Books for Knitters

Do you have a knitter in your life? Would you like to buy them a craft book for Yule, but you’re not sure what they’d find useful? Check out the choices down below for a handy list of books for knitters. I have these on my own shelves and they’re really quite useful!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly book blogging prompt hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Gal. Last week we discussed holiday reads. This week, we have a Freebie. I’m talking about 10 books to give your knitter. Go see what everyone else is talking about!

Books for Knitters: Getting Started

Stitch and Bitch by Debbie Stoller

This was one of the first books I used to get started knitting. My copy has gone wandering, but I seem to recall good technical drawings and clear instructions. It also has a lot of good beginner projects. You don’t have to start with a plain knit scarf!

Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmermann

A lot of folks consider Elizabeth Zimmermann’s patterns useful for advanced knitters. Beginners often get lost due to the less structured, conversational directions. In Knitting Without Tears, Zimmermann explains some of the tips and tricks that will take a beginner to the next level.

Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd

I’m sure a lot of knitters would recommend Cat Bordhi’s sock books, but they’re a little advanced for a beginner. Where Bordhi explores new techniques and methods of execution, Ann Budd’s book gives solid information on how to begin. I was told that turning the heel was a tricky task, but once the process was demystified, it made a lot of sense. I had to rely on a tutorial from a website to help navigate the first sock I knit. If I’d had Getting Started Knitting Socks, I probably wouldn’t have felt as lost.

Intermediate Books for Knitters

Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

This is Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s version of Knitting Without Tears. She shares stories and common-sense tips for continuing your journey from being a knitting beginner to an intermediate. If you (or your knitter) like the Yarn Harlot blog, this is a perfect book.

The Best of Knitscene by Lisa Schroyer

If Interweave Knits is the grown-up knitter’s magazine, Knitscene is the younger, hipper resource. It’s also one of the best places to find the ever-popular Central Park Hoodie pattern.

Whimsical Little Knits 2 by Ysolda Teague

I thought you could only pick this book up in digital format on Ravelry, but I was mistaken. The book has about 12 patterns, including some lovely scarves, a couple of nice hats, a pair of mittens, and a couple of pairs of fingerless gloves. There’s also a pattern for a knitted hedgehog or porcupine stuffy. Plenty of variety!

Advanced Books for Knitters

Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush

Sometimes you need to go looking for this book. I found my copy in the local Chapters at a reasonable price, but I’m seeing copies go for over $80 on Amazon. The book is an invaluable resource if you like knitting any kind of lace objects, particularly shawls. Nancy Bush is part designer, part historian, and the book not only shows you how to knit pretty shawls, it educates the reader on different motifs.

Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker

Technically, this isn’t just one book but four or five. Maybe six. This is the original stitch dictionary, as Walker collected snippets of patterns throughout her adult life.

Knitting Humour

It Itches by Franklin Habit

A small collection of 75 cartoons by knitter/photographer Franklin Habit. Because your knitter needs to laugh.

The Museum of Kitschy Stitches by Stitchy McYarnpants

Sometimes your knitter needs to laugh at themselves…or at least at the creations of those who have gone before. This book has become harder to find, but it’s worth the effort. It entertains both the knitter and their non-wooly spouse. Seriously, some of the fashions in this book are proof that Valium really wasn’t Mommy’s Little Helper back in the 60’s…

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Do you have any favourite knitting books you’d like to recommend? Let me know in the comments 🙂