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Knitting Know-How: Techniques, Lessons and Projects for Every Knitter's Library
Everything you need to know to knit like a pro!
Knitting Know-How isn't just another collection of knitting techniques—it's an indispensable resource for making every stitch better! From basic knit and purl stitches to cables, lace, color knitting and garment design, you'll learn the ins and outs of improving your knitting and choosing one technique over another for the results you want. If you have ever wondered which cast-ons are suitable for socks, why you should always (always!) knit a gauge swatch, or how to fix a mis-crossed cable, this book is for you!
• Discover hundreds of essential techniques, demonstrated with clear step-by-step photos and no-nonsense instructions.
• Learn how your choices in technique and knitting method can make all the difference in your finished pieces.
• Design your own garments—or adjust existing patterns—with clear examples and lessons that demystify the math.
• Put your knowledge to work with 8 project lessons, including double-knit mittens, stranded colorwork socks and an intricately cabled Aran sweater.
Are you ready to become a master knitter? Gather your yarn and needles and open this book—your knitting will thank you!
Knitting Know-How isn't just another collection of knitting techniques—it's an indispensable resource for making every stitch better! From basic knit and purl stitches to cables, lace, color knitting and garment design, you'll learn the ins and outs of improving your knitting and choosing one technique over another for the results you want. If you have ever wondered which cast-ons are suitable for socks, why you should always (always!) knit a gauge swatch, or how to fix a mis-crossed cable, this book is for you!
• Discover hundreds of essential techniques, demonstrated with clear step-by-step photos and no-nonsense instructions.
• Learn how your choices in technique and knitting method can make all the difference in your finished pieces.
• Design your own garments—or adjust existing patterns—with clear examples and lessons that demystify the math.
• Put your knowledge to work with 8 project lessons, including double-knit mittens, stranded colorwork socks and an intricately cabled Aran sweater.
Are you ready to become a master knitter? Gather your yarn and needles and open this book—your knitting will thank you!
272 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 12, 2013
[3½ stars] This book has many good points to it. The authors have been generous with their excellent photos, which let you get a close look at what they're illustrating. The explanations make sense, and the breadth of the book is impressive, with something new for almost any reader of any experience level.
I don't think this would be a good book for a beginning knitter, though, or at least not a beginner's only book. The authors swing back and forth between writing for beginners and writing for knitters with some experience, and there's no clear division between the two. For instance, the first three chapters describe yarns, needles, and how to read patterns. Chapter 4 begins with the knit stitch and the purl stitch, but by the end of the chapter, the authors have covered twisted stitches, slipped stitches, cabling, and fixing mistakes, including picking up dropped stitches. But casting on, which you need to do before anything in Chapter 4, isn't introduced until Chapter 5. Nor would I consider the patterns suitable for beginners. The sweaters (one of which is an Aran with all sorts of lovely cables on it) are each presented in only one size, so that you can learn how to resize a pattern—hardly beginning material! Other patterns include a lace scarf, double-knit mittens, and socks done in stranded (Fair Isle) knitting. Perhaps intermediate to advanced knitters will get the most immediate practical use out of the book, while beginning knitters can look to it as inspiration for what they'll eventually be able to accomplish.
I don't think this would be a good book for a beginning knitter, though, or at least not a beginner's only book. The authors swing back and forth between writing for beginners and writing for knitters with some experience, and there's no clear division between the two. For instance, the first three chapters describe yarns, needles, and how to read patterns. Chapter 4 begins with the knit stitch and the purl stitch, but by the end of the chapter, the authors have covered twisted stitches, slipped stitches, cabling, and fixing mistakes, including picking up dropped stitches. But casting on, which you need to do before anything in Chapter 4, isn't introduced until Chapter 5. Nor would I consider the patterns suitable for beginners. The sweaters (one of which is an Aran with all sorts of lovely cables on it) are each presented in only one size, so that you can learn how to resize a pattern—hardly beginning material! Other patterns include a lace scarf, double-knit mittens, and socks done in stranded (Fair Isle) knitting. Perhaps intermediate to advanced knitters will get the most immediate practical use out of the book, while beginning knitters can look to it as inspiration for what they'll eventually be able to accomplish.
March 22, 2019
This compendium is terrific - it has clear explanations of most knitting techniques, tips to improve your finished products, & several sample projects that have complete patterns with explanations. It can be read a little at a time, a section or chapter at a time, or straight through. You can use it just as a reference, to look up or remind yourself of how to do things (e.g. what's m1l or m1r), or find new ways to customize whatever you're making. I love the advice on customization of patterns. Well worth a look if you knit at all.
August 6, 2019
review of a wide range of techniques - fairly simply explained.
done in a way that makes you feel confident of being able to accomplish it.
I want to incorporate some of the techniques around blocking and pockets.
done in a way that makes you feel confident of being able to accomplish it.
I want to incorporate some of the techniques around blocking and pockets.
August 1, 2025
Just as the title says, this book illustrates how to create many stitches and ends with a few projects to practise. It's a substantial book with glossy coloured pages. A nice addition to one's library.
April 1, 2023
This book is very informative and has a lot of step by step instructions.It is a great book for beginners learning how to knit. It has patterns as well.I wish it had beginner afghan pattern as well.
January 3, 2017
This is quite excellent for the beginner and those who want to advance into design. Although it contains most everything you'd find in any knitting reference, there are tips and tricks that are unique to Ratigan and Durant. I used this book (among many) for my TKGA Handknitting masters research, and fully appreciate the clear and detailed photos. Some of the explanations were somewhat confusing, but in tandem with other guides, gave new insight and understanding.
February 10, 2013
Excellent book to keep nearby as you knit. Great photos and lots of tips on fixing knitting errors, making color bands align better when knitting in the round, reading charts, seaming, and so on. Glad I got it!
May 28, 2016
This is a basic book for new knitters, but it also has a lot of information on more advanced techniques. It's a good book to solve problems also.
April 15, 2019
Very helpful.
January 2, 2016
Library Request. Inspiring and very user friendly.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews