856 of 863 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
YES, REPRINT THIS MASTERPIECE, July 7, 2003
This review is from: The Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting (Hardcover)
I was able to peruse this book once. I immediately knew I had to have it. I never dreamed it would be so difficult to obtain a copy. Unfortunately, this book is out of print, and I cannot afford the huge price tags that are being placed on existing copies.
This is not a typical review where I explain the contents or details of this book. This book is a masterpiece, and I want it to be reprinted. And I believe I am not alone in this request.
WE NEED TO UNITE OUR EFFORTS TO GET THIS BOOK BACK INTO PRINT!
If you AGREE that it is time to have this wonderful masterpiece back in print, then click "YES", and let our numbers be counted.
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61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like having a knitting mentor by your side, October 18, 2003
This review is from: The Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting (Hardcover)
How can a large, thick, heavy, unwieldy book, printed in only two colors (black and aqua) have captured the admiration and loyalty of almost every knitting instructor and needleworker who's seen it?
This book explains, in excruciating detail, THIRTY-THREE ways to cast on, and when to use each method. Likewise for casting off, increases, decreases, seaming, picking up stitches, etc. -- practically any technique a knitter will ever encounter is illumined in the author's precise, clear, accessible English. The line drawings are flawless and crisp; the black-and-white photos are sharp and tonally balanced; the topics are organized in logical sections under highly legible headings; the subjects are indexed for instant reference.
It's like having a knitting mentor by your side, who'll answer any knitting question you have in an honest, intelligent, informed manner.
This book exhibits not only a thorough, thoughtful approach to the craft, but a passion for carrying on the art of knitting to future generations. Even novelty techniques (for ribbon, beads, sequins, felting) are discussed in depth.
The only weakness I've noticed in this amazing book is that the author's "sweater-centric" viewpoint, which influences whether she'll recommend or disapprove of any given technique (especially her discussions on joining yarns, stitching seams, or choosing needles), could potentially confound afghan, scarf or "art" knitters who don't have outsides or insides to their projects. And despite a touch of traditional knitter's elitism (an unabashed bias toward knitting complex sweaters with fine gauge worsted yarns) this book provides any aspiring knitter with a solid foundation in technique and theory.
The only way this book could be improved (if it were to be reprinted) is through the expansion of the chapter on handling different yarns to include the novelty yarns and gigantic gauges that have dominated the knitting landscape for the past fifteen years. Contrary to being a fad, this field of knitting is a recent and viable addition to the body of knowledge that Hiatt reveres and preserves in this essential (and tragically out-of-print) knitting reference.
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83 of 94 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A new edition is expected, August 4, 2000
This review is from: The Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting (Hardcover)
I understand that the author is planning on another edition to come out probably in the next year or two for all of you that are in withdrawal because you cannot buy this book.
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