Reader's Digest Knitter's Handbook

by Montse Stanley

The ultimate reference for knitters at every level-step-by-step directions and detailed instructional illustrations cover every aspect of knitting know-how. Includes a special "help!" section for the inevitable mishaps, and shows how to correct errors.

Genres: Knitting, Reference, Crafts, Nonfiction, How To

318 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Montse Stanley (1942-1999), born Montserrat Bayés Sopena, was an architect and a knitter. She was a knitting teacher, lecturer, essayist, and exhibitor across England and Spain.

Reviews

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, its Montse Stanley a woman, not Stanley Montse. This is a pretty big error that SOMEONE SHOULD CORRECT!!!!!

I read the hard copy done by Readers Digest in 1993.

The writer is Spanish and so, I imagine, brings a hmmm...more organic approach to instructions that American writers. Stanley includes lots of useful aside about her topic that I haven't seen in American knitting how-to books.

I'll buy my own copy if I can find one...the library wants this one back.

[Clarice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing a review on Montse Stanley's Handknitter's Handbook has been on my ever-expanding to-do- list for a while now and, thankfully, I am finally getting round to doing so. Since I got my hands on this book, it has become an indispensable companion in my knitting adventures; and despite the abundance of readily available digital resources, I am continuing to enjoy the luxury of having a hardcopy reference on my bookshelf, which I can pick-up, consult and browse without the need for an electronic device.

Excluding the author's introduction, the stitch and row tables and the thorough index at the very end of the book, the guide is clearly structured into four parts:

1.) The Basics, including chapters on holding the work, equipment and yarns
2.) Get Clicking, providing exhaustive instructions on technical topics such as cast-ons and bind-offs, in- and decreases, colour knitting, bead knitting, edges and selvedges, pockets, pleats as well as slits and buttonholes, raised patterns and special throws
3.) Final Touches, covering finishing techniques such as grafting, seams and joins, fastenings, wiggle-woggles, embroidery and cords, cloth additions and darning
Pattern Instructions, guiding the knitter on how to read and execute both written and charted patterns
4.)Help, focussing on ironing out mishaps without having to undo all the work and recycling of yarn

All of the technical information presented within the 320 pages of this book is written clearly and accompanied by 656 two-colour illustrations as well as references to other relevant topics throughout.

First published in 1986 and reprinted until the mid 1990s, it is true that the Handknitter's Handbook has a certain vintage quality to it. Yet, the techniques and design principles presented are timeless, making this an indispensable companion for every contemporary knitter, who is serious about the craft. Though now sadly out of print, it is still possible to pick-up a reasonably-priced hardback edition of the book from antiquarian booksellers and I would highly recommend this as an investment.

My complete review, including examples of the images and illustrations of the Handbook is available on my blog: https://makedoandmendnovice.blogspot....

[Dinah Steveni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must have for serious knitters.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands-down the best and most indispensable book on knitting that I've seen. Exhaustive coverage of knitting techniques, clear instructions and diagrams, and background information to put everything in context. Highly recommended for beginners and experienced knitters alike. Buy it.

[Brenda Ritter Metcalfe Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

many valuable techniques and wonderful technical illustrations.

[Nicolette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for any knitting library. Great references and diagrams!

[tinyteaplots · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great info, but not my favorite of this type of knitting reference. It's an old book, and it reads that way, feels a bit dated.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

As stated before, I am not good at knitting. This whole thing just made me itch to grab a crochet hook and go to town on something lacy and complicated.

[Jo Bennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, first published in 1986, is a good resource of knitting covering everything from basics right through to advanced techniques. It comes in four parts:

One: Basics - covering holding your work, how knitting works to hold the wool into a fabric and equipment
Two: Get Clicking - casting on and off, all types of stitches including turning, increases, decreases, slip stitches, cabling, buttonholes, beads, fair isle (stranding), intarsias, edges and hems.
Three: Final touches - making up, blocking, joining, fastenings, embroidery and cords
Four: Pattern instructions - how to read a commercial pattern
Five: Help! - coping with mishaps such as dropping stitches, and recycling

It is generally very good but a little dated and overly complicated, I couldn't for instance find an instruction for how to do a basic increase 1 stitch (make 1) and some things are a little difficult to find. Also, I found the tone of the book quite firm, as if you have to do it this exact way or your work will not work out well. For me, the best way forward is to try out a number of techniques and see which works best. All in all, an excellent resource, I never knew there were so many ways to cast on!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive is exactly what this book is. Breaking away from the book of knitted projects, this book discusses technique, technique, technique. For years, I would read a section or two, browse the beautiful photographs and dream about knitting. To list all the topics covered by this book would use all the space in this review. You will not find any instructions for stitch patterns or knitted projects. But if you are looking to figure out which cast on is right for the project you want to do, what kind of selvedge can spice up your scarf, how to match your decreases and increases, this is the book you will want.

[Ciaobella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This detailed compendium is an essential knit garment tool. The techniques are numerous. While I wouldn't recommend this book to a beginning knitter, Montse is my idol for dedicating so much energy to this. It's unfortunate that the book is no longer available in hard cover, but heading to the copy shop to laminate the cover and create a spiral binding is always an option for this essential addition to a knitter's library.

[Phemme0112 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a handy book to have about if one is a knitter. It's very easy to use, cross-referenced out the wazoo, and well-organized. Need a cast-on? Take your pick. Time to bind-off? Well, which one? It'll tell you which bind-off is best for your needs and illustrate it clearly with step-by-step line drawings. I find it a fairly encyclopedic reference for nearly all my knitting needs. Between this and Elizabeth Zimmermann, I feel pretty well-covered on all the basics.

[Claudine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a very comprehensive catalog of knitting techniques, from cast-on and bind-off methods, to finishing techniques such as hems, button holes, seaming and grafting methods. Most of the techniques are illustrated with pictures. The writing style is a bit dry, but the wealth of contents still makes it a good reference book. I still pull this book out of the shelf from time to time.

[Deodand · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a reason this book is still in print after all this time - it's very relavant and useful to the experienced knitter. I love that section that explains how to fix mistakes without frogging.

I wouldn't want to learn from it, though. The drawings aren't always clear, which is not the fault of the illustrator. Learning to knit from drawings can be confusing.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won't believe it until you see it! Twenty different ways to cast on and off and the pro's and con's of each. Not for the earliest beginners but this book is a would be good investment for anyone who wants to make their own patterns.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolutely essential reference in any knitter's library. I had no idea there were so many ways to cast on or bind off! It's now out of print, but if you can find it used, then grab it!

[Genoveve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great knitter's reference book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a solution for everything I have ever needed to know in the middle of knitting something, including about eleventy trillion ways to cast on. Pretty much indispensable.

[Renoah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulous reference book for knitters. Gives instructions for many kinds of bind-offs, cast-ons, colorwork, buttonholes, and other design features. Indispensable for the pattern-liberated knitter.

[penny shima glanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I taught myself to knit from this book. I don't recommend THAT but it is a great reference that you will keep turning to time and time again.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent reference

[Bonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book my Mother gave me many ye ars ago. I learned so much from this book over the years. Certainly there are newer books geared to the no ice knitter, but this one remains a favourite.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to learn how to knit in many different ways. How to cast on, and cast off.
This book has made me a better knitter.

[Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gift from my sister Amy, and the best knitting reference there is.

[Ann Johnson Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite go-to books on knitting.

[j.elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best knitter's resource I have found yet for learning all the different techniques and stitches.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The patterns are out of date, but the techniques thorough and well explained.

[reading is my hustle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough and excellent resource for all types of knitters.
BUY IT.