Customer Reviews

200 Knitting Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets: An Indispensable Reference of Technical Know-How and Troubleshooting Tips

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

 

 

When I first saw this book at my library, I thought 'oh, great, another book offering tips, just like all the others.' WRONG! I checked it out from the library, took it home, then went online same day to order my own copy.

This book is a MUST-HAVE for knitting libraries. I've had it only a few weeks, but I've referred to it more than any other book in my (extensive) knitting library, by far. And it has had a reference to everything I've been looking for.

It starts with the basics: yarns - weights, pics comparing how they knit up in size & look; needles - sizes, what they're made of & which does the best job with each type of yarn; other equipment - crochet, measuring tape, space markers, tapestry needle, gauge, row counters, circular. Then it goes on & walks you thru the steps of knitting, from patterns to flatter each body type, choosing yarn, adapting patterns, casting on, knitting the project, fixing mistakes, binding off, blocking, pressing, after care. It also has a glossary section; how-to's on: seams, pompoms, tassels, pockets, embroidering designs, intarsia, Fair Isle, beads, felting, hand-dyeing, fastenings, buttonholes, shaping, hems & ribbing.

It has great, helpful pictures, showing each step in performing, well, whatever it is you need to figure out how to do. Each tip or techniques is done with contrasting colors of yarn, needles, arrows, etc., and they're good close-up photos, not little tiny pics, or hand-drawn, or computer generated. The descriptions that go with the pictures, detailing the steps involved, are very clear, concise and user-friendly.

All in all, this is now my favorite reference book, the first one I grab when I have a problem or need to figure out how to do something. If you don't already have it, you're missing out on a great resource.

I am really pleased with this book. It has detailed instructions and wonderful illustrations. It shows how to correct mistakes and even shows fair isle knitting. The patterns are modern and the instructions are easy to understand and follow. Great for the beginning knitter.

I originally found this book at the library and kept renewing it. I finally decided that I needed my own copy. It has wonderful colored pictures and easy instructions that help when you need help! I keep it right in my knitting bag for quick references. I even bought one for my friend who used to call asking me to look things up for her. If you knit, this is a must!

"Trade secrets" is taking matters a bit too far -- this book does not contain any "trade secrets"

It does contain much useful information although I didn't find anything that I didn't already know -- but I've been hand and machine knitting for more years than I care to admit.

The suggestion to tie a new yarn around an old one when changing yarns is a bad one. There are many nifty ways to add in new yarns that are less work and better than tying. Yes, the author says the knot is to be undone later when the ends are woven in but some yarns - mohair comes to mind - are not terribly cooperative when it comes to undoing knots. If the new end is the same color and the yarn is worsted or lighter, I just knit one stitch with both ends and continue on, coming back later to weave in the ends. I've been doing this for years and was heartened to read, recently, that E. Zimmerman did the same thing.

Many tips that I expected to find in such an authoritatively titled book were missing. The enterprising modern knitter can easily find these on the internet.

If you are a fairly new knitter and you can get the book on sale (it's at Book Closeouts as I write) then it's a good thing to have. Otherwise, I'd say spend your money on yarn instead. ;-)

Experienced knitters or beginners can indeed learn a lot from this book, like how to integrate beads or sizing a sweater. All is presented in clear writing and illustrations. Design-wise there is nothing new or inspiring.

Let me start out by saying this book is by no means exhaustive in, well, anything. I feel more than half of the book is pretty basic, but there are some neat stitches and good explanations of stitch patterns/corners/buttonholes/finishing/etc if you just like to have a reference on-hand. It does explain things like duplicate stitch, intarsia, etc if you're a fairly new knitter or just never knew. I think personally I prefer having the info at my fingertips online at ravelry or especially knittinghelp.com which has the best knitting videos anywhere. Plus it's free and isn't taking up space on your bookshelf. This is great for a beginner knitter as a gift but if you're more intermediate/expert, there really are no trade secrets you don't know/can't find out easily elsewhere/can't figure out for yourself.

This book is great for new and beginner knitters, packed with little tidbits to get you out of those pesky problems. I have referred to this book often. The photos and drawings are good, and let you see clearly the solutions.
This book does not have project patterns, but many little hints to make your knitting go easier and look better