Top 5 Library Guide For Knitterz

Starting out as a new knitter the plethora of reading material can seem overwhelming. Being a former bookstore employee and current library card holder, I have come in contact with many, many books full of knitting patterns and techniques.

This “top 5” guide is a compilation of the titles I have found most helpful and entertaining to read and knit. Of course, this is all my opinion. Be sure to leave your thoughts and favorites in the comments!

Number 5:
Bag Style: 20 Inspirational handbags, totes, and carry-alls to knit and crochet, Pam Allen and Ann Budd

*** ½
My Notes:
While very light on technique, Bag Style is full of beautiful, high quality patterns. Bag Style’s patterns have a decent time commitment and are not for the faint at heart. He difficulty level isn’t immensely high, butt this definitely wouldn’t be the book to find your first project in. If you’re looking for always fashionable bags for any occasion, this is the book for you.

Bag Style

Number 4:
ColorWork Stitches: Over 250 designs to knit, edited by Susie Johns
****
My Notes:
I believe ColorWork Stitches is a must-have for a knitter’s library. From simple embellishments to a full alphabet, ColorWork Stitches is a wonderful guide, especially for anyone new to colorwork or in need of ideas to brighten up otherwise bland yarn colors This too is fairly light on technique, but definitely has the goods to back it up.
Colorwork Stitches

Number 3:
Stitch n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook, Debbie Stoller
****
My Notes:
This was actually the first knitting book I purchased. Now this is important: if you are offended by the title, then Stitch n Bitch is not for you. SNB is without a doubt the best book I have found for learning technique, especially when the reader is going in blind. Stoller includes step by step illustrated instructions for everything you need to know to start out and fabulous patterns to practice what you learn. This book is a must have for new knitters. (Be sure to check out her other titles as well!)

Stitch N Bitch

Number 2:
Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Joelle Hoverson
**** ½

My Notes:
After 34 pages of wonderful basic information for newbies, Last Minute Knitted Gifts has a full 76 pages of gift patterns for any occasion broken down by time commitment. I was most impressed by how well Hoverson compiled patters for anyone, regardless of age and gender. If you are on a budget, be sure to pay attention to the fiber type, weight, and gauge of the projects to make correct substitutions, as the suggested yarns are a bit pricey. In all honesty, this is one of the best investments I have made in the knitting department.

Last Minute Knitted Gifts

*drumroll* Number 1:
Awareknits: Knit and crochet patterns for the eco-conscious stitcher, Vickie Howell and Adrienne Armstrong

*****
My notes:
Being a HUGE Green Day fan, I was excited to see their frontman’s wife Adrienne had collaborated with pro-stitcher Vickie Howell to create an eco-friendly knitting book. I was even more excited when I purchased and read Awareknits and realized just how fabulous it is. This book is just great pattern after great pattern with projects for every member of the family as well as the home.

The best part? All of the patterns use eco-friendly yarn and have tips to keep your projects green. This book is truly what it says it is. Stellar patterns for the “eco-conscious stitcher”.
AwareKnits

Looking for a few more titles? Here are some honorable mentions:

Mason Dixon Knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne

Knit One, Felt Too by Kathleen Taylor

Big Girl Knits by Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer

Hollywood Knits by Suss Cousins

Knit happy!!!

Keep It Organized (by Jen Chambers)

I guess it’s because of the new year and an easy time to make decisions for change, so now is the time to organize my knitting.

I have my box of FOs (Finished Objects) that I’m now whipping into shape. I’ve never kept a knitting journal and have always wanted to. So I gathered up a notebook, plastic page protectors and found a great Knitting Journal info page at KathrynIvy.com.  I have started getting organized.  I’m taking photos of my finished projects and keeping notes as to where the patterns are found.  I’m also keeping notes any changes I made as I knitted. I’m snipping bits of the yarn used in the project and taping it to the page so I can see actual color and feel of the yarn. I think this will be very handy on the projects I end up giving away as gifts.

This is a big improvement over my old system which was a scrap of paper here and there, notes stuck in my knitting bags and notes lying on the floor in front of the couch. Now I’ll have a good record of what I’ve accomplished and how each pattern was worked.  I sure wish I’d started this notebook sooner but at least it’s happening now.

I’m also making a copy of each pattern and keeping it with the journal page. Now I’ll be able to quickly start that project again rather than searching back through 50 knitting books and magazines to find the pattern. That will save me a lot of time.

As I go through knitting books and magazines, I’m making a copy of future projects I want to tackle. I have a Ravelry list of future projects, a file folder on my computer containing patterns I’ve downloaded and now a stack of projects I’ve copied.  Now I’m eyeing my stash and thinking of ways to get that beast tamed.