Customer Reviews

Ready, Set, Knit: Learn to Knit with 20 Hot Projects (Stand-Up Book)

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

 

 

This book looked ideal for my needs (rank beginner) when browsing in our local knitting store, so I bought it. It's turned out to be a mixed bag, but I'm still glad I bought it and I'm still using it as my primary knitting course to teach myself to knit.

The target audience is rank beginners, as you would guess from the title. It is not intended as a reference book for more advanced knitters.

Where this book excels is its selection of topics and the order of the topics. Other knitting books will bog you down with umpteen variations on a subject when you'd be better advised to move on to the next basic topic. Ms. Kagan picks the appropriate topics to concentrate on and presents them in an appropriate order for learning them. The basic topics include casting on (first row), knitting, purling, binding off (last row), gauge (picking the appropriate size needles), correcting mistakes, increasing and decreasing the size of rows so you're not limited to knitting rectangles, and reading typical project instructions. From there, she moves on to assembling the finished item (blocking, pressing, seams); textured, raised, and cable patterns; yarn embroidery - a simple way to add color before you're ready to tackle knitting multi-colored patterns; stripes; multi-colored patterns; using circular and double-pointed needles; and decorative openwork (various lace shawl patterns).

The book is attractively laid out and copiously illustrated, inviting you to dive in and explore. That's unless you're a man or boy curious about knitting, in which case you'll have a hard time getting past the pink cover and feminine look of the book.

The down side is that the instructions could be clearer. On getting it home and actually sitting down to read it, I couldn't at first understand what she was saying. However, with knitting needles in hand, concentrating on learning just one technique at a time, and picking a technique I'm reasonably ready to learn, I can usually figure it out. If you're left-handed (I'm not), good luck - it has one paragraph for you. The instructions are clearer in the "I Taught Myself Knitting" booklet co-produced by Lion Brand yarn and Boye (equipment manufacturer), a surprisingly good booklet that comes in kits with various starter assortments of equipment.

Another strength of this book is that it intersperses projects between lessons. The projects don't happen to be my style or anything I happen to have any use for, for the most part, or maybe that's just due to first impressions and color choices, but they're good both for practicing and for better understanding the techniques just learned. The more sensible projects include scarves, hats, sweaters, an embroidered pillow, throw (red hearts?? maybe I'll try it with green shamrocks instead), leg warmers, slouch socks, fingerless gloves, poncho, and a nice lace shawl.

In summary, if you're a rank beginner, this book can give you the knowledge and confidence to tackle any reasonably normal knitting project, however you may need to supplement it with another book or ask for help from someone who knows how to knit.

When I first looked at this book, I was struck by the good instructions that the author gives on various types of cables and other pattern stitches. I think that this book is a good book to own if you want to learn a lot of pattern stitches, but the patterns themselves do not really appeal to me. The candy stripe leg warmers and the cable hats are cute, but those are about the only ones I feel particularly attracted to. The fringe top is really ugly, too--just thought you might want a warning...
Bottom line: It's not worth the list price, but if you can find a good deal, then it's a nice book to have in your knitting library.

I purchased this book as a brand new knitter looking to learn from a book. I was attracted to it because of the cover art, the fact that the book can be freestanding, and the beautiful photographs of the stitches inside. I also liked the look of the designs of the patterns. I won't say this is a horrible book, because it does have some good qualities, but it is not for beginners, as it does not provide detailed explanation in most of the patterns. I also found some errors in some of the patterns, which I thought were on my part, but I went to a knitting store and asked the owner and she said it was not my error, but the book's. The sock pattern, in particular, will make a sock, but with a very awkward feel and fit. I think these patterns are much more suited to the intermediate knitter who can catch an error before it is too late. That being said, I do wish more pattern books were free standing like this one--it made life easier.

I would probably give 4.5 stars if possible...I really like this book overall. I agree that it's not likely that anyone would like all of the patterns in here (especially the fringe top!), but I think there is something for everyone. I have made the "flaps or no flaps" hat (no flaps for me), the tote bag, and the slouch socks. There are several other patterns I plan to try eventually.

But what I really love are the instructional parts of the book. If you're a total beginnger, it's a great thing to work your way through the techniques from beginning to end. If you're a little more advanced, it's a handy reference. I have pulled it off the shelf several times to look up a pattern abbreviation, check a diagram of a technique, etc. The large numbers of sample stitches (different open work patterns, cable patterns, textured patterns, etc.) are also a great reference if you're interested in designing your own pattern. It has made me braver as a moderate knitter--I never would have guessed I would try making my own patterns before I bought this book!

As a new knitter attempting to teach myself, I thought this book would help me become proficient in no time. Boy, was I wrong! Granted, I'm only on the first project, but I feel I'm lucky to be squeeking even the essentials out of this poorly-written book. Some of the instructions (even illustrated) are unclear and confusing, and I was completely lost on the selvage information, which was not illustrated; they actually used a selvage skill in the first project! I gave up that part of the instructions after about 10 rows - it was impossible to see what I was doing and it made absolutely no sense.

The first project was a scarf - ideal for new knitters, but she has you using "chunky" yarn and no. 17 (HUGE, FAT) needles, which were awkward to use at first and the chunky yarn made it difficult for me to really see what I was doing. Some of the other projects are just plain DORKY - no one I know would be caught dead wearing that fringed top!

The "stand-up" feature is impractical; the pages aren't even properly set up in the instruction part of the book to allow one to stand the book up and merely turn it around - half the pages are upside-down! I would rather have had a regularly bound and set up book than this halfway effort.

While I will keep this book and likely refer to it occasionally, I would not recommend it to anyone. I've ordered "Instant Expert: Knitting," which a friend recommended, so I hope that will be better. As for this book, I'd skip it. Not worth the cover price; maybe worth buying at a really cheap used book store, but that's about it.

This got me started and remains a great reference book.
Good at any level. Keep it handy as a ready reference on any project

This book is a great book not just for teens but for anyone wanting to learn how to knit. It covers the basics and beyond. The projects encourage you to try out your new learned skills.

This book is nice, but is not as clear on instructions. I would recommend this book to someone that already has the beginning knowledge of basic knitting.