reviews
Nov 30, 2009
penny
rated it: 
Barbara Walker writes with a clarity and humor that had me turning pages and feeling that she was sitting across from me and teaching me to knit as I wish my mother had been able to (mom can crochet, not knit). The lessons are sensible and practical and as Walker has said it best "There is a purpose behind this... the purpose is to teach you not just what to do, but why to do it".
Personally I don't always like knitting from patterns that tell me exactly what yarn and needl More...
Personally I don't always like knitting from patterns that tell me exactly what yarn and needl More...
Nov 07, 2011
Lil' Grogan
rated it:
Great reference for general principles of top-down knitting. Her slight snark is pretty funny. Greatly appreciated for discussion of knitting instead of the usual book filled with patterns I will never knit and a couple pages of discussing technique.
Nov 30, 2008
Amberjean
rated it:
Good, clearly written, non-cookbook stuff. Really, though, all the stars? Those are because there is a clear formula for set in circular sleeves from the top down--which means I never have to sew in another sleeve. That's worth a few stars!
Oct 24, 2009
This is the technical resource for knitting garments from the top down. It's not glitzy or pretty but it will walk you through the math to make pretty much anything you want from the top down.
A good reference book to own.
A good reference book to own.
Jul 13, 2009
Castiron
rated it: 
The top-down construction information is extremely handy, though the tip I've used the most is her version of the provisional cast-on.
Jun 26, 2011
Sandy
rated it:
I used to make lots of sweaters from the top down. Loved them. Good book but haven't tried any of the patterns yet.
Jun 11, 2011
Diana
rated it:
All the sweaters I knit are from the top. Gives me a much more flexible sweater that doesn't bind in any place :D
Aug 13, 2008
yoli
rated it:
Another book I would like to own. She is a knot advocate, which makes me distinctly uncomfortable, but I like how she's grouped the patterns by basic construction and than variations at the end. I'm going to try the top down sleeve construction on my purple jacket because the sheer amount of math required to figure out all of the sleeve cap decreases makes me want to cry. I've got all the other decreases figured out and I can just read my notes backwards substituting increases for decreases. Cro
More...
May 22, 2007
Chavah
rated it:
i'm not a fan of Ms. Walker's projects per se (her color choices and patterns seem to not be my own style) but her methodology is genius...
the techniques she teaches make much sense with regards to ease of construction, repair of the used-garments, and also saving money and wasted yarn..
a must-have for a full-time knitter...
the techniques she teaches make much sense with regards to ease of construction, repair of the used-garments, and also saving money and wasted yarn..
a must-have for a full-time knitter...
Jul 16, 2008
Ann
rated it:
The definative book on top down knitting. Classic. No "patterns" but is a how to do whatever you want. Teaches you skills and theory, and sets you free to do your own thing. Every bit as good as her stitch dictionaries. There's a reason she's revered as a knitting guru.
Jun 30, 2008
Miss Mouse
rated it: 
OK book. There are SO many knitting books out there. Some good instruction, and some OK patterns. Get it from the library before buying it.
Feb 05, 2012
Jan 27, 2012
Jan 20, 2012
Jan 16, 2012
Jan 15, 2012
Jan 15, 2012
Dec 18, 2011
Dec 18, 2011
