The Knit Stitch (The Knitting Experience, Book 1) (original 2002; udgave 2002)

I'm loath to give 5 stars to anything that doesn't move me to tears (in a good way, like Middlemarch, so this is 4.5 rounded up because Ms. Melville's so delightful in person and such a great teacher. I'm a 53 year-old guy, so I'm less likely to get excited about making some of the garments illustrated (unless they were gifts), but if one worked one's way through the book one would learn an awful lot.

I've been knitting for over 4 years and still have much to learn, and there were new tips in this book. It's not terribly long, and the new tips stand out in stark contrast to the patterns, so I'd suggest everyone at least skim through it to see what you might pick up, even if you know the basics (and then some) already.

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). ( )

Teaches the techniques of knitting, including materials, equipment, stitches, increasing and decreasing, and preventing and fixing mistakes, and includes patterns for dozens of projects. ( )

probably the best book on teaching yourself to knit, http://janientrelac.blogspot.com/ ( )

I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to a beginner (unless you buy Melville's book on the purl stitch as well), mainly because of the emphasis on the knit stitch. I've taught a good number of people to knit, and invariably, they're itching to learn the purl stitch (and capable of handling it) after a couple of lessons. Despite the many varied patterns in Melville's book, knowing only the knit stitch is very limiting.

However, there is a lot going for this book: classic patterns, good photography, excellent instructions, all at an affordable price. I suggest you get this book and the second book in the series (The Purl Stitch) at the same time. The two together provide everything a beginner needs, but at the same time, they provide a good reference set for a more experienced knitter. ( )

this is a must for first time knitters. ( )