Knitting Techniques: Volume 1 (The Harmony Guides) (Paperback)

~ The Harmony Guides (Author) "Before starting to knit any pattern always read it through and check the points highlighted below..." (more)
Key Phrases: Special Note, Commence Pattern Note

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Originally published as "The Harmony Guide to Knitting Stiches" (Volumes 1-4) and the "Harmony Guide to Aran Knitting" (Volume 5), this series is notable for its clear color illustrations and photos of each stitch pattern included. In addition, Volumes 4 and 5 offer both written instructions and charts for stitch patterns.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

A complete "how-to" of hand knitting, including a wealth of professional tips and useful working methods.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Anova Books (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185585631X
• ISBN-13: 978-1855856318
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #674,343 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All those little details that matter......., February 28, 2005

By	Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

`KNITTING TECHNIQUES, Volume I of the Harmony knitting guides contains much material that will take the knitter beyond the Dummies book. Although this guide includes limited information about "First Steps' it is not really designed for the beginning knitter. (Among the first steps included are `Casting off Knitwise' and `Casting off Purlwise.) Although the books in this series were originally developed for a British audience, that should not prove in the least troublesome. I could follow the basic parts and I am an aficionado of the Dummies book.

This Volume includes much useful information about `Shaping' your garment after you create it. Most useful to me at this juncture are the steps for increasing and decreasing. Although the book's suggestions do not look exactly like the steps my knitting instructor showed me, between the two of them I get the picture. (My instructor, I am discovering, she does things that are unique to her.) The scarf I am making currently involves knitting on the bias or diagonal knitting, and the steps shown in this book are not identical with those shown me by my instructor, although there is an interesting note about how to effect an angle, i.e. make it sharper or less sharp, which she did not show me. `Mitred corners, gores and gussets are discussed as well as two methods (knit and purl turning) for shaping cowls and shoulders. You can learn to graft or increase and decrease or both (my scarf has two pointy ends, and I can either make two pieces and join them or I can learn how to decrease at an angle).

One section covers circular knitting which can be done with 4-5 straight double pointed needles or a circular needle. Volume I also shows the knitter how to make a reversible stocking stitch or reversible checks using two colors, as well as specialty stitches such as Aran pattern panels which involve, cables and bobbles, and Fair Isle weaving. Most useful to me is the material in the section called `Slip Stitch Patterns" where you knit rows craftily to interweave various yarn colors.

Some of this stuff is almost beyond me at this point in my knitting education, but having an idea what the instructor is saying helps me to follow along when she gives individualized instructions to the various members of our mixed class of beginners, intermediates, and advanced knitters. Although I am not using everything immediately, the book is so useful I am collecting the series.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have guide for any knitter, October 17, 2003

By A Customer

All the harmony guides, and this one in particular, contain a wealth of information and instruction. If you have never touched a knitting needle or a ball of yarn before, this book is the easiest way to learn to knit. It takes you step by step with lots of pictures and written instruction, then shows you a multitudes of different stitches to experiment with, including cabling and lace stitches. For intermediate knitters, there are sections on techniques for necklines, pockets, seaming and other aspects of garment construction. The one drawback is that the various projects in the book tend to be out-dated, fashion-wise. Like the name says, it really is a book on techniques. If you want current, funky or trendy ideas for projects, you should look for another book. Still, after knitting for about 5 years and considering myself an advanced knitter, this is the book I go to whenever I have a question about my knitting.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlarged, clear pictures, clear definitions., September 19, 1999

By A Customer

The pictures are enlarged, the views are easy to see and this book is packed with good information on common problems. Let's see if I can get the cables right, now??