Knitting book for a complete novice

[Kayzr]

I need a book for a complete novice. I love knitting but I just don't understand all the abbreviations so I need a book that will explain everything in lots of detail.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

I've got this book, I found it good for the basics. I did discover I don't really like knitting though.

I paid 10 pounds for it in WHSmith.

Do you have a knitting shop near you? I'm always taking patterns in to the ladies in my local shop and asking them about things - they're always very helpful!

I am a bit ambitious and inevitably end up with patterns that are too hard for me, but the one (quite difficult) book I own has a glossary at the back explaining what the abbreviations mean, with little diagrams showing how to do particular stitches (it's this one, in case you're interested)

There are also lots of good resources online - have a look on youtube for videos showing how to do specific stitches.

It depends what you want to knit but this debbie bliss book is really good for beginners. But its all baby stuff. I taught myself to knit from it and it has some really lovely designs, but a little useless if you don't need to knit for a baby!!

You don't need to buy a book. Maybe try KnittingHelp first?

On the tabs across the top there is everything you need. There are videos showing all techniques, plus a glossary of abbreviations with links to the vids.

I also love Knitty for patterns and articles about everything yarn-y. Even learned how to dye groovy yarn for my mother!

I have a Debbie Bliss too, but think it's called something like 'How to Knit'. Really nice and clear and has good stitch library (also not just baby stuff, although there is some of that in there, mainly I think because you can get something finished more quickly).

I also have the Stitch & Bitch Handbook by Debbie Stoller, it has some US references but is good. Also some quirky ideas...

Best way tho is prob to find others who knit. I'm in the process of setting up a knitting group - do you know if you have any near you?

I have that Debbie bliss book. It is helpful but it's not as simple as I need it.

I'll look at the websites but I would like a book so I don't have to sit in front of the computer. Though the knitting help website looks good.

I do have a knitting shop but the woman that works there is quite grumpy and whenever I ask her anything she tells me that she just works there and to buy a book. But she has no recommendations.

Oh dear. Maybe you should find another LYS (local yarn shop)? Or tell the owner as that is Very Bad Form. We all expect better from fellow knitters.

Best thing is to browse the shelves, probably, and look for one that addresses your needs. I have the Ultimate Knitting Bible and Vogue Knitting's Ultimate Knitting book is also nice. Also I see on Amazon that the Knitting Answer Book gets good reviews.

What is your specific problem that the DB book is not helping with?

It's the abbreviations. I think I need something with step by step pictures and descriptions.

I liked the first Stitch n Bitch book. It's how I re-learnt knitting. Its descriptions and illustrations are a bit quirky and it just appealed to me.

I'll have a look at the stitch n bitch book.

I might get a load from the library and see which are the best for me.

I have the Ultimate Knitting Bible too and found that really helpful.

But for me, nothing beats online videos for demonstrating stitches - maybe I'm just dense, but "knit in the back of the stich" means nothing to me, I need to see how it's done in order to understand.

Yeah, that goes for me too, sayanything. I think we all have different ways of learning and preferences and ways of 'getting' stuff.

My mother lives far away and loves knitting socks, so thought I'd try a top-down pattern she suggested. I tried and failed to graft (kitchener) the toe as per the instructions and nearly frogged the whole thing in a huff until I found knittinghelp.

I'll have a look at that knittinghelp website when the boys are in bed. It might be just what I need.

I also taught myself from Sitch and Bitch, found the instructions very clear. I'm not particularly crazy about the patterns in it though and haven't used it much since.