The Complete Book of Knitting

by Barbara Abbey

With this excellent how-to book, anyone can learn to knit well, undertake new knitting projects, and even create new designs. A key to better knitting rather than a set of instructions for making specific garments or articles, this comprehensive guide is a permanent reference on various knitting techniques. All basic procedures are thoroughly explained — from selecting and using knitting equipment, casting on and binding off, to taking measurements and adjusting sizes, assembling garments, inserting zippers, and making linings for jackets, skirts, and other apparel.
Over 300 drawings illustrate such fundamental steps as knitting and purling; increasing and decreasing stitches; knitting left-handed; making cable and other crossover stitches; turning and shaping; working Argyle, Scandinavian, and other multicolored patterns; knitting with ribbons and making crocheted finishes; picking up stitches, and much more.
Individual chapters describe yarn bobbins and characteristics of a wide variety of yarns (wool, mohair, cashmere, alpaca, and angora, as well as nylon, rayon, orlon, and other man-made fibers), while 200 photographs illustrate finished designs, among them lace patterns for formal occasions, trimmings, sportswear, baby or adult garments, scarves, and afghans. For needlcraft enthusiasts who have added foreign-language publications or very old knitting books to their libraries, this volume will prove especially useful. A valuable chapter on Abbreviations and Terms explains word usage in old instruction books and even translates commonly used terms in foreign publications.

Genres: Knitting, Reference, Crafts, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explains it all! Knitting both right and left handed, how to utilize crochet also how to do the basics of it, how to sew linings, different types of yarn and wool, way more information than I expected when I picked this up at the thrift shop. The instruction is worded a bit differently than what I'm used to but I quickly caught on, it is an older book after all. There are 200 different stitches in the book as well as photos of them, and illustrations on how to do different techniques.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you already know how to knit some and know how to read a pattern, this is a great reference for stitches. Also, it has an excellent list of non-American English knitting abbreviations and terms(British, French, German, Spanish and Swedish)and their American English translations that is helpful if you want to translate patterns. This is my 2nd favorite knitting reference book after my Vogue Knitting Encyclopedia (which wins top spot due to color photos).

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really find this book interesting with lots of tidbits and 200 wonderful patterns. I like the many technique pages and the patterns for stitches are really interesting. The only draw back to the 1973 version is that there are not any colour photos.

[Ann Johnson Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for all things knitterly. About half the book is stitch patterns, the other half techinical info.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

wish there were color photos, but was a great catalog of textures.

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides]

Probably not the best place to start; more like something you use as an occasional reference book. Has a nice lexicon of non-English knitting terms.