Customer Reviews

How to Knit: The Definitive Knitting Course Complete with Step-By-Step Techniques, Stitch Library, and Projects for Your Home and F

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have almost every book by this author. She has great patterns. One review I read said "Beware, this is not a beginner book". I believe it is a book for all levels. If you are a beginner then the best place to start with this book would be in the beginning. She takes you through how to hold the needles, to casting on the stitches (two differennt methods), the very basic knit and purl stitches and increasing decreasing and binding off (can't get more beginner than that). The first project is a garter stitch bag which is done in just the very basic knit stitch with no shaping (Increasing or Decreasing). She than takes you on to a stockinette-stitch sweater which consists of just knit and purl stiches with still no shaping just has you focusing on creating a neat and even fabric. If you are an advanced beginner you could go on to some of the more difficult patterns. She always shows you how to do the techniques and stitches before putting them into a pattern. I have just started to do some multi-colored knitting so I will need to look to chapter 4 Color Workshop. I love the "Aran Stitch Library". She shows row by row how to make lots of different designs. I would love to be able to design my own sweaters. Her last chaper shows you the basics of how to start, but this is a very short chapter. I would put this book at the top of my list of How to knit books. I love it, love it, love it.

Debbie Bliss has created a book which has both visual and written instructions. This gives me the courage to try new things. A fantastic book for beginners and for those who are looking to try something new. I send this book to people who want to learn more then just the knit and pearl of knitting.

I love this book! It IS a great beginners book. The only way you cannot learn from it, is if you need some one-on-one hands on attention. Yes, most of the patterns are for children, BUT when starting a new project as a beginner, it is best to do a smaller scale project or you will be overwhelmed. The back of the book tells you how to calculate a pattern for the best overall measurements. The book does call for mostly Rowan Designer DK Wool, But they also all have a gauge, so if you want to use another yarn, just knit to the gauge. It is VERY helpful showing all of the techniques from holding the yarn, casting on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, bind off, picking up dropped stitches, yarn overs, knitting w/ beads, all the way to designing your own patterns. It has something for the begginer all the way up. I borrowed this from a friend and I am going to buy my own copy. I am also going to check out some of her other books.

I just started knitting a few weeks ago and picked this book up at the library. While I love Debbie Bliss' designs, there's no way I'll be making any of these projects any time soon. The first pattern is a bag which is relatively simple but it would take forever to finish it as a beginner as it uses neither big needles or bulky yarn. As a beginner I belive you need to start with a small project to feel like you are accomplishing something. I feel like the book covers a huge range of abilities and thus isn't apptly titled.

It does have a good amount of directions on how to do many different patterns which is nice, and like I mentioned before, the designs are good.

Some of these reviews sound suspiciously like they are written by a paid reviewer. True, the book has big diagrams for basic stitches, but the diagrams are ambiguous. I had to consult other books to clarify the techniques. Any other book I looked at explained it better, with better diagrams. The two needle cast on is not as good as the one I learned from the pamphlet that came with my knitting needles.

I knit up the entrelac sampler, and found a mistake in the pattern. Furthermore, you have to 'pick up and purl' to make this pattern --a technique not explained in the book. These are nits to someone who's been knitting awhile, but very frustrating for the beginner.

For these reasons, I can't recommend this book to another new knitter, yet the book is marketed that way. Beginners, beware!

The book has a bias towards cotton yarn. I like cotton yarn, so I call that a good thing. It's something to think about if you don't happen to like cotton yarn.

On the plus side, the book explains a wide variety of techniques. If you already had the basics down, you could use probably use this book to expand your range of skills. You might have to look at other books to clarify some explanations, but the book does survey a variety of knitting techniques. The photos are very appealing.

I am a beginner knitter and two books were recommended to me: this one and "Knitting without Tears". I chose this and I'm glad I did. This book has pictures of easy and more complicated patterns which I find very helpful. I have always wanted to learn how to knit cable patterns and this book has the steps broken down in an easy-to-understand format. I recently finished a scarf using the double-moss pattern which is very easy (but I didn't know that until I read Bliss' book).

This is an excellent reference book to keep in my library.

What an ideally versatile book for beginners or more seasoned knitters! It has become my knitting bible and should be a staple on every knitter's bookshelf.

Sadly, a few years ago my grandmother became too tired to knit so we were no longer blessed with her gorgeous afghans. I decided that was the perfect time for me to learn. The title alone of Debbie's book, "How to Knit", was enough to entice me into buying it.

Some people might learn to knit more easily by watching others, but if you are usually able to follow written instructions and diagrams you should have no problem learning from this book. It worked for me and I was thrilled to be knitting my first garter stitch pattern in no time.

If you start from the beginning of the book and continue knitting every project I promise there will be almost nothing you won't be able to knit. I would not label her patterns as quick-to-knit ones, but the fact that you are spending plenty of time learning the technique allows you to truly master it; however, you could knit just a few rows from some of the patterns and be able to learn the technique just as well. Every project I knit from this book has turned out so beautifully I haven't wanted to miss out on any of the patterns. The projects are versatile and always appropriate for someone in your family, although you'll be tempted to keep many completed projects for your own pleasure!

As it should, the lessons progress from the very simple garter stitch to the more challenging (but not as difficult as you might think) Fair Isle design, lacy patterns and the entrelac technique. Don't let any of these patterns intimidate you, because the instructions are so well written and timed appropriately, considering what you have already learned.

I was pleased with the section on designing your own sweater. There are also sections in many chapters showing many different patterns so you can put your creativity to work.

The Debbie Bliss yarn that is available is a pleasure to knit with, too - the colors and textures are so appealing and beautiful!

The only thing that this book is lacking is at least one pattern knit with quicker knitting chunky yarns.

This is probably not the book for you if you've never even picked up a pair of knitting needles, but once you've got the basics (i.e. you know how to knit and purl), this could be the book for you. The stitch library is extensive and can provide plenty of variation to experiment with. Debbie Bliss has divided the book up into workshops, which are very helpful as you progress from one skill level to the next (you should be able to see these on the table of contents). Each workshop has 2 - 4 attractive patterns for you to use to perfect your new skills and techniques. Most of the patterns are for children, but there are a very nice Fair Isle cardigan and a lacy tunic in adult sizes.

I only have two complaints. Bliss calls for Rowan yarn -- and only Rowan yarn -- throughout the book. Rowan is expensive and hard to find in my area. I think it would be possible to make substitutions, but I haven't tried it yet. Second, almost all of the patterns are for children. As I've gained more experience looking for good knitting books, I now realize that Bliss designs mainly for children, and I would have taken that into account when buying this book. However, I do not have any children, and I'd rather have a book with patterns that I could make for adults.

I've tried to teach myself using other books and I haven't been successful. I picked up this book based on others' recommendations and am happy I did.

I can see this being a staple book in my knitting library. Bliss offers workshops on everything from simple stitches and color to textures and lace. The projects start out very basic. Learning a few simple techniques like casting on and the knit stitch, the first project has you practicing and practicing. By the time I am done with project one (a tote style bag, only knit) I am confident I will be comfortable holding the needles and managing the yarn tension. Then I'll be ready to tackle the purl stitch and project two, my first sweater!

I've read the entire book, and each project continues to focus on only a few techniques, building your skills. I love all of the projects. There are pillows, blankets and throws, and sweaters for both children and adults in various sizes. And s-u-p-r-i-s-e, no hat and scarf!

Fabulous diagrams and wonderfully detailed photography aid along the way.

I would love to go through the entire book as if it were a class and complete each project in order. With 15 projects this could take some time. My only concern is if I do work on the adult sweaters and some of the child sweaters, the photos show the models in non-normal positions. You can't clearly see the way the articles lay. It would be nice to see a pattern shown on a model standing comfortably and have both front and back views.

I received this book as a gift for my birthday when I was a brand new knitter. I absolutely love this book! The pictures are big, colorful, and amazing, and Debbie Bliss's approach to teaching new knitters is great....She never implies that a new knitter should not try to make an Aran throw or something of the like...she just leads you through the steps and before you know what you are doing, you're doing it! The second project in the book is an easy child's sweater, which makes this new knitter feel very accomplished!

You will need a supplemental book to work through some of the techniques and it's always good to have a more compact guide on hand. But I really like Debbie Bliss's organization and her teaching style....the pictures alone are worth this book!