Field Guide to Knitting: How to Identify, Select, and Create Virtually Every Stitch (Field Guide To...) (Paperback)

~ Jackie Pawlowski (Author)
Key Phrases: rep rows, purl all purl sts, yarn consumption, Suggested Uses, Repeat Row, Other Name (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Julia Roberts does it. Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Hilary Swank all do it. We're talking about knitting, a fiber art as old as time, and people across America are rediscovering the joy of stitching.

But how do you tell your knits from your purls? Your k2togs from your ssks? Your daisy stitches from your double basket patterns? All these answers and more can be found in Field Guide to Knitting, a comprehensive reference with more than 200 stitch patterns and variations. Readers will learn the history of each stitch, the best stitch gauges for getting pattern definition, great ways to use the pattern (scarves, sweaters, hats), and more. Complete with useful instructions and more than 200 photographs, the compact Field Guide to Knitting belongs in the yarn bags of knitters everywhere!

About the Author

Jackie Pawlowski is a Boston-based writer and knitwear designer. She writes about knitting at www.yarnish.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Quirk Books (October 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594741581
• ISBN-13: 978-1594741586
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 4.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #179,740 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Pocket-sized Stitch Dictionary and More, December 4, 2007

By	-- - See all my reviews

The Field Guide to Knitting isn't a replacement for your Barbara Walker's Collection. What it is, is a great pocket-sized book with color photographs of and instructions for 200 knitting stitches, from simple garter stitch to elaborate cables and laces. What sets this little book apart other than it's compact size is Ms. Pawlowski's advice: How best to use each stitch (is it best for a bag or a sweater? as trim?); How much yarn does each stitch consume relative to stockinette, etc. If you're a beginner to intermediate knitter and like to travel with your knitting, I highly recommend it.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely helpful! A Must have for all fellow knitters!, December 10, 2007

By	J. McKenna (Pleasantville, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As someone who does knitting as a hobby only, I found this book to be extremely helpful in brushing up on some stitches, while also learning many new stitches and the best way to use them. I thought the combination of instructions and photographs was very helpful in learning the new stitches. Ms. Pawlowski's instructions were very clear and I found myself doing all sorts of new stitches in no time. I would recommend this for all knitters hoping to brush up on their stitches, while also learning many new ones!

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stitch guide for a beginner going beyond the basics, December 16, 2007

By	Carol Mello "marzeedoats" (San Jose,CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The organization of the book follows the field guide structure such as found in the Audubon Society Field Guides to Birds of North America (Eastern Region/Western Region). Knitters who have also used the Audubon Field Guides to birds or wildflowers will feel quite at home with this knitting field guide. As anyone who has used nature field guides knows, the field guides are written by experts and used by non-experts who wish to expand their experience on their own when out in the field practicing their hobby. I know a Robin and a Crow without a field guide but it took a field guide to help me identify my first non-mating male Lesser Goldfinch or my first Bronzed Cowbird.

Just as the bird field guides' glossy photo pages are organized by type of bird (waders, owls, perching birds, etc) and color of bird, this knitting field guide to 200 stitches (which other reviewers have pointed out are considered common to experienced knitters) has a glossy photo section color coded by type of stitch. Knit and purl stitch photos contain samples knitted in shades of pink & red yarn; cable stitches are knitted in shades of yellow and orange; open work & lace stitches are knitted in shades of blue; and ribbings are knitted in shades purple while edgings are in shades of brown. This makes finding a particular type of stitch in color sample pages easy. With the color stitch samples all in one section, one can flip rapidly through them when trying to decide on possible stitches for use in a planned project. The glossy color photos have excellent definition -- so how the stitch looks knitted up is quite clear, unlike the black and white photos in the comprehensive Barbara Walker treasuries which do not always do justice to the stitches.

The rest of the field guide contains white non-reflective pages that describe the stitches with a cross reference to each stitch sample photo in the glossy section. Along with a written description of each stitch covered, there are icons that give one a quick grasp of certain characteristics of the stitch. I love the icons. I can quickly skim the description pages looking for stitches with icons for the characteristics I am looking for. Is it stretchy? Is it reversible? How much yarn does it use compared to other stitches? Is it mindless (good for knitting while watching TV indicated by a TV icon) or does it required single minded attention (indicated by a warning sign icon)? Will it look particularly nice in a variegated yarn? In addition to the basic description of the stitch, the text also includes comments about the thickness/bulkiness of the fabric; its drape characteristics; and whether the fabric lies flat or has tendency to curl or form pleats. Lastly, the guide contains a "Suggested Uses" paragraph for each stitch which I also love: would this stitch pattern be good for a scarf? a belt? an afghan? a pillow? a boxy jacket? a baggy sweater? clothing for a child?

While not useful to experienced knitters who know everything in this book, this book is very useful to someone like me who is ready to go beyond the basics and beyond reliance on patterns written by others. It's a small handy size and does not take up much space: a good book for my knitting bag rather than my knitting bookshelves where my copies of the comprehensive Barbara Walker treasuries and Vogue Stitchionaries must reside due to their size.

Unlike the Audubon Society field guides, the knitting field guide does not have a water-proof cover but it probably does not need one :P.