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4th out of 49 books
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39 voters
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Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the best-selling author of "At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much" and celebrated blogger and humorist of the knitting world, is back Funnier than ever, Pearl-McPhee continues her running dialogue with her knitting compatriots -- cheering them on to ever-greater heights in the climb to make knitting universally recognized...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
March 1st 2006
by Storey Publishing, LLC
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There are about 56 pages of actual useful content in this book.
The actual useful content can be found starting on page 127 where she begins discussing socks. Following the sock section there are small sections on scarves and shawls. Most of this information could be gleaned by surfing the internet a bit or visiting the knittinghelp website.
The rest can be summed up as follows:
1. The author has lots of yarn EVERYWHERE and her house is a mess.
2. ...more
The actual useful content can be found starting on page 127 where she begins discussing socks. Following the sock section there are small sections on scarves and shawls. Most of this information could be gleaned by surfing the internet a bit or visiting the knittinghelp website.
The rest can be summed up as follows:
1. The author has lots of yarn EVERYWHERE and her house is a mess.
2. ...more
Let's say you just knit your first hat and it did't quite turn out the way you planned. Maybe it's not quite the right size. Or shape. Have you considered your extended family and friends? Maybe one of them has a head that would be perfect for your new creation. Or maybe you need to change your mindset: your hat might be much happier as a tea cozy. Or you could put handles on it and make it a purse. Or maybe, just maybe, what you really knit was a ball of yarn, just waiting to be ripped ...more
My mother taught me to knit while she was visiting me at Thanksgiving, and so I am working on my very first item - a scarf, done in simple garter stitch with purple merino wool. Since her visit I've picked up a few books to help me, starting with two beginner knitter books and then followed by this one which I found by browsing at the store. I've read the author's blog for the last month or so and find her writing quite entertaining, so I figured I'd give this a whirl. This book is a great co...more
Now I understand why knitters become such ardent fans of Stephanie McPhee! Not only is this book full of sage advice for knitters, it's very funny. I think (admitting to being prejudiced) that even a non-knitter would enjoy this book for its humor. While it's directed at knitters, hoping to help us make our lives a bit easier with suggestion on stash/book/magazine organizing, simple instructions for generic hats, scarves, sweaters, and socks, it's also full of a wealth of practical advice on how...more
I love to read Stephanie Pearl McPhee's books and this one is no exception. She approachs knitting and learning how to knit with a sense of humor. She admits to a evergrowing stash and made me feel less guilty about mine (so much smaller). I agree with her that television is the prime time to sneak in some knitting. So often, I have felt my hands idle and all they needs is something to knit or to embrioder. Her book reads like an old friend chatting to you. I have to restrain myself from not buy...more
I wasn't too impressed with this book, in fact i don't think i finished it.
This book from the Yarn Harlot taught me how to knit socks. Chapter 6 gives specifics and generalities with such clarity that I managed my first pair with very little confusion, despite having been intimidated by the very idea of having to turn a heel. I just followed the directions and knitted and knitted and knitted--and then I had socks!
The rest of the book was fun, too, as I'd expect from this author. She has a self-deprecating humor and a love of all things knitting which m...more
The rest of the book was fun, too, as I'd expect from this author. She has a self-deprecating humor and a love of all things knitting which m...more
I read this blog a lot and so was looking forward to this book and although overall it wasn't bad I have to say that it lacked a little something. There were times when it was a little redundant, I couldn't reallt relate to this need to do all knitting all the time, even though the last year or so I've been knitting a lot. I do like her style and as I said I read her blog regularly but I think I would have to say that I will think twice about buying one of her other books. Might rent them from t...more
After reading her last book, (#15)- I immediately made it a point to run out and get her latest book, Knitting Rules! The Yarn Harlot’s Bag of Tricks and I read it cover to cover pretty quickly. Pearl-McPhee’s latest book includes more of her great sense of humor as well as some great tips and basic patterns for items like hats, socks, scarves and even sweaters. Along with that she writes about essential knitting notions, but all in a fashion that’s both informative and entertaining. Her observa...more
I have just started knitting again --- I learned as a kid but didn't start again until last year. Pearl-McPhee has put together a humorous look at the hobby overall, plus gives some templates to follow for knitting some common items: hats, scarves, shawls (triangular and circular) as well as sweaters. Her style made it read-able and I believe that I will pull it out from time-to-time as reference. NOTE: I read on a Kindle, but as a work of reference, it would be easier to use as a real book.
This book is a combination of knitting anecdotes, reference material, and basic patterns. If you're expecting it to be a full-fledged version any of those three types of books, you'll be dissapointed. I thought it was an enjoyable read, with pattern tips I'm sure I'll use at some point...Plus, I now know how to identify fiber type using FIRE, so that's pretty awesome. I feel like I need to intentionally lose a ball band just to test that one out.
One of my favorite things about the Kindle is that I can make the font giant and read on the treadmill without flailing around or getting a headache... it is great. Especially good for this activity are breezy blogger-penned memoirs and the like. I skimmed over a lot of the knitting recipes in this book but I'm sure they'd be useful for beginners - I found the stories and the voice made it a fun, easy read for working out.
This book is more of a how-to guide on various projects, such as scarves, socks, sweaters, gloves, and hats. She tells anecdotes here and there to relieve the knitting knowledge you are receiving. There are many top 10 lists located inside, such as "top 10 reasons not to be a sweater pansy" (or something like that). Overall, it's a lighthearted resource for the advanced beginning/intermediate knitter.
This is my favorite out of her books. She uses humour to highlight the pros and cons of knitting. This was also the first time I read her writing so it holds a special place in my heart. I'd recommend it to new knitters. I'd also recommend it to non-knitters, who are trying to understand their loved one's obsession. Knitting might make some more sense for them after reading this!
Full of the kind of humor that will tickle anyone who has ever knit, whether a novice or an expert or somewhere in between, but especially those who have a stash of yarn and a tendency to try to bring new knitters into the fold. Beyond the humor, though, there are some very helpful knitting tips and sets of instructions for simple knitting without patterns, even for some things I don't think of as simple, like socks.
If you're interested in knitting, this will give you a hint of what a...more
If you're interested in knitting, this will give you a hint of what a...more
The wit from Stephanie's Yarn Harlot book, combined with useful tips and tricks for knitting make for an engaging combinations. This is not a beginner's book--she assumes you know the basics of the motions, and instead goes into construction.
I like how she constantly reiterates that there are no knitting police, and found that freeing to start exploring my own designs.
I like how she constantly reiterates that there are no knitting police, and found that freeing to start exploring my own designs.
I won't put this next to my knitting chair as a primary reference book, but it has some great tips in Stephanie's always entertaining, self-deprecating format. It would be a good gift book for that new knitter who needs to just calm down, find his/her happy place and let it happen. Good knitting only comes with patience and humor.
Emily Leathers
rated it
Recommends it for:
knitters who aren't too uptight, and aren't already super-expert masters at all possible techniques
I enjoyed this book, especially the tables of average garment sizes. (I already know enough to come up with all of her recipes on my own, but for a less experienced knitter I think those would also be very valuable.) However, about 1/4 of the way in I stopped seeing the author's comments as jokingly self-deprecating, and started seeing it as her almost bragging about how non-smart and self-focused she is in many, many ways - weird, and not very attractive. Despite that, I found the content usef...more
I love this writer! She reminds me of me in her writing style. It's nice to finally have time to read a fun book I bought months ago. I esp like her randomness, as my kids call everything these days. And she doesn't dwell too much in the metaphors, which is a relief. Just lots of humorous anecdotes and advice -- all useful.
I bought this book on sale, thinking "Well I know pretty much all of the simple stitches, and I can build from there, so I don't really need another 'how to knit' book, but we'll see what this has." Best impulse decision of my life (at least so far as my knitting is concerned). While this book certainly does cover the basics in detail, it's often good to go over the basics again, because when you're self-taught, there's probably something you missed. The author has a wonderfully light,...more
2nd of the two books i read by her.
Some thing I know now that I knew before
1) Knitters like yarn
2) We don't do gauge swatches
3) We REALLY like yarn
Things I know now that I didn't.
There's only really one book that can be made and be funny about the above info. Not two.
Some thing I know now that I knew before
1) Knitters like yarn
2) We don't do gauge swatches
3) We REALLY like yarn
Things I know now that I didn't.
There's only really one book that can be made and be funny about the above info. Not two.
Perfect for those of us who have never knit a sock, have never touched a DPN, and yet somehow know that a sock would be the perfect knitting to take on a plane trip in spite of all of these things.
It was difficult, and Knitting Rules! was there to help.
It was difficult, and Knitting Rules! was there to help.
I think it's probably obvious that I love the Yarn Harlot's books, but this one is the one I would buy. Along with the funny stories about her own knitting adventures, it also contains really useful basic patterns, information and definitions that new knitters would appreciate.
How can a book about knitting be interesting enough to actually read the whole thing? Well, somehow it is. I read it in little bites and learned a lot, but enjoyed the author's irreverence and the fun she brought to it. I've also been inspired to knit myself a pair of socks. Great book for knitters - new and experienced.
I didn't realize that this is half humor and half basic patterns until I started reading. I knit some, it's more of a part-time hobby for me, but I read the Yarn Harlot blog regularly and enjoy her brand of humor. I didn't really need the basic patterns, as I had already figured that out from other books and the internet. I ended up skipping a lot of the pattern information and just reading the stories and lists in the book. Still, it would be a nice resource to have if you're ever wondering abo...more
It’s another knitting book from the Yarn Harlot. In this light guide to knitting, SPH discusses basics: yarn (stash), needles, and gauge. She also covers certain common projects: scarves, hats, shawls, and sweaters.
While I didn’t learn a lot, I now know everything I’ll ever need to know about gauge. Definitely not a book for beginners.
While I didn’t learn a lot, I now know everything I’ll ever need to know about gauge. Definitely not a book for beginners.
Her only actual "how-to" but not a typical one. She thinks more like EZ, in terms of telling you about how to knit things rather than showing step-by-step, with her own unique brand of humor & wit. My favorite knitting author.
As a freelance writer who writes a lot about knitting, I use this book as a reference all the time. Great information for all knitters -- beginners to advanced. So well-written and researched, and fun to read. A real keeper.
This was a really easy read. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is very witty and I found myself relating to a lot of what was said. I picked up the book for a light read and was surprised to find her simple recipes for socks, hats, and shawls which I felt was a bonus.
I enjoyed her other books and love her blog but somehow missed this book. Who knew a book bout knitting socks, scarves, and sweaters could be so entertaining? The perfect book: informative and entertaining.
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Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (better known as the Yarn Harlot) is a prolific knitter, writer and blogger known for her humorous but always insightful anecdotes and stories about knitting triumphs and tragedies.
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“Hat head is a sad affliction wherein the chosen hat and the selected hairstyle are grossly incompatible. The unfortunate combination results in a condition that can be hidden only with the application of another hat.”
—
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