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7th out of 80 books
—
79 voters
Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, best-selling author of "At Knit's End" 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 as THE peak life experience.Both a celebration of knitt...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
March 1st 2006
by Storey Publishing, LLC
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May 03, 2008
Lily
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people with too much time on their hands
Shelves:
knitting-books
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. The fact that the author has lots of yarn everywhere...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. The fact that the author has lots of yarn everywhere...more
Since about a third of the book extols the stash, I figured a third of this review should, too. The other parts of the book do have some excellent knitting advice, though, and McPhee does write some entertaining prose.
This book has lead me to the conclusion that I am not a real knitter. I have a yarn stash, yes. It’s contained in one, one bin in the bottom of my closet and is mostly made of leftover yarn from former projects. If I go to a yarn store, I know exactly what I need for my current pro...more
This book has lead me to the conclusion that I am not a real knitter. I have a yarn stash, yes. It’s contained in one, one bin in the bottom of my closet and is mostly made of leftover yarn from former projects. If I go to a yarn store, I know exactly what I need for my current pro...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 out and...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 compa...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 received this book for my birthday, and finished it the next day. I thought it was a perfect mix of anecdotes from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's own life and long knitting career and actual knitting guidelines. There aren't any real, strict patterns in this book and if that's what you're looking for there are many better books for you out there. On the other hand, this book outlines a large number of general patterns that you could adapt to any number of projects. Some of the jokes seemed to reiter...more
Jan 24, 2013
Myongsun
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction,
hobbies
I really, really liked this book. I'm pausing before giving it a 5 star because I'm still in the grip of the glow of my first knitted sock following her instructions. (The instructions about the sock are clear and very good.) I'm wondering if that might false inflate the score I'm thinking about giving.
I think this is an excellent book for beginners - and has a lot to offer in the way of tips for yarn storage, knitting bags, and project management. (Yes, there is such a thing as knitting project...more
I think this is an excellent book for beginners - and has a lot to offer in the way of tips for yarn storage, knitting bags, and project management. (Yes, there is such a thing as knitting project...more
So initially, reading this was very good for the progress of my attempts to knit Christmas presents, because it made me feel smart and part of the knitterly in-crowd. So after reading a bit I would go knit a bunch, in a happy little cycle.
Thennnn... then it all went off the rails, because the different neat ideas were just... screaming to be tried out! So I figured, well, I wouldn't want to *fatigue* myself with my current knitting project (the one that has so far taken me months, and that need...more
Thennnn... then it all went off the rails, because the different neat ideas were just... screaming to be tried out! So I figured, well, I wouldn't want to *fatigue* myself with my current knitting project (the one that has so far taken me months, and that need...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 makes reading her...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 makes reading her...more
A very interesting book, where the author uses her wit and way with words to help remind readers that there are Rules to knitting, and that one or two of those Rules are meant to be more of a "guideline" than strictly followed.
This is the third book by this author that I have read, and I have to say that with her using her own life and experiences as examples, though shown with humor and a healthy dose of dry sarcasm, she does get her point across. I am hunting down another title of hers at this...more
This is the third book by this author that I have read, and I have to say that with her using her own life and experiences as examples, though shown with humor and a healthy dose of dry sarcasm, she does get her point across. I am hunting down another title of hers at this...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.
Sep 07, 2009
Heather
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
knitters and those who like blogs turned into books
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 an obsessio...more
If you're interested in knitting, this will give you a hint of what an obsessio...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.
Knitting Rules! is both an informative knitting book, (with tips, tricks and basic classic patterns) and a laugh-out-loud, only-a-knitter-could-get-it comedy. Stephanie is quick witted in her descriptions of the strange culture that is that of the knitter. Knitters (and partners of knitters) will definitely appreciate her descriptions of this obsessive craft.
This book has both some anecdotal stories about Pearl-McPhee's knitting adventures, as well as good instructions for knitting some basic things like hats, scarves, socks etc.
I've been knitting for awhile, but still found her advise helpful, so I'd be pretty comfortable recommending this book to anyone who knits, or would like to begin to do so.
I've been knitting for awhile, but still found her advise helpful, so I'd be pretty comfortable recommending this book to anyone who knits, or would like to begin to do so.
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.
Jun 30, 2012
Susan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
knitters humor lovers
Recommended to Susan by:
Yarn Harlot's blog
I loved this book! Loved Stephanie's humour and all the little tips and tricks.
It was because of this book that I finally took the plunge and learned sock knitting on dpn's. I cast on using sport weight yarn and big needles and followed Stephanie's recipe. I ended up with one huge blue sock, but by god I did it!
So thanks for that.
It was because of this book that I finally took the plunge and learned sock knitting on dpn's. I cast on using sport weight yarn and big needles and followed Stephanie's recipe. I ended up with one huge blue sock, but by god I did it!
So thanks for that.
Feb 09, 2012
Emily Leathers
rated it
4 of 5 stars
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 usefu...more
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, humorous...more
This is the first commentary on knitting book I ever read. Stephanie nails it. She gets what it's like to knit and then sheds some hard earned knowledge on how to cope with tiring patterns, misshaped hats and more. A must read for anyone serious knitting and a must glance for those who live with us.
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.
I wish I reac this as a new knitter. So many things would have made more sense. The Yarn Harlot is witty and funny but has such s sense of clarity in her writing. I've been knitting for years now and enjoyed reading this but will suggest it to all the new knitters I know.
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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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2 trivia questions
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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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4 people liked it
“it is pure potential. Every ball or skein of yarn holds something inside it, and the great mystery of what that might be can be almost spiritual”
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4 people liked it
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Jan 25, 2013 08:18am