Customer Reviews

The Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

As a mostly self-taught knitter, I bought this book when it first came out at the extravagent price of around forty dollars. I needed a basic, all-around reference. It was a little advanced for me then, but enthralling in its detail. What I like about Hiatt is that she doesn't just provide instruction, but also information--the pros and cons of various techniques, details about types of fibers and how each behaves, and lots and lots of details about all aspects of knitting. If all you want is simple instructions, there are lots of other books out there. But I have yet to see a work as comprehensive as Hiatt. I have lots of other knitting books--Vogue, Zimmerman, and Rigetti being among my favorites, but this is the one that I turn to most often for basic information.

I wrote Simon & Shuster,yes this is going to be reprinted. Here is what I received June 12, 2007 "Yes, there will be reprint coming out 10-1-09, ISBN# 1416535179 for $45.00 in hard cover.....Alishia Nix,Customer Service
Simon & Schuster ,Domestic / Canada".........so save some money! It's well worth the $45, I wouldn't pay $200+ though....

I was so disappointed to find this book was out-of-print! Being a novice knitter, I'd been checking out my library's knitting books to find THE one to buy. This was it! I learned how to do the two-handed method of fair isle knitting from the wonderful drawings which are also accompanied by clear written instructions. Not only that, the author covers yarn types (magnified photos of fibers) and knitting needles in detail. I had to return this book to the library before exploring more but it seems that the breadth and depth of this book is unmatched. Simon and Schuster SHOULD definitely reprint this--a zShop seller offers this book for (...) as I write this!

This book was a gift from the wonderful woman who taught me how to knit. I didn't even know what a treasure it was when I received it. I now teach (classes) myself, and I use this book in nearly every class, from beginning to advanced. And I have many dozens of knitting books.

June's diagrams are easy to follow, her advice worthwhile and practical. This is a tome of a book, and I sometimes like to just thumb through it to see what she has to say about a topic. There are no photos, just illustrations, and understandable, detailed instructions. The author is clearly analytical about knitting and compulsive about documentation.

It is unfortunate that June (or her publisher) doesn't re-release this book, as there is intense pent-up demand for it.

If it were readily available, I would certainly recommend this to everyone who knits and who would like to know more about knitting. I've knitted over 20 years now, and there is a great deal in this book that I still haven't tried.

If I were stranded on a desert island... you know how it goes... and I had yarn or fiber available as well, this is a book I'd want with me.

When I skimmed through this book when it was first published, I thought it was a "must have" book for every lover of knitting, and immediately bought it. I was simply amazed at the amount of work and research the author put into this book. I have dozens of knitting books, some of them quite excellent, but none come close to describing knitting techniques as well or as thorough as The Principles of Knitting does. It is very detailed, well written and illustrated, and the directions are easy to follow. It is my most prized knitting book. I recommend it highly.

I have borrowed this book from the library and I can say it is a very complete reference, even more so than Stanley's "Knitting Handbook". However I think it is appalling that anyone would charge $200+ for a book, just because they can. 8 out of the 10 local libraries who had this book have "lost" it (it was stolen). When you see "ex-library copy" beware.

When you are start knitting -- you generally need to buy a decent reference which will show you the basics. I personally like Knitting in Plain English, Updated Edition if you are just starting out.

Also, if you are just looking for tips and tricks to make your knitting life easier, this is not it -- for that, I recommend Lily Chin's Knitting Tips & Tricks: Shortcuts and Techniques Every Knitter Should Know

However, if you become serious about knitting wanting to really improve your skills and explore many different types of knitting such as lace, intarsia, and cables, then this book will tell you everything you want to know (and probably a lot that you don't want to know) which will take you to the next level.

This is THE definitive book that will allow you to go from an average knitter to a master knitter. In many ways, the book reads more like text book than a knitting book. It is very interesting to read just to get ideas about different ways to approach your projects. You also get a lot of history about how knitting has evolved since its more pragmatic roots.

The value of this book is that it shows you so many different ways of doing just about everything and each method will give you a slightly different look or result. Consequently, your finished projects will look "professional" and have a level of finesse that many knitted garments may lack.

For example, every wonder why so many scarves have fringe? It is to hide a not-so-attractive edge. This book shows you numerous methods of casting on and binding off that will make your edges much more attractive without having to resort to fringe.

While there are LOTS of pictures and diagrams, keep in mind that this was originally printed 20 years ago so the production standards may be disappointing by today's standards. They are definitely very readable and clear, though.

The fact that used copies of this book are selling for nearly 200.00 is a testament to how much demand there is -- only Out of Print Alice Starmore books fetch a higher price with regards to knitting books.

I certainly hope the rumors are true that they are planning a reprint. Until then, if you are addicted to knitting, then save your money and grab a copy of this book wherever you can find it.

[NCJAR]