Knitty Gritty: Knitting for the Absolute Beginner

My gran taught me to knit about twenty years ago. She taught me how to cast on, knit and add wool, all the basics. Then she passed away before teaching me how to cast off or knit anything other than scarves. I could start knitting but not stop knitting. As a result, with the typical fickleness of a teenager, I lost interest. Recently, my great aunt cleared out a cupboard and found several of these efforts, ranging from a few centimetres to a record five feet in length, each with a needle still stuck in the top. We had a bit of a laugh, but it got me thinking. I'd been looking for a hobby to take up that would allow me to make things as gifts for friends and family (we're in the middle of the late-twenties/early-thirties baby boom that every social circle experiences) and knitting was something I'd enjoyed very much for a while. I decided that now was the time to resurrect this hobby. Unfortunately, without either of my grandmothers (both talented knitters) I would have to turn to a book to remind me of what I'd forgotten and teach me what I'd never learned. I looked at a few books but they all seemed to make things even I knew to be simple sound complicated - some of the instructions might as have well have been in Greek. Then I found this book. I can tell you now, whether you've never knitted or are relearning rusty skills, you should BUY IT NOW. This is without doubt one of the best written, clearest and simplest knitting books you can get. I am proud to say I have not yet dropped a stitch and can now knit and watch telly at the same time - just two months after it dropped through my letter box. The projects are simple and easy to make but they look absolutely gorgeous and the way the book is written has you itching to get on to the next one. Well done Aneeta Patel! Update March 2013: Thanks to the skills learned in this book, I have moved on sufficiently with my knitting to be selling items, as well as knitting even the most complex patterns. I attribute the ease of this progression to the way the basics were taught in this book, giving me confidence in the techniques. I recently gave my copy to a friend as a gift when she wanted to learn to knit. She was an 'absolute beginner' who had never picked up needles, but she'd fallen in love with the knitted items I and others had given her for her children and wanted to learn for herself. She tells me that she found the book so easy to comprehend that she's wondering why she didn't take up knitting years ago - although she confesses that she always thought it was 'too complicated' - Ms Patel has enlightened her! I suspect that she will pass the book on to another friend when she's finished it, I had another friend and colleague who works at the same place interested in learning to knit and when I gave my friend the book I suggested that when she had worked her way through it she pass it on (sorry Amazon!) I would love to think of this one copy working it's way through our department spreading the joy of knitting behind it!

Like the other reviewers on here, I hadn't knitted in years and had forgotten just about everything. I've bought a few "How to Knit" books in the past but given up because a) I never saw results quick enough, and b) they all assumed a level of basic knowledge that I just didn't have. I didn't give up searching though and I am so glad I've found this book. The author very cleverly uses patterns that will show results quickly, so you don't feel like you're getting nowhere fast. My first attempt, the scarf, I knitted in a day and it's Tom Baker Dr. Who length! She also breaks down and translates the patterns for you, whilst explaining what an earth they mean and shows you with very clear photos and instructions how to cast on, cast off and create the various stitches. Importantly, (and this is where ALL the other books fell down) she also tells you how to change colours and what to do when you've reached the end of that first ball of wool and are wondering how the next one joins on! My one small criticism would be the amount of baby patterns, but again, they show results quickly and that inspires you to keep going. My only problem is that I don't know anybody with any babies at the moment, but I shall knit them anyway. Well done to the author on this great book. I hope we see more of her on here very soon.

I have been knitting on and off for two years. I finally decided to move on to projects after such a long time of floating about practising. I had waited so long to do projects as I was always put of by what looked like gibberish abbreviations I just couldn't understand and as a busy mam of 3 I didn't have time to spend ages learning. I bought this book solely on reading its reviews on Amazon - I wasn't holding my hopes up as I am a see it to believe it person. But this book is truly the best book I have ever bought and will stay with me to learn my daughter and so on. In 3 nights I have learnt every stitch out there, learnt how to weave, change colour, what the abbreviations mean, and perfected my knitting techniques. I have already completed 3 projects and I just cant believe how quick it has been. 3 Nights!!!, I wish I knew about this book sooner. Its so relaxing and easy to understand and follow. Picture presentations as well as written. Hints for established knitters. I don't need to even refer to the book to knit a pair a mitt's, baby booties or a hat as I know the pattern off by heart. I was taught by a book! it is possible!!!!

I bought this with no prior knowledge of knitting whatsoever. At first I was a little bit frustrated with the pictures - not necessarily because they're unclear, but because I struggle to learn from diagrams alone - so I supplemented them with a few videos from the internet. After watching the knitting process in action once or twice, the author's descriptions immediately fell into place and I used the book as my sole point of reference from then on. It covers every question I've needed to ask as a learner and offers sound advice about equipment, technique, your first few projects, and any creative touches you might want to add to your work. The patterns look very easy to follow and I've almost finished my first scarf, which has turned out beautiful :). The writing has a very encouraging tone, which made me feel much better about unravelling my first few practice attempts at casting on and doing an even garter stitch. I would definitely recommend this book to any knitting newcomer. I would also love to see a book by the same author about knitting more complex projects such as blankets and throws.

adatto a noi principianti, permette di realizzare simpatici lavori, belle immagini e soprattutto chiare spiegazioni, lo consiglio vivamente. lo regalerò sicuramente anche ad altri

Ich bin zwar keine Strickanfängerin, liebe aber Bücher mit kleinen Projekten als Geschenke etc. Das Buch enthält alltagstaugliche Projekte die auch noch pfiffig sind. Es ist alles auf Englisch, gut um das Strickenglisch zu verbessern. Lediglich einen "bug" habe ich entdeckt: beim yo (yarrn over) wird die Masche yb (yarn back) genannt. Das resultiert aber daraus, dass man in England das Garn rechts hält als Rechtshänderin...

Enjoyed this book!

I had tried knitting prior to purchasing this book, and the other books I had just didn't visually assist me. This book is a must for a beginner! Everything is clearly explained and is accompanied by pictures. The book progresses through different patterns (scarf, baby booties, hat, shawl, etc) and teaches you new stitches and techniques as you go. So far the projects have been exceptionally simple to complete due to the clear and concise instructions and visual aids. I highly recommend this book for not only those that have never picked up knitting needles before, but also for those that gave up or are struggling because other books didn't explain it enough.

I bought this book because I wanted to learn to knit and have no one to teach me. I didn't know how to cast on, knit, purl, or even hold the needle correctly. I needed a book that would teach me those things as well as guide me as my skill levels increase. This book does all that! With large, detailed, color pictures and helpful tips and encouraging words, this book will walk a new knitter through all the basics of learning the stitches, reading a pattern and even how to fix mistakes! I'd recommend this book to anyone learning to knit!