by Jillian Moreno, Amy R Singer, Keri Comeau, Petra Bockus, Katherine Ganzel, Kate Atherley

SR [Finished chest measurement for sweaters] = the smallest chest measurement to the largest chest measurement we could find in the book. There may be only one pattern with the smallest or largest size, but it's in there. Books are softcover unless noted otherwise. All prices USD unless noted.

Jump to... Quick Picks • New in Paperback • Spinning

Knit.Sock.Love.
by Cookie A.
One Leg Press
$26.95

Along with Cat Bordhi, Cookie A has changed the way knitters think about socks. In this, her first self-published book, you can really see that she thinks differently, in a geometrical and architectural way, about socks.

There are 25 patterns in the book, some are old favorites but most are brand new. They are divided into three sections : Columns, Tessellations and Diagonals, moving from the very straightforward vertical patterned sock to socks that increase in visual, though not necessarily knitterly, complexity.

Her patterns are all top down and have the stitch patterns rendered in charts. Truly wonderful are the sock diagrams she provides, a schematic(!) for each sock pattern and a color coded diagram that shows the placement of pattern on the sock and pattern repeats. More innovation from Cookie A.

JM

West Knits Book One
by Stephen West
printed book plus PDF download code: $20*
download PDF directly: $20

*Each print book has an individual code on the back cover, which can be used when the knitter goes to the e-book on Ravlery and clicks "add to cart" or "buy it now". Enter the code where it says "use a coupon code" to receive the e-book for free along with their print copy.

Craft, Work, Knit
by Ann Weaver
printed book: $25.00
digital download: $18.00
both: $30
SR=35-55"

Johnny Rotten, Josef Albers and the Dutch speed-skating team are a diverse group of inspirations for a fantastic self-published book of new patterns by Ann Weaver.

Made up of sweaters (3 for women, 1 man’s and 1 for a baby) and accessories (1 pair of mittens, 1 hat and 3 scarf/shawls) the technique and design range from traditional colorwork  and texture  to unusual mixtures of yarns and colors. Real standouts for me are Ann’s sweaters -- her shaping and combinations of yarns are unexpected and spectacular. The layout and photographs are crisp, clean and airy. 

The book has a wonderful feeling of joy. It’s clear that this book has been a labor of love.

JM

More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts
by Joelle Hoverson
STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book
$27.50, hardcover

This book is the most anticipated sequel this season, and it doesn’t disappoint. From the chunky elf hat on the cover to the technique section that uses photographs (very good photographs) instead of drawings this book is all about style and quality. Just like the first Last Minute Knitted Gifts, this book divides the patterns into the amount of time it takes to knit the projects from less than 2 hours to more than 8 hours. The patterns are wonderful easily giftable to a variety of people, designed in Joelle’s signature style that is at once modern, yet won’t go out of fashion, clearly written and knit from yarns that you can’t wait to touch.

The stand outs for me this time around are the baby and kids patterns, the cover Pointy Elf Hat [would look stunning in handspun yarn], the Baby Bonnet is a timeless classic, and the Easy Baby Cardigan makes me wish I new someone having a baby.

JM

Modern Top-Down Knitting: Sweaters, Dresses, Skirts and Accessories Inspired by the Techniques of Barbara G. Walker.
by Kristina McGowan
STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book
$27.50, hardcover
SR= 31-50"

When I heard that this book was coming out, I got giddy. I’m just starting on my own teach-myself adventure with top-down knitting and any resources are a cause for excitement. This isn’t the book I was expecting [I missed the phrase ‘Inspired by’ the first time around and thought it would be a literal update of the BW book] but it delighted me all the same.

It is not a teaching book like the original Barbara Walker book; it is a pattern book, but you will still learn things. There is a brief overview of top-down knitting, with a special section on one of my favorite top-down skills – set-in seamless sleeves. The chapter on finishing will give your knits a final polish. The patterns are casually modern, clean lines and well-thought-out details, sweaters and dresses that many shapes of women can wear, complete with customizing tips and hats to swoon over.  

JM

The Stitch Collection: A Box of Portable Guides to Knit Stitches
by Debbie O’Neill
Lark Books
$19.95

225 stitch patterns divided into 5 categories and 5 separate books: Knit & Purl, Rib, Lace, Cables, and Specialty. 

Being an obsessive swatcher, I love this idea. As much as I love them and find them indispensible, you can’t really just toss a Walker Treasury in your knitting bag for on the go swatching. These books are about 5x7" and 60 pages.  All of the patterns are written out only, no charts.

This collection rates their stitch patterns for difficulty as well as drape, something I’ve not seen in other stitch pattern collections.

JM

JM

Jil Eaton’s KNITTING SCHOOL - the complete guide to becoming a confident knitter
by Jil Eaton
Potter Craft
$22.99

This is the perfect new knitter book. I was so impressed with the pairing techniques with patterns, marching through the garter stitch basics and then dancing into the fun stuff from cables to fair isle to lace. Each project has several vivid photos and the diagrams are so easy to understand, it’s impossible to be intimidated.

As an intermediate knitter, the patterns at the beginning of the book had me unsure whether I would be likely to knit anything myself. Should I give it straight to my daughter who is just learning? Then I turned a few more pages... and things got adorable. A perfect little shrug, a gorgeous wrap, a very colourful hat. Jil Eaton of MinnowKnits has brought together a good collection of her designs with tips and progressions to make them accessible for everyone to enjoy.

PB

This book is more fun than should be allowed for any crafting book.  It’s a collection of new patterns inspired by vintage knitting and crochet patterns from the '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s with a couple of sewing patterns thrown in for good measure. More than just a pattern book, it’s something you will leave on the coffee table for your friends and family to enjoy.  It's chock full of classic and kitschy clothing, accessories and toys that are guaranteed to take you back to the styles you remember from your childhood.  The categories are funny, the photos are entertaining and the styles are pure vintage.  If you have a pair of go-go boots stashed in your closet and want the perfect London mod or granny square mini dress to wear with them, this is the book for you. If you always wanted to channel your inner pin-up girl, there are multiple sweaters to choose from. If your significant other (or you) is a Trekkie, you can knit up a sweater that makes you look like you just left the Academy (but don’t knit it in red!).   There are space alien toys, an atomic bowling bag, his and hers matching sweater sets and crocheted hot pants. 

KG

The Knitter's Year: 52 Make-in-a-Week Projects-Quick Gifts and Seasonal Knits
by Debbie Bliss
Trafalgar Square Books
$24.95

With lots and lots of quick projects to knit, this book may be the answer to that nagging question, ‘what do I knit when I don’t know what to knit?’.

Taking her cues from the seasons, Debbie Bliss gives a good balanced variety of patterns, i.e. it’s not all baby things. Bags, home goods (sachets, hanger covers), hats, gloves, scarves, socks -- all simple patterns that take a week or less to make (most much less) with very satisfying and usable results.

JM

The Perfect Finish: A No-Nonsense Guide to Finishing Techniques for Knitters of Every Level
by Kara Gott Warner
DRG
$19.95

A comprehensive and precise finishing book that goes well beyond how to seam your sweater. For every topic this book has clear, close-up photographs of the process. That alone makes me love it.

The topics include how to plan for better finishing, blocking and construction including seaming and weaving in – just like most finishing books. But how about necklines and collars? Pockets? Hems and facings? Buttonholes and zippers? Those are make it or break it elements for a garment, they’re in here in clear detail. The skills are capped with how-tos on fully fashioned increases and decreases, and short rows, including Japanese short rows.

JM

Socks A La Carte 2: Toes Up!: Pick and Choose Patterns to Knit Socks Your Way
by Jonelle Raffino and Katherine Cade
North Lights Books
$22.99, board over spiral binding

Continuing with the success of her first sock book, Socks a La Carte, Jonelle Raffino and Katherine Cade are now letting toe-up sock knitters in on the flip book fun.

Both A La Carte books feature a pick and choose method of sock knitting – choose your toe/heel, leg and cuff and combine them in infinite varieties. The designs are shown on flat pages with the written patterns in flip-book style, allowing you to see the cuff, leg and toe/heel combination that you’ve chosen all on one assembled page. In this book, all of the stitch patterns are knit in solid color yarns, much easier to see than in the first book. A fun sock knitting book that allows anyone to personalize a sock design with ease.

JM

Norwegian Patterns for Knitting: Classic Sweaters, Hats, Vests, and Mittens
by Mette Handberg
Trafalgar Square Books
$24.95
SR= 42-55"

Mette Handberg studied the style of  knitwear common to the different parts of Norway and translated them into 20 patterns, mostly sweaters with some accessories for men women and children.

The colorwork and detail are true to traditional Norwegian knitting with intricate two-color stitch patterns. The sweater patterns are presented in word and chart format with full color photographs and lots of tips and techniques common to Norwegian knitting.

JM

Warm Knits, Cool Gifts: Celebrate the Love of Knitting and Family with more than 35 Charming Designs
by Sally Melville and Caddy Melville Ledbetter
Potter Craft
$25.99
SR= For Women 31 – 53", For Men 38 - 57"

Sally and her daughter, Caddy, team up again to provide patterns that are perfect for holiday gift giving or wearing during the winter months. There are patterns for babies, children, men and women.

In addition, there are many gift items from afghans and lace bookmarks to ornaments, including a miniature Einstein Coat.  Interspersed in the patterns are a lot of great tips on how to adjust the patterns to just the right fit or how to use different yarns for a different effect and even information on how the patterns were developed.

Sockupied
E-Zine
Interweave Press
$14.95

A multimedia party for sock lovers! Sockupied is an e-zine for sock knitters who want more than just new patterns. Flip through quickly and you can see patterns and features. Take note of all of the arrows on the edges of images and pages, these all lead to more. Nearly every page, even the ads, have some extra element to it, from the editor’s letter as a video to Franklin Habit’s ending animation.

Knitting Block by Block: 150 Blocks for Sweaters, Scarves, Bags, Toys, Afghans, and More
by Nicky Epstein
Potter Craft
$29.99, hardcover

In her typically creative way, Nicky Epstein presents 150 square swatches and teaches you how to use them as building blocks for designing.

The swatches cover the knitted gamut from texture to colorwork from appliqué to intarsia. Each block is presented in a large color photo and then again smaller, along with direction and charts for knitting. There are 10 projects using the building block style: a sweater that uses a block as motif, a bag using a single enlarged block, a scarf using several blocks and more.

JM
 

Fresh Fashion Knits: More than 20 Must-Have Designs from Rowan's Studio Collection
by Sarah Hatton
$22.99
SR= 36-49"

A greatest hits collection from Rowan’s Studio Collection, the fashion forward little sister booklet of the BIG Rowan magazine. 

All shot in a studio setting with plain backgrounds the sweaters are the stars here. Layered, chunky, gossamer, asymmetrical, Sarah Hatton manages to catch elements of what’s hot on fashion’s runways and make it interesting in knitwear, wearable in knitwear and lasting in knitwear. Many of the designs in the book are from many seasons ago and still would slot in beautifully into this season’s sweater wardrobe.

JM

Around the World in Knitted Socks: 26 Inspired Designs by Stephanie van der Linden
Interweave Press
$24.95

Not for the faint of heart, Around the World in Knitted Socks strives to present the knitter with a multicultural array of  sock construction techniques. Patterns are based on both traditional knitted designs and drawn from the art of the culture in which they are based.  Stranded colour work and lace patterns are the dominant themes in the book.

Patterns are presented in written and chart format and are clear, concise, and easy to follow. Overall, the photographs capture the beauty of the socks and I found myself thinking that final  product would make the challenge of creating a pair of these socks worth the effort. 

Wrapped in Lace
Margaret Stove
Interweave Press
$26.95
Margaret Stove's latest book, "Wrapped in Lace - Knitted
Heirloom Designs from Around the World" is a must-have for
any serious lace knitter.  I don't think it would be
overstating it to say it's a masterpiece of the genre.

It's a magnificent book to look at - beautifully illustrated
with many stunning photographs and illustrations of both
finished projects, but also techniques and key design
elements.

Knitting at Home: 60 Classics from Ella Rae Designs
by Leanne Prouse
Sixth & Spring Books
$24.95, hardcover

I like to think that filling your home with handknitted things is a human’s way of nesting for the winter, the opposite of spring cleaning.

With this book, Leanne Prouse give us 60 different ways of feathering our nests. Throws and pillows may be the obvious items to knit, but patterns like her Floor Pillow, Garter Stitch Throw and Felted Ottoman are anything but ordinary.

The patterns include, but go beyond, the usual decorating-your-house patterns and focus on what makes a home cozy and relaxing with patterns for socks and slippers, sweaters, knitting for children, mitts and even knitting for the kitchen.

JM

Vampire Knits: Projects to Keep You Knitting from Twilight to Dawn
by Genevieve Miller
Potter Craft
$18.99

I originally found out about this book while it was still in its preproduction phase through the Ravelry group. Since then I have been dying with anticipation to see the final product. When this came across the desk in need of a review, I literally pounced on it before anyone else had a chance to take it from me.

The year long wait was worth it and Vampire Knits does not disappoint. Fans of the genre, young and old, will find something to be excited about. Whether it's the Bella inspired Mittens, the Blood Bottle Cozies, or what has proved to be the favourite with my friends, the Tourniquet Scarf, this wide range of projects will appeal to knitters of all levels. Not to leave out fans of werewolves, there are even a few patterns dedicated to the furry shape-shifters. 

Little Knitted Creatures: 26 Amigurumi Designs
by Amy Gaines
Leisure Arts
$22.95

Amy Gaines, she of complete adorableness on Etsy, shares some of her secrets of cute with us in her new book.

26 squee-worthy animals, fish, birds and other pocket sized friends will charm you into knitting them. The Wren Twins stole a little bit of my heart, and the entire collection of Forest Friends made me giggle with their chubby cuteness.

The photos are clear and bright, the instructions are easy to follow and the patterns quick, which all adds up to an almost-instantaneous knit.

JM

Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Patterns That Go Way Beyond Socks!
by Judith Durant
Storey Publishing
$18.95

I have over 50 skeins of sock yarn in my stash, and I keep buying it, even though I don’t knit that many pairs of socks. How about you? I bet there’s an excess of sock yarn in your knitting life too.

For the latest installment in her One-Skein series, Judith Durant is going to help us all with our sock yarn stash with 101 patterns that use only sock yarn. No, it’s not 101 sock patterns. There are socks, and they are interesting and lovely knits, like the Vidia Socks. There are beautiful shawls and scarves, with unusual twists, like the shaping in the Gambit Scarf, and the Petal Shawlette. There are mitts and gloves, neckwarmers, knits for babies and kids, hats and knits for your home. A couple more of my favorites are the Tosh Purse and Chevron Lace Fingerless Mitts.

As with the rest of the books in this series this doesn’t disappoint for depth and breadth of pattern variety.

JM

Knitting Daily Workshop Classic to Creative Knit Cables with Kathy Zimmerman
by Kathy Zimmerman
$19.95
Run Time: 66 min 51 sec


Though the introduction section of the video seems stilted and Kathy Zimmerman initially appears very uncomfortable in front of the camera, it turns out to be surprisingly informative and well presented overall. 

The dvd is divided into multiple sections that include the basics of simple cabling and needed tools, two more advanced patterns, and a “fix it” section.  The beginner section is very easy to follow along with and dismisses the myth that cabling is scary and difficult. Zimmerman also includes how to properly read charts and handy tips to make the process more accessible to the most novice knitter.  The “fix it” section is great for anyone who has cabled and presents simple solutions to common cabling problems. 

In every section Zimmerman is very clear with her directions and adds many helpful tips  that even the most experience knitter may find useful.  However, this dvd is clearly designed with a new cable knitter in mind and a more experienced knitter may find it less useful overall. 

KC

Knitwit
by Katie Boyette
Sellers Publishing Inc.
$18.95

I find myself completely charmed by this book. Katie Boyette has created a gangly group of misfits that distinguish themselves from other knitted toys by not trying to be cute or whimsical. Instead they are stuffed with personality and mischief.

Best of all is the layout of the book. Everything is so clear and neatly organized. As openly sub-titled on the front, the patterns are at many different skill levels. Beginners may get a little lost with the sheer amount of counting, increases, and decreases in the majority of the patterns. To balance this though, there are lots of great pictures and size-as templates for all extra pieces.

Vampire panda, evil robot, pirate alien- whatever I cast on first will most likely be filched by my children as soon as it’s done. Maybe I need to start with ninjas to guard the rest.

PB

Nordic Knits: 29 Stylish Small Projects
by Martin Storey
St. Martin’s Griffin
$24.99
SR= 32-52"

With the classic design sense that he is known for, Martin Storey gives us 29 accessory projects inspired by the patterns of Scandinavia: texture, lace, colorwork.  The most time-consuming and complex projects are a pair of colorwork vests. The rest -- pillows, bags, hats, scarves and mittens -- while not rated easy are straightforward, often with just a touch of texture or colorwork, perfect for a first colorwork project or for a more experienced knitter to fly through. 

JM

The Ohio Knitting Mills Knitting Book: 26 Patterns Celebrating Four Decades of American Sweater Style
by Steven Tatar
Artisan
$17.95

From the 1940s through the 1970s, the Ohio Knitting Mill provided knitwear to most of the department stores in the US. This unusual and exceptional book is equal parts fashion history and pattern book.

26 of the best selling patterns are shown in their original style and color, and also modeled in current yarns and colors, complete with easy-to-follow patterns. The book includes historical sketches, photographs of the working mill and essays on the history and running of the mill. The sweater patterns are classic to their time periods, but without (much) kitsch, they are mod and modern, like stumbling on the perfect vintage stash. Good knitting and good reading.

JM

Country Weekend Socks: 25 Classic Patterns to Knit
by Madeline Weston
St. Martin’s Griffin
$24.99

Glorious sock patterns for intermediate and advanced sock knitters. Color knitters will be especially happy -- half of the patterns in this book are devoted to all manner of color sock knitting, including argyle. The rest of the socks are a good assortment of lace and texture, many inspired by traditional British Isles knitting.

The variety happily goes beyond texture and color for these patterns. There are socks knit top down and toe up, socks that range in height from ankle to over the knee, and gauges that range from 5.5 to 8 sts to the inch.

JM

Gentle Art of Plying (DVD)
by Judith McKenzie
Interweave Press
$34.95 , DVD
$29.95, download
Length:
Disc 1 - 58 Minutes
Disc 2 - 47 Minutes

I used love plying only because it went so fast, but now I love plying because I can see how integral it is to the design and function of any yarn I make. Throughout these DVDs Judith McKenzie discusses yarn structure in great detail for both knitting and weaving (there is more information about knitting, but the weaving information is meaty) from the basics of how to ply, to the whys of the varied number of plies. When Judith gives you a why for something she’s teaching it’s not a ‘because I say so’ why like many teachers, but a why built on the depth and breadth of her spinning, knitting and weaving experiences. Do you know how to easily join a broken thread while plying? How the way you knits takes out wither single or ply twist? When and how you want to block your yarn?
How to evaluate your singles before you ply? Which whorls to use for plying if you’re spinning woolen or worsted? Do you want to learn how to design a perfect yarn what what you want to knit or weave? In these DVDs Judith says, “It’s your yarn, you get to choose”, and she teaches you how.

JM

Popular Wheel Mechanics (DVD)
by Judith McKenzie
Interweave Press
$34.95 , DVD
$29.95, Download
Length:
Disc 1: 64 minutes
Disc 2: 60 minutes

When Judith McKenzie teaches she opens her brain and her heart, teaching on a DVD is no exception. She takes the very basic mechanics of spinning wheels and transforms them into a fascinating lesson on how to control and spin the exact yarn you’d like. Like her classes in person she weaves stories and much extra information throughout her teaching. When she talks about the parts of wheels, she discusses how to sit while you spin to minimize shoulder pain. When she discusses whorls (pulleys) and bobbins you’ll learn that the size of you your drive band effects the pull on of your wheel. Using a variety of wheels, and including the WooLee Winder, she breaks down all the parts of a spinning wheel and a variety of drive systems to make you a better educated and more skilled spinner.
The only possible downside to this DVD is that it will leave you wanting to buy more wheels, but you’ll know all of the mechanical reasons.

JM

Respect the Spindle: The Video
by Abby Franquemont
Interweave Press
$19.95, DVD
$14.95, download
Length: 60 minutes

A wonderful and thorough DVD to get a new spindle spinner started , full of useful information and personal stories.  I must point out that this is not a DVD version of her book of the same name. If I were to relate it to the book, I would say, it goes into great detail on the chapter Starting to Spin. That said it is a fantastic introduction to spinning – the how and why spinning works, how to get started with the park and draft method, drafting , joins, plying and finishing yarns. She talks about the differences of top and bottom whorl spindles and shows her method for winding on more yarn than I though humanly possible on a spindle. It would be hard for a new spindle spinner to not learn to spin from this DVD.

JM

Reprint: Aran Knitting
by Alice Starmore
Dover Publications
$29.95
SR=32-48"

Like the knitting and book dork I am, I sat with the old edition and new edition of Aran Knitting and compared them page by page.

Here are the basics: all of the patterns are knit in yarns that are currently available from Starmore's own shop, Virtual Yarns, the patterns that were reknit and rephotographed have more sizes, all of the juicy goodness of history, how to design, and stitch patterns are still there, there is a new preface by Alice Starmore, and THERE IS A NEW SWEATER PATTERN.

Reprint: Knitter’s Almanac:
The Commemorative Edition
by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Dover Publications
$24.95

Reprint: Vintage Knits: 30 Knitting Designs from Rowan for Women and Men
$24.95
SR=32-52"

This book first came out in 2005. I still want to knit everything in it. How does Rowan do it? Timeless and evocative post WWII-British-lady-with-a-secret patterns that you’ll wear forever.

Reprint: The NEW Knitter's Template:
Your Guide to Custom Fit and Style

by Laura Militzer Bryant and Barry Klein
Martingale & Company
$24.99, hardcover over spiral binding

Enhanced: Knitted Lace of Estonia with DVD
by Nancy Bush
Interweave Press
$26.95
1 Disk with Run Time of 60 Minutes

Within the first five minutes of the DVD that accompanies her book Knitted Lace of Estonia, you know why Nancy Bush has devoted a good part of her knitting life to the knitting of Estonia, passion. She loves the people and knitting of Estonia, she glows with it on this DVD. The passion comes across in the lessons she teaches here: a short history of Estonian knitting, Estonian lace techniques – including the elusive nupp, edgings both traditional and modern and three blocking techniques. Even though some of this material is covered in the book in illustrations, nothing compares to watching someone, especially an expert demonstrate it for you.

Enhanced: The Intentional Spinner with DVD:
A Holistic Approach to Making Yarn
by Judith MacKenzie
Interweave Press
$29.95, paperback with DVD

I’m lucky enough to have taken a couple of classes with Judith MacKenzie, and they are as wonderful as the rumors say. When the Intentional Spinner came out I read it, studied it, spun from it. I thought it was great. I had a weird feeling like there was the tiniest thing missing and couldn’t quite put my finger on it. As soon as started the DVD that comes packaged with the book – I knew what that was, her voice. When she teaches she talks, low and slow. She can be demonstrating one thing with her hands, and all the while telling you something different of interest and importance. This DVD captures that experience.

The DVD gets right to the meat – Judith’s foolproof way to ply. The same information is in the book as a photo essay, but watching Judith’s hands and listening to her calm voice makes it really stick in your brain.  She also extends the teaching of plying, cabled yarns, novelty yarns and an in-depth section on controlling diameter. It would be impossible not learn something wonderful from a woman who says, “The wheel is a magic extension of our power in the world”

In this package, the book is the same as the original publication; the DVD is an addition.

lampwork owl bead
by tangiblelight
$15.00

apple / ctrl-z / undo acrylic necklace
by plastique
$20.00

hedgehog baby gear
by planetpudge
$24.00

knitter tattoo inspired necklace
by swallowkisses
$22

monstrously good dpn holders
by peanutga11ery1
$6.00

don't be scared! they're just rubber!

mitten blocker keychain
by kitenvy

blocker + teeny weeny squeeny mitten pattern: $5.00
blocker, pattern + yarn kit: $15.00

Project Bag
by A Verb for Keeping Warm
$17.00

100% linen,
hand-printed and sewn in California.

Classy, durable drawstring storage
for your knitting
or spindling in progress.