest to sexy.
7. Chapter six introduces the skill of slip stitch using the same stitch pattern in a mix of pullovers and cardigans for both children and adults.
Fully half of the book is devoted to teaching skills - big sections at the beginning and end of the book and smaller sections in each chapter. Sally offers an encylopedia of wisdom - often with a sense of humor. Her list of 10 most significant knitting discoveries is terrific.
Bottom-line - run, do not walk, to Amazon.com or whoever has this book in stock and get a copy of your own.

It was a rainy December day in Northern California when I stepped into a yarn shop to avoid being drenched. I couldn't believe the beautiful yarns I saw. It wasn't like a trip to Woolsworth with Grandma when I was a kid! After feeling almost every ball of yarn in the store, I knew I just had to start knitting. But how? I remember a very funky chain stitch with a crochet hook when I was 7 years old...

I asked the sales consultant to recommend a good basic instructional manual to teach me to knit. She recommended "The Knit Stitch".

In the past 4 weeks, I have knitted Joel's scarf, the flat knit hat, a couple of basic scarves using luxurious yarns, and am now feeling confident enough to try the ruana!

I have never knitted before. The only knitter I know lives over 400 miles away. This book has taught me to relax, enjoy the simple things, appreciate some hot chai, and learn what satisfaction can be derived from such pleasures.

Thanks Sally! Can't wait for book #2!

Whether you are brand new to knitting or have been knitting for 30 years, you will find something in this book to love. I've only had the book since the second printing came out in March and I've already knit several of the projects in it (and want to knit more!)Excellent close-up color pictures of every technique described; beautiful, fashionable projects that anyone would love to wear or give as a gift. Every project in the book is made all with only knit stitches. Sally has managed to design projects that are simple enough for a beginner, but interesting enough for a seasoned knitter to enjoy making. She also presents some wonderful ideas about knitting in her 'knitting meditation' breaks between the chapters. I would add this book to my list of must have knitting books. If you want to start knitting, start with this book. I am recommending it to all of my beginning knitting students. If you've been knitting forever, you will have a hard time deciding which project to knit first. Go ahead, knit them all. I know I will!

As a fly by the seat of my pants, no help needed knitter, I questioned my need for a ground up knit stitch manual. Well, this is possibly one of the best written, most enjoyable knitting books I've ever read, and I would tell ALL knitters of every skill level to purchase the Knitting Experience ASAP! Sally, if you read this, my hat is off to you. Inspiration, instruction, meditations, and beautiful projects, what more could be asked for? I can't wait for the next book in the series!

First of all, this book has one of the best visual and textual explanations of knitting techniques that I've ever seen, and I have quite a library of knitting references. I believe that a beginning knitter could learn to knit from this book alone.

I consider myself to be an advanced knitter, and I'm not normally fond of garter stitch. But this book changed my mind! The designs are beautiful and classic, and not just for beginners. The sweaters are simple and elegant, so they will not go out of style anytime soon.

In short, this is a must-have book for any knitting library.

I read all the reviews before purchasing this book. So, I bought the book and was impressed. I couldn't believe how much this book helped me. I have made scarves, hats, and used double pointed needles for the first time because of this book! And I didn't die or run screaming from the house!

I think the only reason anyone would write anything negative about this book would be if 1. They were looking for items that are much more difficult (ie. lace, cable stitches, etc) or 2. they didn't want to believe that simple patterns could look so nice, or maybe 3. they didn't write the book or create the designs! (gryn)

I have quite an eclectic taste, and am quite picky about projects I choose. That being said, I really like classic designs as well as funky/fun. I think these designs are great for all ages. My teen friends found items they want to try, my older friends found modest items they could knit and be comfortable with. And my four year old wants one of everything....well almost.

The thing I LOVE about this book is that she gives you everything you need to move forward and get creative with what is in the book. Maybe you want to put fun fur on the edges of a project, or maybe you don't want sleeves. Once you master the techniques in this book (or even before) you could change the designs (and colors) to fit you, your taste, your needs.

Oh, one more thing. This isn't just for those beautiful size 3 or even size 8 people. It is for all of us from infant to 3 or 4X...Men too! So buy this book and know that you will know more and make more for yourself and others when you have read this book!

If you could only buy one knitting book - this should be it! The author provides the best of both worlds, a basic knitting instruction for those who are new to the craft, and a book filled with patterns that will please even the more seasoned knitter. The styles are sophisicated but easy to knit - and the patterns progress in level of difficulty.

I particularly like: the Ruana shawl, the Best Friends Jacket and the Einstein sweater coat.

I also love the way she talks about her philosophy of knitting - what it means to her.

The book is also filled with several photo examples of each pattern - and provides interesting variations of each. The reader is able to easily envision the projects.

In her "Oops!" section of the book, I also found many helpful tips and tricks to solving common knitting problems - such as what do you do when you have a hole in the knitting? How do you weave ends in when changing yarn? etc. She shares many clever ideas and techniques and best of all - they are presented just at the time/place in the book where each is needed.

This book will please knitters of all levels.

This is an excellent beginner's book. Sally has detailed pictures showing each step of every stitch, ie Cast On, Bind Off, Knit. Every pattern in this book is made using ONLY the knit stitch, and the styles are awesome. I have read this book cover to cover, and I'm anxiously waiting for Book 2. This book is the First of 5.

What sets this book apart and ahead of the rest of the mountain of new knitter's books is the simple, beautiful executed works that result from her patterns. I have made several of them and have found the patterns to be well thought out, the line drawings are clear and measured properly, and Ms. Melville's asides and commentary are hilarious. This book appeals to beginners (the photographs of techniques are excellent) as well as intermediate (know knit and purl and have made more than scarves) and advanced (some of the shaded items---but really they are simple too) knitters. I have taught knitting to children as young as eight and seniors in their 70's and all groups respond favorably to this book.

I have made three items from its patterns ( a very unusual thing, as one or two is usually my boredom limit) and am still thinking about more. I knit her famous Einstein Coat in Lopi, as suggested, but I would love to do another one in cashmere---mmmm, wouldn't it be too luxurious! The day I brought my coat in, two members of my group went right next door to our local shop and bought the book at full price, despite my advice to wait for Internet pricing.

In book one of what will be a series of six or seven books, Ms. Melville has included ponchos (how did she know they were going to be the rage--with or without Martha), scarves with hoods that keep your head and neck warm at the same time (why didn't I think of that? I still have to knit one of these designs), and coats and jackets that have become must-do's even among knitters of 20 and 30 years of experience.

In fact, This book's appeal to a cross-section of knitters is the reason why it is destined to be one that will stay in print for a long time. Everyone can have one or more of the books written by Ms. Melville. Democracy at last---if only among knitters.

Another plus is that fact that she writes her patterns with generic weight and yardage yarn information so that anyone can figure out yarn substitutions with confidence. Many knitting books show their patterns in one yarn and say ("use 8 skeins of blah..")and the new knitter doesn't have the experience to know what else might work just as well once "blah" is discontinued. This feature alone, shows what a pro Ms. Melville is.

In short, when I recommend anything to my knitting students, it has to be something special. This book is.

As an on & off knitter for thirty-something years, I must say that this book has rekindled my love of the art of knitting. The patterns are truly simple enough for a beginner, but are also fresh & interesting to make. The Einstein coat really does make you feel like a genius! I knitted the Baby Albert (newborn) version as a gift & I think it's my best project of all time.

My favorite things about the book:

1. Techniques are presented as they come up & are clearly cross-referenced throughout the text. Only the knit stitch & slip stitch are taught here -- purl is saved for volume two -- but they are covered in great detail. Also the intricacies of casting on, binding off, and the many ways of increasing & decreasing are thoroughly illustrated. If a particular cast-on is needed, you'll be given the page # where it's taught. (I also liked that it tells us which cast-on is best for the pattern, or if it doesn't matter which cast-on is used. Most patterns just say "Cast on [X] stitches" and don't tell you which cast-on style you should use.)

2. A generous range of sizes are presented. There are lots of us who don't fit into a S-M-L world... 'nuff said. Women's and men's sizes up to XXL.

3. Samples are shown in different yarns & colors. The author points out that most projects are made in the same yarn & color as the photo accompanying the pattern! Which, of course, yarn companies have relied upon for years. Here, yardage requirements are not given in # of skeins, but in yards.

4. Step-by-step instructions are clear, complete, & concise. I learned quite a few new things, including a much better joining technique than the one I have used for decades. I am finally happy with my seams :-)

5. Many cool projects! Some are youngish, some are classics, some are funky & asymmetrical... truly a little something for everyone. Too often we buy a book for a single pattern, which seems like such a waste. This one, I have either knit or have plans for six, count 'em, of the patterns. For now. There might even be a couple more later ;-)

Thank you, Ms. Melville; your book has turned me into a black-belt knitter. My techniques have improved vastly and I feel like a real expert. I'm recommending this book to everyone who sees me with my needles and sighs, "I wish I knew how to knit."