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Knitspeak: An A to Z Guide to the Language of Knitting Patterns
Like a 24-hour help hotline, Knitspeak demystifies pattern language for knitters and gives them confidence to take on new projects
The only book of its kind
Designed for quick reference and sized to fit in every knitting bag
Knitting can be a challenging craft, but even more challenging than knitting itself is the cryptic language—a mix of abbreviations, numbers, jargon, punctuation marks, and other symbols—in which patterns are usually written. It’s no wonder so many beginners (and even some whose skills are quite advanced) are intimidated by the bewildering code—or that so many yarn-shop owners grow frustrated by the amount of time they must spend deciphering patterns for the uninitiated.
Enter Knitspeak , a knitter’s dictionary that disentangles the mysteries of pattern language and translates it into plain English, helping knitters to easily transition from confused to confident. Andrea Berman Price’s essential guide—written in a friendly, reassuring tone and formatted for quick reference—begins with an overview of how knitting patterns are organized. It then offers a comprehensive alphabetical listing of all the abbreviations, words, phrases, and symbols typically encountered in patterns.
Knitspeak’s many easy-to-understand drawings clarify basic and not-so-basic needle techniques, and a series of sidebars deals with issues ranging from keeping track of simultaneous shaping to substituting yarns and reading a yarn label. The book’s appendix is filled with valuable tips, charts, and worksheets.
The only book of its kind
Designed for quick reference and sized to fit in every knitting bag
Knitting can be a challenging craft, but even more challenging than knitting itself is the cryptic language—a mix of abbreviations, numbers, jargon, punctuation marks, and other symbols—in which patterns are usually written. It’s no wonder so many beginners (and even some whose skills are quite advanced) are intimidated by the bewildering code—or that so many yarn-shop owners grow frustrated by the amount of time they must spend deciphering patterns for the uninitiated.
Enter Knitspeak , a knitter’s dictionary that disentangles the mysteries of pattern language and translates it into plain English, helping knitters to easily transition from confused to confident. Andrea Berman Price’s essential guide—written in a friendly, reassuring tone and formatted for quick reference—begins with an overview of how knitting patterns are organized. It then offers a comprehensive alphabetical listing of all the abbreviations, words, phrases, and symbols typically encountered in patterns.
Knitspeak’s many easy-to-understand drawings clarify basic and not-so-basic needle techniques, and a series of sidebars deals with issues ranging from keeping track of simultaneous shaping to substituting yarns and reading a yarn label. The book’s appendix is filled with valuable tips, charts, and worksheets.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2007
62 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 21, 2012
This is an excellent book for new knitters, people returning to knitting after a long absence or people who just to be able to read the patterns. It covers American knitting terms but includes British or "old" pattern translations for those who come across alternate patterns, and very clear illustrations and reference tables. There's a comprehensive A-Z, plus an appendix with more detailed discussions about yarn types and how to make substitutions, how to read yarn labels, etc.
I can see this being the go-to gift book for new knitters, and for other people to keep as a quick reference guide later. (It saves you searching the internet or 2-3 other books for an explanation.)
I read the ebook edition and it's been well-converted. Internal page references have been helpfully translated into links though they still reference the page numbers, like this: "see p162", making it easy for people using either format to quickly find the correct page.
I can see this being the go-to gift book for new knitters, and for other people to keep as a quick reference guide later. (It saves you searching the internet or 2-3 other books for an explanation.)
I read the ebook edition and it's been well-converted. Internal page references have been helpfully translated into links though they still reference the page numbers, like this: "see p162", making it easy for people using either format to quickly find the correct page.
January 1, 2018
Nice little reference book! Lots of help for knitters from AtoZ. The only thing that I would change is the font size. There must be a way to keep the book small and portable yet be easy to see.
May 29, 2017
Knit Speak
A great knitting reference from A - Z. Clear, concise directions on how to read a knitting pattern, instructions and abbreviations. A handy source.
A great knitting reference from A - Z. Clear, concise directions on how to read a knitting pattern, instructions and abbreviations. A handy source.
April 1, 2021
Great Book for New Knitters
This book has so much information and will unlock many mysteries for a new knitter. I recommend it for them.
This book has so much information and will unlock many mysteries for a new knitter. I recommend it for them.
April 22, 2019
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
Andrea Berman Price coined the term "Knitspeak" for the language of knitters, a language comprised of knitting terms and the mysterious (to beginners) abbreviations used in knitting patterns. As Price herself remarks, knitters who have learned the basics of cast-on, knit, and purl are often baffled when they try to knit something more complicated than, say, a scarf. What does k1f&b mean? Or M1R? How do you read a pattern chart? And what's a provisional cast-on?
Realizing that knitting books are usually aimed either at rank beginners or at experienced knitters, but rarely at the knitter-in-between, Price set out to remedy this lack. Knitspeak: An A to Z Guide to the Language of Knitting Patterns is exactly what its title implies, and more. The introductory section discusses how to read a pattern (including conventions such as directions for different sizes, and common assumptions), tips on how to keep track of where you are, and even copyright rules as applied to knitting patterns. The main portion of the book is an alphabetical glossary/dictionary of common knitting terms, symbols, and abbreviations. In this section you will find explanations, instructions, and diagrams for everything from pattern abbreviations (k1f&b) to cast-on methods to a variety of knitting tools. The appendix includes helpful information about yarn (substitution guidelines, reading labels, estimating how much you need), tips on dealing with mistakes (picking up dropped stitches, ripping back), charts for needle sizes and metric/imperial conversions, and some useful sample worksheets.
As an intermediate knitter who is firmly in the target audience, I love this book, and only wish I had discovered it sooner. It would have saved me a great deal of frustration! In short, it's like having a knitting tutor or mentor you can stash in your project bag and take wherever you go. I highly recommend Knitspeak to all knitters of advanced-beginner to advanced-intermediate experience.
FCC disclosure: Andrea is an acquaintance of mine, and generously gave me a copy of her book. I strive for honesty in all reviews regardless of how I acquired the book.
Andrea Berman Price coined the term "Knitspeak" for the language of knitters, a language comprised of knitting terms and the mysterious (to beginners) abbreviations used in knitting patterns. As Price herself remarks, knitters who have learned the basics of cast-on, knit, and purl are often baffled when they try to knit something more complicated than, say, a scarf. What does k1f&b mean? Or M1R? How do you read a pattern chart? And what's a provisional cast-on?
Realizing that knitting books are usually aimed either at rank beginners or at experienced knitters, but rarely at the knitter-in-between, Price set out to remedy this lack. Knitspeak: An A to Z Guide to the Language of Knitting Patterns is exactly what its title implies, and more. The introductory section discusses how to read a pattern (including conventions such as directions for different sizes, and common assumptions), tips on how to keep track of where you are, and even copyright rules as applied to knitting patterns. The main portion of the book is an alphabetical glossary/dictionary of common knitting terms, symbols, and abbreviations. In this section you will find explanations, instructions, and diagrams for everything from pattern abbreviations (k1f&b) to cast-on methods to a variety of knitting tools. The appendix includes helpful information about yarn (substitution guidelines, reading labels, estimating how much you need), tips on dealing with mistakes (picking up dropped stitches, ripping back), charts for needle sizes and metric/imperial conversions, and some useful sample worksheets.
As an intermediate knitter who is firmly in the target audience, I love this book, and only wish I had discovered it sooner. It would have saved me a great deal of frustration! In short, it's like having a knitting tutor or mentor you can stash in your project bag and take wherever you go. I highly recommend Knitspeak to all knitters of advanced-beginner to advanced-intermediate experience.
FCC disclosure: Andrea is an acquaintance of mine, and generously gave me a copy of her book. I strive for honesty in all reviews regardless of how I acquired the book.
February 17, 2017
This is the perfect little gift for the budding knitter—one who wants to truly understand what all those abbreviations and terms mean. The diagrams are clear enough to bring on the 'eureka' moment, but not quite enough to talk one through learning new techniques. For that, this guide gives clues as to what keywords to use for finding online tutorials and more comprehensive reference books. The alphabetical arrangement is easy to use.
August 11, 2010
One of the local yarn shops hosted the author when she gave a workshop on knitting as a form of meditation. She was a wonderful teacher and explained that she was moved to write the book when she realized that many people were unable to understand the patterns and directions for knitting projects they were working on.
The book is a listing of abbreviations, charts, illustrations and helpful information. I keep mine close when I'm working on a project. I've tabbed a couple of charts that I use when I'm trying to use up my 'stash' of yarns on a pattern that I've thought might work. I've also added some clippings from other sources. There is a ruler on the back cover that is helpful as well. Finally the dimensions of the book mean that you could tuck it into your knitting bag if tackling a particularly tricky project.
The book is a listing of abbreviations, charts, illustrations and helpful information. I keep mine close when I'm working on a project. I've tabbed a couple of charts that I use when I'm trying to use up my 'stash' of yarns on a pattern that I've thought might work. I've also added some clippings from other sources. There is a ruler on the back cover that is helpful as well. Finally the dimensions of the book mean that you could tuck it into your knitting bag if tackling a particularly tricky project.
August 25, 2008
A compact, easy-to-follow dictionary of knitting terminology , this provides clear, easy-to-follow diagrams of knitting stitches as well as guidance on how to read a pattern. Definitely worth checking out if you don't understand the directions you are supposed to follow and have found a must have project you want to cast on.
May 15, 2016
This book is the primary book that taught me all the basics of knitting. Even as an experienced knitter, I still occasionally turn to this book to refresh on little-used or forgotten skills. I would recommend this book to any new knitter
April 4, 2008
Good to have for a knitter like me who never remembers or understands pattern/knitting terms. Has a very helpful index to look up terms. My only complaint is that the font is too small!
August 19, 2008
This is a great reference book. I would recommend this for any knitter to buy and keep with them in their knitting bag. I plan on buying this and adding it to my own stash!
October 3, 2008
This is the greatest little book for any knitter out there- It is a dictionary to help you unlock knitting directions and patterns. Jamie and I use it all the time.
September 27, 2009
This is a handy little reference book. I just need to buy it.
May 23, 2013
it wasnt exactly what I was looking for
June 7, 2013
*Knitspeak* is a great resource for learning how to understand pattern language. Both the writing and the diagrams are clear and easy to understand.
November 30, 2014
Handy little reference book of knitting terms and illustrations.
April 28, 2017
Helpful, short descriptions of terms and illustrations of stitches and such.
July 31, 2008
A good reference book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews