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Knitting in Plain English
The first edition of this indispensable classic gave knitters easy-to-follow (and fun-to-read) advice on producing the knits of their dreams. Drawing on decades of experience as a knitting instructor and designer, Maggie Righetti offered step-by-step directions on avoiding common mistakes and getting out of tricky spots.
Now, in this completely updated and revised ver...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
April 17th 2007
by St. Martin's Griffin
(first published 1998)
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Community Reviews
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Do you think people still find this book, in the plethora of knitting books on the market now? I was lucky enough to be introduced to Righetti when I started knitting, and she is sitting on my night stand right now.
This is a voice I want in my knitting head, and as the back cover promises, she is both down to earth and indeed practical.
I am reeducating myself at the moment, and Maggie is my g0-to expert,helping me get back on track.
I am grateful that I have...more
This is a voice I want in my knitting head, and as the back cover promises, she is both down to earth and indeed practical.
I am reeducating myself at the moment, and Maggie is my g0-to expert,helping me get back on track.
I am grateful that I have...more
Righetti's writing style is charming, like having a cranky grandma telling you all about what she's learned from her years of knitting. The best part of the book was the section how to look at the pictures of a knitting pattern and determine whether or not it's worth making. I've had to frog more than my fair share of projects because I didn't really consider the kinds of things that she talks about in this chapter. As for information on techniques, it is very basic, and not really that extensiv...more
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I'm not sure why I keep coming back to the idea of knitting. Maybe it's because I like to keep my hands busy and this is something I could take along in the car (you know, because we're HOMEschoolers, HA!) or to fiddle with while watching a movie with Pat. Sewing or cooking aren't really that flexible. So I may give it a try. So far the book is a little overwhelming but I think it will be helpful once I actually grab a pair of needles and some yarn to try something. At first I thought that ...more
This is a pretty good comprehensive guide to knitting. Personally I need to actually "see" to learn, so I find online videos quite helpful when learning new stitches or techniques. But I also love a good reference book. This book is definitely written in a conversational style, and makes knitting seem like an attainable task.
I liked the chapter on how to identify misleading patterns by the way they are modeled. For example, if a model is slouching in her knitted sweater, h...more
I liked the chapter on how to identify misleading patterns by the way they are modeled. For example, if a model is slouching in her knitted sweater, h...more
Beth
rated it
Recommends it for:
those who don't understand knitting instructions but would like to.
Recommended to Beth by:
The library.
Shelves:
read-a-long-time-ago
When I was new to knitting, there were words I just could not understand in the knitting language. I was baffled by the constant use of abbreviations and then even less satisfactory explanations of those abbreviations. When I checked this book out at the library, it was a last ditch effort to understand. Because of this book's easy going narration and simple explanations, I am going on my 10th year of knitting.
As a knitter in the 'advanced beginner' stage, I found this book very helpful. It was a little bit more advanced than [Stitch 'n Bitch:], although not all of the illustrations were as helpful. I would really suggest this once you've mastered knit and purl, and are ready to try some more challenging projects.
Of all the knitting books I've seen, Maggie has the best explanations and diagrams about seaming pieces together. The whole book is conversational and reader friendly, but no eye candy and very few patterns. Just really good, basic information, with simple black and white hand-drawn diagrams.
This was one of the first books I ever purchased on knitting, and was a life saver quite a number of times as I figured out what I was doing. A great book to have for a knitter who is mostly on her own, without a LYS or experienced teacher.
I learned a lot of helpful hints while reading this book. As with many skill based books, it isn't really helpful unless you are actually doing a project where the skills taught in the book are required. I am not sure I would keep this on hand as an easy reference either because her directions can be confusing at times. I would have loved a larger section on yarn selection and terminology.
The chapter on how to tell if a pattern is crap from the way the model is posed is gold. I'm not sure if the rest of the book is really worth the time or the money.
I luv 'em all.. but also this one does have great explanations and also stitch patterns! Irish seed stitch, have to try that one.. hmm...
This is a comprehensive book, and the elements of design/shape discussed were very helpful. It is worth having in your needlework/textiles library. However, I am not a person who cares for "there's one way to do this and you are a bozo if you don't use the method I use." Example: The author's view on any needles other than circular. Perhaps because I do naalbinding, I simply am more comfortable with straight, non-metal knitting needles. I prefer books that lay out all the options, incl...more
I've owned this book for years, and it is one of my go-to knitting reference books.
Deservedly a classic.
Completely updated and revised version, Righetti gives readers what they’ve asked for: advice on making all different garments, working with new patterns and different kinds of yarn, and even an introduction to her own legendary history. Neither aggressively hip nor bafflingly encyclopedic,Knitting in Plain Englishoffers basic principles that will make any project---from a basic blanket to an intricate sweater---rewarding.
this book explains everything as clearly as i think would be possible. it's a great guide for learning how to knit. even better, the lady is charming. i have this whole mental image of her--a plump, no nonsense, midwestern woman handing out advice and folksy wisdom at the local yarn shop. that might be totally off--but i love the image. and i love her no nonsense approach to knitting. definitely worth owning.
This is a great book that goes over the basics that a lot of how-to knitting books don't cover. How to choose the right yarn and what to look for. How to make a gauge swatch that will work and how to make the adjustments to it. How and what to look for in a pattern. I'm on chapter 10 and will probably finish it this weekend. It's easy to read and has wonderful anecdotes from her experiences with knitting.
so I'm not having a ton of luck learning how to knit just from books, but this was a little helpful and very comprehensive. maybe when i'm ready to do more than just knit & purl i'll go back & finish it. felt like it went from amateur to not pretty quickly...
finally...i found the knitting book for me. abundant with concise language and filled with tips, terms, and techniques that a beginning knitter needs to know---the kind of information a new knitter is too green realize she needs. the best how-to book on knitting i've found so far.
I have the earlier version of this book (1986, I think) and it has served as a fantastic general reference for puzzling pattern notation or if I need a refresher course on some basic stitches. I have never tried any of the included patterns - not really my style - but the instructional portion of the book is great. Easy to follow - as the title implies. Plain English.
Where the Vogue Knitting book I reviewed is fantastic, this book is great to read to understand the 'science' behind knitting. You learn not only how to make particular stitches but how and what situation that stitch is needed.
It was also a very interesting read and not dry at all.
I came away from reading this book with 'Oh, that's why you do it that way!'
It was also a very interesting read and not dry at all.
I came away from reading this book with 'Oh, that's why you do it that way!'
I actually carry this book around in my knitting bag, both for reference and for knitting emergencies (and I have more of those than I care to talk about).
This is a solid book, lots of good advice, and it's clearly written. The very few patterns in the back range from slightly dated to very dated, but for learning pieces, they'd be fine.
This is a solid book, lots of good advice, and it's clearly written. The very few patterns in the back range from slightly dated to very dated, but for learning pieces, they'd be fine.
I need more visuals to understand. I found Stitch n Bitch much easier to follow. I couldn't even finish this one. The ratings are high on this--maybe a newer edition has photos? The one I tried to read was mostly text and a few black and white drawings.
A fabulous reference book for basic and intermediate knitting information and technique. The tone is so inviting that reading this reference book cover to cover is not out of the question!
Even though I've been knitting for a while, I learned a few very useful within the pages of this book. Written with humor and insight that comes from many years of experience.
This was the very best explaination of the workings of knitting. It really helped me understand why certain stitches are used and how they work. An excellent book I highly recommend!
This is the kind of reference book every knitter should have. I did not read it but skimmed certain sections. Esp useful for those problem times in knitting.
A must-read for knitters, but not absolute beginners. I'd recommend not picking it up until you've tackled a few projects so her advice makes more sense.
I read most of this--I think this is another book that would be an excellent reference to have on my shelf. I had to return it to the library, unfortunately.
Great reference book. Easy quick read.
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