Customer Reviews

Learn-To-Knit-Afghan Book

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I was young and Richard Nixon was in the White House...I knew how to knit and purl and that was about it. I had never done a project. I had made a rather dinky scarf, but that was about the extent of it. Somebody else had to cast on and bind off for me.

Almost 30 years ago, I saw Barbara Walker's book and immediately purchased it. Then I got the yarn. I worked through all the squares in a few months--I could have gone quicker but was also going to graduate school, had an infant. Not only was the afghan beautiful, but Walker's notes were so helpful and abundant that I had no trouble whatsoever. Walker really helps you to learn to identify the sundry scenarios that yarn on the needle can create and also to demystify it.

I emerged from the experience and went on to knit fisherman sweaters, lacy christening gowns, and was able to take on any pattern I encountered.

Walker's book is somewhat like going to university and then to graduate school in knitting: I really can't think of any technique that she did not explain.

It's a great first project since it will teach you everything you need to know to do almost any knitting project. I felt as if I had been awarded a Ph.D. in knitting by the time I completed the afghan. It's enormously gratifying to move from little knowledge to creating cables and lace in a matter of weeks.

Since then, I've made several more Learn to Knit afghans in many different colours. I have used Walker's other knitting pattern books to substitute squares when I've wanted more of a challenge.

Other great aspects of this project are its portability; the immediate satisfaction of completing a square and looking at the results, and its beauty. You can use as many colors as you like, or you can limit yourself to two colors.

I can't remember HOW many times I've been asked to recommend a book to improve their knitting. And often I'm asked for a fun afghan to make. This book has it all. You take each project as a small square and when you are finished, you have not only made a very interesting looking afghan, you've advanced your knitting skills. One of my top recommendations for beginning knitters who want to get good at knitting. This is a very wonderful book and I am so glad it was reprinted (it was out of print for a while.)

A terrific book for a beginner and a great guide for those of us who need structure as we learn (and who have trouble finishing projects we start). In a very short time I learned very helpful techniques to improve my knitting and a score of new patterns.

This book takes you from easy patterns to very difficult patterns. The fact that there are many squares keeps one interested. The project is down right fun, and once i finished most of the squares (i'm still working on it) i discovered as i approached other projects that i had gone from a beginner to an intermediate knitter thanks to this sweet little book.

I love this "how to" book! This is a comprehensive study in many stitches, techniques, and explanations of the various aspects of knitting. The ease of transporting your work as you knit each square is a plus as well.

It's a wonderful teaching tool for beginners, but just as great for intermediate knitters. There is something to learn with just about every square, and when you finish, you've got an afghan!

I highly recommend Learn to Knit Afghan Book by Barbara Walker, as her illlustrations and directions are clear and very easy to follow.

I'm enjoying working the squares, because they are so portable with instructions that are easy to follow. I am very glad I made this purchase, because learning these skills will allow me to knit those sweaters I'm dreaming of. Here's a tip: Wooden needles don't show up on the xray of airport security, so I was able to knit on the plane from LA to Orlando. Great way to pass the time.

Although I learned the basics many years ago, I have always been a very mediocre knitter. I have never attempted lace, cables, or multi color patterns, and aside from a few children's sweaters and simple socks, I have never completed a major handknitting project.

This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for several years now, but I never seemed to have the time or nerve to begin. Finally determined to master the craft, a few weeks ago I obtained a few pounds of yarn, a pair of short #8 needles, and I finally began to work my way through. I have just finished square 21, the gorgeous 'Florentine Frieze', and I can feel my skills and confidence improve with each square. The knit-purl combination, slip stitch and mosaic patterned squares have each turned out beautifully and I am eager to get to twisted stitch paterns, cables, and lace. There is even a square to teach short-rowing.

My goal is to finish this afghan over the next two or three months. By then I believe I'll have the skills to complete any project, including a number of one of a kind sweaters that I plan to design and knit with the aid of Knitware software, this book, and/or Ms Walker's other stitch treasuries, all of which are indispensible to any serious knitting student's library.

I have been knitting for over 35 years. I have mastered sweaters, hats, mittens, gloves, socks, lace, cables, intarsia, fair isle, entrelac etc. Yet I needed a new challenge to keep from getting bored so I decided to buy this book and set myself the challenge of knitting all the squares continental style (I used to be an English style knitter). At first it was awkward and I had to frog a few times and start over to meet my own standard of acceptability. By the time I got to the tenth square I was a converted continental style knitter for good.

Each block or square teaches a new technique and you learn a great deal about how manipulating the knit and purl stitches in various ways, along with the use of contrasting colors, produces a plethora of different fabrics. You don't have to knit the squares/blocks continental style -- the patterns are in standard abbreviations and can easily be followed by "throwers" as well.

I thought I was an advanced knitter when I started this project but my knitting improved with each block I completed. I really began to "read" my knitting and I developed a strong understanding of what is happening when I do different things with the stitches. Ms. Walker's logical and helpful progression teaches techniques that build, one upon another, into a wealth of knitting skills that open limitless possibilities for designing your own projects.

I would highly recommend this book to any knitter who wants to improve their skills to the point they can go beyond published patterns and being locked in by other people's design choices. Along with anything by Elizabeth Zimmerman and Meg Swansen, this book is a definite "must" addition to any serious knitter's library.

PS The only techniques not covered here that may interest some knitters are fair isle and entrelac. If you are interested in those you might look at the Tech Square Afghan by Interweave Press. I would suggest doing the Walker afghan first and following it with the Tech Sqaure afghan to really get a mastery of pretty much all essential knitting techniques.

I have knit five of the squares since receiving the book, and am enjoying trying new stitch patterns on such small do-able squares which remove the drudgery of having to create a whole garment.

There is good explanation of how to do various techniques such as slip stitching, joining new colours etc. However, I did not find the book's instruction very clear on how to actually knit the basic knit/purl stitches, how to control the tension, how to hold the needles etc. For that, I had to turn to the internet where there are various free instructional videos demonstrating the Continental technique used in this book.

I expect to be pleased with my finished afghan, but as I will not be learning any shaping techniques (decreasing/increasing) I do not feel that I will be confident to knit a garment right away after completing this book.

I am a beginner knitter and have found this book to be fabulous. I have learned so very much from it. I have knitted 21 of the 63 squares so far. I am following them in the order given in the book. Some I have liked and some not. Good way to learn what kind of patterns you like. I find it very exciting. The glossary is great. Explains each type of stich in the book. Great reference source for any other project I may work on. I have bought three more of these books for each of my granddaughter who knit. I have also bought some for friends who are long time knitters and they love the book.

Verna J. LGreenan