4 MUST-HAVE Books for Sweater Knitters 📚

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Happy Sunday! I want to take a minute to mention something here regarding Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Without Tears: I truly do love this book and I feel that some of what I say here (or perhaps how I say it) belies this. I've read what would probably be 75% of the book over the course of my time with it and though what I say here is true in terms of it being more wordy than what I typically prefer in an instructional resource, it is a treasure trove of insight and inspiring words that are sure to empower any knitter to tackle garment knitting with confidence--and that's why I think it's so valuable. Add it to your collection. Read through it. Enjoy it for what it is and harvest all of the gems you can from the pages, because trust me; they're there.

[@elizabeth4053]

I did order it already from a previous video where you mentioned it. Should arrive soon. Living in Alaska and shipping 😜😂 Crazy few days I haven’t checked into Patreon FrankenKAL for a while either. Highly recommend checking it out if you’re not already there. I’m inspired by Taylor’s enthusiasm and passion for knitting sweaters and teaching us along the way. Accidental Knit should be the title of your instructional book for noobs to top down sweaters 🤩🥰🧶🙋🏻‍♀️🏔️💕

[@KariEngblom-Youkey]

I am laughing, you are one that needs ( in Elizabeth's terms) the "pithy" instructions)❤ I am a meandering researcher spinner first....Elizabeth's books got me finally knitting my handspun stash..... but, I still prefer just spinning yarn😉.

[@Lovelife10934]

❤️🙏🏻✝️🙌🏻

[@saywhat8966]

Zimmerman’s book sounds familiar too. I wonder if it’s put away in stash of my books somewhere. Was away from knitting for a bit.

[@mimiknitswithlove3273]

Taylor, thank you for jogging this ancient brain of mine LOL I have the edition with Terri Shaw, which I purchased maybe 10 years ago with the intention of knitting a sweater. At the same time, my son and all his friends began pro-creating (🤣) and I became the provider of lacy and fluffy baby blankets. Now that I'm on my 4th sweater, I think this book will finally be dusted off and the spine creased!! Sorry mystery novels....I think you've been replaced for my bed-time reading! Love your rambles. You've provided me with so much inspiration.

[@stitched-by-jk]

Ann Budd's multiple gauge patterns are amazing! Her accessories book is my ultimate stash busting source.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I hadn't heard of this until the comments here and I'm so glad that I've been made aware! I just ordered both from an online used retailer and I can't wait to dive in. Thank you Joe!

[@stitched-by-jk]

So glad to help out and I love the pod :) The huge flexibility in gauge will let you use all kinds of random one-off skeins. Looking forward to future episodes!!!@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

[@theyarnrandomizer]

I've had Knitting from the Top from when it was reprinted in 1996! :D - I've also got Sweater Design in Plain English and Knitting without Tears. I've also got Hiatt's Principles of Knitting which is a great reference. And way too many other knitting books!

[@karinaehoff]

PSA also check your local libraries / inter-library loans for copies of these books! I luckily found the 2nd edition of Righetti's books at mine, checked them out today to finally create my first sweater design. Thanks for the reading suggestions to get started! Very helpful video 🙂

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes! Absolutely. Checking the library first is always a great suggestion. Thank you Karina!

[@knitgirl.7676]

Great list of books. I have them all. I was wondering at the start of this, which books you would choose. I was nodding my head as you presented your picks. I have over 100 knitting related books and these would have been my picks too. I am sad to hear sweater Design in Plain English is out of print. That is a true gem. Another great one to add (although not exclusively for top down) is Knitting in the Old Way by Pricilla A Gibson-Roberts and Deborah Robson.

[@valeriehowden471]

Happy to say 3 of 4 are in my public library holdings and in multiple copies!

[@julie-elizabethmack9502]

Used bookstores are also worth a look for out of print books.

[@susanschwerdtfeger7310]

Thank you for another engaging and informative episode! It’s so great to hear more in depth info about these kinds of books than what you can find on a simple written review. I think I need to build up my library!

[@christineborgatti3760]

This is so helpful. I want to knit some home spun for my son and I need to modify the pattern he has chosen. I have the books except the first one and I now know which one to pull out.

[@DianeHall-y2y]

A book I'd like to recommend is Knitting in the Old Way: Designs & Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts in the first edition and with Deborah Robson in subsequent editions. I've had it in my library for ages.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Ok! I'm looking it up now. ❤️

[@billotoole1563]

My process for years has been Ann Budd’s Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns (2nd in the Handy Series), Barbara Walker’s Treasury of Knitting Patterns Series, and Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitting Workshop for techniques. Looking at my knitting reference shelf, half is devoted to EZ, BW and AB, the Knitter’s Trinity. If you want to appreciate Elizabeth Zimmerman’s teaching style, you should watch her PBS series from the 80’s that was based on her book “Knitting Workshop.” They are available at Schoolhouse Press and they really bring her books to life. When she encouraged the use of I in I-Cord, it didn’t refer to the Internet back then.

[@queenofpixels5458]

I love Ann Budd - I use her top down sweater book (my preferred style) and just recently bought the Handy Book of Sweater Patterns. Thanks for listing your other books. I'm making a list. Looks like I'm good to have my christmas and birthday wish lists covered for a couple years at least

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I think this is great advice for me. I have been meaning to dive into her PBS series and I truly need to to appreciate her even more for her instructional style. I will do that!

[@eleanoreadams]

Just ordered Knitting from the Top - great suggestion!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Oooo good! You'll love it. And my pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@j_filippo]

Taylor I have come to really enjoy and value your work. I am new to garment knitting, I’ve only knit one sweater and it gave me the confidence that I am a knitter and can do anything (within reason). I picked up 2 of your recommendations from Amazon. I need to take time to search for the out of print book. Thank you for all the information and inspiration ♥️

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

This truly means a lot to me and it is my pleasure! Thank you so much for watching and for your support.❤️

[@jimmydoesknitting]

Love some sweater knitting knowledge. Thanks for the suggestions.

[@redappleaday]

Thanks Tayler! Believe it or not, but the books you recommend are exactly the same books in my library that I also refer to all the time, fantastic books. I also love Barbara Walkers stitch dictionaries. Keep up the good work.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Oooo good! Great minds think alike! I'm glad that I'm onto something here. 😉

[@saywhat8966]

I have the first and fourth book on your video, who knew? Call me a dabbler too. Great books! Knitted two top down sweaters, one is a acrylic wool blend for outdoors, the other in a poor choice of fiber but wearable. Someone said pick a good fiber for sweaters for the time you put in on making them. I do swatches now, and wash them the way I will care for them.

[@Liz.Green789]

Thank you, Tayler. What an interesting list.

[@edinacole6382]

Ann Budd and Barbara Walker’s books are invaluable and my everyday reference books. Unfortunately I’ve never used any of Barbara Zimmerman’s books (I have several) and find them less useful for my knitting style. Fit is so important to me.

[@jenniferjohnson9335]

Thanks for an informative post! I have EZ's book, but not the others. With any kind of luck, the out of print one will go back into print sometime in the near future. It sounds extremely useful. Your Stripe Hype sweater looks gorgeous!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you Jennifer! And I sure hope the Sweater Design book comes back. It's such a great one!

[@robinknits6493]

Does anyone knit bottom up any more? I don't mind seaming and really like that I knit in pieces that make the project portable. I don't like, when knitting the second sleeve, that I have an entire sweater on my lap. I also much prefer blocking pieces than an entire sweater at once. Any one else like bottom up? I also find the seams provide structure lacking in a top-down sweater.

[@bezozzle]

You’re not alone! I fly the flag for bottom-up seamed knitting too 🥳

[@aroundtheworldfibers]

Yes, I am a bottom up knitter too. I think seams provide more structure. I'm a sewist too, and I still like the look of structure and refined clothes. I've never followed the latest trends. Besides, the top down sweaters don't work well on me, and I honestly don't find the sleeves comfortable. I just finished a tope down sweater. Even though it's a small, the sheer weight of it nearly sunk me. I'm not a very fast knitter, and I also find the top down's in the round take forever for me to knit. I'll do flat, seamed any day.

[@saywhat8966]

@@aroundtheworldfibers Thank you for your insight on bottom up knitting.

[@paulabeard9063]

Great suggestions! I have all these books and refer to them often. I would also recommend “Knit To Flatter” by Amy Herzog. It has excellent advice about knowing and loving your body, and designing sweaters that work for your shape and size.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you Paula! I will definitely look into Knit to Flatter. I think understanding the types of garments that wear well on one's body is so important. And I know that some of our favorite garments aren't always the most flattering "on paper" but it's certainly a good (and important) place to start.

[@karenlynnwiebusch4597]

I knit my very first top down sweater without a pattern using Knitting from the Top. It’s wasn’t me, I have to give all the credit to the book. I’ve given away most of my serious knitting books but to borrow an expression from you- they’ll have to pry Knitting from the Top out of my cold, dead hands.

[@atreiter]

Thank you! I always check my local library.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

That's a great thing to do! I love finding knitting gems at the library. ❤️

[@sky123me]

I was able to buy the Maggie Righetti book--the edition you recommend--online.

[@katibere1966]

Awesome…thank you!!!

[@Fran-yh8vy]

Thank you this was very informative, I have used 'Knitting from the Top' to make my last two self drafted raglan patterns, it was very helpful. I was interested to get Ann Budd's 'Top Down Sweaters', (I watched her interview with Suzanne Bryan a few years ago reviewing this book) but I just looked at a sample of one of the pages on Amazon and it says the women's adult sizes start at size 36". My bust circumference is 32" Most of the sweaters I knit have a positive ease of about 33-34". I have never had an issue finding patterns in my size. My question is, if I used her child sizes would the proportions be off for an adult sized body. I am a little disappointed I really wanted to get this book.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Hi Fran! I can understand your disappointment here. So I think that if you needed to downsize, you could certainly start by using her counts for one of the child sizes and then adjust accordingly as you go. Because they're top down, you can often start with one size and graduate to larger size instructions as you need them. It's worth having regardless as I think it gives a great base for figuring how to grade down or up for your size.❤️

[@Lissabee82]

Thanks for this video. You always have great tips and advice. I just ordered these books. Do you have any stitch dictionary recommendations?

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you for watching Melissa! Right now, my favorite stitch dictionary is this one: amzn.to/3Sr7spo

[@catnapper3923]

Good information here, thank you.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@lieslnew8247]

Wow!! Resource overload. 😂

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

😉

[@WA1015]

Would you recommend the "Knitting in Plain English" version instead since it's readily available?

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Absolutely!

[@sophie1301]

Probably not the question you want, but please please share your lipstick brand and color. I have been looking for THAT color for a very long time.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Ooo I love these questions! 😉. It's this one: www.sephora.com/product/rouge-interdit-vinyl-color-enhancing-lipstick-P405231

[@sophie1301]

Thank you!!!

[@saywhat8966]

I’m still looking for a color I had in junior high, lol. And the yarn from a store bought sweater.

[@ranijhumat9601]

Hi Taylor Could you tell me if in the first addition Maggie Ratti has her maths explanation in there as well for knitting your sweater eagle waiting your reply?

[@gingr5803]

I have Sweater Design in Plain English and I actually don’t like it as much as my other reference books. I found it wordy as well and I did not like her tone. I used Amy Herzog’s book to make my first cardigan without using a pattern.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

That's interesting. I can totally see how the tone of Sweater Design in Plain English would be off-putting to some. It's direct and frank and, like I said, straight to the point. For me, that's what draws me to it. Tone is important and it's worth considering when deciding if a book is for you.

[@rachelmitchell2144]

Knitting from the top is on its way! 🎉😂

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes!! You're going to love it!

[@susinok]

I have all four of those in my sweater design library, plus a half a dozen more or so. BUT. Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker and her stitch dictionaries are all that you need.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Ok, I definitely need to dive into Barbara Walker's stitch dictionaries now. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@nidomhnail2849]

Sadly, the algorithm picked up new interest in these books. Used copies of Sweater Design in Plain English are currently $70+. My search pointed to shops selling the book for $30; when I checked out the link, the lowest price was $74. It is a shame.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Well, that’s not the algorithm. It doesn’t work that fast. That’s just the situation. Prices were the same when I looked. 🤷‍♀️

[@user-KG71]

I go on the library of congress website and have it downloaded. When I want a section, I just pull it up, and sometimes make a hard copy for my knitting binder. Just a suggestion ❤

[@suemount6042]

@@user-KG71brilliant idea

[@nidomhnail2849]

@@user-KG71 Are you talking about Sweater Design in Plain English? I went to LOC, and my only option was to have it available in one of their reading rooms.

[@nidomhnail2849]

@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS I am only checking Sweater Design in Plain English. I refreshed a page that I checked an hour ago, and the price went up again. It is possible that lower price copies were sold. The common price among sellers is $70+. Algorithms are designed to respond quickly. I have seen this issue come up when other YTers recommended books. Sellers are only responding to a change in demand.

[@robertmae3416]

Question: Would you ever consider taking the master knitting course? I know you are a teacher and you speak so well when instructing your listeners. I just wonder if those credentials would be something in the future to go along with designing.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Well, I didn't know that was a thing. Hmmmmm....I'll look into that and report back! Thank you for mentioning it. ❤️

[@robertmae3416]

Roxanne Richardson, a US knitter, is a Master Knitter and mentioned it in one of her earlier podcasts. I believe there are 3 parts to the course and it is fairly challenging. @@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

[@andreamiller6200]

@@robertmae3416 Suzanne Bryan is also a Master Knitter (she and Roxanne Richardson are acquainted). Both are on Ravelry and both are on KZbin. They are essentials for me and are worth checking out.

[@adamblackburn7857]

I wish you’d be more transparent with your audience and let people know you do make money off these links. Feels dishonest to me especially when it’s yarns or notions that could be purchased at a local yarn shop.

[@stephanieunterharnscheidt]

You’re are always free to buy wherever you choose. These programs take a lot of planning & they impart special knowledge & wisdom. So watch or don’t watch. This is no place for cranky complaints.

[@janetcannon9842]

I found a copy of Sweater design in Plain English for $450! 🫨😳😤 I think I'll have to pass! 😂

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Oh my gosh, what!? Yeah no. It's not THAT good.