The Principles of Knitting

Those of us who are "dyed in the wool" knitters have been offered a treasure trove of spectacular books within the last 12 months, but this one, "The Principles of Knitting" tops my list of must-have volumes. Here's my take on June Hemmons Hiat's revised foundational volume: PROS: 1. "Principles" starts at the beginning (e.g., how-tos, including knitting methods, cast-on, cast-off, selvages, and more basics) and proceeds to the most complex. She has included all the basics every knitter needs to understand. 2. Many knitting writers stress the importance of starting each project with a gauge swatch, but this volume includes a series of photos of swatches made with different yarns and weights. We know (from being told so often) we should always make the swatch, but often we are so ready to get going that we skip this most important step with sometimes sorry results. Now you can see why you must do this before plunging right into your pattern. What was news to me is simple common sense that I have been woefully lacking - dress the swatch. Of course! It makes perfect sense that your swatch should reflect the same finishing that you'll apply to the finished garment. And that would explain why, sometimes, my garments do not exactly mirror my swatches. 3. I've recently had a bear of a time picking up stitches to finish a hemmed neckline and hemmed armholes. My problem? Getting the picked up stitches exactly even on each side. Now I can do it with ease by picking up all stitches and decreasing as necessary - perfect! Why didn't I think of that before. 4. Not everyone becomes an avid knitter, but, for those who do, the time inevitably arrives when they want to knit their own original designs. The Principles of Knitting is the definitive resource for designing your own knits without hiding the final product or having the neighborhood gather to giggle at your results. For example, consider the discussion on designing a sleeve cap (pp. 495-96 - available for you to read in the "look inside the book" section above). Here's a clear discussion on how to fit the sleeve cap so the results look professional rather than disastrous. Think about it. Shouldn't handmade knits look great (better than off-the-rack) as well as being heart-felt creations? This is the resource you need to make that happen. 5. There's a ton of information in this book that I may never get around to using, but that's ok. There's so much to do differently in the techniques I already use, that I will be busy from now on - and my results will be even better. But if I ever get bored . . . CONS: 1. This is a HUGE volume, so it is understandable that certain cost-cutting efforts were applied to reduce the final size and expense. However, the paper used is light-weight, and the print sometimes shows through the back of the page, making it a bit difficult to read. I consider this book an important tool, just the same as my hard-wood needles, so I would have preferred a heavier paper even if it increased the cost of the book. After all, the cost of the best tools usually pays off in the best results! 2. A question: What's with the Kindle edition of this book costing 51% more than the print edition? How can that be reasonable? About the only advantage I can imagine is that you could receive instant delivery, but is that worth paying so much more? OVERALL: I pre-ordered this massive volume on September 1, 2011, and waited almost six months to read it. It was worth the wait. If I could own only two knitting books, this would be one of the two. The other? "Finishing School." With these two books, you'll have the answer to any "knotty" problem you might encounter. Knitters rejoice! This is the mother lode!

This book sat on my wish list for a while. I figured it would be more of the same information I already have in my other references. So I was probably going to pass...but when I saw an interview with the author, I learned that the she has an academic background and had worked on the original for like eight years, then another 10 years on this 2nd edition. This is more than a typical knitting reference; It is really what the title says: the principles. (Duh, I should have known.) This is a scholarly, exhaustive work. She says in the interview that she was trying to include everything about hand knitting. (Not so much the history/background, though there is a little of that too, but the methods, techniques, tools, etc.) She said she wanted to write a book that explains the 'why'. So I ordered the book and I am delighted! This is a deep dive, offering explanations and refinements rarely seen in typical how-to books. The book is beautiful! I am reading it from cover to cover and I like the font and color of the pages a lot. The illustrations and photos are not in color but they are nice and clear and it's easy to see what's happening. I would highly recommend this book to begginers and experts alike. I think I am a pretty good intermediate knitter and I am learning things in chapter one right now.

Very nice, comprehensive reference work that updates everything and corrects the judgy tone of the first edition.

As many have mentioned before me, this is a tome. Some have said the pages are see-through but compared to my old college textbooks with glossy pages (and the headache glare that can come with it) these pages are a matte finish, very easy on the eyes and a pleasure to read. The black and white diagrams are also not an issue for me, as I am use to them from reading Mary Thomas, older Elizabeth Zimmermann and B. Walker's Treasury of Patterns books. The binding could be considered flimsy but as a retired library employee I believe this is so the book can be laid open for reference without having to break the binding. The content is nothing short of superbly thorough. Ms. Hiatt thoroughly explores not just the whats, but the hows, whys, what the method is best used for or not so good for; and when to or not to use it. Where Elizabeth Zimmerman is (self described as) pithy in her directions, Ms. Hiatt explores topics in easy-to-understand yet surgical detail. For anyone who wants to know knitting science inside and out or actively question and/or improve their methods, this book cannot be beat.

I am an obsessed knitter and love great reference books. This definitely falls in this catagory. It's a wealth of information on not just how to knit, but how knitting works, yarn, fiber and covers techniques I had until not heard of until now. Ms Hiatt's discussion of how to get an accurate gauge is second to none. (yes, I'm a knitting geek) I have two criticisms that keep me from giving it 5 stars. 1) In the second edition Ms Hiatt decided to "clarify" the subject by using language that isn't standard in other knitting books or classes. (At least not books or classes I've come across.) For example it's standard to refer to how the stitches are mounted on the needle as eastern mount or western mount, but she chooses to call it standard mount and turned mount with no mention of the traditional terms. I consider myself an advanced-intermediate to intermediate-advanced knitter and I am confused at times. My digital edition is peppered with notes like "x term = y term" I'm afraid that a beginning knitter will be left adrift if using this book and then tries to speak with other knitters or teachers, or just looked at another reference book. It seems her efforts at clarification in some areas may have just muddled the matter more. Also, for a reference book the cross referencing is poor, especially for the digital edition (hello links are a reader's friend). Through out the book Ms. Hiatt refers to material that she has already covered or material she will cover in greater detail later. However, there are no page numbers within the text for quick reference. I'm constantly going back to the index or table of contents or using the search function which can be a bit unrefined to find what it is she's talking about. What links there are will get you in the general vicinity of the text. This just doesnt' seem efficient. Despite these drawbacks, I'd highly recommend this book for intermediate - advanced knitter who really want to delve deeper into the craft. And I love having it on my tablet so I don't have to carry around the tome as I find myself referring back to it for this or that.

I have been eyeing very expensive used copies of this classic of knitting technique for years. I was overjoyed to learn that it was going to be re-issued and immediately pre-ordered this item. I was stunned when the book arrived. Complete and comprehensive doesn't even begin to describe the contents of this book it is that overwhelming. Beginning with self-teaching methods and all of the different cast-ons and knitting techniques it progresses to stitch patterns, decreases, increases, making adjustments in fit and design based on stitch patterns, finishing techniques - just everything. Circular knitting, knitting with beads, double-knitting, making allowances for patterns with a slant or an unusual shape are just a few of the techniques and problems surveyed. Solving problems to knitting in general and specific techniques is a part of each section. Color knitting is extensively covered, not only the usual stranded and intarsia knitting but all of the different Nordic and other methods of color knitting. It is all here and more. Lavishly illustrated in clear line drawings that demonstrate the techniques this book encompasses a lifetime of knitting expertise. For every knitter who has struggled to master a new technique or fix a seemingly insoluble problem or who has created a garment or item that bore no resemblance to the photograph on the pattern, this book shows you how to troubleshoot and fix. Principles of Knitting covers all of the technical information without which the finished product is not what was intended or envisioned. Other books cover patterns, projects and stitches, this book ensures that the patterns are completed as intended. Other books show the knitter inspriational photos of lovely garments and items, this book ensures that those projects become a reality. A must for any knitter's library and a wonderful gift for the novice knitter. Highest possible recommendation.

Great information on knitting

Very comprehensive book. Pretty enough for coffee table.