Phoenix Knitting Forums

I don't have any knitting books at all and would like to buy a good all round one with good tips and instructions for different techniques and methods and maybe a bit with a stitch dictionary kind of thing.

Does such a thing exist? I suppose my priority would be good clear instructions and pictures for techniques etc. The stitch dictionary bit isn't important really as I'm not likely to be designing my own things

Any recommendations?

I have no hesitation in recommending Betty Barnden's 'Compendium of Knitting Techniques'

The look inside facility is available on amazon:



I won this book in a magazine comp and I can't believe how much information is packed into one book - it covers basic stuff like cast-on/off and knit and purl stitches. She explains different yarn weights and how to read a ball band, how to follow a pattern, and how to read charts & symbols. Advanced techniques include Fair Isle, intarsia and entrelac, shaping with darts & short rows. It even covers hand-dyeing and felting.

The stitches shown include lace, cables, bobbles, leaves, bells, fancy edgings, chevrons...

Can you tell that I really like this book?


ETA: the entire contents list is available with 'Look inside' so I didn't have to list anything above!

This book is also amazing. I have it and the sewing one.

Those look like good recommendations. I've followed the link and ended up with an amazon Wishlist of 6 knitting books, lol. Think I might be getting a bit ahead of myself there!

Iv`e got the Ultimate Knitting Bible too and I love it.