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!!!

PLARN!!! (by Aubrey Mayes)

I recently purchased a wonderful book titled “AwareKnits” by pro knitter Vickie Howell and Adrienne Armstrong (knitter and wife of Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong). Along with dozens of eco-friendly knitting and crochet patterns and tips, there was a fabulous section on Plarn- or plastic yarn.

Plarn can definitely take some getting used to while knitting but its actually fun to make and a clever way to recycle plastic shopping bags. Through trial and error I have some fantastic tips to get you Plarn-ing away.

Here are the supplies you will need:

• Flat surface
• Scissors or Exacto knife, depending on your preference.
• Oodles of plastic bags. More bags = more Plarn!
• Patience

Try to make your bag as flat as possible and remove the handles. You can keep the handles to use as embellishment or just recycle them. Take your cutting implement of choice and make a one inch cut in the top of the bag at the seam going down. That will be the start of your strip. Cut in a spiral until the whole bag is one big strip (the book compares it to peeling an orange). Remember- the longer the strip, the fewer knots you have to tie.

From there, its just wash, rinse, repeat. Keep your strips in a pile until all of your bags are cut. I know it seems like a lot, but once you find your rhythm you’ll be turning out bags a lot more quickly. Once all of your bags are cut, tie them together. Knot them GENTLY so you do not tear the plastic but TIGHTLY because you’ll be knitting or crocheting with it. Snip the ends off the knots. Once they’re all knotted just ball it up and bada bing- PLARN!

Once you’ve made your Plarn there are many different things you can do with it. The book has a pattern for a bag, but you could do some really stellar art- deco items for the home  or some mod or bohemian- esque jewelry. The possibilities are endless, and there are millions of bags out there.

Stitch on and remember to Knit Happy with your PLARN!!!