DomiKNITrix: Whip Your Knitting Into Shape

I put this book on my wish list way back when I very first learned how to knit because it had some techniques that I really wanted to learn/try (zippers and pockets). After a few years or so, I finally got around to purchasing this book and wish I had sooner. I still had not learned a lot of the techniques shown in this book. There is a section that breaks down the types of yarn, how to pick out yarn, and the various tools required to knit just about any project. Directions on how to knit continental and English (I did not know there were two styles), how to work with circular needles, how to work with double pointed needles (DPNs), all with pictures. Usually, if there is a reference to working with circular needles or DPNs, it is a brief mention that they exist, this book includes step by step directions and pictures. There is even a section on color working, again with directions and pictures. Then there are the traditional stitches that are in every almost every single knitting book I've read. The pictures and directions are fairly easy to follow, even though they are for right handed knitters and I knit left handed (just need to remember to mentally flip everything). Overall, the book feels like a private one on one class taught by the author, complete with positive encouragement.I still consider myself a novice at knitting, since I am mostly comfortable making flat things, like scarves and blankets. Some things that have baffled me in the past, are now starting to make some sense. Before each pattern there is a brief description of the project, followed by a list of techniques required to complete it. In case a technique needs to be looked up for any reason (learning, refreshing, etc.), page numbers on where to find the lesson on the technique is given. This book has already encouraged me to want to attempt my first garment. I plan on taking it slow, building up my confidence with a few of the smaller projects first and then step up, one project at a time, to my first sweater. I would recommend this book to all level of knitters, those that have never picked up a pair of needles and those that are more advanced, even if it is just for the patterns.

My New Year's resolution for 2006 was to finally learn how to knit after years of being haunted by my aunt's extraordinary skills. My cousin & I attended a class whose instructor, Scary-Mary, was a "knit-nazi", it was her way or the highway & we were all scared. Thanks to sheer tenacity & several rough nights of "stress knitting" in my sleep I stuck it out & did learn the basics to knitting.However if I was going to continue finding any enjoyment in life I took a pass on furthering my skills with Scary-Mary in her intermediate knitting class and went to the book shelves for help. Thanks to the likes of Debbie Stoller & her "Stich & Bitch" books I was able to relax and gain some confidence and enjoyment in my knitting.I recently came across Jennifer Stafford's book while looking for new patterns that break away from conventional standards. I not only found what I was looking for but I love reading her book! The tone is conversational in explaining the technicalities of knitting so my mind didn't wander. Since she had my complete attention I am actually getting the hang of advanced techniques (mirrored decreases, shaping, lace, working with color, DPN's, etc.)which I previously wrote off as too advanced for my blood.Stafford's message is that anything worth doing is worth doing well and by using an S&M theme for her book the tone is serious and may appear intimidating. Don't be put off, Stafford is merely thourough in her explanations but no "knit-nazi". This book is designed to encourage confidence and inspire creativity!

I have been knitting for many years, and every so often someone asks me for a book that can get the beginner going in the right direction. I am not a pattern person, but i do like good visual instructions. This book has that in spades. The first half of this book gives you clear and precise instructions (the long tail cast on has never been better shown) in basic techniques, and does so with a wit that is often missing in knitting books. pair this with any title from Elizabeth Zimmerman, and you are good to go.

This is not your typical knitting book, in which you often feel as if your grandmother or some friendly older woman is teaching you how to knit. This is your friend, telling you not to screw it up (in the most loving terms, of course). I love the book's attitude and approach to knitting. It's attitude has definitely challenged me to try techniques and projects that I would have shied away from before. There are complete instructions with good illustrations for all the techniques used in the book. You can use this book as a novice or expert knitter and the projects are graded according to skill level.So far, I've made a flower pin, which turned out great, and in which I got to practice a bunch of shaping techniques. I'm currently working on the Fall City Coat which is going really well and I hope to finish for this fall.I love this knitting book! And I want to make almost every project in it. I am definitely making a few of the candy heart throw pillows for my sister-in-law's dorm room next.