Learn-To-Knit-Afghan Book

by Barbara G. Walker

This excellent learn-to-knit book is ideal for new and intermediate knitters. Following instructions for basic casting on and stitch structure, a logical progression of patterns will lead you through: knit-purl, mosaic, slip stitch, twist-stitch patterns, cables, increase/decrease, and lace. When the 63rd square is finished, there will be very little you do not know about stitch-pattern techniques, and you will have a snug and beautiful afghan as a bonus.

The book sections are set up as follows:
INTRODUCTION
BEGINNER'S BASICS
THE LEARN-TO-KNIT AFGHAN
SECTION I - KNIT-PURL COMBINATIONS (SQUARES 1-8)
SECTION II - MOSAIC PATTERNS (SQUARES 9-16)
SECTION III - SLIP-STITCH PATTERNS (SQUARES 17-24)
SECTION IV - TWIST-STITCH PATTERNS (SQUARES 25-32)
SECTION V - CABLES (SQUARES 33-40)
SECTION VI - INCREASE-AND-DECREASE PATTERNS (SQUARES 41-48)
SECTION VII - LACE (SQUARES 49-56)
SECTION VIII - SPECIAL TECHNIQUES (SQUARES 57-63)
BLOCKING, FINISHING AND JOINING

Genres: Knitting, Crafts

161 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Barbara Walker studied journalism at the University of Pennsylvania and then took a reporting job at the Washington Star in DC. During her work as a reporter, she became increasingly interested in feminism and women's issues.

Her writing career has been split between knitting instruction books, produced in the late 1960s through the mid-80s; and women's studies and mythology books, produced from the 1980s through the early 21st C.

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barbara Walker's classic book provides an exhaustive library of stitch patterns that deserve a five star rating for the research and volume of knowledge. However, the publisher/editor got points taken off for spliting crucial information up on different pages, often not even on a facing page, but rather on the back. Whoever edited this book was not a knitter or the would understand the importance of keeping a pattern on the same page. White space in this case is a good thing. I also wish I had gotten this in a digital format because the glossery of stitches is way in the front of the book, so you are constantly having to flip back and forth unless you have a photographic memory. Next, the some of the images are flipped (thus not matching the written instructions).

If this book had not been a requirement for a class, I would have checked it out from the library.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO I'm not done *knitting* this yet but I've read it and the instructions/descriptions are clear enough that I could learn to CABLE without having to YouTube it. Amazing. Clearest instructions. Awesome book that is a great bridge to becoming an intermediate/advanced knitter.

[Kayleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

depending on the colors chosen this either looks like a masterpiece or a horror show.

[V.L. Holcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered the Learn‑to‑Knit Afghan Book back when I was still figuring out how to knit—and it ended up being a surprisingly solid companion. Barbara Walker doesn't just give you patterns; she explains how they work, which felt like getting knitting advice from someone who really understands what beginners struggle with.

I'll admit: there were moments I wanted to toss it aside in frustration. But Walker’s clear, steady guidance pulled me through. It wasn’t about fancy techniques—it was about taking one stitch at a time and actually feeling like a knitter.

If want something that’s comforting and clear, that helps you try new stitches without feeling lost—I think you’ll appreciate this book as much as I did.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm up to square 19 out of 63 from this book (as of June 2009). I'm spinning the yarn for it as I go, so it's taken me 3 years to get this far (OK, I had a baby since I started it, too, so that really slowed me down). I'm enjoying working through this book so far.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for beginning knitters to learn a variety of knit stitches and techniques in a simple way on small projects (afghan squares). Barbara Walker is very good at explaining how to do something.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently knitting square 42.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource - learned to knit using this book and actually finished the project.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently working on this afghan... This book is amazing, crystal-clear, and will really teach you how to tackle anything that comes your way.

[Victoria Evangelina Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on variety of stitches and patterns. I am much looking forward to starting yet another afghan!