Knitter's Handbook : A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Techniques of Handknitting (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Knitting is no more than a succession of yarn waves (Fig 1.1) which have been made to interlock..." (more)
Key Phrases: Montse Stanley's Knitting Reference Library, Channel Islands, Fair Isle

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Possibly the most comprehensive manual of handknitting techniques ever published... just about everything there is to know about practical handknitting' Vogue Knitting --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

The ultimate reference for knitters at every level-step-by-step directions and detailed instructional illustrations cover every aspect of knitting know-how. Includes a special "help!" section for the inevitable mishaps, and shows how to correct errors.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (September 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762102489
• ISBN-13: 978-0762102488
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #62,848 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My most useful reference book, April 21, 2002

By	"jmyost" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

When I decided that I need some knitting reference books I hit the bookstore, not knowing exactly what I would find but expecting to find a good general reference with clear instructions. That turned out to be more difficult than I thought. I bought--and returned--several that had nice patterns and lovely photographs but which either were too simple, didn't really have clear instructions, or assumed too much knowledge on the part of the reader. I got this book on another knitter's recommendation and it is the book I now turn to most often. The chapter on casting on and binding off are worth the price of the book. She covers an unbelievable number of variations on how to do almost anything in knitting, and she discusses the pro's and con's of using different techniques. The diagrams are good, and are better than pictures would be in most cases. I think the index is fine. My only complaint is that the chapter on selvedges is more than half-way through the book, and as she says, one should choose the selvedge style before starting the project! However, I tend to use this book like an encyclopedic reference--which it truly is--rather than as a book to read straight through. I have read some of it straight through, though, because it is so interesting. I have to admit that her writing style is kind of dry, but that is far outweighed by all of the strengths of the book. Unless you are a complete beginner, in which case I would recommend the Leisure Arts "Learn to Knit" booklet, I think this is THE reference book to have, especially for the price. Once you have passed the Leisure Arts booklet level, Montse Stanley's book has an incredible wealth of information that isn't too difficult to understand and which will improve anyone's knitting.

160 of 177 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Knitter's Handbook A comprehensive guide, February 2, 2005

By	S. Sur "Beads of Glass" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am an experienced knitter. I own many knitting how to books. I have made knitted things I actually wear and enjoy.

This book is comprehensive alright, but I think it would absolutely snow under most beginners.

It is reminiscent of Military Specification Manual writing style with a chapter numbering system that sends you to figures 1.29, 2.301. And it shares a lot with old computer manuals in how generous it is in telling you all the things you can do in general definitions and not telling you how you do them in steps.
If you already know how to do something, this is great.

I wanted to design a chevron stitch sweater. So I went to this book for various chevrons. The index gives you dozens of reference pages for chevron stitch, and page 124 is in boldface to indicate this is the main reference. This is what I read on page 124 in disbelief:
Quote:

Two diagonal fabrics side by side moving in opposite directions. Figures 2.172 and 2.173 show row directions and shaping on a square. Work progress is at right angles to row direction--horizontal stripes emphasize the effect, while vertical lines will appear perpendicular to the rows. Experiment freely with overall shape, away from squares and rectangles. (pp 100,251)
End Quote

Page 100 has a photo of a project where it is hard to tell what is a chevron stitch even if you know what it looks like. Page 251 is another photo of a knit top by the author illustrating a drop stitch boat neck top. I did not see any chevrons on that page, there is an inset of the model's huge wire wrap earring!

If you read the quote above, you might think you are reading a comprehensive English dictionary rather than a knitting how-to book. A definition of the chevron stitch and its parameters, and the direction of color changes in this stitch in a few words is very erudite. And LESS THAN USELESS to a knitter.

The approach to most decorative or different stitches is pretty similar to the chevron treatment. I know this is not a stitch dictionary, but its level of obtuseness to common stitches (like a chevron!) is amazing.

It is good for the many descriptions of casting on, holding needles, (shows even the Peruvian/Greek/Macedonian hold) working short rows, yarn overs, grafting and joins.

If you are an experienced knitter, you can learn some things from this book.

If you are a rank beginner, this is definitely not the book for you.

Total beginners should check out "I Can't Belive I'm Knitting" from Leisure Arts. That has just enough detail and nice drawings to get you started making a few things without scaring you.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book You Need. Period., May 21, 2004

By	Susanne Koenig "mynewwritinglife.blogspot.com" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Reader's Digest Knitter's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Techniques of Handknitting (Hardcover)

There are very, very few knitting books that I acutally buy, as I am a person that knits without patterns, and usually make my own designs. Hence, there are very few knitting books that I can honestly recommend and actually own myself.

So I'll cut to the chase and put it this way: if the house was on fire and I was told I could grab one knitting book, it'd be my Montose Stanley. That's a very strong recommendation that I'd like to back up.

There isn't one single question that you have about knitting that would not be covered in this book. It is unparalled for its historical coverage of knitting through the centuries and fascinating bits about knitting in different cultures, it's easy to follow diagrams, and it's seemingly endless bits of useful information.

With all knitting books, I suggest you take it home from your library first. But if you are past beginner and feel that you need to build a knitting library, this book is the one for you. Unfortunately, it is not as well known as some of the other books that are carried in book clubs, such as the almost useless Big Book of Knitting, which has techniques but then no diagrams or instructions, or the Ultimate Guide To Knitting which is a very lovely book to look at, but doesn't deserve the title "Ultimate" by any silly-putty stretch of the imagination because it includes very few techniques, tricks, or tips. This modestly wonderful book has languished unknown because so many people would see the much more flashier, newer books and grab them instead. This was written long before our current knitting revival, but still remains the most comprehensive book on the market. I thank the good Lord above the Memphis library was across from the knitting shop, or I'd never have seen it. I promptly went out and bought it. I use it more than any other book I own, aside from the Knitter's Handy Guide.

The best way to describe its format is that it is written very close to a textbook--it includes the diagram immediately after the descriptive text. If I ever took a full-fledged course on knitting, I wouldn't be surprised if this was the one book everyone would be required to buy, hands down.

If you are a newbie, then I suggest you pass on this for the time being and buy the Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Chrochet, another must have, esp for the beginner, and for the person the beginner will someday teach in the future. But put it on your wish list, and when you start wondering how to make a cheveron go to the left or the right, or why men in the Andes knit more than the women, or another perhaps easier way to make a loop while knitting, then this is the book for you.