What do you think?
Rate this book
Patty Lyons' Knitting Bag of Tricks: Over 70 sanity saving hacks for better knitting
Do you wish your knitting was better and that you had an expert knitter by your side to help you when it goes wrong? Then this is the book for you - it even has a special lay-flat binding so you can keep your hands on your needles.
Patty Lyons is an expert in all things knitting related - she will help you sort out your gauge, unpick problems like twisted stitches and generally spruce up your knitting know-how in this pocket-sized reference book packed full of her purls' of wisdom. Patty is a well-known knitting 'agony aunt' and she will hold your hand as you tackle the problems that often beset knitters and get in the way of beautiful finished projects.
This handy guide will always be by your side to help you unravel your yarn problems and get you back on track. Packed full of practical advice for knitters as well as step-by-step instructions for a whole raft of knitting issues, this is the ultimate guide for anyone who's ever picked up yarn and a set of needles.
This isn't like other how to knit' books with basic information about casting on and how to form stitches (although there is a handy how-to reference section at the back for when you need a refresher), this is a book about the why' of knitting. Not about why we knit' but about why we knit the way we do'. By digging deeper into the why' Patty doesn't just fix your knitting problems she helps you to truly understand why the yarn/stitches/needles/tension are acting in a certain way and how to fix any issues.
She starts by looking at the basics and explores the anatomy of a stitch, examining how this affects the look, feel and shape of the finished knitted fabrics and how different knitting techniques affect the finished outcome. Patty examines the problems caused by common mistakes that many knitters make without even noticing before diving into more complex knitting issues and how to trouble shoot them. All of Patty's techniques and tips are illustrated with detailed step-by-step artworks for absolute clarity.
And, as you'd expect from a Patty Lyons book, there is a healthy scattering of humour and irreverence thoughout ; you might take knitting seriously but you don't have to be serious while knitting!
Patty Lyons is an expert in all things knitting related - she will help you sort out your gauge, unpick problems like twisted stitches and generally spruce up your knitting know-how in this pocket-sized reference book packed full of her purls' of wisdom. Patty is a well-known knitting 'agony aunt' and she will hold your hand as you tackle the problems that often beset knitters and get in the way of beautiful finished projects.
This handy guide will always be by your side to help you unravel your yarn problems and get you back on track. Packed full of practical advice for knitters as well as step-by-step instructions for a whole raft of knitting issues, this is the ultimate guide for anyone who's ever picked up yarn and a set of needles.
This isn't like other how to knit' books with basic information about casting on and how to form stitches (although there is a handy how-to reference section at the back for when you need a refresher), this is a book about the why' of knitting. Not about why we knit' but about why we knit the way we do'. By digging deeper into the why' Patty doesn't just fix your knitting problems she helps you to truly understand why the yarn/stitches/needles/tension are acting in a certain way and how to fix any issues.
She starts by looking at the basics and explores the anatomy of a stitch, examining how this affects the look, feel and shape of the finished knitted fabrics and how different knitting techniques affect the finished outcome. Patty examines the problems caused by common mistakes that many knitters make without even noticing before diving into more complex knitting issues and how to trouble shoot them. All of Patty's techniques and tips are illustrated with detailed step-by-step artworks for absolute clarity.
And, as you'd expect from a Patty Lyons book, there is a healthy scattering of humour and irreverence thoughout ; you might take knitting seriously but you don't have to be serious while knitting!
207 pages, Paperback
Published October 11, 2022
584 people are currently reading
575 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 - 30 of 95 reviews
Read
May 6, 2024I read this book front to back so I'm counting it on goodreads. my ssks look so good now
June 2, 2023
I got this mostly because Franklin Habit did the illustrations, and I adore Franklin Habit! I am ashamed to say that I hadn't heard of Patty Lyons before . . . although I am starting to realize that I have probably read some of her tips or seen her patterns online. I read through the book from cover to cover, as she recommends at the beginning, but really where it's going to help is if I'm having a problem and need to look up: how to cast on a certain way, or how not to have the edges of a piece go all funky. It was hard to just read through, I found I couldn't picture what she was talking about- "Do my stitches go left to right? Where do I normally insert the working needle?" That sort of thing was hard to visualize without a piece of knitting in hand. I thought more than once that I wished I had time to have a swatch in my hands to try these tips on at the time, without it being high stakes knitting, like a sweater for a family member or something.
June 28, 2025
Okay, this isn't really a "read-read" book. But I did finish it and sure as hell do not regret buying it. I already used it for an ongoing knitting project and I will keep it close by on every knitting I do.
The humor was hitting the right spots for me and the explanations were easy enough to understand. But the real challenge will be to remember to use them.
The humor was hitting the right spots for me and the explanations were easy enough to understand. But the real challenge will be to remember to use them.
February 5, 2024
I'm really excited to try some of these tips and tricks on my actual needles (in order to properly grasp what they're doing, but they seem neat).
But a word about the actual physical book. I appreciate the aesthetics of the book's design. The main font choice is lovely... but it's not the most readable. It's on the thin side, so it seems smaller. Add to that the lovely, heavyweight paper with a slight sheen, and now you've got a book that is physically challenging to read.
I already wanted to add this to my digital collection, but it's going to be a necessity just to be able to see the thing.
But a word about the actual physical book. I appreciate the aesthetics of the book's design. The main font choice is lovely... but it's not the most readable. It's on the thin side, so it seems smaller. Add to that the lovely, heavyweight paper with a slight sheen, and now you've got a book that is physically challenging to read.
I already wanted to add this to my digital collection, but it's going to be a necessity just to be able to see the thing.
October 17, 2022
The knitting tips in this book aren’t bad, and there are a few gems. Some of them, though, are tricks covered in a good YouTube tutorial. Overall, the book feels like a series of “help me” articles from knitting magazines stitched together. Not a bad thing, but not something I will reference much over time.
June 20, 2024
You know when you look up how to fix a particular problem in your knitting? All of those answers are here: better SSK, excellent tips on swatching (as if I swatch...ha), mismatched yarn overs, and lots more. I don't keep many knitting books in my library but this one is essential. The book layout is clear, the illustrations are technical and helpful, and the pages are well-designed but easy to read. Recommended for anyone looking to improve their basic skills.
August 25, 2023
Really love this book. Patty has such a lovely sense of humor and is an excellent teacher. I have read through this cover to cover and refer to it several times a week. I highly recommend this for every knitter.
July 17, 2025
Very useful! This book goes beyond the mechanics of holding yarn in the right or left hand and how you wrap to tension. It dives into the construction of each stitch and connects this to fixes for common knitting problems. Fixes that intrigued me: better cast ons with a sharper corner on the last stitch, more even ssk stitches, weaving in ends as you go, and improving the tightness in the last loop of each row. I ordered the companion workbook with exercises to incorporate strategies into my knitting!
July 30, 2025
I absolutely love and rate this book. Of all the books I've read on the topic of knitting, this one is the easiest to understand. Patty has a wonderful way of explaining. Everything in the book is informative and useful. I am keeping it close by for reference on Patty's tips and tricks on how to make my work better.
February 7, 2025
What a wonderful book! If you are a new knitter or an experienced one, this book will solve so many mysteries you will wonder how you managed without it.
March 25, 2025
this is excellent, so many tips and techniques I'll be using!
September 21, 2025
This book is a great reference for how to improve the look of your knitting or fix certain knitting problems, as well as explaining the “why” behind how the issues occur. Although some of the tips I may never use (I have no desire or patience to knit a sweater), I will keep this book handy. I also feel like the level of this book is appropriate for me as an intermediate knitter. I’ve also found some YouTube videos from Party Lyons that match the tips in the book - those are helpful and well done too.
December 11, 2023
a+ wish i had this so many years ago when i first started knitting. now i just hope i remember to refer back to it when doing a project!
October 14, 2022
Hurrah, it's here! I've adored Patty's web content for years and it's happy-dance time to have her wealth of knowledge and crystal-clear explanations in physical form. Knitting is a lovely chance to go offline for a while and now I don't even have to feel slightly anxious about not having Patty's hacks at my fingertips.
Just opening the book makes it clear that it's by a knitter, for a knitter. It sighs open and stays open, which should be standard for any instructional book on a topic that requires using both hands! It's one of the perennial small aggravations of my knitting life to have to use my phone as a paperweight, and seeing this thoughtful touch just reinforces the through-line of the book of making the craft better through small adjustments.
The tips are, of course, fabulously on point for the detail-oriented knitter who looks at a wonky stitch and thinks "don't tell me no one will notice, I notice and I want it to look beautiful." It's a niche that I've found frustratingly unfilled by many of the other books in my knitting library, but no longer! I'm particularly eager to work with her guidance on adjusting patterns to one's own gauge, which is very much a B- subject for me at the moment.
Now the only thing I have to do is marvel at the newfound elegance of my knitting!
Just opening the book makes it clear that it's by a knitter, for a knitter. It sighs open and stays open, which should be standard for any instructional book on a topic that requires using both hands! It's one of the perennial small aggravations of my knitting life to have to use my phone as a paperweight, and seeing this thoughtful touch just reinforces the through-line of the book of making the craft better through small adjustments.
The tips are, of course, fabulously on point for the detail-oriented knitter who looks at a wonky stitch and thinks "don't tell me no one will notice, I notice and I want it to look beautiful." It's a niche that I've found frustratingly unfilled by many of the other books in my knitting library, but no longer! I'm particularly eager to work with her guidance on adjusting patterns to one's own gauge, which is very much a B- subject for me at the moment.
Now the only thing I have to do is marvel at the newfound elegance of my knitting!
February 10, 2025
Patty Lyons' collection of her Knitting Bag of Tricks may be the most useful knitting technique books I will ever find. Her first book of "over 70 sanity saving hacks for better knitting" is chock full of tips to make your knitting look cleaner and function better. What I love about Patty Lyons is that she explains the why behind all of these techniques so that you can fully grasp their usefulness and remember them when you need them.
The layout of the book is beautiful. There's lots of color illustrations throughout the book to add clarity and visual interest. The content is also organized into different sections, making it easy to flip through and find exactly what you need. Truly, this book is a must-have for all knitters.
Thank you, David & Charles, for the review copy!
The layout of the book is beautiful. There's lots of color illustrations throughout the book to add clarity and visual interest. The content is also organized into different sections, making it easy to flip through and find exactly what you need. Truly, this book is a must-have for all knitters.
Thank you, David & Charles, for the review copy!
April 23, 2023
Fantastic resource! Fun to read and overflowing with helpful tips and tricks.
January 16, 2024
Absolutely indispensable.
October 26, 2024
I'm more of a crochet person so I thought I'd improve my knitting skills. This book did the trick and I'm now working on more advanced projects. Well organized, good illustrations and simple instruction make this an ideal read for the novice knitter. Patty Lyons is an expert in all things knitting related - she will help you sort out your gauge, unpick problems like twisted stitches and generally spruce up your knitting know-how in this pocket-sized reference book packed full of her purls' of wisdom. Patty is a well-known knitting 'agony aunt' and she will hold your hand as you tackle the problems that often beset knitters and get in the way of beautiful finished projects.
This handy guide will always be by your side to help you unravel your yarn problems and get you back on track. Packed full of practical advice for knitters as well as step-by-step instructions for a whole raft of knitting issues, this is the ultimate guide for anyone who's ever picked up yarn and a set of needles.
This isn't like other how to knit' books with basic information about casting on and how to form stitches (although there is a handy how-to reference section at the back for when you need a refresher), this is a book about the why' of knitting. Not about why we knit' but about why we knit the way we do'. By digging deeper into the why' Patty doesn't just fix your knitting problems she helps you to truly understand why the yarn/stitches/needles/tension are acting in a certain way and how to fix any issues.
This handy guide will always be by your side to help you unravel your yarn problems and get you back on track. Packed full of practical advice for knitters as well as step-by-step instructions for a whole raft of knitting issues, this is the ultimate guide for anyone who's ever picked up yarn and a set of needles.
This isn't like other how to knit' books with basic information about casting on and how to form stitches (although there is a handy how-to reference section at the back for when you need a refresher), this is a book about the why' of knitting. Not about why we knit' but about why we knit the way we do'. By digging deeper into the why' Patty doesn't just fix your knitting problems she helps you to truly understand why the yarn/stitches/needles/tension are acting in a certain way and how to fix any issues.
February 20, 2025
Have you ever followed instructions for a knitting pattern, looked at your work and thought - hm, did I do that stitch incorrectly? It looks wonky, and definitely not like the perfection in the photos on the pattern...
You go back to your knitting book, or the grandma who taught you this craft, and even check out video tutorials for that wonky-looking stitch. And nope! You did everything correctly - yet no amount of frogging and redoing makes it look better. Sound familiar?
Patty Lyons is here to show us why those strange-looking quirks of homemade knitting happen - and how to fix them. What I really love about this book is that she doesn't just present tricks, or hacks, without any context. She explains why the problem happens in the first place, and in the end you understand why each of her tricks actually works.
Some of this wisdom is pretty easy to pick up just by reading the book, no needles in hand. But some of Patty's solutions are actually somewhat convoluted. After you read the text the first time, you kind of have to try her instructions out on your own knitting to really understand what she's saying.
Take, for instance, the One-Move SSK. SSK, when you do it according to standard instructions, just does not look neat. Zig-zaggy, janky, and loose, it looks like it's been knit by an intoxicated four-year old.
But then, you see that Lyons has a much-improved method, and it even says it only takes one step. Heavenly bodies move aside, god is smiling on me tonight! Right?
Riiiight..... about that improved SSK. I have never experienced the miracle of childbirth (that one time when I was the baby in the room notwithstanding), but I'm pretty sure that the concept is similar to the One-Move SSK. Completely with crying and torn... yarn. The only exception is that in the case of the knitting trick, every time you pull the yarn (baby) through the loop, it retreats back to where it came from.
Is the torture worth the impeccable outcome? My perfectionism says yes, 100%. My hands, on the other hand, say that they have booked a ticket to Tenerife, and, quote, "don't even try calling to get us to come back because we've blocked your number and thrown away our phone."
How am I going to keep practicing Patty's knitting tricks when my hands are on an indefinite vacation to recover from the neatly executed SSK? Maybe that's a trick in one of Patty's other books.
You go back to your knitting book, or the grandma who taught you this craft, and even check out video tutorials for that wonky-looking stitch. And nope! You did everything correctly - yet no amount of frogging and redoing makes it look better. Sound familiar?
Patty Lyons is here to show us why those strange-looking quirks of homemade knitting happen - and how to fix them. What I really love about this book is that she doesn't just present tricks, or hacks, without any context. She explains why the problem happens in the first place, and in the end you understand why each of her tricks actually works.
Some of this wisdom is pretty easy to pick up just by reading the book, no needles in hand. But some of Patty's solutions are actually somewhat convoluted. After you read the text the first time, you kind of have to try her instructions out on your own knitting to really understand what she's saying.
Take, for instance, the One-Move SSK. SSK, when you do it according to standard instructions, just does not look neat. Zig-zaggy, janky, and loose, it looks like it's been knit by an intoxicated four-year old.
But then, you see that Lyons has a much-improved method, and it even says it only takes one step. Heavenly bodies move aside, god is smiling on me tonight! Right?
Riiiight..... about that improved SSK. I have never experienced the miracle of childbirth (that one time when I was the baby in the room notwithstanding), but I'm pretty sure that the concept is similar to the One-Move SSK. Completely with crying and torn... yarn. The only exception is that in the case of the knitting trick, every time you pull the yarn (baby) through the loop, it retreats back to where it came from.
Is the torture worth the impeccable outcome? My perfectionism says yes, 100%. My hands, on the other hand, say that they have booked a ticket to Tenerife, and, quote, "don't even try calling to get us to come back because we've blocked your number and thrown away our phone."
How am I going to keep practicing Patty's knitting tricks when my hands are on an indefinite vacation to recover from the neatly executed SSK? Maybe that's a trick in one of Patty's other books.
October 12, 2022
I have followed Patty Lyons knitting tips for quite some time…notable on Modern Daily Knitting.
I am a self taught knitter (thanks to books) after many friends tried to teach me to knit over the years without success. Thank goodness I buckled down to teach myself because I do really enjoy knitting!
I am also a person who likes to understand why - or not- we do do things; when there are more than two ways to do things and why, and what is- and is not- essential to project success. One of the first books my Pop ever gave me was “The Way Things Work” - so I guess this must be a life long trait!
That is why I really enjoy Patty Lyons tips…there are always the whys and alternatives if practical. I had pre-ordered this book and was happy when it arrived today (10/11/22). As anticipated it is an excellent read..and is illustrated with typical (for Patty) aplomb.
I think this book will appeal to all of us who love to knit…from beginner beginners to seasoned, veteran, knitters. It’s always wonderful to find better, more successful,techniques and answers to our burning questions about knitting!
Thanks Patty Lyons!
I am a self taught knitter (thanks to books) after many friends tried to teach me to knit over the years without success. Thank goodness I buckled down to teach myself because I do really enjoy knitting!
I am also a person who likes to understand why - or not- we do do things; when there are more than two ways to do things and why, and what is- and is not- essential to project success. One of the first books my Pop ever gave me was “The Way Things Work” - so I guess this must be a life long trait!
That is why I really enjoy Patty Lyons tips…there are always the whys and alternatives if practical. I had pre-ordered this book and was happy when it arrived today (10/11/22). As anticipated it is an excellent read..and is illustrated with typical (for Patty) aplomb.
I think this book will appeal to all of us who love to knit…from beginner beginners to seasoned, veteran, knitters. It’s always wonderful to find better, more successful,techniques and answers to our burning questions about knitting!
Thanks Patty Lyons!
December 29, 2024
I enjoyed this much more than I anticipated, and I highly recommend checking out the workbook, too. I will never remember everything here, but it was incredibly helpful and a joy to read (most of the time) because of the wit and humor mixed in with the help and guidance. This and the workbook will be kept on my shelf for consistent reference. There are sections that feel like learning a foreign language because I'm just not there yet, but there was plenty that benefitted me right now. I could move along, knowing I will reference again when needed. I will never be a knitting master, but reading this book and trying out things from the workbook has improved my knitting knowledge. It made me more excited to get out of my comfort zone and remember that this hobby (aka my stress therapy) is a process and it's ok to struggle because knitting can be a hard as it is fun sometimes I can't do better work without trial and error and has made me a more confident knitter when I pick up my needles. If I don't understand a pattern or video tutorial, I have a fun written reference to go to that covers so much.
October 25, 2022
I've taken some of Patty's classes before and I don't always remember all her tips until after I could have used them, if that makes sense- now the tips are organized, illustrated and printed out so that the next time I start a project, I can quickly flip to see if there's a tip that oh yeah- I should have remembered that! New knitters will understand their knitting and avoid bad habits while the more seasoned will understand the 'why' better. The true knitting nerds (like myself) will also find it just a pleasurable read from cover to cover, nodding in recognition of the mistakes and lessons we've hit ourselves along the way. What is really remarkable (and rare) is that Patty is able to show you how something you've done (maybe a thousand times) could be improved- but without making you feel foolish for having done it that way or damaging your knitting self confidence. A pleasure to read and a valuable resource for virtually every project.
June 18, 2024
This book would have been worth it just for the tips on swatching, joining new yarn, and creating a jogless stripe. But there's so much more. I'm particularly interested to try her advice on binding off stitches at the neckline.
There were some sentences I had to read multiple times (and refer to Franklin Habit's excellent illustrations), but I've been ultimately successful with every tip I've had the opportunity to apply so far.
The author's POV is that once you understand how knitting works — how stitches are built, how yarn moves through the project — it's pretty easy to figure out why a particular "fix" works, and also to be more confident in every aspect of your knitting. I can testify that even if you don't share her enthusiasm for the engineering underpinnings of the craft, you can skip merrily through the text, picking up great tips for great looking projects that fit.
There were some sentences I had to read multiple times (and refer to Franklin Habit's excellent illustrations), but I've been ultimately successful with every tip I've had the opportunity to apply so far.
The author's POV is that once you understand how knitting works — how stitches are built, how yarn moves through the project — it's pretty easy to figure out why a particular "fix" works, and also to be more confident in every aspect of your knitting. I can testify that even if you don't share her enthusiasm for the engineering underpinnings of the craft, you can skip merrily through the text, picking up great tips for great looking projects that fit.
June 4, 2025
Normally I would just use a book like this purely as a reference but at the very beginning, Patty suggested reading the book in its entirety first and then referring to it later so I gave it a go. The book has a lot of humor as well as great illustrations which actually made it a more enjoyable read than I expected. I knew a few of the tricks already but there were a bunch I did not know. The diagrams and instructions seemed clear (although the true test will be when I actually try it out in my knitting). I also really liked how Patty included pictures of how the standard way would look as well as the various techniques. Her explanations of why the standard ways look the way they do and why her techniques work were also really good. Thanks to my husband for getting me this for my birthday!
March 20, 2023
This is the knitting book I never imagined was possible, never mind that I so desperately needed and right now! I’m part terrified by some of the ideas, part confused by some of the new techniques (which I’m sure will make much more sense actually doing) but always totally blown away by the authors genius! I love her simple, straight forward approach to teaching. The diagrams and pictures demonstrating the lessons were always on point. I’m gonna use this book to death! In fact I’m currently employing the swatching techniques right now to knit myself my first jumper. Excuse me whilst I go buy the kindle version too, as I now never want to knit without access to a copy.
November 18, 2024
I bought this book as soon as it came out due to having followed Patty's awesome page on YouTube and insta since I came across it several years ago!
I have returned to the book so many times! Patty's ingenuity and charm is all over the pages and I've found it endlessly helpful in times of knitting strife! Really any time I've been struggling with a pattern or stitch I'm pretty sure the solution has been in here somewhere.
I also love the actual book design, with it being able to lie flat making it a perfect assistant while attempting the fix or the newly reconfigured stitch (like Patty's one move SSK!!)
Now I'm awaiting the work book which I hear equally as exciting things about!
I have returned to the book so many times! Patty's ingenuity and charm is all over the pages and I've found it endlessly helpful in times of knitting strife! Really any time I've been struggling with a pattern or stitch I'm pretty sure the solution has been in here somewhere.
I also love the actual book design, with it being able to lie flat making it a perfect assistant while attempting the fix or the newly reconfigured stitch (like Patty's one move SSK!!)
Now I'm awaiting the work book which I hear equally as exciting things about!
February 10, 2025
I've been knitting since 1983, and can knit lace while watching TV, so I wasn't sure there was much I could pick up from Patty Lyon's Knitting Bag of Tricks. I am delighted to say that after reading the book I have dozens of post-it notes for tricks I plan on implementing in the future.
I really Ms. Lyons' use of analogies in a fun way, to explain the physical ways that stitches sit, and how we can use that information to correct mistakes or address concerns.
This is not a How-To-Knit book. The reader should at least have the basics down, but it is suitable for a large range of abilities in the knitting audience.
I really Ms. Lyons' use of analogies in a fun way, to explain the physical ways that stitches sit, and how we can use that information to correct mistakes or address concerns.
This is not a How-To-Knit book. The reader should at least have the basics down, but it is suitable for a large range of abilities in the knitting audience.
April 26, 2024
5⭐️
If you are a self-taught knitter, you NEED this book. The writing is witty, clear, and is extremely smooth. It's not quite a "how-to" book, it's a book that helps you polish your knitting skill. I'm going to have this book on my couch-side table until forever so I can keep referencing it.
I also have been pretty anti-blocking (and a lot of patterns nowadays have you measure your stitches partway into the project anyway) but now I plan on blocking any big project the way this book has you do from now on
If you are a self-taught knitter, you NEED this book. The writing is witty, clear, and is extremely smooth. It's not quite a "how-to" book, it's a book that helps you polish your knitting skill. I'm going to have this book on my couch-side table until forever so I can keep referencing it.
I also have been pretty anti-blocking (and a lot of patterns nowadays have you measure your stitches partway into the project anyway) but now I plan on blocking any big project the way this book has you do from now on
October 21, 2022
Definitely read through the entire book to see all the tricks offered. Then you will know what is available when you are actually knitting. I have taken Patty's class, but this book is more extensive and will be easier to find than the handouts she provided.
Franklin Habit's fun illustrations added to Patty's humor. The technical illustrations will hopefully come in handy when I have yarn and knitting needles at the ready.
Franklin Habit's fun illustrations added to Patty's humor. The technical illustrations will hopefully come in handy when I have yarn and knitting needles at the ready.
January 18, 2023
Most knitting books are reference books and this one is definitely that. It is also, in the tradition of Elizabeth Zimmerman, also funny. If knitting comedy is your thing, then you'll love this book. Lyons wants to demystify knitting, particularly the more esoteric formulas that sound more like codes than directions. The book is billed as having "over 70 sanity saving hacks for better knitting. I recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews