Leisure Arts Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Knitting Definitely not your grandmother's knitting book. Thanks to Hollywood's newfound obsession and updated, stylish designs, a whole new generation has caught on to the art of knitting. For those just starting out or veteran knitters, expert Donna Kooler's newest, Encyclopedia of Knitting, will get those needles clicking. This comprehensive guide covers all the basics, from the history of knitting, tools, and materials, to how-to instructions for 164 stitches and stitch patterns, with tons of photos and diagrams to show the way. Includes instructions for both right-handed and left-handed knitters, with narrative directions and symbols to make learning easier. Contemporary projects by today's top knitting designers are suitable for a variety of experience levels and include a man's vest, a baby's dress, and decorative pillows. If the runaway success of her two previous Encyclopedia* volumes is any indication (and we certainly think so!), this one has 'bestseller' written all over it.
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About the Author
Leisure Arts is a leading publisher and distributor of “how-to” and lifestyle publications with emphasis on creative crafts, needlework, decorating, and entertaining. Leisure Arts is located in Little Rock, AR.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Donna Kooler has done it again. Like her Encyclopedia of Crochet, the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF KNITTING is a must-have resource for your knitting-crocheting library. EN is divided into three major sections: 1/ history and other basic information; 2/ a few dozen knitting projects (scarves, pullover, hat or two, beautiful pullover shawl in kaleidoscopic pattern, a toy or two, dog jackets, socks); 3/ `Knitting Pattern Gallery'.
The Knitting Pattern Gallery shows pages and pages of various pattern swatches with instructions on how to make each of them. I find making a swatch a really good thing to do before I become immersed (and embroiled) in a larger project. Some of these patterns are quite complicated and definitely beyond the skills at hand of the new knitter. Others are doable. If you are working on a complex pattern and want a little guidance, Kooler's books are handy to have nearby. I refer to them all the time. Sometimes you just need to see a stitch up close to determine whether or not you can tackle it. ***** for patterns; **** for projects
The Knitting Pattern Gallery shows pages and pages of various pattern swatches with instructions on how to make each of them. I find making a swatch a really good thing to do before I become immersed (and embroiled) in a larger project. Some of these patterns are quite complicated and definitely beyond the skills at hand of the new knitter. Others are doable. If you are working on a complex pattern and want a little guidance, Kooler's books are handy to have nearby. I refer to them all the time. Sometimes you just need to see a stitch up close to determine whether or not you can tackle it. ***** for patterns; **** for projects
30 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What I especially like about this knitting book is that it shows a variety of techniques from basics to entrelac, from beading to fair isle, from felting/fulling to beautiful lace work... along with a nice stitch dictionary. 22 projects by well known knitters included in the large sized, substantial book. Definitely worth the retail price! And it'd make a great gift for yourself... or for any knitter--beginning to experienced.
I'll be knitting the a few of the patterns from it very soon: the fulled baby mary janes, the fulled hat, and the fulled sheep with my handspun yarns.
I'll be knitting the a few of the patterns from it very soon: the fulled baby mary janes, the fulled hat, and the fulled sheep with my handspun yarns.
Buy it! You won't regret it.
That's my humble experienced knitter's opinion and I'm stickin' to it!
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I don't know if I would recommend this book hands down for a beginning knitter, but the patterns included are good. I especially like the "Illumination Lace Scarf" and the "Reversible Wrap." Being 21 and in college, some of the apparel patterns are a little dated for me, but I didn't buy this book solely for them.
The list of tips, instructions, and the stitch gallery are pretty exhaustive, though you might be able to find more complete books dedicated solely to one of the aforementioned topics. Nevertheless, Kooler's inclusion of all these things, and her coverage of each one, makes this a really good reference book to have on your shelf.
I definitely recommend this book as something every single knitter should have in their stash of patterns and reference books.
If you need instructions on how to learn to knit, I recommend the first "Stitch 'N Bitch" by Debbie Stoller or The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting. Kooler's covers a bit more advanced techniques but is a great review - just may not be what you're looking for if you're jumping into knitting for the first time. This book is more than worth what you'll pay for it.
The list of tips, instructions, and the stitch gallery are pretty exhaustive, though you might be able to find more complete books dedicated solely to one of the aforementioned topics. Nevertheless, Kooler's inclusion of all these things, and her coverage of each one, makes this a really good reference book to have on your shelf.
I definitely recommend this book as something every single knitter should have in their stash of patterns and reference books.
If you need instructions on how to learn to knit, I recommend the first "Stitch 'N Bitch" by Debbie Stoller or The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting. Kooler's covers a bit more advanced techniques but is a great review - just may not be what you're looking for if you're jumping into knitting for the first time. This book is more than worth what you'll pay for it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
violet
This is definitely NOT an encyclopedia of knitting, but I like the book. Like most knit books that call themselves an encyclopedia, it gives you some stitches and the rest is... Read more
Published 2 months ago by violet
Great for beginners and veterans
I started knitting my senior year in high school doing basic knits and pearls. I never really did any project needing more than that. Read more
Published 2 months ago by L. Bass
Excellent
The original has patterns not found in the new update. This is a classic and I am glad to have found it.
Published 4 months ago by VAharoni
Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Knitting (Leisure Arts #15914) (Donna...
Very well, what I expected, easy to use. Projects that contains not excited me but the samples are the points that interest me and these are well explained and contain letters and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Tanya
A Great Resource with fun patterns
I love this book. The front portion is a wonderful reference which contains knitting techniques for both beginners and more experienced knitters. Read more
Published 11 months ago by dsunrise31
good, but....
there are errors. i've been trying to do one of the stitch patterns (5x5 basketweave) for ages and picked it up again recently. i finally realized the directions were wrong. Read more
Published 12 months ago by dharmarose
Excellent Reference Book
Every knitter should have a copy of this book in their library. It's easy to understand, and it covers just about everything. One of the best reference books I've read.
Published 21 months ago by Lorie Burtt
Good resource for a beginner
This book has some general information about knitting, a small stitch dictionary, and some patterns. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Johann Mitchell
Inspirational and Extremely Helpful
This book has been a great help to me, and has inspired me to be a little more adventurous with my knitting!
Published on October 19, 2009 by demari18
Knitting Encyclopedia
I am teaching myself to knit.
This is a great help without a large cost.
This is a great help without a large cost.
Published on August 4, 2009 by Evelyn L. Clark
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
BASIC SKILLS OF KNITTING-casting on, knitting and purling, binding off-are basic because they are the heart of knitting. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
insert the working needle, reverse knitting, reverse stockinette ground, wrap yarn clockwise, source needle, purled side, backstitch method, stockinette fabric, selvage stitches, wrapped stitches, skip first stitch, yarn counterclockwise, purl bump, knit second stitch, ribbon knitting, repeat rows, stitch knitwise, knit side, working strand, stitch purlwise, knit cable, slide sts, working yarn, purl stitches, purl side Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Fair Isle, Dark Green, Dark Red, Lion Brand Yarn, Intermediate Finished, Nicky Epstein, Lily Chin, Experienced Finished, New Wool, Lamb's Pride, Nature Spun, Rep Rows, Wool Pak, Army Blatt, Fiber Trends, Next Rnd, Sky Blue, Susan Bates New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
BASIC SKILLS OF KNITTING-casting on, knitting and purling, binding off-are basic because they are the heart of knitting. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
insert the working needle, reverse knitting, reverse stockinette ground, wrap yarn clockwise, source needle, purled side, backstitch method, stockinette fabric, selvage stitches, wrapped stitches, skip first stitch, yarn counterclockwise, purl bump, knit second stitch, ribbon knitting, repeat rows, stitch knitwise, knit side, working strand, stitch purlwise, knit cable, slide sts, working yarn, purl stitches, purl side Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Fair Isle, Dark Green, Dark Red, Lion Brand Yarn, Intermediate Finished, Nicky Epstein, Lily Chin, Experienced Finished, New Wool, Lamb's Pride, Nature Spun, Rep Rows, Wool Pak, Army Blatt, Fiber Trends, Next Rnd, Sky Blue, Susan Bates New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 33
books:
See all 33 books this book cites
- Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book by Vogue Knitting Magazine Editors on page 28, and Back Matter
- No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting by Anne Macdonald in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Prehistoric Textiles: The Development of Cloth in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages with Special Reference to the Aegean by E.J.W. Barber in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- History of Costume by Blanche Payne in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- A History of Hand Knitting by Richard Rutt in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 33 books this book cites
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