Epic Reviews: Three Knitting Books You (might) Need

[@BearsCrochetCritters]

Yay! More books to consider checking out. Some of my first memories of crochet are with smaller booklet beginners guides. They taught me the basics, but I would still end up going to my grandmother for help. Years later, when I wanted to relearn how to crochet, she was no longer around. I thought my only option was to learn with books. The few books my library had were not the best. Then, someone suggested youtube for help because I could see how someone did it the way I would watch my grandmother when I didn't understand written instructions. I still like to have physical patterns and books, though. I have this odd compulsion to keep and save (especially older) reference books on all sorts of arts, crafts, sewing, electronics and radio theory, mechanical, and woodworking topics. I have donated many books I had no more room for to my library, but my fiber books have stayed. I don't have much space for more, but I am still "on the lookout" for good knitting or crochet books. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these 3. I almost bought the Vouge one a while back, and now it's back on my list of books I would still like to get.

[@Melia-77]

Thank you for the thorough review of best knitting reference books. I appreciate your well reasoned and focused pros and cons. I have the Vogue and Reader's Digest books and have read differing opinions on the June Hiatt book, which ultimately led to my concluding that I could skip that tome. I am going to check it out of the library prior to perhaps getting the ebook version. I have too many books (knitting ones included) that are taking up too much space in my small NYC apartment so whittling down to the essentials is in order. This video is helping me to make decisions in my downsizing campaign so thanks for your well-informed input!

[@carrieoxendine4429]

Hi I am doing the master's hand knitting course and I agree with all of your books as good reference for the level 1. I bow down to you for having the principle of knitting online instead of paper I could not do it that way I am more of a touch and feel person. Thanks

[@CarrieCraftGeek]

Good luck on the Master Hand Knitting! Although I didn't complete the writing, I learned so much through the experience.

[@gillgreen7163]

Based on this, and feeling extravagant, I have ordered all three books! I love reading knitting and crochet books and have loads of them, which I skim through for inspiration. I will try and remember to let you know what I think of them when I’ve had a chance to look at them, but life is a bit hectic so I may not remember. My partner has dementia and I am disabled. At the moment most of my time seems to be taken up by trying to get him to keep the splint on his wrist and take his antibiotics as he got blown (literally) off his push bike 2 weeks ago and has a broken bone in his thumb and a deep infection in an apparently superficial scrape on his leg! He also keeps taking the dressing off his leg. But it has its good side: today (Valentine’s Day, which we usually only mark with cards due to the ludicrously inflated price of flowers and gifts by retailers) he bought me a VERY big bouquet of flowers because he thought it was my birthday! My birthday is actually next month! Its very hard but I love him to bits. ❤️❤️❤️

[@CarrieCraftGeek]

That’s so sweet with the bouquet and sounds like the timing is perfect. Sending your husband healing thoughts l and I hope at least looking through books give you some much needed respite.

[@gillgreen7163]

@@CarrieCraftGeek Thank you Carrie. ❤️

[@Coastalwoolwashing]

I taught myself to knit and crochet pre KZbin and Ravelry and I still find it much easier to learn from books. I started with Debbie Stoller’s Stitch n Bitch and Happy Hooker books as did a lot of people at that time. Other than those I don’t have a general knitting book though I do have several specific types (socks, top down sweaters, stitch dictionaries). I do keep an eye out at my local used book stores for any treasures though!

[@CarrieCraftGeek]

Oh yes. I also have Stitch n Bitch and Stitch n Bitch Nation on my shelf. And I learned so much from the people at the West Hollywood stitch n bitch.

[@alicemerray]

The last book sounds a bit too dense for my taste (& speaking as a Brit, her terminology isn't familiar. I have *heard* the word dressing used in a textile context, but in relation to woven fabric & very rarely. I'm not entirely sure what the meaning is either! Something to do with the nap?) The MOST helpful thing to me when I was newbie with regard to blocking would have been someone to reassure me that I wasn't going to ruin my hand knit in the process. So some simple explanation of *why* it would be of benefit & then a really hand-holdy but simple method, would have really helped. Great video; thanks.

[@CarrieCraftGeek]

Thank you for letting me know “dressing” isn’t common in the UK. And as for blocking, funnily enough today is blocking day and I was going to vlog it. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind to mention, because yes as a newbie blocking can feel very intimidating.