Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop

by Elizabeth Zimmermann, Barbara Walker (Design), Chris Swansen (Editor)

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop guides knitters from beginner to master status through carefully created lessons. Included are: Learning to knit, knitting with two colors, Elizabeth's Percentage System (EPS) for sweater design, yoke style sweaters, drop-shoulder sweaters, and knitting garter stitch, lace, arans, guernseys, and fair isles. Zimmermann's workshop, originally a PBS television series, has been a bestseller since its release. Now, it has been updated with color throughout and expanded with editorial notes, technique photos and drawings, and more detailed directions and sizing for some garments. The pattern section contains Elizabeth's famous Baby Surprise Jacket, now with row-by-row instructions, the Epaulet Sweater, the Heart Hat, and many more of EZ's beloved designs. A wonderful book for beginning, intermediate, and master knitters, who often remark that they return to Elizabeth's books time and again to remind themselves of her innovative knitting techniques and construction methods. The updated and expanded edition enhances an already classic reference and pattern text for modern knitters.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, How To

129 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1981

About the author

An influential knitting pattern designer, teacher, and writer, Elizabeth Zimmermann advocated knitting techniques to speed progress and simplify pattern creation. She enthusiastically championed Continental knitting, where the working yarn is carried in the left hand, as opposed to the English or American style where the working yarn is carried in the right hand. She also advocated knitting in the round on circular needles rather than back and forth on straight needles. Zimmerman encouraged knitters to understand the mathematical and geometric concepts inherent in knitting.

Zimmermann and her family moved from the UK to New York, eventually settling in Wisconsin. There, she established Schoolhouse Press, arguably the most important knitting publisher of the 20th century. Zimmermann's daughter Meg Swansen took up the reins of Schoolhouse Press upon her mother's death.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Zimmermann is my knitting guru. She died before I really knew who she was- but her comforting words and common sense ring true decades later. I reccommend ALL of her books, I really can't say one is better than the other. She truely was a genius, radical thinker.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not grading on the curve for knitting books--if I did, this would be a 5 star manual--but, say, compared to Middlemarch or even The Language of the Night I can't quite bring myself to go there.

That said, it's terrific--kind of makes you want to knit everything just to give it a whirl (if only knitting a shawl could be finished in a few short evenings!)--and if you did indeed work your way through it you'd come out a very competent knitter.

It's splendidly updated with colour illustrations and more explicit patterns. Well worth it!

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful, out of the box knitting book from EZ! Her style was so unorthodox and delightfully playful that I think it would make even adverse knitters desirous of getting the needles out. This particular book focuses on a variety of sweaters and how to create them in an imaginative & rule bending way.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love EZ's writerly voice.

[Cynde · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent pattern book for learning the basic construction of many knitted garments.

[Anne Hoag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most of EZ's book, this one's out of print. But I tracked this one down and am glad I did -- techniques I now use and reminiscing I so enjoyed reading.

[Meredith]

I'm working my way through this, and it's SO charming. She is quite witty and so right. And she's so encouraging. It's a mix of lessons and patterns.

Re. reasons to use circular needles:
Do you really like sewing up seams? No, I think not.

She has a moment about allergies and wool, which is entertaining.

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Elizabeth Zimmerman, I love how she encourages knitters to be more creative and knit without a pattern. This book encouraged me to try knitting continental and color knitting . I found out they are easier than I thought. I also learned a lot about various knitting techniques. It made me want to research the knitting in Guernsey, Fair Isle and the Shetland Islands.

My complaint is that I found the illustrations lacking. A lot of times,she would describe a technique and there would be no picture or the picture wouldn't illustrate it that well. I had trouble picturing what she was describing at several points. I have heard the updated version has much better pictures so I want to find a copy to see. I will probably be watching the accompanying video series to see if I can get a better look at some of the techniques.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Zimmerman is a humble genius, with a great sense of humor. Hard to find these days. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and have made the round yoke sweater for my daughter already. It turned out perfectly except that the yoke is a little long. The percentage system may work better for an adult as opposed to a child. (I am not talking about the decrease rounds that are specifically different for children, but the yoke length.)

This is a classic any knitter would love to have.

[Msgadget · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems silly to mark a beginning and end date for this book because, once perused it is forever a reference. This is actually my second copy, the first having succumbed to water and mold. Here the inimitable Elizabeth Zimmerman empowers the knitter to knit confidently and without a pattern. She encourages exploration of structure, explains how to measure as you go and then shares a delicious puzzle of a baby jacket, which can also be sized for adults. Her books go perfectly well with Barbara Walker's stitch dictionaries.

[Heather Ordover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I finally saw the accompanying video I'm just overwhelmed. The book is good, but you'll have to read sections over and over WHILE knitting. Having the video makes all the difference. Zimmerman is a genius. Period.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic from EZ. I am a huge fan of EZ and her methods, Her candor and wit and of course her vast innovative knowledge of knitting was amazing. She lived in my home state, but I never got a chance to meet her. I am lucky to have studied with those that had. Priceless.

[Cayenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the best knitting book I've ever read. I'm very happy it is in my collection now. Elizabeth Zimmermann was a genius and I'm so glad she wrote and recorded so many of her ideas and techniques.

[Lisa Whiting · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my faves. Elizabeth Zimmerman was a knitting genius who "un"vented amazing ways to do things and ways to rethink the whole knitting process. Can't wait to get a copy of her book "The Opinionated Knitter" !

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Elizabeth Zimmermann but if you are looking for a book of patterns...this is not it. While she has a pattern or two in the book, this book teaches you how to knit for the individual.. how to make your own pattern. Funny little bits about her family and friends...experiences..

[Ann Johnson Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! From a PBS series, chock full of great classic "pithy" directions and some highly entertaining "digressions". EZ was a genius!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is an amazing knitting book.
not all step-by-step instructions, but more intuitive guide to knitting and creating your own patterns.
i love it.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth is the guru!

[Sandy Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the video from schoolhouse press. it is a wonderful addition to video library as you can follow along with her...something you sometimes miss when reading her.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complete how-to book of knitting projects. Not for the beginner as it assumes a general knowledge of needles, yarn and how to hold and manipulate them.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I use this often to teach knitting.

[Kim H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would love to get the videos from this program which aired on PBS.

[monkeyelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Zimmerman is my knitting hero. Also, I got this book barely-used at an estate sale for $1. Score!

[Apryl Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I refer to this so often!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic. Glad I can read it at my library.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only knitting book that I brought on a one year sojourn in a foreign country.

[Francesca Roqueta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I love her "no pattern" approach. Actually guides you as to how to construct knitted garments without hesitation.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book by a great knitter...but it needs a new look with today's terms and expectations

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love how she talks about knitting! Haven't read cover to cover, but definitely used to make a hat and will refer back.

[Molly]

Wonderful...for all the serious knitters of the world....