The Knitter's Handbook:Essential skills and helpful hints
Elaine Rowley, Ed. (XRX)
$31.95/ISBN 1893762211
This little reference from US magazine Knitter's could take the devil out of the details for many a knitter who's found herself hung up on a question of technique but doesn't want—or need—a whole encylopedia. Compact but comprehensive, The Knitter's Handbook is packed with concise written and illustrated directions for all the basics a beginner needs.
The editor has anticipated many questions with information on such things as joining a new ball of yarn; picking up stitches along selvedges and cast-off edges; how to deal with brief and, to the beginner, cryptic instructions like 'space increases evenly'; and stitching several types of seams commonly referred to in patterns (but infrequently described in detail). Experienced knitters may benefit too: grafting, for example, is presented in more ways than Mrs Kitchener ever dreamed of.
This handbook doesn't claim to know it all—each section modestly offers space for notes—but it's hard to fault any book that covers 12 cast-ons, six types of buttonhole, beading, lace and even steeks without threatening to snap the straps of your knitting bag. A bonus? The Knitter's Handbook also is spiral bound—it will lie obediently flat so you can read while your hands are otherwise occupied.
—Barbara Coddington