Best knitting books according to redditors
We found 362 Reddit comments discussing the best knitting books. We ranked the 161 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 362 Reddit comments discussing the best knitting books. We ranked the 161 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Started off without a pattern, saw some tentacles I liked from a book and tried to recreate. Failed miserably. Then Went back to Amazon to look "inside the book" to see if there were snipits of the pattern. Turned out I could see the whole thing. I don't know if this is bad or not...but cant I just blame Amazon?
Anyways, made this for my sisters Arbitrary Day Match, I am debating whether to attach the hat and 'stache or make them detachable and use a bobby pin? not sure if I should do that or just attach them.
LINKS:
My Ravelry Project Page
Amazon
Ravelry Link to Top Hat
Ravelry Link to Mustache
Edit: Adding my Ravelry Project Page
Edit 2: Not sure if everyone will see this, I'm not very good at posting things. But here is mr. octopus with all parts attached link
Thank you for all the comments, and if you live in Ireland and are a dude then you have a better chance of being the recipient. I don't know exactly who the lucky redditor is, but I do know that much! Also, since this is /r/knitting how do you guys respond when people are like "take my money" I have never been able to sell any of my things, but heck I wouldn't mind. But i'm not sure how to respond....any thoughts?
> In Late August 2016, I jokingly suggested to a colleague that I might start knitting – she laughed and said ‘Men don’t knit’.
She needs to read The Manly Art of Knitting.
There's a book that I've heard about, but haven't seen in person yet. It's supposed to be quite good. Barbara Walker's Treasury of Knitting Patterns - it has over 1000 stitches!
And there is a Vol 2, Vol 3, and Vol 4. They are, or were, out of print, but were reissued a few years ago, so it's a bit easier to find a copy now.
The Knitter's Book of Yarn by Clara Parks is the reference book you're looking for :)
This is my favourite knitting book OF ALL TIME.
All. Time.
I would recommend a book or 2 in addition to YouTube. When learning a new knitting technique, I find it really helpful to look at still images or illustrations first, then watch a video to see it in action.
OP, I learned how to knit though a combination of Debbie Stoller's Stitch n Bitch and knittinghelp.com.
It's definitely possible. Just break it down into manageable chunks and do small swatches as you learn. I was knitting simple scarves the first week and moving on to hats and other things within a month. Soon you'll be making cabled sweaters and fancy blankets and all sorts of crazy knits!
Edit to add: Whatever you do, don't knit your first project with Lion Brand Homespun. For some reason, a lot of new knitters (myself included) reach for that yarn for early projects and it just never works properly. Use a simple soft acrylic or wool-blend. Red Heart Soft is a decent choice and quite affordable.
Everyone should own a copy of "Stitch n Bitch!"
amazon link
I paid ~$40 for all between eBay and Amazon. The only book I bought new was Amy Herzog's book for ~$20.
I have so, so many knitting books, but I have three favorite how-to/reference type books that are probably the most useful knitting books I've ever owned. The first is Teach Yourself Visually - Knitting. It's an excellent book to have because it has huge color photos, lots of techniques and stitch patterns, and basic pattern recipes for tons of projects like hats, mittens, and sweaters that can be adapted to various sizes and styles. It's definitely the best "learn to knit" book I've ever owned, and I still refer back to it.
The second is Cast On, Bind Off by Cap Sease. I prefer this version to the other one, which is by a different author. It's an incredibly useful book. I had no idea there were so many ways to start and end projects! I love being able to check the book for the perfect cast on or bind off, and I love choosing matching ones. The author describes each one perfectly, describes it's attributes, if it's stretchy or firm, best uses, etc, explains how to do it, and includes photos of each.
The third is The Knitting Answer Book by Margaret Radcliffe. It's a pretty small book, so it's perfect to keep in your knitting bag. It's set up in Q&A format, so if you encounter a problem it's easy to find the answer.
I have an addiction to pattern books. My favorites are those published by Interweave. Their pattern books are beautiful! They always have designs that are stylish yet classic. I love their themed books, like Jane Austen Knits, Knitting Wizardry (Harry Potter themed) and Highland Knits (Outlander series themed).
Seconding! I did the dishcloth first because it was under $20, had enough yarn for about 6 dishcloths (meaning I did two, my daughter did 1, and I still have a lot leftover so I can practice new things on it!), had all the other tools I need + a good instruction book + a good video tutorial. I did the scarf one after that for the same reasons (except just enough yarn for 1).
You definitely should learn too --
addictionshobbies are fun to share! Grab 2 dishcloth kits and a copy of Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book and have some fun together. I just got the book so it's not exactly necessary, but it's large and pretty and some really cool info in there to use as you start going down the rabbit hole.You should both sign up for Ravelry too and perhaps look at Very Pink Knits and her tutorials because they are awesome.
Knitpicks' kit though is a super fantastic start because it can feel really, really overwhelming, and they just toss it all in a box and a ridiculously reasonable price for you so you don't have to freak out.
It depends on where in the sweater I'm binding off. For a top-down sweater body or sleeves, I tend to use Jeny's Super Stretchy Bind-Off, the Invisible Ribbed Bind-Off, or the Sewn Bind-Off. For neck trimmings, I almost always used the Invisible Ribbed Bind-Off. Sometimes I'll just use the standard bind-off, but bind off in pattern (knit the knits and purl the purls and slip the first stitch over the second one). When working bottom-up and binding off the top shoulders/neck/collar, I use a standard bind-off since it's easier to Kitchener Stitch together (shoulders) or pick up stitches for the neck trimming (neck/collar).
I will say that my copy of Cast On, Bind Off has gotten so much use! Sometimes I try a new bind off and love it... other times I rip it and use one of my go-to bind offs, most of which I found in that book.
(As an aside, I try to list the bind-offs and cast-ons used in my rav project pages and try to remember to take detail pictures if you want to take a look.)
Came here to post exactly this. They make learning rather interesting and fun, and the patterns are more in style than a lot of the books I've read. Amazon link, if anyone is interested.
If you're still looking for it, the book seems to be very abundantly available online in new condition:
1
2
I only have one, 400 Knitting Stitches, but it's seen a fair bit of use in the short time I've had it already. :)
The Vogue Knitting book is mine... I love their diagrams and descriptions, and I've yet to come across a question it can't answer! It has all the things you mentioned in your post and more!
Stitch n’ Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook
Thought I’d include a link for reference 🧶
I taught myself to knit from Stitch 'n Bitch. After that it was all practice and experimentation. I really enjoyed practicing knitting things from The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches.
I can help with a few of these.
Stitch dictionaries
IMHO, judging by the first couple, the Vogue stitch dictionaries are far too heavy on pretentious artsy fiddly stitch patterns that are often not even very pretty. There's pretty much nothing there but photos and instructions for each of the stitches. Plus I found the books physically pretty awkward for reading. . . . They are definitely not a good choice if you want a reference for traditional or standard stitch patterns. They seem to be primarily stitch patterns invented for past Vogue Knitting patterns.
Barbara Walker's Treasury of Knitting Patterns (see this and its also-bought items) books are my favorite stitch dictionaries. The patterns shown are a lot more pragmatic, but quite attractive. Besides the actual stitch patterns, she includes a good bit of text with background on different techniques and knitting in general. The Walker Treasury Project is a collection of swatches people have knit from these books--it may give you a better sense of what sort of stitches are in the books. The Walker Treasuries are geared a lot toward traditional patterns (fits with Walker's interest in cultural anthropology), but I believe some (especially in latter volumes) that she or readers made up rather than had handed down.
My other favorite set is is The Stitch Collection. It's a box set, and the individual books are pretty small, so very portable. It's cool for having suggestions on good uses for some specific stitches. It's pretty much patterns with history.
The Harmony Guides series (see here and the "also bought" items) are also good. That series falls kind of between Vogue and Walker. It lacks much content beyond the actual stitch patterns--which is fine if stitch patterns are really all you want, but I personally like having additional information as in the Walker Treasuries or the Stitch Collection.
Online, Knittingfool is a pretty awesome written/photographed reference. It's sorted into categories so you can do some browsing for patterns with similar techniques/effects. . . . New Stitch a Day has videos demonstrating stitches. They are quite popular. (I don't personally learn well from videos, so I haven't looked at them very closely.)
Drapey yarns
I don't have specific recommendations, since I tend to prefer a firmer fabric. But look for fiber content that includes silk, bamboo, and/or alpaca. Besides fiber content, consider larger needles, since a looser gauge will drape more. Sounds like you've already decided on a pattern for this project, but, for future reference, lacy patterns will have more drape compared to knitting cables or ribbing with the same yarn and needles.
The Vogue Knitting Compendium covers a lot of topics, including garment shaping and construction. It's available at most libraries or could surely be found at a nice discount somewhere.
Personally, I sifted through the free patterns on Ravelry that had elements I liked and just kind of... borrowed them. Things like cast-on count, shaping, etc.- I made a dress out of a tanktop pattern. It looks pretty wonky, but I made it and I'm proud of it.
Also - I highly recommend using wool to design in. It's amazing what can be fixed with blocking.
I really really love crocheting. Knitting I could take or leave.
I'd say generally if you're more interested in things like dolls and toys, learn crochet and if you're more interested in clothes and scarves, learn knitting. You can do both with either but I think crochet has a strength in shaping things and knitting has a strength in a smooth look which makes clothing decorations like cables look better.
If you do decide on knitting, I highly recommend the book Stitch n Bitch to get you started. It's really clear and has some nice beginners patterns. https://www.amazon.com/Stitch-n-Bitch-Knitters-Handbook/dp/0761128182
This is when it's helpful to knit with other people - while it's definitely possible to teach yourself how to knit on your own, it's way easier if you have a person that can actually show you what to do! I taught myself to knit using YouTube videos and books. For books, this is one that I know some people like. This book is also a popular option. The website www.knittinghelp.com has a lot of good videos for basics.
got little relatives? Big Book of Knitted Monsters
super cute, but requires some dpns and a little patience
Try youtube. It has endless patience and hundreds of teachers. I also suggest a book with a lot of clear pictures. When I taught my boyfriend, he practiced various patterns by making potholders. (Scarves are more traditional, but less satisfying unless you wear a lot of scarves.)
Different books have different uses.
The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques is an invaluable little reference for making your knitting look handmade rather than homemade. It comes in a spiral-bound version, which is very nice to have.
For sweater design & customizing, you can't beat Sweater Design in Plain English. Again, it's all about the difference between homemade and handmade. Righetti also wrote Knitting in Plain English, which is a more general book and just as invaluable.
My favourite stitch dictionaries are the Walker Treasuries - I use Volume 1 most often.
I have the first edition of Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting. It's very good, with lots of great close-up photos.
Thanks, but the link turns up an error. Is this the book in question?
There’s a great illusion scarf pattern in the beginner’s knitting book Stitch and Bitch. It was one of my first successful knits — highly recommend!
https://www.amazon.com/Stitch-n-Bitch-Knitters-Handbook/dp/0761128182
You're totally fine using a variety of manufacturers. I would suggest keep the plies and fiber the same though. That will make for a more consistent look across the shawl. Different fibers (or fiber blends) will stretch and drape very differently, which could result in a very wonky shawl when you go to block it.
If you are interested in how fiber and ply affect the final product, I'm totally obsessed with Clara Parkes Knitter's Book of Yarn. It will make you feel totally prepared to choose yarns beyond the pattern recommendation.
It's also a terrible first project. It's long a repetitive. I like the idea in Fearless Knitting of making 8" squares of different techniques to get the basic down.
https://www.amazon.com/750-Knitting-Stitches-Ultimate-Stitch/dp/1250067189/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1250067189&pd_rd_r=81ac8908-c107-11e8-8fdb-93447179dba3&pd_rd_w=QqSqI&pd_rd_wg=fRq1X&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3f9889ac-6c45-46e8-b515-3af650557207&pf_rd_r=9KYM1XKH2F8ZZH9WV3T2&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=9KYM1XKH2F8ZZH9WV3T2
sorry for the long AF link but this one has no charts
http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Bitch-The-Knitters-Handbook/dp/0761128182
That was the beginner book I was given and it was very helpful and fun.
Also, try your local library for knitting books. (Mine is excellent.) Videos normally concentrate on one topic, without much talking around the topic. Books develop stage by stage, and have time to tell you why things are done that way and what alternatives you could use -- making it much easier to learn to do your own thing.
Libraries (or bookshops) let you compare books to see which style you like. These two are often recommended: Teach yourself Visually Knitting and the Stitch 'n Bitch Knitter's Handbook. These two also seem good: Debbie Bliss Knitter's Book of Knowledge and Knitting in Plain English.
I was perusing this book of cast-ons and bind-offs at a local knit-group the other day and it's really pretty awesome. If you're an Amazon Prime member, it's free for kindles.
All of the pieces, except the ears, were done in the round, starting with CO6. The body and head are all one piece. I think I decreased to 12, and then started increasing again. I had to stuff the body before I got down to 12 sts, though. The muzzle is sewn on, as are the arms, legs, and ears. For the hooves, I just made them the exact same way as I made the arms and legs, except with a larger needle (size 7; I used size 5 for everything else), and binding off after only a few rounds.
Even though I didn't use a pattern for these guys, I learned to knit animals using this book, so I'm sure a lot of the techniques I used came from there. The only difference is, those animals are knit flat and sewn up, whereas I prefer to knit in the round as much as I can to avoid seams. Hope that helps!
My husband got me 750 Knitting Stitches. It's so cool.
I started with the book Stitch n Bitch which is a great intro. I soon realized that I don't learn well from diagrams, so I would watch Youtube videos while reading. The first thing I knit was a garter stitch scarf from that book.
Then I joined Ravelry. Ravelry is like an entire Reddit just for knitting/crocheting, with every resource you could want. There are thousands of great free patterns. It was overwhelming to me at first, so I picked the most popular easy patterns, like the Honey Cowl and Barley Hat.
Happy knitting :)
Fearless Knitting Workbook by Jennifer Seiffert. I'm a self taught knitter and this book was a gift from an acquaintance who knew I wanted to learn to knit. Best knitting instruction book out there. Really took my knitting to the next level. I can't recommend it enough. Get the spiral bound if you end up buying it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1596681497/
Crochet only has one T :)
I got this book for amigurumi: https://www.amazon.com/Amigurumi-Knits-Patterns-Cute-Mini/dp/1589234359
It's great for learning a lot of techniques like short rows and different types of increases and decreases!
I highly recommend Circular Knitting Workshop by Margaret Radcliffe. It has a little bit of everything, certainly many new things to try and includes some cool patterns.
The idea of one thread doing all of this and making all of these patterns is what grabbed my attention 30 years ago when I made my grandmother teach me the string arts. I’ve knitted and crocheted on and off for the entire time. I still have problems finishing projects so I’m hesitant to start something big.
Your project is interesting with how the color layout turned out. Was this intentional or on purpose?
If you like the connectedness of it all, I’d suggest looking into a pattern book like this:
750 Knitting Stitches: The Ultimate Knit Stitch Bible https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250067189/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2WX2Ab19VGBMR
With a little more experience you’ll be able to tackle cables etc which I love: it’s two levels of that connectedness: one thread throughout and a pattern repeat to get a surface.
Circular Knitting Workshop.
It's a good book, but I am having issue with knitting in the round still. I tried to cast on to start a round bag using dishie yarn, and it was not working out at all.
Have you tried knitting? I taught myself with books and YouTube videos about ten years ago. I just finished this a couple days ago! (It looks like this, I made it to take with me to the movie theater in the summer when I'm always cold.) I know it seems like an old lady hobby, but I started when I was 22, and my goes and scarves and sweaters are nicer, warmer, and hold up much longer than the acrylic junk you buy at Target and Walmart.
This book is what finally made it click for me, as well as the site knittinghelp.com. Another excellent resource is [Ravelry] (http://www.ravelry.com) which is like your own online knitting notebook, pattern search, and forums in one. And it's free!
I have the Encyclopedia of Knitting that I got when I was still a beginner. I really like all of the stitches in the back that it outlines and it also has a lot of border stitches that you can use! I love making washcloths because of this book. Each stitch has the written instructions, a picture of the final product, and a chart (if necessary).
Disclaimer: there are a lot of one side only stitches which I DESPISE because that means it only has one "good" side. However, this book has gotten plenty of use from me!
I taught myself using this book:http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Bitch-The-Knitters-Handbook/dp/0761128182
Also some yarn shops will teach you if you purchase your supplies from them, or they may have classes
Check out the Stitch 'n Bitch book - http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-n-Bitch-Knitters-Handbook/dp/0761128182/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464321120&sr=8-1&keywords=stitch+n+bitch
I basically taught myself a few basic types of stitches with this (and a little bit of guidance from my bff, although this is where Youtube can fill in some gaps!). And really, a cheap pair of plastic needles and yarn from somewhere like Michael's won't set you back more than $20-30 tops. It can be an expensive hobby once you really get into it, but it doesn't have to be.
First off, thumbs up on the name. :P Genetics win.
Secondly, if you're okay with book recs (people have covered the knitting websites I know of and have used), try this book:
Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting
I have the Stitch & Bitch books and while they're okay I've learned that the B&W pictures can be difficult to follow. TYVK has nice color illustrations and a couple patterns.
I also like the Knitting for Dummies videos on YouTube if you need more visual assistance.
There are some good books out there! I like the Stitch 'n Bitch ones (the patterns are so dated, though) and the Knitter's Companion (I think the illustrations are pretty clear in this one). I found this one called The Knitting Answer Book in a Sam's Club I don't know how long ago. I'm not sure how great it is because I've been able to find answers in the others and online. These books + Youtube are how I taught myself.
I used youtube to learn since no one else was around to teach me. This book helped a lot. ITs a good reference.
I normally knitted plushies and stuff. I also ended up making Dr. Who scarved til my hands bled X_X. This is probably one of my favorites things I've made though
For starters I'd recommend the Knitter's Book of Yarn and the Knitter's Book of Wool, both by Clara Parkes. Both are incredibly informative and have some great patterns to boot. I consider both of these required reading for anyone even remotely serious about knitting.
If you want to get really serious about wool, the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook goes into crazy detail about the different breeds of sheep and the wool they produce. This book is extreme though, covers a lot of things that you probably would never encounter at your average LYS. It's more geared towards spinners than knitters.
Perhaps not specific to your problem, but somewhat related: One of my favorite resource books is the Knitters Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes. If you ever want to learn about the makeup of all fiber types, why some are scratchy or why wool felts, what makes for good durability or why your tightly-spun yarns tend to bias when knitting stockinette, this is for you. It also includes 40 patterns written with certain fibers in mind. It's changed the way I think about choosing yarn for all my knitting projects. I'd highly recommend it!
A combination of the book Teach Yourself Visually Knitting and youtube. Especially youtube.
I learned from reading Stitch 'n Bitch. My first projects were dishcloths: Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth and Andalutheean Dishcloth.
This is a fantastic book: https://www.amazon.com/Circular-Knitting-Workshop-Essential-Techniques/dp/1603429999/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1488238744&sr=8-2&keywords=circular+knitting
If your wife has a sense of humor, this was my favorite book when I was starting out. Has great illustrations and straight forward patterns. My first sweater was a pattern out of there, and I managed just fine.
What about Knits for Nerds
And a gift certificate to a yarn store or online yarn source to buy some of the yarns for the projects. I know that'd make me happy!
I knit my first scarf with the pattern from this book. (Which happens to be the best name for a guy's knitting book ever).
It's something great to do while watching TV. Just avoid drinking and knitting. I can show you exactly where on my projects where I had a little too much to drink...
I was going to go "Wait, I thought there was a book on that." Then I realized the book is on knitting.
It does look rather interesting though.
http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-With-Balls-Hands-On-Modern/dp/0756622891
Oooh! I highly recommend the book Stitch 'n Bitch for knitting. It taught me how to knit and it's awesome and funny!
I love Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'n Bitch and Stich 'n Bitch Superstar Knitting! Both include patterns that are actually pretty sweet, so you can practice techniques that directly reference back to where they were explained in the book. I also have Margaret Radcliffe's Circular Knitting Workshop, which is great if you want to take circular knitting to the next level or to delve into new ways of knitting written patterns. She explains how to convert circular knitting to flat knitting, and vice versa. It's pretty awesome! I've always loved reading and I feel like these are my top three reference/fun knit-related reads. Vogue Knitting is an excellent, all-around reference and technique book...but unfortunately it's not available for Kindle.
Ooh! Almost forgot! Amy Herzog's Knit to Flatter is an excellent sweater/cardigan learning tool! She explains the different body types/shapes and which sweater shapes are most complementary. There's also her Custom Fit pattern on Ravelry, but I haven't bought it.
If you're really into learning how to use knitting to create different shapes and the why of knitting, these would be the books I recommend. TECHknitter is my absolute most-referenced learning tool for knitting if you haven't checked out her blog yet. There was a post about a book possibly coming out in the future but I feel like that was ages ago, so who knows. If all of her knowledge and blog posts were succinctly bound together you can bet your ass I would buy it!
2 books that have helped me very much:
https://smile.amazon.com/Increase-Decrease-Step-Step-Technique/dp/1612123317/
And https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1603427244/
I use youtube all the time too, but once I've seen a technique, these books stay near me while knitting. Also, they work when the internet doesn't. :D
It's from Amigurumi Knits by Hansi Singh. There's a ton of cute patterns in it.
I referenced this book a lot when I did some practice swatches before I jumped on this big project, and it had some great CO and BO tips and techniques. I think I used the ones I found there. For CO I just did a long tail cast on using the opposite color to anchor each loop. For BO I pulled each stitch over the next two in the row, which gives a really nice set of v shapes in alternating colors.
I hope so! Going to be a tad iffy on getting the chocolate melted since we've only got a microwave at our disposal, but we'll figure something out.
Ugh. Haven't had any that bad, but had one yesterday because of having to pay an overdue electric bill. Got the money out of the bank fine, but just thinking about having to go over to the one place PPL will do in-store payments through... Forget it. And I'm not big on having to make calls, either, or cold-FB messaging places that I need to if I want to get the interviews set up for the YT channel series I want to do.
Holy balls. Mom's mom had one and used it to make a couple sweaters for her that she still has and wants me to handknit replicas of. If I can get most of the stash either de-stashed or worked up, I need take her up on that.
As for knitting lessons, there's Craftsy, Youtube, and Amazon has a decent selection of books to choose from. I'm partial to either Teach Yourself Visually Knitting or Stitch & Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook by Debbie Stoller. The second has some errata in the patterns from what I've read in the reviews, but I haven't tried knitting the patterns yet.
When I was just beginning to knit, this was my go-to book. There aren't any real patterns in it, but the book has lots of tips and advice for knitters. As for a pattern book, maybe try one of the one skein books?
I also think throwing in one of these rulers into the kit is a good idea. The information tends to rub off of circular needles (or else it's printed really small), so the little needle gauge on the ruler is so helpful.
I have Vogue Knitting and I really like it. It's a good general-purpose knitting book, has good pictures and explanations.
I don't thinks so, really! There are lots of great books for beginners, the one I learned from is Stitch 'n Bitch, along with help from my dad. The Yarn Harlot is another great resource - I really love everything she writes.
If you know somebody who knits, they're usually thrilled to help somebody learn. You can also see if you've got a yarn store nearby that does classes, or rec centers will do classes sometimes too.
Not that I know of. I got it from this book. I also bought this one. I think the projects in the second book are a lot cuter.
EDIT: FOUND IT!
Thanks! All patterns are from this book written by Rebecca Danger. I find her patterns very straightforward and simple!
There is one sort of like it in this book. You can probably tweak it to match.
400 Knitting Stithes because knitting!
I'm a lady, but I'm always looking for patterns and whatnot to knit for my boyfriend. It's hard. Knitting is incredibly skewed towards women. One of my friends got me the Knits for Nerds book, and it's awesome, except that every pattern is made for women. I don't want a ladylike browncoat. I want a knitted replica of the regular, Malcolm Reynold's browncoat. Maybe a version with optional darts for my boobs.
My LYS recommended that I pick up Knitting with Balls for patterns. I haven't done it yet (not a lot of expendable income), but she said it has great patterns.
As far as notions and whatnot... I also have had little success finding supplies that aren't extremely feminine. For needles, there's a brand called Karbonz in black/steel colors. I haven't had the opportunity to try them yet (again, not much expendable income), but have heard nothing but good things.
I hate to agree with WoollySocks, but it's true that some things are just gender-skewed. I've pretty much accepted that I'm going to be treated differently when I go shopping for tools, because I'm female. I'm going to have trouble finding work boots. It is, for me, about quality of product, rather than accessibility for my gender. I would advise not straying away from Knitpicks. I think that Knitpicks is the best inexpensive yarn store out there (that I've found so far, anyway), and it would be a shame for you to lose access to their products. They have a wide and reliable rainbow of wools, and their colors are fairly uniform across fibers (as much as they can be).
Don't be discouraged, we are all here for you!
Great job! I’m a self-taught knitter, too. I used the book “Knitting in Plain English” by Maggie Righetti.
Are links allowed?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0312353537/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519439860&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=knitting+in+plain+english&dpPl=1&dpID=51DogZXp9DL&ref=plSrch
Stich n Bitch was my book of choice. I taught myself to knit with that and the Knitting Answer Book. I keep the latter on hand in my knitting bag in case I forget how to do something.
https://www.amazon.com/Stitch-n-Bitch-Knitters-Handbook/dp/0761128182/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483985552&sr=8-1&keywords=stitch+n+bitch
https://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Answer-Book-Solutions-Question/dp/1580175996
Proof
Knit for NERDS! I have only one thing to say to you: Princess Leia bun hair.
This one has a few pages of zig zag cables, and a decent variety otherwise, but I always recommend having a few different ones since no two ever really cover the same ground, and no one is truly comprehensive. If you have a bookstore or LYS, flipping through them to find one who writes them out in a way you can understand is also a really good bet.
lol. If you like that kind of thing, I recommend this book. https://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Knitted-Monsters-Mischievous/dp/1604680091
She has a ton of cute designs; also check her Ravelry page. The paterns are mostly pretty basic (basic stitches, basic round knitting skills) and can be adapted to make whatever you want.
no, here's the link to the book i snagged it from...tho not many of the patterns are actually accessible from the sneak preview
A few years ago I taught myself how to knit. I have a collection of yarns and needles and my mom gave me my grandmother's old knitting basket. I'm a department manager at my work and I'm knitting scarves for the people in my department to wear at work during the winter. If any of you dudes are interested in picking up knitting give this book a shot.
Yeah, it definitely is. Barring a teacher though, I recommend taking a look at knittinghelp.com as they have lots of videos and tutorials on all things knitting. The Stitch n' Bitch book also has very good instructions - it's hell to learn from a book, but I know several people who have learned successfully from this one, lots of cute patterns too.
A frugal lesson tip is to try putting up a craigslist ad to trade something you could teach for knitting lessons. For instance, I've put up a few in my day to trade me teaching knitting lessons for Spanish lessons, and it was fun.
If she does a lot of work with children this is awesome and so is this or basically anything in the 20 to make series.
Edited to add: you might also try asking over in r/knitting for ideas.
Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I've been super ill!
But, anyway, here is the book: http://smile.amazon.com/Cast-Bind-Off-Step-Step/dp/1603427244. I really highly recommend it. I've used it over and over and it isn't too expensive. The kindle version is only 2.99 and the spiral bound is just over 10 bucks!
Wasn't real hard. I got it out of this book http://www.amazon.com/Amigurumi-Knits-Patterns-Cute-Mini/dp/1589234359
but I changed the eyes a bit, to give it that Greyjoy feel.
Welcome to knitting!
I'm still fairly beginner too. I just bought this book - recommended on this sub -and I'm finding it super helpful for all of that knowledge on picking yarn/needles, basic stitches, how to fix mistakes, etc. I wish I'd had it when I first got started.
http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Bitch-The-Knitters-Handbook/dp/0761128182
Good luck, and have fun!
You are not the only guy that knits. Plenty of men knit. I knit and as far as I know I am a guy, have been knitting for over a decade. I would suggest signing up for a Ravelry account, there is a bunch of male knitters there and thousands of very cool free patterns.
To begin: I would suggest getting the Stitch n Bitch book, it begins out very very basic and the patterns gradually get harder. If you don't understand how to do something youtube or knittinghelp to see a person actually do it. If you still cannot understand how to do it drop into a yarn shop or go to a knitting group (you should be able to find a local one close to you on ravelry or yahoo or meetup.org).
Congrats on being manly enough to knit.
I have this and it's just under £10 on Amazon:
400 Knitting Stitches: A Complete Dictionary of Essential Stitch Patterns https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0307462730/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_PhPEDbXMXMP34
I could go on :)
Very good progress!
I'm a lady but my fave knitting book is Knitting With Balls: a hands on guide to knitting for the modern man. You might like it!
For me there are several ways that knitting is interesting. First, it's something repetitive that I can do to soothe my mind and actually have a useful product at the end (using double-pointed needles provides just the right amount of mental stimulation). Second, it's a fascinating topological exercise how a string can get turned into a complex, 3D object, like a sock. Third, cables and lace and designing custom-fitted objects are interesting engineering projects, especially when you take into account the various personalities of the different kind of fibers you can use. (This type of knitting is very mental and not at all soothing, especially when you lose track of where you are or drop a stitch.)
Scarves and hats are boring. My next project (after I finish the mittens for my daughter) is a torus from this book. The fractal shawl also looks interesting. :)
Historically, at least in some places, knitting was unisex, especially among fishermen, who had their own cable patterns in their sweaters to make identifying their bodies easier if they drowned at sea.
We need more men who knit, as well as young women, to break the stereotypes.
This is the book: http://www.amazon.com/Knitters-Book-Yarn-Ultimate-Choosing/dp/0307352161/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
You could get a book like Stitch n Bitch, and maybe pick a pattern from it and get the supplies for it. I learned from this book and it was pretty good for the basics. Some of the patterns seem nicer too.
I have Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Knitting. I have found it to be a great resource, especially for cables.
The Manly Art of Knitting
Cheer up buttercup! It stinks that you didn't get to tell him the way you wanted, but you're safe and healthy and going to have a BABY!
Are you a knitter, perchance? Because if you are, this looks adorable. Or what about a precious little sock dog? Oh, and there's an owl too!
This appears to be the book you are suggesting. That looks good. Lots of good reviews too!
I have been poking around Ravelry. There are a lot of cool free patterns that I think she would like. There are also a couple pay patterns I might grab because they really suit the interests she listed.
Thanks for the suggestions!
I liked http://www.amazon.com/Koolers-Encyclopedia-Knitting-Leisure-Series/dp/1574862839 because every project had a different technique and wasn't all the same thing.
I have this book and love it. There is even a section with just vegetables. I'm a sucker for stuffies.
On mobile.
Book about yarn - if you like diving into knowledge!
The Knitter's Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307352161/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_3.aNwb10BQCV
If you want to know about something google it and the word techknitter. Amazing blog - so much knowledge - hard to navigate.
Medallion Mitts from Knitting with Balls.
Twisted rib for cuff, medallion cable.
Yarn:
Queensland Collection Merino Spray,
Navy
Absolutely! I'll update the link when I have a chance or post a new question/post with a link to the pattern. I'm sure myself and a lot of people in r/knitting will tell you to start simple. Everything is knits, purls and then variations. The book I got is 400 Knitting Stitches by Potter craft. For a while I just dug through patterns I liked, read through them and if I couldn't figure out a stitch, I used youtube videos. I think this is one of the most complicated things I've made so far. I was stuck on scarves for the longest time, so don't worry. You'll get the hang of it!
Slip One, Knit One, Purl
Cadence building, Swish, Swish, Tap
Needles fly, all done.
Exactly! Tiny torsos and huge heads and legs! While that works for character designs that are meant to be chibi, more serious characters should be lanky and proportional to a certain degree.
And ahh my first one was a turtle, so I'll be upgrading to people now. I think I might do it, but I'll look around a bit more first. (: Thanks!
Also, if you end up doing the Tenth, I recommend also making a hedgehog using the pattern from this book (click on the "search inside this book" button under the cover art) using leftovers from his hair. I made two or three for my friends and they are adorable and squishy and oh so wonderful. The increases are a bit troublesome though so look ahead on the pattern and knit loosely on the row before it asks for an increase.
I have the first four Barbara Walker Treasury books, and Vogue Knitting that is pretty amazing.
Thank you so much!!!! I bought the Circular Knitting Workshop and love it, but couldn't find an explanation of how to do this.
Non-mobile: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1596681497/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1426898403&sr=8-1&keywords=fearless+knitting+workbook
^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?
When I learned to knit way back in the day (before YouTube existed), I used Stitch 'n Bitch and liked it a lot. I didn't go crazy with those included patterns, but I made a few of them. I mostly used the book for a reference.
For me it clicked when I understood how the stitches worked. It wasn't so much pattern acronyms or how to use the needles, it was knowing the construction of knit and purl stitches. Then the more complicated stuff fell into place. I think Stitch 'n Bitch actually goes through that.
I also really love Knitty. I ate that place up, especially before Ravelry existed. The site can be a little annoying to navigate, but they have a good selection of articles explaining different techniques. I love how their patterns are sorted by difficulty.
I'm sure Ravelry and YouTube are also amazing for learning, but I haven't used them!
Hah. This was also a suggested title.
Most people begin with Vogue Knitting