The Knitter's Companion: Expanded and Updated

by Vicki Square

This favorite knitting guide features new color drawings that illustrate the close-up detail of stitches, gauges, joins, seams, borders, and buttonholes—and new photographs that show off the finished pieces. New tricks and techniques are also introduced, including alternative ways to cast on, bind off, and increase stitches, and up-to-the-minute stylish accents are provided in expanded sections on color knitting techniques and the use of tassels, fringe, and beads. Tips for the best possible results are included throughout, and the handy format of the book (it fits easily into a knitting bag) has been enhanced with a hard cover and a concealed spiral spine that allows the open book to lie flat.

Genres: Knitting, Reference, Nonfiction, Crafts, How To

136 pages, Spiral-bound

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leslie, Central patron, July 2017, 4 stars:

Very good book with knitting basics clearly explained for beginners (and others).

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed tips on gauge and stranded knitting. This book is in my personal library at home and always in use when I need a quick intro to a technique before delving in using YouTube.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one book that should be in every knitter's library or rather every knitter's knitting bag. Certainly there are knitting how-to books that are more in depth, but this one has all the basics from estimating yardage, casting on, various methods of increasing and decreasing, binding off, and finishing. There is even a ruler and needle gauge. The spiral binding and hard covers allow the book to stay open and stand up to daily use. Mine stays in my knitting bag where it belongs so I can answer one of those many "now how do I do that?" questions.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Santa for giving me this book! There are some excellent tips and tricks here for those who have moved past square and rectangular knitted items. I think that there is something for everyone in this book but that it is particularly good for those slightly snotty (me) knitters that need a reference book... those who have tired of those books and magazines with novelty yarns and boxy patterns :P

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit - I'm totally hooked on knitting now, and it's for that reason that I've hardly picked up a book other than to read to my kids for the past month! Hopefully I'll soon learn moderation and join the literate world once more.

But regardless, this little "how-to" book IS a great resource to have in one's knitting bag. Clear illustrations, good index, and compact!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to learn from. The way it is put together allows to you prop it up so you can look at it while you knit. Easy to read, lots of pics, and basic information for the new and experience knitter!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource and small enough you can keep it in your small knitting bag. You can keep it in a large knitting bag too. It has everything from casting on, to left-leaning or right-leaning increases/decreases and bind-offs and everything in between.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book many times when I first started to knit. Especially since I was a self-taught knitter and didn't really have anyone to answer my questions, save the Internet and books like this one. I still have my copy but stopped carrying it with me and my current WIP a while ago.

[Beezers · Rating 5 out of 5]

an invaluable tool for beginner and pro knitters alike!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this little wonder has saved many o' projects and has decreased the amount of gray hairs i have acquired from knitting projects.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy reference guide that is small enough to keep with your knitting. I love the spiral bind inside the hard cover.

[Miranda]

good resource for knitters

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth its weight for the excellent pictorial on Kitchener/grafting stitch alone.

[Katrina Bergherm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be more useful than looking through every book and magazine I own for that one thing I can't quite remember.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have referred to this book SO MANY times! It is indispensable in my collection of knitting materials.

[Siberia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice size book is sturdy and portable, but not comprehensive.

[Javier · Rating 5 out of 5]

super-useful reference guide, and small/durable enough to toss into my bag!

[Linda Ethier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy little reference for the knitting bag.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick and easy book to learn how to be a better artist with yarn. Great book on how to knit clothing. Also helps out with crocheting and loom knitting clothing too.

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good companion to one's knitting bag!

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant; spiral-bound; have ordered from amazon.ca; temporarily out of stock