(Part 2) Top products from r/knitting

Since I started with crochet, and just an avid crafter in general, I'm a little bit picky with my tools. I really liked working with these bamboo needles since they were readily available at my local craft shops. I couldn't find a good set of them, so I ended up opting for a knitpicks interchangeable set since I could use whatever length I wanted, and work both straight knit and circular knit on this kit. Its a good quality, they have a little more grip than metal, and the bonus is that they are nice to look at! If you haven't ever knit before, it wouldn't be a bad idea to pick your project, and buy the needles needed for that project just to see if you like it. Its also a good idea to try a pair of metal, and a pair of bamboo to see which you prefer before buying a full kit.

Maybe some other knitters have some better suggestions! But I found trying a pair of bamboo, and one pair made of metal made it easier for me to decide which worked best for me in a full kit :) Happy knitting!

Knit Socks is the book I learned from. It assumes you have basic knitting knowledge, but takes the process of knitting socks very slowly.

However, I highly, highly recommend starting with the tutorial sock. Use a worsted weight yarn, and large needles (size 10?) so you can see what you're doing. Once you've made a cute little sock (use it for a Christmas ornament!), then you can go full-size using the book I mentioned.

After that, I found Sensational Knitted Socks to be very good, if a bit dense. It fit very nicely with my programmer mind. :)

My current favorite method to make socks, is toe-up, using this generic pattern. And this bind-off for the cuff.

I dunno, I think it comes down to learning styles - I'd take a book over a video 9 times out of 10, and I get frustrated when I search for a technique and just get video results :P

Anyways, OP, I liked the patterns in Knit Socks!, but I was already pretty familiar with sock construction so I don't know how helpful the 'how-tos' really are for a beginner. The Amazon reviews are pretty glowing though :P On the other hand, though, it's all one-at-a-time top-downs...

Are you wanting to learn a bunch of different constructions? I think maybe the best thing would be going to the bookstore and flipping through some likely suspects - I.e., does it have a long section on TAAT toe-ups, or does it have one vanilla construction with a few textures thrown on? In the index, how many heels does it mention? (There is no 'best heel', because feet are actually pretty weird in their own way, so it's best to try out a bunch!) And if all else fails, Knitty has spent the last 10ish years reviewing books as they come on the market; I'm sure reading through a few of those would give you a good idea of what to look for, even if you didn't find the perfect title!

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!

The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman (US Amazon link) really helped me figure out seams. All the pictures are clear, and the text isn't too wordy.

Elsewise, locking stitch markers are your friend! Amy Herzog has a good tutorial on sleeve cap seaming using locking stitch markers. I use the same concept on every seam I sew, and it really helps keep things from bunching up.

Knitty's super fantastic Techniques with Theresa column has a sleeve cap seaming tutorial and a general seaming tutorial, both with very clear pictures.

Vogue Knitting also has a very extensive seaming tutorial, but with illustrations rather than pictures, if that is more useful to you.

I find the biggest thing is to be patient and go slowly. It's a pain, because you just want your FO to be finished already, but slow, careful, neat seaming really adds polish to an FO.

(As an aside, I've heard that seams add extra structure to garments so they fit better, but does anyone have examples to show that? I've made both seamed and seamless sweaters and don't really notice a difference...)

I LOVE to youtube everything. Stitch technique? Clarification? youtube. I don't have many books, but I did just get 400 Knitting Stitches by Potter Craft and it's pretty friggin' cool. It has almost every single stitch you can think of (even with SUPER basic knit and purl patterns) along with some other techniques, and it's really helped with my ability to read charts.

Cool! I learned how to do colorwork this spring and it was surprisingly easy! You'll do great! I bought this yarn guide and it made it a lot easier for me! Good luck!!

It looks great! Nice neat stitches (though /u/eggnogged is right about the twisted stitches).

Now you know a bit more about why checking your gauge is important for things that need to fit just right (though to be honest, usually hats are so stretchy that they fit a range of people). You can do something about this hat by buying some elastic thread and just threading it through the backs of the stitches carefully. TECHknitter shows how to do it a little way down this post about socks that fall down.

Thanks! :) I believe I use needles from this set (got them a while ago, but it looks right), and I mostly used the red needles which I think are size 00. I also think I tend to have a pretty tight gauge, a habit from crocheting amigurumi. I also just added a comment with design/yarn info (after checking the rules, oops) but the yarn I mostly use for these is KnitPicks alpaca cloud lace :)

It took a lot of tries to figure out the pattern, and I experimented with bigger yarn and needles to get the general shape of it right before committing to my tiniest yarn and needles. And I used a (clean) hook earring as a cabling hook! So I guess my advice generally is to keep trying, and keep experimenting, until you find the set of tools that leads to the look you're going for. Hope this helps!

I really like the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns for things like this.

It's basically a book of recipes. You plug in your gauge, and the size that you want, and it tells you how many stitches to cast on, where to put your decreases, etc. It tells you a lot of about things are actually constructed, so that you can take it and make your own patterns from there.

It does require swatching. So you'd have to find or create your own cable pattern, swatch, get the gauge in pattern, and then work out how to make your hat. And don't forget to swatch in the round if you're going to be knitting in the round!

Also, here's a Rav search for free, cabled, fingering weight hats, in case you spot something there that you didn't spot yesterday. Sometimes a second look can help. :)

I have a copy of The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd, and it is more or less the only knitting book you really need. Basic patterns for socks, gloves, mittens, hats, sweaters, in multiple sizes and gauges, you just figure out your gauge(which it explains super clearly) pick a size, and then start knitting. Add whatever fancy touches you want, that you saw online. XD I'm doing a pair of fingerless gloves with a lattice cable right now, from the basic glove pattern.

While I'm sure there are other fab resources out there, this is the only one I actually own and it hasn't steered me wrong yet. So I can only vouch for this being a solid investment.

One that I haven't seen recommended here (which may be because I'm fairly new to actually paying attention to things, I don't know), but found very helpful when I picked up knitting again a few years ago, was Domiknitrix. It shows both english and continental stitches, and has really clear pictures for everything. Also, some neat patterns (I made the Diva Halter out of it, though I keep forgetting to take pictures).

Most of my learning, though, has been more a matter of seeing a thing I want to make and then just diving in to it.

You're welcome. You can find garment diagrams on a lot of knitting patterns, and studying those can help you understand how they're constructed. You might also find a basic "sweater recipe" book helpful as you go along creating patterns. I have Ann Budd's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, which provides a good foundation that you can then modify to fit your particular body type as necessary.

[These] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000QHGVZK/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486672476&sr=8-1-fkmr0&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=susan+bates+sock+fpn) are my favorite type so far. Good for starting out cheaply. I know tons of advanced knitters move on to circulars and do stuff like two at a time and the magic loop.

For now I love my DPN's!

Edit: they come in different lengths.. my fav is 6-7 inches. 8 and up feel a bit long for small projects.

A starter kit is a great gift idea, props to you! I'd like to suggest Vogue Knitting as a fantastic reference book! It's got all the instructions for beginners, plus instructions for tons and tons of more complicated techniques as she gets more into it.

As you're in the UK, I recommend going to waterstones or wh smith and looking for The Knitter series of knitting and crochet stuff. Usually at the end of the year, they compile all the masterclass lessons from all the issues that were published during the year and bring out instruction books for the beginner. Weirdly the only time they are available is at Christmas and new year.

I love their magazine and their classes. They are high quality and very easy to follow. Plus it's economical really.

I don't think there is really a guide with everything you'll ever need to know.

However, the knitters bible (you can find it in a lot of book shops as well as in places like the Range and possibly hobbycraft.) it's not a massively expensive book, but it has plenty of pictures and simple easy to follow instructions. It's enough to get you far enough into knitting before needing a more advanced book. It has a glossary of terms and instructions on how to do each stitch and step.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Knitters-Bible-Complete-Handbook/dp/0715317997

If you like wood needles and 16" circulars, I would get the Takumi Clover set. Here is the link on Amazon. I have really liked them and think it's a pretty great deal for how many needles you get. It's also one of the only sets I found with 16" cord lengths.

I've always known my primary goal as a knitter would be to make sweaters, and I'm absolutely obsessive about how my seams look. This book, The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques was a lifesaver when I was first starting out. I make sweaters all the time now, and I still find myself occasionally referring back to it. Books always seem to gloss over seaming, and yet good seams are so essential to having a good finished product, and this book shows you the techniques in great detail.

http://www.amazon.com/2-at-Time-Socks-Revealed-Knitting/dp/1580176917 buy this book, I own it and it's great. It teaches you the method with two worsted weight different colored yarn, makes it super easy to learn.

I bought The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns on a whim, and now I've got the sweater one and the top down sweater one too. I love them so much. I'm tall so I was constantly having to adjust patterns and it was driving me mad, paying £5+ for a pretty cardigan pattern then having to re-write most of it to make it fit! Now I don't bother, I make my own patterns to fit me properly.

I would definitely recommend getting circular needles, because you can do everything with them.

This would be very affordable "investment" for a beginner, but the quality isn't usually that great. But they'll get the job done.

I've never used Clover needles before (we don't get them around here), but at least for the price, I'd imagine they'd be better quality than what I mentioned above. Few needles that fall in the most common sizes (3 mm - 4.5 mm - that's what, US 3 to US 7?) would last a long way.

If your girlfriend really gets into knitting, a quality interchangeable needle set would be a very good investment - Addi, Chiao Goo, KnitPicks/KnitPro, those would be the main ones.

Personally, I would use a pattern that came in the size you want, and then add in the details.

Here's a free drop-shoulder baby sweater, one for knitted pants, a long, pointy hat and socks.

You'll need to do a bit of modification to the sweater pattern, using a provisional cast on and knitting to a shorter length before dividing for the armholes, adding in the front triangular detail, and potentially adding a button placket at the back if that's a detail you really like.

If converting sizes is something you plan to do a lot of, you will probably find Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns useful. It teaches you how to combine different sleeve/collar shapes for all sizes (kids, women and men), gives the different measurements for length/circumference and gives you yarn estimates.

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.

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.

I like the Clover Takumi Bamboo circular needles. Size 7 (4.5mm) at 16" is the perfect size for making a hat or ear warmers. The bamboo holds the stitches well so that they don't slide off like on aluminum needles.

I have the first four Barbara Walker Treasury books, and Vogue Knitting that is pretty amazing.

I have Vogue Knitting and I really like it. It's a good general-purpose knitting book, has good pictures and explanations.

I haven't done color work, but I have done double knitting with two strands, and I got one of these.

http://www.amazon.com/LoRan-KT-2-Norwegian-Knitting-Thimble/dp/B00114OO10

I have one of these too:
http://www.amazon.com/Clover-348-Yarn-Guide/dp/B000YZ1XPM/

I liked the thimble better until I lost weight and it didn't stay on my finger anymore :(

For me it was the throwing of the yarn with my right hand that caused the problem. Using the yarn guides took a bit of adjustment, and I am definitely slower when using them, but my wrist doesn't hurt!

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.

Exactly! You might want to check out the book Extreme Double Knitting (amazon link, or the library, or some less reputable online sources...), since it contains a pretty good walkthrough of the process.

Seconding this. I love the needles. I bought 0, 1, and 2 in 40" fixed circulars but also have this set which is great.

You don't need to knit continental to do fair isle. I sure don't and sure as hell have done fair ilse. It does require decent yarn management skills, but one of these will help.

More importantly: your gauge will be different and resist the urge to pull the slack yarn tight.

Chiaogoo twist 7400-C set on amazon. I love them, and as long as you use a t-pin to tighten the needles on, I rarely have any loosening. You can also get the bamboo needles, and they are all interchangeable so you can do magic loop or double circulars.

CHIAOGOO 7400-C Twist Tip... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PKT5WMC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

The Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible is one of my favorites. The Knitter's Bible helped me advance my knitting past basics, and the Japanese Stitch Bible is really like a continuation. There are so many beautiful stitches in that book!

Oh! just remembered this: you can get yarn guides that slide on your finer that made knitting fair isle a little easier. I got this one from amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Clover-348-Yarn-Guide/dp/B000YZ1XPM

I taught myself to knit socks using the book KNIT SOCKS! It's even shaped like a sock (the book is). I found the instructions to be very helpful, and the patterns are varying levels of difficulty in case you want a challenge.

Here it is on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Knit-Socks-Betsy-McCarthy/dp/1580175376/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1416946884&sr=8-4&keywords=knit+socks

I would recommend getting "the knitter's handy book of sweater patterns" by Ann Budd. It is a treasure trove of sweater patterns. You can measure his sweater and then use the multiple types/styles of sweaters to make an exact replica. I use it to create my own sweaters all the time. I can vary yarn weight, stitches, sleeve type etc. I found my copy at a used book store for about $5 dollars, one of the best knitting investments I ever made.
Sorry it is an amazon link, but you can peak inside. http://www.amazon.com/Knitters-Handy-Book-Sweater-Patterns/dp/1931499438

Edit for link

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!

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.

PSA: If you're in Canada and happen to have been eyeing the set of Clover "Takumi" interchangeable needles, the price just dropped from $106 to $80 on amazon.ca, with free shipping. They seem to go for $170 at Michael's.

I've been watching the price on these for a couple months now, and this is the first time it's changed at all in that time. Don't know how long they'll stay at that price. They have very good reviews, and the selection of affordable interchangeables seems much more limited in Canada...

Metal interchangeable needle sets!

Hiya Hiya

ChiaoGoo

Both are expensive so I'm mostly likely going to buy them for myself with holiday gift money but it never hurts to dream!

There's leather thimbles that quilters use that might help, like this.

Garn Studio offers a lot of knitting tutorials They also offer patterns that use the techniques with the tutorials on their site as well.

There is also the Stitch'n Bitch series of books that shows you all basic knitting techniques with patterns to work on.

I would also recommend The Knitter's Bible. It has the order that you're looking for and projects that you can practice with.

This book is a great resource - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1580176917

I have Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Knitting. I have found it to be a great resource, especially for cables.

You can buy stick on thimbles like [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Colorbok-Thimble-Pad-Per-Package/dp/B001J5JN7G). They protect your finger without adding bulk.

Ain't it purty? It's a front-zippered hoodie with pockets from the book Domiknitrix by Jennifer Stafford. Amazon has it, of course.
Is my first sweater project. I never seem to be able to start with something easy... Oh, her mohawk hat is a lot of fun too!

Yep, I used 5 separate circular cables. I took the two longest cords from my set along with three other circular cables (with fixed needles, all slightly different sizes). When I was on a side with the kit needles, I would just change out the needles to the "right" size. The sides were bigger than each of the cords, so the stitches were scrunched and I was using rubber bands on the needles to hold them. Ridiculous set-up, I'm sure there's a better way.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PKT5WMC/

I really wouldn't use it. I don't have this particular set but mine is very similar and I have a small pouch for my notions that fits inside the case.

Maybe this would be useful for people who buy needles individually but they tend to buy professional needles after a while.

I would use this as a purse and carry my personal items -toothpaste, keys, extra pens, pills, whatever- when I travel.

> sometimes it's really cathartic to frog

This so much. My first real project was a hat. About halfway through, I took it to a friend to help me fix a mistake. She took one look at it, just lousy with mistakes, and said, "Rip it. Rip the whole thing and start over." I protested, but she insisted. SUCH a weight lifted when I ripped that damn hat. I started over and produced one that I felt much much better about.

As for socks, a pair of two at a time cuff-down socks was my second project. You need to be able to decrease, pick up stitches, and do short rows (not hard at all). I used this book and can't say enough wonderful things about it. It includes a comprehensive illustrated tutorial for making a little practice pair of toddler-sized socks in worsted weight yarn, so you can run through all the sock skills and be ready for your first real pair quickly.

Knit what you want!!

A good reference book is Socks from the Toe Up.
http://www.amazon.com/Socks-Toe-Up-Essential-Techniques/dp/0307449440

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.

Well done!

Many of us have a reel of elastic thread in our knitting supplies, for occasions where ribbing etc isn't quite as tight as we wanted it.

Knitted from Dominknitrix's Jughead pattern. The wool was an impulse buy from a little craft stall at a local World Textile Fair.

It came out a tad bigger than expected, so I might try to shrink it down.

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

Looks a good achievement to me.

You could undo the neck and redo it. But I prefer to use a bit of elastic thread, available at many knitting and sewing shops. Run two or three separate threads through the back of the stitches. Works on other knitting problems too!

You can also use a sewing machine to reshape the sides. But I don't see the need.

I use thimblepads

I usually prefer wooden or bamboo needles, but you gotta get metal for such small guys or they'll break!
See:

http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Bates-Sock-each-size/dp/B000QHGVZK

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Pointed-Knitting-Needles-8-Inch/dp/B001EDF72S/

It's from this book- https://www.amazon.com/Socks-Toe-Up-Essential-Techniques/dp/0307449440

I think she prefers wooden needles. (I will do some recon tonight)

What do you think about this set?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004V7JFUY?tag=interkn-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

My husband got me 750 Knitting Stitches. It's so cool.

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

Unfortunately there isn't any sort of industry standard - every designer or manufacturer is going to have their own set of measurements they call standard. I have this book and I use it to check their suggested measurements on gloves, hats and socks all the time. For sweaters I am rather fond of patterns that size everything according to finished bust measurement and give finished waist and hip measurements - generally the various sizes are given in increments of 2" (ex. 36", 38", 40", etc.). No need to worry about which one is a size 8 or medium or whatever, just measure!