Ultimate Knit Stitch Bible: 750 knit, purl, cable, lace and colour stitches

by Erika Knight

This jam-packed stitch bible begins with a guide to the best tools and equipment, detailed instructions on how to knit, and information on reading stitch diagrams and understanding knitting abbreviations. The stitches are divided into five sections. The first section introduces basic combinations of knit and purl. These two basic stitches can be configured into patterns and constructed into all kinds of fabrics. The second section features cable and aran stiches. These are characterized by a large central panel bordered by varying numbers of side panels on a textural background. For the beginner knitter, lace knitting may seem daunting as it requires a little more technique. However, the sense of accomplishing a simple eyelet will encourage you to attempt and experiment with the more complex and challenging effects. The fourth section focuses on colourwork, with most of the designs drawing inspiration from traditional Scottish and Scandinavian patterns knitted using the Fair Isle technique, which uses design repeats and motifs in horizontal and vertical bands, and in small and large panels. Intarsia knitting is a similar technique, though patterns often involve larger blocks of colour and picture motifs. The final section concentrates on edgings and trims. From simple yet decorative ribs to intricate lace borders, there is an almost endless variety of edgings. They offer a quick way of turning a plain knit garment into something supremely stylish. Whether you’re a knitting novice who is picking up a pair of needles for the first time, or a seasoned professional with years of experience, you will find inspiration and technical know-how within these pages.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference

1221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2015

About the author

Keep it simple, chic and contemporary! So says Erika, textile designer and fashion design consultant, whose trademark has been the traditional with a twist. Coming into knitting via fine art training, she is highly regarded in her field and works for many international companies designing ready-to-wear ranges. Author of Comforts of Home (Martingale), her latest book is Simple Knits for Cherished Babies (Collins & Brown).

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 2 out of 5]

750 Knitting Stitches covers knit/purl, cables, lace, colorwork, and edgings. There is a wide variety, and some pretty patterns.

Charts are provided inconsistently; some cable patterns get them, and of course colorwork does. Yet, I find it impossible to knit lace without a chart, and no lace patterns are charted. In theory, I could draw up a chart from the written instructions, but there is plenty of room on the page for lace patterns to be charted.

The swatch pictures aren't quite big enough to give a grasp of the pattern. Often they highlight only one pattern repeat. However, the swatches are worked in light-colored yarns with good stitch definition, and they have been blocked and feel like what a finished product will look like, which is helpful.

Overall, it's worth looking at for inspiration, but the lack of charts is holding me back.

[Bailee Wheelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for knitting beginner easy to fallow

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, there are many good stitches in here. Maybe not all my heart could desire—but that is not a reasonable demand for a book. 😂

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

"750 Knitting Stitches" is indeed "The Ultimate Knit Stitch Bible." I haven't knitted in many years, but when I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways, and read this book, I knew I had to get back to this relaxing hobby. The book is appropriate for beginners, those with basic knowledge of knitting, as well as for experts. It covers everything from basics on needles and yarn to learning how to knit the most intricate designs.

The beautiful color photos show close-ups of hundreds of knitting stitches and a stitch chart accompanies each photo. I can't imagine a better resource book. This book would also make a perfect gift for anyone interested in knitting.

[Laura Estelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a beginner at knitting, and wanted to get a sense of what stitches are available.

This book does the first half of what it says on the cover: it includes 750 knitting stitches. With good photographs of swatches and instructions for producing them.

However. It is a grab-bag of stitches. Within each of the 5 categories, the stitches appear to have been placed at random, with related stitches separated by pages. I want a reference book to be organized in a way that helps me discover the relationships between the stitches, both in construction and appearance. And on that count, this book falls flat. I wish I had a PDF of each page so I could reorganize it to my own liking.

[A. Reiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extensive reference. Also enormous, like 9x12" or 10x13", so it's a pain to keep propped open while knitting. Definitely not portable, but good to have on hand.

[Xinma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has a fine selection of pattern samples, but no thoughtful additions about techniques, as Barbara Walker's collections do. She does include a "Tassel Rib" border, which was fresh to me, and a fewFair Isle patterns that felt accessible and compelling as well. In the beginning of the book she includes some nice drawings of techniques, such as changing colors in a straight line, though with so much available online now, I am not sure that is as helpful as it once may have been.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an okay reference for knitting stitches. I was surprised that there were colorwork patterns included as well. I found the organization of the stitch library a bit haphazard, though. I would have liked to see related patterns adjacent to each other. Also, surprisingly, most stitch patterns only have row by row instructions and are not charted! This book felt a bit flat for me. It is, indeed, useful, but there are many better stitch books out there.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are so many stitches to use in this book and the pictures are clear and crisp.

This book falls short in two areas. First, it is poorly organized. Simply numbering the stitches would make this easier to use. Secondly there are very few charts. For me, charts are essential when making out a complicated stitch pattern such as lace.

[Aidan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic reference! I love having this on hand to spice up my plainer projects. I do wish that there was any advice for converting these to work in the round because it tends to be a bit of a crapshoot.

[Nilima · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has many many easy and complicated stitches with easy to read patterns. All the various abbreviations are explained for even a beginner to understand and follow along. Highly recommend this book.

[Alexia M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pros :
- variety of patterns ! 750 patterns … complimentary to the Vogie stitch dictionary … I’m trying out on the laces patterns
- row by row instructions : clear , easy to follow

Nice to have had : knitting pattern grid

I’m really happy about this … hours of fun ahead !

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

[Kimberly K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely organized book that I’d really like to own for reference. It gives the multiples needed to create each pattern and directions for stitching each row for the desired affect.

[Jacqueline DeMings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perect for research for creating your own patterns

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Countless stitches to bring a variety of knitting stitches to your work. Easy to follow and it's nice that each stitch has a color photo showing the finished stitch.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

A huge disappointment.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

creativity inspired...so pretty!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite knitting books.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're like me and constantly tweaking patterns, or trying out mini-projects for dolls and gifts, this book is for you. It's a great creative resource, and has clear illustrations and instructions for the stitches. More than that, it's got information on different types of yarns and needles, and basic stitch guides to get started if you're a beginning knitter, and information on how to read complicated stitch patterns. If I were to have only one knitting reference, it would be this book here.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing variation of knitting stitch techniques, an unparalleled bible to any knitter. I marked this as read because I did page through the entire thing, I just haven't used anywhere near all of the stitch patterns. Highly recommended for generations to come!

[Meredith VanOordt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book for all the stitches and possibilities.
Wish it had charts for the single color pattern stitches in addition to the color stitch designs.
I know I will be using it forever.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I checked it out from the library, but now I've bought my own copy. Excellent reference book for knitting.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I come back to again and again. So many beautiful patterns! I love knitting and this book shows so many great stitch patterns. The possibilities are endless for project ideas.