Needlework Books

This book has comprehensive instructions for most knitting processes. The photos are great and so are the diagrams. I heartily recommend it.

I bought this book based on the other reviews. I am a relatively new knitter and while I have knit and purl down it is all of the other stuff that stumps me. I am taking a class now, but when knitting at home and it is five days to the next class and I want to move forward I just look up what is causing me problems in here. I am making a sweater right now (Jo Sharp with Debbie Bliss yarn) and I know that my knitting teacher has taught me how to make one but darned if I could remember. The book had diagrams that I could follow and I was knitting again. I am not turned off by the color of the examples as other reviewers seem to be. This is a reference tool to me and I just want to be able to see what I am doing. A great book, novice or advanced.

This is a great book for all stage of knitters. I would highly recommend to any knitter.

I am an advanced beginner knitting enthusiast! This book has everything you could ever need to learn to knit.

I have other books that were called 'the best beginner books' that had poor illustrations or no illustrations at all for every process written about! No guessing with the Vogue Knitting Book! Every stitch and process is well illustrated and the book is filled with clear photographs as well.

I believe this is a must have book for beginners and advanced knitters as well.

Nita
Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book

Great book for a new knitter like me.
I'm happy with the vast amount of info but still have to go online for animated tech instructions. Not that the drawings aren't good they are just not perfectly clear.
Highly recommended for every knitters bookshelf.

This is a very good step-by-step guide to knitting socks, but be careful; the instructions for the five-stitch pattern, toe-up sock contain a number of mistakes and omissions, particularly in the section on the heel. In this part, instructions for the instep and sole are reversed, and (as another reviewer noted), there is no accounting for the two remaining wraps. If you have made socks before, or if you have completed the book's "class sock," you can figure out what to do. Still, it is odd that a book with such detailed and clear directions for the kitchener stitch and for the class sock becomes so utterly confounding in this section. I haven't tested other sections yet.

Well, with all the reviews, I don't need repeat what everyone else has said. I bought the book based on these reviews. When I first got it, I was a little disappointed. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was a little let down.

But, as I flipped through the pages, and began to let all the information sink in, I began to see just how great this book is. I am finishing my first pair of socks right now with the guidance of this book and Antje Gillingham's Knitting Circles Around Socks. I love this book for the freedom it gives you to use the yarn and stitch pattern of your choice. I do think that Gillingham's book is the best to learn knitting with 2 circs though. I just ordered More Sensational Knitted Socks and can hardly wait to get it.

So, let the book grow on you, I think you'll find it a great reference.

Got this book in the mail two days ago and am already well on my way to finishing my first pair of socks from the book. Brilliant doesn't do this book justice ... genius. No matter the tension of the yarn or the size of the foot the socks are for, this book will be all that you need to successfully knit a spectacular pair of socks ... and comfortable too judging by the first one finished. Loads of tips for successful picking up of stitches and achieving visually pleasing increases and decreases, as well as tips for eliminating those nagging holes that can appear when picking up along the heel flap. I have never knit such a beautiful pair of socks as I have with this book and I am not a newbie. I am using plain yarn (no self striping or variegation, so every stitch shows!)and I am thrilled with the result. Bravo Charlene!

I had knit a pair of plain socks from a pattern book before finding this book in the store. I had been looking for a book that would give me skills to custom fit my socks. I was in the mood for numbers, not just a pattern to blindly follow, and this book changed my knitting life for the better.

The book is divided into sections based on the number of stitches in the pattern repeat and toe up/cuff down knitting. There are two sections for toe up socks, and three colorwork sections (fair isle and mosaic knitting). There are a good number of stitch patterns in each section, some more than others (the toe up sections didn't have as many choices as the others).

This book is great for figuring out just how many stitches to cast on, and eventually, you'll get a good feel for how many to cast on for a particular wearer. It is also a good jumping off point for making your own plug-n-play socks (fitting a stitch pattern into the sock you knit). If you don't have a separate stitch dictionary, the patterns in here will keep you busy for a while.

The only complaint I could have about the book is that the while there are different heel and toe shapings in this book, they are in different sections of the book, and there are no illustrated instructions that might help someone new to sock knitting. For example, in the section for toe up socks with a heel flap and gusset, I had a hard time visualizing the technique, since I was doing it for the first time, and wasn't sure if I was doing it correctly, and was eventually abandoned that particular project. If I could have seen what my progress should have looked like, things may have gone a little smoother. If you get stuck on one of these shapings, you may have to look up a tutorial on the internet to supplement this book. There's enough to play with that you can probably skip anything that downright confuses you (and the heels and toes are pretty interchangeable, of course!)

This book really got my sock knitting habit off to a good start!

In my ever-so-humble opinion, this is the way ALL sock patterns should be written. It is so discouraging to find a great pattern and then realize it is written for someone with teeny tiny feet! Other books suggest using larger or smaller needles to adjust the foot circumference, but with many patterns the use of larger needles wreaks havoc on stitch definition.
So thank you to Charlene Schurch, who understands!

I got this book as a Christmas present last year, and it immediately became my favorite knitting book. I read almost straight through it, and the way I knitted and designed radically changed. Suddenly, I was able to understand the properties of each yarn and why patterns used certain kinds of fibers instead of others. I soon found myself making substitutes with my yarns in patterns so that the patterns turned out even better than with the yarn it was originally intended for, and I felt much better equipped to be able to design and understand how warm the piece would be, how well it would drape, and how it would shine and look on a person. This book also, as if all that was not good enough, has a lot of really great patterns. I even brought it with me to my college knitting club and showed all the rest of the club and ended up teaching a class to the rest of the club about how to effectively choose the right yarn for your project. I can't recommend this book enough!

Being new to the world of yarn (knitting and crocheting). I was craving information on yarn, I wanted to know how to become a yarn whisperer, although I'm still no expert after reading this I learned an abundance of information on yarn and will never look at it the same way again. If you are a knitter or crocheter or know one pick this up! It has tons of patterns in it as well; using all variations of yarn discussed in the book. Highly recommend!

I originally checked this book out from my public library, but soon realized I had to purchase it for myself. Not only does it discuss and explain the various types of yarn in detail, but tells you how to select, use, and care for your various yarns, from natural to synthetic fibers (who knew there was opossum yarn?!). The patterns are cute and versatile, and organized by ply. One of my favorite features of this book is that each pattern suggests a specific yarn, but also gives detailed information for yarn substitutions if you so desire. There is also an extensive reference guide in the back for ease of information. This book is simple but detailed enough for both the novice and expert knitters.

Ever wonder why an angora/qiviut blend is softer than pure qiviut? Because angora is actually the softest fiber. Softer than qiviut. Softer than cashmere. Want to know why? Read the book.

If you work with yarn this book will help you determine, with total certainty, what fiber is right for what purpose, based on bounce, weight, softness, strength, stitch definition, stretchiness, and so much more. No knitter or crocheter should ever substitute yarn without this information--not without risking project failure--and here it is distilled and waiting at your fingertips. If you are on a limited knitting book budget, grab a good stitch dictionary, Knitter's Companion, and this. It's all you need.

Clara Parkes is one of those people who inspire others. She puts out a weekly web magazine that reviews different yarns. She provides detailed explanations of how the yarn felt, how it knitted up, the pros and cons of using it and all this is provided for free to knitters.

This book is a gathering of some of her best ideas and recommendations about different yarns; what is best for certain projects or certain tastes. She tries to be objective and I respect her recommendations completely.

A friend told me about her 'Knitters' Review', her web magazine, and I look forward to each new issue. This book, like her magazine, will not disappoint. After reading the book, knitters will come away more knowledgeable about yarns of all kinds.

Thank you Clara!

This product is a pretty good apron book. I think there are better books out there. I would suggest accompanying it with another book.

I really like this book. I am a beginner sewer and I have already made the Basic Waist Apron (the first of the patterns) and it was very simple. The instructions were very easy to follow. I love the stories that are told...and I am an antique lover so the vintage styles and prints are a great treat to look at.

I recommend this book if you want to learn to make aprons or read some really touching stories.

The Apron Book is not only a delightful walk down memory lane, it also inspires you to make your own aprons! I am now planning an "apron party" for a sleepover filled with over-30 Moms and I think we will make aprons for one of the fundraisers coming up. It is a great gift with an apron you made, as well. Each time I give this book as a gift, I get calls about all the things the recipient remembered. It's very fun!

I received the book yesterday and couldn't put it down. After dinner I curled up on the couch with it and read it cover to cover. If you are expecting this book to be a book full of apron patterns, you will be disapointed. However, if you love vintage textiles you will surely enjoy the pictures and apron stories. And for those with the creativity gene, who needs a pattern anyway? If I had to describe the book in two words, I would say it's nostalgic inspiration. Enjoy!

this book is great. there are photos of vintage aprons and patterns for a few of them. the stories about the aprons are heartwarming. you will love it!!!

I've finished the knitting sampler from the Sweater Workshop by Jacqueline Fee and basically it's a long weird looking thingy that has almost every sort of knitting technique- you do this 80 page workshop learning all sorts of cool things. (The book is far more than that many pages, but the rest is learning different sweater constructions and such. I'm SO VERY happy I bought it.)
It's like taking a class. I'd do some rows in a new technique, and then go back to reading. I've learned more about knitting in a weekend with this book than in all the years I've started and stopped.
So far I'm in LOVE with this book. But keep in mind, it is like taking a knitting course at home. Thankfully there are lots of pictures and her explanations are excellent. The sweaters are timeless, and this sweater manual (it literally is like a coursebook) shows you how to modify any part of the sweater you'd like.. the fit, the drape, the cuffs, neckline, pullover/cardigan/raglan style.. the whole bit.

As a new knitter, I have made many purse's. My goal is to make a sweater. I am well on my way to conpleteing my first sweater. The Sweater Workshop's step by step instructions are well explained it's just the help I was looking for and needed. Yes I would highly recommend this book. Karen

This book would be the ULTIMATE 5 star sweater knitting book if it was from this decade or had modern styles. I read it cover to cover and learned more from it than any other knitting book I have ever read. BUT, and this is a big BUT the styles are so outdated I don't think I will even attempt one of the patterns. I am however going to use the skills and know-how I've learned to create my own pattern. TO THE AUTHOR: if you are out there and reading this, PLEASE write a modern sweater workshop!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!! I fully recommend this book to anyone who HATES seaming. YOU will learn alot. It is one I will keep in my personal library forever only to dream that a newer version will someday appear!

I'm new to kitting and just started reading the book and working the sample. The book is very well written. I feel as if I'm sitting in a knitting class learning something new with a great teacher. I highly recomend this book to any newby to kitting

Ordered this book as a companion to a knitting class. I was very pleased with the product and the way it is written. Also love the spiral binding, it lays flat which makes it much easier to use while we knit.

I am thoroughly enjoying thumming through this book and enjoy the history the author provides for each of the patterns.

If this was the only book of knitting patterns I ever purchased, it would be enough to last a lifetime. The pictures are clear and the author adds commentary to the different sections and to most of the patterns. This is helpful in choosing the appropriate pattern for the project.

The 'Treasury of Knitting Patterns' is a must-have for all knitters. Ms. Walker has covered so many types of stitches in this book that it is amazing she has been able to accumulate even more to publish the follow-up books to this extensive bible of knitting stitches.

Ribs, lace, cable, simple and complex stitch patterns are all included. Most importantly, the patterns are written out, line by line. I prefer this method to charts as I find charts difficult to read. All of the patterns in this book are interesting and sometimes I find myself leafing through the book just for fun. I am continually amazed at all the beautiful patterns that can be created by knitting.

Ms. Walker's compilation is a great reference and as a knitter I would not be without it!

The patterns and instructions that are in here are helpful, however, pictures used to show what a given stitch will look like are much less helpful when they are black and white only. There is no reason, with today's technology, to not provide color pictures. Far more helpful are The Harmony Guides: Knit & Purl: 250 Stitches to Knit edited by Erika Knight (and the other books in that series), and 365 Knitting Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar. The pictures in this "treasury" are so poor that I would consider it to be equivalent to getting written instructions without pictures at all.

A lot of patterns in this book had been published before, notably by Burda, Harmony guides and Mon Tricot. Burda pattern books are highly superior, because they provide excellent charted instructions (as I have seen in the two last Treasuries, Ms. Walker does not really understand how knitting charts should be made, so perhaps it is better that she sticks to basic text). Mon Tricot books contain also text, but in a more messy format, and often with mistakes, so here Barbara Walker does a better job. Harmony is so similar as to look almost like a reprint. Of course, we know that SOME patterns will be reprinted, so no big deal, and it is very convenient to have them in one book and not in three or four. Altogether, though, I would not miss this book terribly much.
But if you are unfamiliar with other books I quote this one should be very instructive, so I still give it three stars.

I have just started taking crochet lessons and this book was recommended by my instructor as a good resource book. She was so right. Even as a beginner, I have found this book easy to use and loaded with information to help me learn to crochet as well as information to help me grow my skills. This book as easy to follow directions and those all important pictures so this very visual girl can see what she should be doing. Not ready quite yet, but there is also a very extensive section with all the "fancy" stitches that will allow me to learn on my own once I am ready. This last is probably one of the most important features - inside that very sturdy cover are spiral bound pages - yes spiral - this means I can open it to the page I need and not worry about the pages flipping closed. Lays flat and on the page I am using until I am ready to move. I would recommend this book for ALL who want an all inclusive, easy to use reference book for crocheting.

I bought this book as a gift for my mother after looking through the "look inside" feature on Amazon. I thought it looked pretty nice and a spiral binding sounded good. Well mom liked it so much that she bought one for me, and I love it! The format is excellent. It has nice photos of every stitch with both a chart and written instructions for every stitch. They even included a legend on each page for the chart so you don't have to constantly look up the symbols. (Whodathunk? Most books don't do this!) If you want to stretch out with new crochet stitches or learn to crochet from charts, this is the perfect book. It's also a smaller sized book, so you can throw it in your bag and play around with new stitches while you're sitting in long boring teleconferences at work. ;-)

The only drawback is that they decided to render the charts in a similar color to the yarn in the photos. This is fine for the most part, but for the lighter colors the charts are not quite as easy to read. But otherwise it is a well designed, high quality, and extremely useful and fun book.

This is such an excellent book. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Very useful reference tool.

Wonderfully organized, it's the first book I turn to when coming up with something new to crochet. It gives you the number within each repeat of a stitch and how many extra to make it work, so it's easy to calculate how many stitches you'll need to chain to start a project.

It's spiral bound so the book lays open flat (you don't have to fight with it to stay open while you're stitching). I recommended this book to all my crocheting friends -- mostly because they keep borrowing mine!! My friend Deb just finished a beautiful scrap afghan using one of the stitches found in the book. It's well worth your hard-earned dollars to add to your crochet library!

This book is fantastic. Whether you are a beginner or expert you won't regret adding this book to your collection.

This crochet stitch bible is well worth it's economical price. It has clear, color photographs of each stitch pattern, well-written instructions, a stitch key for each pattern, and stitch diagrams for each crochet stitch. There's an excellent glossary, index, basic crochet instructions, techniques, equipment and materials descriptions and useful photographs. The basic crochet instructions are clearly illustrated in drawings using different yarn colors for clarity and, in addition, the book offers a brief discussion and several patterns and tools for tunisian crochet. All this on sturdy, glossy paper in a very convenient and pretty spiral-bound book, small and light enough to carry in your crochet bag. In addition, the book lies flat for easy referral to patterns and instructions while crocheting. It is a well-designed book making it an excellent tool for both beginners and advanced crocheters. The Crochet Stitch Bible is the best crochet reference book in my home library. Thank you Betty Barnden and Krause Publications.

Well written, funny, what's not to love? I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a good laugh.

A thoroughly engrossing true tale of author Laurie Perry's reaction to her husband leaving to find his "creativity". Having been through a divorce myself there were many spots I could have underlined as they expressed thoughts I had. And as a knitter I can recommend the healing powers of knitting. This book had me laughing and crying.

This is the story of Crazy Aunt Purl's journey from wife, to dumped wife, to crazy woman, to over-it-and-better-than-ever. And it's really funny.

I credit this book, and her blog especially, with helping me through my own crazy woman period, after I got dumped by my ex-husband. (But like CAP, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me.)

Also a great gift for someone going through a divorce.

This book shares some real life emotion and love books that share patterns as well. I love that the main character shows uncertainity at times and shows real believeable emotion and actions. The storyline was mildly intriquing but the thoughts she shared was worth the price of the book and the knitted patterns.

Coincidentally, I pulled this book off the new non-fiction shelf at my library while a knitting group was meeting in the reading room. At first glance, I wasn't going to borrow it because long ago I decided that I was too old and "enlightened" for 30-something chick lit. However, the gorgeous cat photos sold me, even though knitting is the farthest thing from my idea of therapy.

Laurie Perry may have been a graphic designer, but in her soul she is a writer, comedian and healer. In this mini-memoir derived from her blog, she had me laughing out loud with lines like "Cardigan of Constant Sorrow" (the sweater she wore every day while depressed and heavy). Despite the hilarity, the woman was wounded and dealt with her pain in both destructive and constructive ways. As other reviewers have mentioned, Laurie is the type of person that many would like to have for a friend. Just the fact that she bought baby food for her toothless cat endeared her to my heart. I have no doubt that there are great things in store for her and will stay tuned on her blog.

I originally checked this book out from the library. After reading it, I decided this would be the ideal book for a friend of mine who knits. I gave it to my friend for her birthday, along with a gift card to our local yarn shop. The book is funny, insightful, and an easy read. If you like to knit, this book is a must have!

An absolutely perfect gift for anyone who loves to knit! Wonderful humor mixed in with many "truths" which even those who knit a little would love!

If you want a gift for knitting friend, this is it. Good fun. A story on each page.

One of my best friends bought this book for me when my husband was very ill in the hospital. I'm a knitting addict and this book was not only hysterical, but really lifted my spirits! It's a book you can't wait to read & will make you smile and laugh! You feel like someone else really understands your world as a knitter! Hilarious! I just loved every page of it! Stephanie has amazing wit! You'll love this book - it's a must, must read for anyone who loves to knit, read and laugh!!

This author never ceases to enthrall me with her true life experiences as a knitter.
If you knit (at all) you will 'see yourself' in her observations too.
The only problem is I can't read the book. laugh and knit at the same time.
However all knitters should rest their hands periodically, and reading this book
and sipping a cup of coffee is my prescription for rest!

Great Book that has very cute items to crochet for the children in your lives!

Ana's signature ami style is instantly recognizable, and her creations are super cute. The patterns are all written out, no charts, and she gives a great "how to" in the beginning to teach you the basics of amigurumi creation. While it's not an intro to crochet book- if you have a basic knowledge of the craft you'll be making super cute ami's in no time.
I'd recommend this to anyone starting out- it's ease of use is perfect. While her ami's aren't heavy on the details, I prefer the simple adorable nature of each pattern. You don't get bogged down in creating tiny little accessories for each ami, which makes them kid friendly without tons of little parts- and just overall delicious! The simple nature of each pattern also gives you the opportunity to change and add as you please.
Overall one of the best amigurumi books available! I can't wait for her next book to be released.

Very cute designs, nice photos of finished projects. Made me confident enough to start designing some of my own.

Lots of cute patterns, easy to do! I was especially grateful her having a source for ordering the eyes in the book, since I could not find appropriate ones at the stores here!

I was given this book as a gift. All of the animals are adorable, I especially like the mommy/daddy and baby sets. That said, there seems to be quite a few mistakes in the book. I just started crocheting the cup of coffee and the instructions for the cup only go up to round 7 which is mostly just the bottom of the cup. Also, most of the animals have round heads in the pictures but if you make the patterns exactly as written, the heads are very oblong.