Department of Knitting Adbanced Studies
Matchless Education guaranteed to light your way to success!
Or join our School click here
Do you need help learning to knit? Or do you have a friend who wants to learn to knit? Here's a helpful page to give you some resources to find all kinds of knitting information. CHECK OUT THE LINKS!!!!! Some have animated help or photos on knitting techniques. BOOKMARK THIS PAGE IN YOUR FAVORITES!
While not a comprehensive list, these books, magazines and mail lists are my top choice for resources that will help not only the beginning knitter, but anyone who wants to improve their skill level.
Click on each to get a list of useful knitting resources
These are great books for beginners, novices and just to have as reference. Click on the link for information about the book, reviews by readers and to purchase. I've listed these in order from "basic" to "more advanced."
1. Knitting without Tears A classic without compare. Never out of print. You'll probably need a technique book as well, but this classic helps you over many a hump in the learning process. Knitting without Tears2. The Learn-to-Knit afghan book is so helpful. You learn many stitch patterns in easy-to-digest bites of afghan squares. Make this afghan (you can use a modestly priced yarn like Lion Brands Woolease) and when you are finished, you will not only have a handsome lap robe, but you will also have quite a few useful techniques mastered as well. A classic book and happily back in print thanks to Schoolhouse Press. Learn-To-Knit-Afghan Book
3. Sweater Design in Plain English by Maggie Righetti is another superb classic for new knitters. Sweater Design in Plain English
4. Debbie Bliss is a wonderful designer of kid's knits. This comprehensive book
has gotten wonderful reviews. It has lots of pictures. -->How to Knit - The Definitive Knitting...
Bears have to keep warm
too:Teddy Bears : Twenty-Five Irresistible...
5. 25 Gorgeous Sweaters for the Brand-New Knitter. About time someone did such a book! You probably want to make a sweater and are new to knitting What is more satisfying than a making yourself a sweater. These patterns are stylish yet created with a novice knitter in mind. Bravo! 25 Gorgeous Sweaters for the Brand-New...
6. Handknitting with Meg Swansen continues the construction innovations of her mother Elizabeth Zimmerman. A compilation of patterns from Woolgathering Newsletter and very useful Handknitting With Meg Swansen
7. If you want to make socks, Folk Socks is a fantastic book to own. The beginning section about different styles of heels and toes is worth the entire book alone, but you will surely aspire to make the ethnic socks and stockings as your knitting skills grow. A must for an aspiring sock knitter. Folk Socks : The History & Techniques of...
8. Knitting Around WHAT!!! YOU DON'T have this book? Not only is it a great read and another of my but the patterns are original and VERY useful. Just about anything you'd need. Socks, yoke sweaters, scarves, hats, and more. This is my favorite knitting book of all. Knitting Around
9 The Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmerman has many wonderful projects such as the famous Baby Surprise Sweater (it looks unearthly as you knit it but folds up into a very cute jacket) It also furthers your knitting skill from Knitting Without Tears (Raglan and Saddle-Shoulder sweaters using just a chest measurement and some clever formulae. You can knit anything in any wool for nearly anybody this way.) Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop
10. Adult Sweaters ---If you love the idea of knitting sweaters for anyone using a chest measurement and some general instructions, this book continues the idea. Only here you learn how to do it from the top down. This means you start at the neck and continue to the ribbing or hem. What's the advantage of top-down knitting? You can try it on as you go. Great for customizing length and even width; if you made a mistake you can increase the width. Never knit a too-short sweater again. Adult Sweaters : Knitting Seamless...
11. If you love Fair-Isle, Jacquard or color knitting, Fair-Isle Sweaters Simplified is for you. No more than two colors are used per row. Fair Isle Sweaters Simplified
Click on the links for more detailed information and how to purchase these videos
Knitting From Start To Finish*ing Probably the best video around for beginners.Schoolhouse Press (1-800-YOU KNIT) Knitting Workshop -- Elizabeth Zimmerman's classic. From Schoolhouse Press. Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop is the accompanying book of the same name.
Schoolhouse Press has many videos of the projects from past Woolgatherings. The projects are found in the books listed in the book section by Meg Swansen and Elizabeth Zimmerman. They cover the techniques used and are useful for learning and applying the techniques to your own designs. Even if you don't make the design, some of the videos are so rich in techniques they serve as tutorials.
Leslye Solomon's site has videos and tools especially for finishing (sewing together) your knitting. I found these tools to be very helpful.
Listed as "must have" and "nice to have." Also a list of foreign publications. I've listed these with editorial comments. You may find that you prefer the "nice-to-haves" over the "musts." So it's good to get a sample issue from the ones you might be interested in.
Must-Have
Knitters Magazine. http://www.knittinguniverse.com Quarterly. Back issues of this magazine are prized possessions. The photography is sumptuous, the designs creative. Always interesting reading. Knitters Magazine hosts the annual Stitches Conventions (held at various times on the East and West Coast and now in the Midwest. Classes fill up quickly, and the market is fabulous.) Check out the site for the info on the current issue--very helpful to see if you want to subscribe. An absolute MUST-HAVE magazine.
Interweave Knits http://www.interweave.com Interweave publishes several great magazines on fiber arts including the wonderful Spin-off. A smaller magazine published quarterly.
Woolgathering Newsletter http://www.schoolhousepress.com Bi-annually. An eight-page newsletter in black and white. Published by knitting guru Meg Swansen, daughter of Elizabeth Zimmerman. A design by Meg, or a re-issued Elizabeth Zimmerman design plus book reviews and "plugs." Warm, fun reading and great designs for learning novel construction.
Nice-to-Have
Vogue Knitting. Usually available on the newstand. Very chic designs. Some become classics and a must for a trendy knitter. Often has good articles. I list as a "nice to have" but many will disagree and say this is a must. Check it out. If you love current fashion, this is for you. The site has previews of the magazine issue, very helpful to see if you want to subscribe http://www.vogueknitting.com/
Cast-On Magazine: From the The Knitting Guild of America. If you want to become a master knitter, you can sign up for the progressive tests to prove your mastery. http://www.tkga.com/caston.htm
Spin-Off Magazine: Devoted to spinning wool by hand, but often very good knitting patterns and information about yarn and wool. Beautifully presented. http://www.interweave.com
Piecework Magazine: Also published by Interweave Press. This magazine focuses on heritage needlework with small sample projects to try the techniques. Many times knitting is mentioned. For historical information and amazing handwork, this magazine can't be beat. Don't expect knitting in every issue, but if you love needlework, this is a wonderful publication. http://www.interweave.com
Family Circle Knitting: Put out by the biweekly magazine, once or twice a year. Very nice, wearable patterns. http://www.fceasyknitting.com/
Foreign
Marie-Claire Cent Idees: (French Language ONLY) Hard to find (If you tire of prowling the foreign magazine rack at B&N, you can subscribe. 3 issues a year.) French crafts magazine with home decor ideas, fashion and needlework. A knitting pattern for kids and sometimes adults in every issue. The designs have that French flair that no one else seems to be able to duplicate. Usually has an "abecedaire" or sampler for embroidery in every issue. This is a great favorite of mine and worth learning to read French. http://www.viapresse.com/marieclaireidees
Anna (German and English) and Sandra (German and English) Thin
magazines with German style sweaters, many times "trachtmode"
or "Landstil." This is the traditional Bavarian style with edelweiss,
loden green and pewter buttons. Also a lot of trendy Euro styles. http://www.glpnews.com/en/Crafts/Anna.html
http://www.glpnews.com/en/Crafts/Sandra.html
Mail lists are a great way to exchange info. Chances are, there is someone in your area who is also a subscriber to the mail list. You can ask for help, offer help or find resources and events in your area. Some lists have a website where you can subscribe. To unsubscribe, follow the directions provided when you get your subscription notice.
If you have limited email space, or don't like scrolling through lots of messages, the digest is the best way to subscribe; you get a compilation of messages for that day.
The lists have some rules of etiquette; it's important to follow them to keep the lists fun and useful. Every list will send you the etiquette rules when you sign up. You can unsubscribe when you are off on vacation so your mailbox doesn't fill up. Old digests are often archived; you won't have to miss anything while you are gone.
Knitlist@egroups.com This is the granddaddy (or grandmammy) of e-mail lists devoted to knitting. Many, many members.
Knitu@knittinguniverse.com This list is managed by Amy Detjen of Knitters Magazine. Similar to the knitlist, with the added ability to interact with Knitter's Magazine people. Sign up at http://www.knittinguniverse.com and look for the link for Knit U. You will be directed to a page to subscribe.
socknitters@egroups.com This list is more or less devoted to sock knitting. Sock knitting is addictive and fun; everyone wears socks and they are fun and quick to knit. The specifics and intricacies of turning heels, reinforcing feet and other fun aspects of sock knitting are discussed.
There are more lists, check out the home page for egroups.com and search under "knitting."