What do you think?
Rate this book
Beyond Knit & Purl
Does your knitting measure up? Let Kate Atherley take you to the next level with Beyond Knit and Purl, new from Cooperative Press. As a technical editor - and more importantly - as a teacher, Kate knows where knitters hit roadblocks and how to overcome them, and she shares her many years of experience in this book. Confused about increases or decreases? What's ease? If you've only knitted dishcloths, are you ready to move on to socks or should you try something else first? What does "decrease stitches evenly across" actually mean in practice? Do you need some Dirty Secrets or Knitterly Advice? (there are plenty of both scattered throughout the book's pages). Or do you need some help choosing the right pattern for you? This and much, much more are in the book. The amazing how-to photos by Caro Sheridan clearly demonstrate techniques so you can follow along as needed, and there are great patterns spread throughout to support the educational material ranging from ultra-simple dishcloths up to shawls, socks and other garments.
- GenresKnittingCraftsNonfiction
128 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2011
3 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 3, 2014
‘Beyond Knit and Purl’ by Kate Atherley is a treasure for knitters. No one taught me to knit; I learned it all from books. When I started I had the embarrassing situation of being able to knit but not purl. I did the usual, knitting scarves in numerous quantities until I got sick of it.
Then I put it all away for ten years! Suddenly, I figured out how to purl. I finally figured out that there was one tiny step that the books were not telling me. Why weren’t they mentioning it? Because, that step becomes automatic after you have done it so many things and then you forget that it is a step. Kate Atherley’s book tells you the little things that you need to know that are skipped in patterns.
So, now I am knitting hats, vests, purses and blankets and want to go to something more difficult. This book will help me up the stairs of knitting. She has a chart that tells you the difficulty level of different projects. What she says makes good sense. She advises to not have the project so simple that you get bored easily and not too difficult so you are tempted to quit. She also gives clues as to what are the more challenging things to make.
Several features that she has throughout the book that help are: little blue boxes labeled “Knitterly Advice” that tells you tips on how to feel about your knitting project and little green boxes, “Quick Tips”, that give secrets, reasons why and simple how tos.
Her book is thankfully richly illustrated. I looked at the illustrations for how to knit with four needles at once and wished that I had this book back when I was figuring it out for my own self. It would have helped.
This book is not just for beginners, it explains the ins and outs of all stages of knitting expertise. I plan to soak up the tips for making lace and work on mastering the art of turning a heel.
I gladly recommend this book for all knitters no matter what their stage of knitting skills is.
I received this book from GoodReads but that in no way influenced my review, my thoughts are my own.
Then I put it all away for ten years! Suddenly, I figured out how to purl. I finally figured out that there was one tiny step that the books were not telling me. Why weren’t they mentioning it? Because, that step becomes automatic after you have done it so many things and then you forget that it is a step. Kate Atherley’s book tells you the little things that you need to know that are skipped in patterns.
So, now I am knitting hats, vests, purses and blankets and want to go to something more difficult. This book will help me up the stairs of knitting. She has a chart that tells you the difficulty level of different projects. What she says makes good sense. She advises to not have the project so simple that you get bored easily and not too difficult so you are tempted to quit. She also gives clues as to what are the more challenging things to make.
Several features that she has throughout the book that help are: little blue boxes labeled “Knitterly Advice” that tells you tips on how to feel about your knitting project and little green boxes, “Quick Tips”, that give secrets, reasons why and simple how tos.
Her book is thankfully richly illustrated. I looked at the illustrations for how to knit with four needles at once and wished that I had this book back when I was figuring it out for my own self. It would have helped.
This book is not just for beginners, it explains the ins and outs of all stages of knitting expertise. I plan to soak up the tips for making lace and work on mastering the art of turning a heel.
I gladly recommend this book for all knitters no matter what their stage of knitting skills is.
I received this book from GoodReads but that in no way influenced my review, my thoughts are my own.
March 9, 2012
I would recommend this book to any knitter. It is a friendly and informative handbook designed to help knitters working from patterns for the first time, but it also has chapters for different techniques, including cable and lace. It includes many full-color pictures and is written in an easy to understand, down-to-earth style. It is peppered with bits of advice, not only tips for specific techniques, but also general advice for knitters, such as how to deal with mistakes (or why making mistakes is actually an important part of the learning process). One thing that confused me was that this author used “tension” and “gauge” interchangeably, while I had been taught that they meant two different things. On the whole, however, this was quite an impressive book. At the very end, the blurb about the author says that Atherley's grandmother taught her how to knit, and that is exactly the "feel" that this book gives: reading this book is like talking to an old friend who will patiently teach a craft and support you at each step. It's warm, it's personal, and it's part of what makes knitting fun. I received this book for free from Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway.
February 15, 2012
Kate Atherley has given all knitters--not just new ones--a gift with this book. There were many times in my sojourn as a knitter, where I wished I'd had a book that worked like a map--something to help me know where to go and how to get there.
I'm not unhappy with my learning arc; no one told me when things were difficult so I attacked the hard and the easy with equanimity of attitude and fear (or lack thereof). However, there is no doubt in my mind that, had I this book in hand back then, I would have avoided much frustration and become an advanced knitter sooner.
I'm not unhappy with my learning arc; no one told me when things were difficult so I attacked the hard and the easy with equanimity of attitude and fear (or lack thereof). However, there is no doubt in my mind that, had I this book in hand back then, I would have avoided much frustration and become an advanced knitter sooner.
June 13, 2020
Loved this book in all regards except one - it desperately needs an index!!! I am pretty well new to knitting and had taken the author's online classes - which sadly are no more -and have now ordered everything she's written! Her patterns are clear, concise, and she is friendly and encouraging and realistic and this book is a delight ....But! if you are halfway through something and need to quickly refresh your mind about a technique you KNOW she mentioned ....it's incredibly frustrating to have to stop what you're doing and start hunting through the book. A minor detail perhaps when the rest of it is so very good - but it would make this the perfect book for someone like me, who used to knit, forgot the few things she did know how to do and now wants to rev it all up again! Heartily recommend the book to new knitters and more accomplished ones. Heaps of photos, explanations, patterns and fun. It feels like you are sitting chatting to a very knowledgeable, encouraging friend as you sit and stitch! It's great.
June 16, 2019
It's a good starter book but it wasn't for me. However, I do love the author and she has some other articles, how tos and patterns that are good.
March 17, 2012
I have been an avid knitter for about 5 years so I was wary of just what this book could teach me. I am not an expert but so many knitting books assume they must start with "This is a knitting needle; this is yarn." And I grow bored very easily.
Shouldn't have worried.
"Beyond Knit & Purl" does have a lot for the beginner but it also has lots of tools and ideas for those of us who are almost self taught and who have no LYS (local yarn shop) or other in-person help to ask those pesky questions like "why can't I get my seam to look like it is supposed to". Atherley provides the answers in clear, concise language (and steps where needed) and provides the best photos I have seen in the multitude of knitting books I have to explain weaving and seaming and intarsia. It is a relatively small book (tall but not very thick) and the little boxes with "KNITTERLY ADVICE" or "DIRTY SECRETS" just made me smile.
For the next edition, I wish she would include an index at the back.
Per FTC guidelines and in the interest of full disclosure, I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. However, that in no way affected my opinion of this book.
Shouldn't have worried.
"Beyond Knit & Purl" does have a lot for the beginner but it also has lots of tools and ideas for those of us who are almost self taught and who have no LYS (local yarn shop) or other in-person help to ask those pesky questions like "why can't I get my seam to look like it is supposed to". Atherley provides the answers in clear, concise language (and steps where needed) and provides the best photos I have seen in the multitude of knitting books I have to explain weaving and seaming and intarsia. It is a relatively small book (tall but not very thick) and the little boxes with "KNITTERLY ADVICE" or "DIRTY SECRETS" just made me smile.
For the next edition, I wish she would include an index at the back.
Per FTC guidelines and in the interest of full disclosure, I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. However, that in no way affected my opinion of this book.
March 10, 2012
I am so pleased that this book came my way. It was so easy to understand and follow that I was able to complete a small knitting project tonight after not knitting for almost 20 years. I enjoyed the advice, tips, and instruction. Everything is clearly laid out, and it was fairly quick for me to get going on a project.
The illustrations of the completed items are gorgeous. Other pictures in the book are instructional and helped get the author's point across.
I am very interested in trying all the mini projects in the book. I thought they were a great idea for someone who is less experienced with knitting. They look like a fun way to hone my skills and make small gifts. My cat is going to love the cat toy!
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!
The illustrations of the completed items are gorgeous. Other pictures in the book are instructional and helped get the author's point across.
I am very interested in trying all the mini projects in the book. I thought they were a great idea for someone who is less experienced with knitting. They look like a fun way to hone my skills and make small gifts. My cat is going to love the cat toy!
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!
Want to read
February 21, 2012I learned to knit while my beloved favorite auntie was in the hospital. A good friend recognized that I would need something to do during my long hours visiting when my auntie was in a coma. After my aunt died, I learned that she was an avid knitter and inherited all her yarn because I was the only other person in the family who knit at that point. Since then, I've taught my cousin to knit and she is better than me now. I'd love to get better so that I can use the yarn I inherited. I haven't touched it yet because I don't want to use it until I'm better at knitting. I'm hoping this book could help me get there.
Read
March 23, 2015I really wanted to like this book as it's put out by a small, independent publisher. Unfortunately, it would have benefited from a better design. The book is about 8-1/2 inches tall and 11 inches wide, but the text on each page is set in only one column. That, combined with the small font size, makes the book difficult to follow. (Imagine reading a 10-inch long line of text in 10-point font.) The paper is not very thick either, meaning there's this bleed-through effect.
On the positive side, the instructions seem to be thorough. The photos are well-lit and clear. I also appreciate the sidebars with tips from the author and other knitters.
On the positive side, the instructions seem to be thorough. The photos are well-lit and clear. I also appreciate the sidebars with tips from the author and other knitters.
August 1, 2012
I am very happy with this book and it has made me pick up a pair of needles and try once again to get the hang of knitting. This book will definitely be a reference guide for a long time. I highly recommend this book but I will say I don't think it's for someone that does not know the basics of knitting. If you don't know how to begin or knit one purl two then find a beginners book. I won this from Goodreads.
Want to read
February 19, 2012I am really looking forward to this one! I knit all the time and am self taught. Often, I use youtube.
April 25, 2014
Very glad I got the digital and hard copy versions - I refer to this time and time again. Fantastic resource!
Want to read
February 15, 2012This just looks like such a fantastic book for both my daughter and me.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews