The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches [Hardcover]

Editors of Reader's Digest (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 23, 2003

An essential guide for all knitters and crocheters-the most extensive, varied, and authoritative collection of stitches ever brought together. Comprehensive and uniquely organized by stitch texture, this hands-on guide features detailed step-by-step instructions and vivid photographs of over 900 individual stitches.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (June 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762104058
• ISBN-13: 978-0762104055
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars same as Harmony Guides, May 20, 2005

By 

bookhound99 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches (Hardcover)

This review is more on the style and format of the book for knitters who might be interested in this information:

While I love the Harmony Guides, it is currently out of my budget to get all 7 volumes. The 900 stitches in this Reader's Digest Ultimate Sourcebook are indeed from the Harmony Guides to Knitting Stitches series. I notice from the copyright page that this material is published by an arrangement with Collins & Brown, the same publishers for the original Harmony Guides. Reader's Digest appears to publish by arrangement with British companies, many wonderful titles and presenting a twist of the english sensibility, i.e. Montse Stanley's Knitter's Handbook (by RD)

The Reader's Digest Sourcebook does not contain every single stitch from the Harmony volumes (numbering over 1000), but it is still a huge amount compiled into one manageable reference and at a much more affordable price. The color combinations look fine to me, the majority are traditional designs, nothing terribly dated except for one or two swatches in strange orange/gray combos. In order to fit 900+ stitches and photographs into the book, each page is divided into 3 columns, with one to two photographs per column followed by the stitch directions. Each photograph measures approximately 2" x 1.5" in detail. The type is either 9 or 10pt., which might be hard for some eyes. I use a craft light like the Ott-Lite to illuminate the page, and also use post-it notes to keep track.

What I like is how it is arranged by weight patterns, and the number of multiples to start with at the very top of the section, and what skill level it requires in bold type. Another wonderful thing are the headers on every page, so that you know what section you are on at all times, (i.e. knitting...heavyweight patterns...slipstich color patterns). There are also crochet letterforms in an art nouveau design for filet crochet.

The one thing lacking is a detailed section for aran stitches (only 3pp), if you are into that. However, many other cable and panel pattern pages are found in the book.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for getting started, March 31, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches (Hardcover)

I am a beginning knitter practicing on scarves to improve my stitches. This book gives an endless range of possibilities for me to try, and it will still be useful when I tackle a larger project.

Some of the photographs could be a little clearer, but most are excellent. I have been able to teach myself some new stitches from the printed instructions and diagrams.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knitting and Crochet Books, September 23, 2005

By 

Waoac "The Boss" (Gig Harbor, WA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches (Hardcover)

This is a great book for beginners and experts alike. Good instructions and diagrams for the beginners, and lots and lots of ideas and inspiration for the old hands. One of the best I have seen in a long time.