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The Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting
Now featuring new instructions, new illustrations, and new information, The Principles of Knitting— beloved by knitters everywhere and one of the most requested out-of-print books for years—finally gets the revision that fans have been clamoring for!
A treasured guide beloved by knitters everywhere, the classic book The Principles of Knitting is finally available again in a fully revised and updated edition. This is the definitive book on knitting techniques, with valuable information for everyone from beginners to experienced knitters. June Hiatt presents not only a thorough, thoughtful approach to the craft, but also a passion for carrying on the art of knitting to future generations. She has repeatedly tested the various techniques and presents them with clear, easy-to-follow instructions—as well as an explanation of what each one can contribute to your knitting. Informed by decades of experience and thousands of hours of practice, this comprehensive resource offers a variety of ways to approach every skill and technique and offers solutions that can help solve the most challenging aspects of any knitting project.
The Principles of Knitting has been totally rewritten—new instructions, new illustrations, and new information. While the basics of knitting have not changed much, June’s understanding of the material has deepened over the last twenty-five years, and she’s eager to share what she has learned with the knitting world. In addition, the book has been reorganized to make it easier to use and has a gorgeous new design.
Reading The Principles of Knitting is like having a knitting mentor by your side who can answer any knitting question you have in an honest, intelligent, informed manner.
A treasured guide beloved by knitters everywhere, the classic book The Principles of Knitting is finally available again in a fully revised and updated edition. This is the definitive book on knitting techniques, with valuable information for everyone from beginners to experienced knitters. June Hiatt presents not only a thorough, thoughtful approach to the craft, but also a passion for carrying on the art of knitting to future generations. She has repeatedly tested the various techniques and presents them with clear, easy-to-follow instructions—as well as an explanation of what each one can contribute to your knitting. Informed by decades of experience and thousands of hours of practice, this comprehensive resource offers a variety of ways to approach every skill and technique and offers solutions that can help solve the most challenging aspects of any knitting project.
The Principles of Knitting has been totally rewritten—new instructions, new illustrations, and new information. While the basics of knitting have not changed much, June’s understanding of the material has deepened over the last twenty-five years, and she’s eager to share what she has learned with the knitting world. In addition, the book has been reorganized to make it easier to use and has a gorgeous new design.
Reading The Principles of Knitting is like having a knitting mentor by your side who can answer any knitting question you have in an honest, intelligent, informed manner.
738 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 1989
134 people are currently reading
799 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 30, 2016
I'm torn on how to review this. Is it a huge, comprehensive work on knitting techniques? Yes. Is it as useful as it could be? Definitely not. The main reason for this is that the author decided to rename most techniques for whatever reason instead of relying on the names that generations of knitters know and use. That makes it difficult to look topics up in the index, difficult to interpret instructions that use names you're not familiar with, etc.
October 15, 2012
It's no exageration to say this book is a life-changer. As a self-taught left-handed knitter, I struggled for years to translate patterns into 180-degree reversals for lefty knitting. Finally I put down my needles, until now... As a new retiree, I needed to acquire hobbies that can last me the next 20-30 years, and knitting again was high on the list. Hiatt makes a convincing case that lefties can knit the same way as righties, as knitting is fundamentally ambidextrous. She is correct!!! One of the brilliant strokes of this book is Hiatt's presentation of several different ways to hold the needles and form the stitches --- she encourages the reader to try out several, because everyones' hands are unique. So I tried, and practiced --- and now I can do it righty!! In fact, her mantra throughout the book, no matter the subject, might be "There are several different ways to do this; see what works for you."
Another brilliant stroke is Hiatt's careful attention to terminology: right, left, inside, outside, nearside, farside: each has a single specific meaning and is always used in the same way, and terms are never interchanged. This sounds trivial until you realize that many authors use "right" to mean the side of the garment that is worn on the outside, as well as the part toward the knitter's right hand. This causes no end of distress for people like me who depend on verbal directions. "Hold the yarn to the right side" will give completely different results, depending on the meaning of "right"!
After exhaustively presenting the fundamentals, with thorough discussions of whys and wherefores, Hiatt proceeds through an encyclopedic review of knitting knowledge --- from source and structure of various fibers used to form yarn, through every conceivable technique of specialty knitting, to care of knitted garments. She also gets into pattern design, calculating how much yarn will be needed, and thorough discussions of determining gauge.
This is a book that will always be nearby when I'm knitting, and it is a great read even when not knitting.
Another brilliant stroke is Hiatt's careful attention to terminology: right, left, inside, outside, nearside, farside: each has a single specific meaning and is always used in the same way, and terms are never interchanged. This sounds trivial until you realize that many authors use "right" to mean the side of the garment that is worn on the outside, as well as the part toward the knitter's right hand. This causes no end of distress for people like me who depend on verbal directions. "Hold the yarn to the right side" will give completely different results, depending on the meaning of "right"!
After exhaustively presenting the fundamentals, with thorough discussions of whys and wherefores, Hiatt proceeds through an encyclopedic review of knitting knowledge --- from source and structure of various fibers used to form yarn, through every conceivable technique of specialty knitting, to care of knitted garments. She also gets into pattern design, calculating how much yarn will be needed, and thorough discussions of determining gauge.
This is a book that will always be nearby when I'm knitting, and it is a great read even when not knitting.
January 27, 2020
Okay, mixed feelings on this very expensive book.
First, let me say that there is a lot of amazing information in here. I've been knitting for more than 20 years. I'd go so far as to refer to myself as proficient. It's my favorite hobby (even more than reading **gasp**) It's my moving meditation. And honest to Goodness, there has been some times where knitting literally saved my life, letting me rebuild myself one stitch at a time. This book has information in it that I hadn't the slightest clue I was lacking. Terms I'd never come across in all my years of knitterly wonder. Fantastic tidbits on the history of my favorite craft. June Hemmons Hiatt put a lot of work into this book, and yes, it is worth the hefty price tag. I've borrowed it repeatedly from my library, but recently purchased my own copy.
It loses a star for me because the author seems to have decided to change terms for techniques that just don't need to be changed. Hundreds of years of knitters have been using the German Twisted Cast-on, or the Russian Join and opting to rename these things so that they no longer reflect the culture in which they were developed is, honestly, offensive to me.
Additionally, there's a section on changing charting symbols that just seemed ridiculous to me. If it isn't broke don't fix it. I don't need a new yarn-over symbol, the one I've been used to since knitting my first lace pattern still works perfectly.
Overall a this is a great reference, it is not light reading. Very helpful in writing papers for the Master Knitter Program.
First, let me say that there is a lot of amazing information in here. I've been knitting for more than 20 years. I'd go so far as to refer to myself as proficient. It's my favorite hobby (even more than reading **gasp**) It's my moving meditation. And honest to Goodness, there has been some times where knitting literally saved my life, letting me rebuild myself one stitch at a time. This book has information in it that I hadn't the slightest clue I was lacking. Terms I'd never come across in all my years of knitterly wonder. Fantastic tidbits on the history of my favorite craft. June Hemmons Hiatt put a lot of work into this book, and yes, it is worth the hefty price tag. I've borrowed it repeatedly from my library, but recently purchased my own copy.
It loses a star for me because the author seems to have decided to change terms for techniques that just don't need to be changed. Hundreds of years of knitters have been using the German Twisted Cast-on, or the Russian Join and opting to rename these things so that they no longer reflect the culture in which they were developed is, honestly, offensive to me.
Additionally, there's a section on changing charting symbols that just seemed ridiculous to me. If it isn't broke don't fix it. I don't need a new yarn-over symbol, the one I've been used to since knitting my first lace pattern still works perfectly.
Overall a this is a great reference, it is not light reading. Very helpful in writing papers for the Master Knitter Program.
November 7, 2012
This book was a disappointment, not really very helpful at all. If you are a beginning knitter, avoid this book, I do not think it would be helpful at all. If you are wanting to improve your skills and seek new challenges, again, find another book. This author may have "written the book" on knitting, but I, an experienced knitter for 27 years, found it dense and unhelpful.
March 12, 2012
I think I am the first person to not give this book 5 stars. But this really is a phenomenal book and the research is incredible. I think it covers every single thing that any knitter would ever need to know. However, it is very dry, very encyclopedic! The photography is boring - ok, it gets the job done, but with all the gorgeous yarns out there, couldn't they use color photography? Sadly, if I bought this book, I think I'd probably never go to it for a question, but I'd google whatever I need - and watch a video demonstration. I am really glad my library has purchased this book and I have access to it. If I ever go for my Master's Knitter Certification, this would be a must-have.
July 7, 2013
This is the master reference book in knitting. The first edition soared to hundreds of dollars in value before she finally produced the second edition. The second edition is such a re-work, that many knitters are holding onto their first editions. The combined two books are probably the most complete compendium of technical information in all of knitting that is available - certainly in two books.
Totally dry, filled with Ms. Hemmons-Hiatt's opinions, and utterly devoid of any sort of read-ability, this is NOT a book you open up and start reading. Instead, it is a book that you keep handy on your bookshelf, and make frequent trips there for technical advice and direction.
Totally dry, filled with Ms. Hemmons-Hiatt's opinions, and utterly devoid of any sort of read-ability, this is NOT a book you open up and start reading. Instead, it is a book that you keep handy on your bookshelf, and make frequent trips there for technical advice and direction.
July 5, 2021
Four stars because of the wealth of information, but three stars because of the confusing terminology. I'm quite bad at figuring out knitting from text and this book is no exception, but then it makes up its own terms on top of it all. Still, it looks nice on the knitting shelf.
April 5, 2012
The only problem is it's physical size. I need to sit at a table to read it.
Want to read
March 16, 2015I read the forward, introduction, and first chapter, but this one's definitely primarily for reference.
August 1, 2017
While this knitting reference is terrific for looking up anything in knitting, I also like to read it for the fascinating detail. Every serious knitter needs this. Yes, it is a big book and we need books.
December 31, 2025
A great reference book, detailed explanations, a few pictures and visual aids. If you need more visual help, Knitter’s Book of Knowledge has more.
October 2, 2012
A great reference for anything knitting and I am glad to have it in my library. It is not without it's flaws, however. Good Luck trying to find a specific cast-on or bind-off you are familiar with because she has re-named everything. I understand her reason for doing so, wanting to have the name reflect what the stitch consists of instead of "Judy's Magic Cast On." The only downside is that most of the names have the word "hitch" in them which makes it hard to remember or distinguish them. I would have liked to have seen the commonly known names listed under her new name.
I also read the chapter on Gauge and was sufficiently overwhelmed and confused. I got on board with gauges after my first failed attempt at a sweater, but now I need to do a gauge for the gauge? And what if I am not in the mood to design my own sweater and just want to follow a pattern? Do I still do test swatches, then follow it up with an 8X8 gauge? And even if I do that, I will have a gauge down to the 10th of an inch which will certainly not match up to the gauge in the pattern. All that information is good to have if you want to design a pattern for yourself and then never put it into written instruction for others to follow. How could you ask someone to get a 5.5/7.6 gauge?
I also read the chapter on Gauge and was sufficiently overwhelmed and confused. I got on board with gauges after my first failed attempt at a sweater, but now I need to do a gauge for the gauge? And what if I am not in the mood to design my own sweater and just want to follow a pattern? Do I still do test swatches, then follow it up with an 8X8 gauge? And even if I do that, I will have a gauge down to the 10th of an inch which will certainly not match up to the gauge in the pattern. All that information is good to have if you want to design a pattern for yourself and then never put it into written instruction for others to follow. How could you ask someone to get a 5.5/7.6 gauge?
March 31, 2013
This is a book designed to show knitters the utmost directions for completing knit and purl stitches. Many ways of getting the stitches done are shown for right and left-handed knitters.
The book is divided into sections and the author suggests the reader read these sections out of order. June Hemmons Hiatt must be assuming the first, most important chapter for the knitter to read is about "making a swatch" for the gauge.
The history of knitting, descriptive yarn section, and a garment design section are parts of this books explainations. The sections do not need to be read in any specific order. Switch to the sections you need or are most interested in reading.
This book is heavy and large, too large for your knitting bag. There are descriptive explainations, and pictures to help the knitter make the stitches. This is a helpful book to have at your side as you knit. Just read along and knit as the steps suggest.
The book is divided into sections and the author suggests the reader read these sections out of order. June Hemmons Hiatt must be assuming the first, most important chapter for the knitter to read is about "making a swatch" for the gauge.
The history of knitting, descriptive yarn section, and a garment design section are parts of this books explainations. The sections do not need to be read in any specific order. Switch to the sections you need or are most interested in reading.
This book is heavy and large, too large for your knitting bag. There are descriptive explainations, and pictures to help the knitter make the stitches. This is a helpful book to have at your side as you knit. Just read along and knit as the steps suggest.
May 6, 2015
This book threw me back to my college days. It is as big as my biology textbooks, but without the colorful graphics (and the three digit prices!). I did not read the whole book, any more than I read the entire volume of any of my college textbooks. I do consider it to be an excellent addition to the reference of any serious knitter, but not the one source of all wisdom. As a beginning knitter, I read several chapters, then looked up specific problems I was having (increases, decreases, casting on). In every case I was able to easily find the information I wanted (and more). I would give it four stars except the illustrations were not as detailed as I needed to clearly work my way through the descriptions of how to accomplish the task I was trying to understand. I am sure that is because I am so inexperienced as a knitter. As I get better and try new techniques I will probably want to add this book to my library. For now, I need to get the basic understandings elsewhere.
December 28, 2017
This is definitely the best knitting reference book I have. I think everything is in here, somewhere.
The book is not without flaws. It's a big reference book. That means it is dry and boring. More pictures would be helpful. It uses terms that aren't commonly used for knitting in the US -- if you're looking for a specific term, it's probably got a different name in this book. But, she's right when she says that the same thing is often called a number of different things in the knitting world. For example, unknit, tink, frog, and rip out. Although the writer says any level can use the book, I'm betting it's too daunting for a beginner. And, it may not be for people who prefer youtube learning.
It's dense. I just looked up something about short rows, increasing and decreasing. It took me a few reads to realize that they're just mirror images -- if you'd do a decreasing short row on the right front, you'd do an increasing short row on the left front of a garment.
The book is not without flaws. It's a big reference book. That means it is dry and boring. More pictures would be helpful. It uses terms that aren't commonly used for knitting in the US -- if you're looking for a specific term, it's probably got a different name in this book. But, she's right when she says that the same thing is often called a number of different things in the knitting world. For example, unknit, tink, frog, and rip out. Although the writer says any level can use the book, I'm betting it's too daunting for a beginner. And, it may not be for people who prefer youtube learning.
It's dense. I just looked up something about short rows, increasing and decreasing. It took me a few reads to realize that they're just mirror images -- if you'd do a decreasing short row on the right front, you'd do an increasing short row on the left front of a garment.
June 28, 2025
What do you want to know about knitting??? It's in this book, which is over 700 pages. It is indeed comprehensive. Again I was consulting this book about mosaic knitting recently, which I didn't know much about.
There are chapters on everything you need to know about knitting by hand: techniques, patterns, stitches and color patterns, and working a project to name a few. This book is filled with diagrams and needle placement and swatches of what the pattern looks like when knitted.
The information is good for beginning and seasoned knitters. I find that I need to read and reread what's written to be sure I understand the pattern or technique.
This is another go-to reference book that I've had since 2012.
There are chapters on everything you need to know about knitting by hand: techniques, patterns, stitches and color patterns, and working a project to name a few. This book is filled with diagrams and needle placement and swatches of what the pattern looks like when knitted.
The information is good for beginning and seasoned knitters. I find that I need to read and reread what's written to be sure I understand the pattern or technique.
This is another go-to reference book that I've had since 2012.
December 2, 2018
The first knitting book I've read that focuses not just on the how-to but the WHY of various stitch and selvedge techniques. If you can't resist customizing patterns to your own liking, this book plus a few swatches will greatly increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Great to just browse through, and of course excellent as a reference. The ebook is worth the price for the repair section alone; it's so handy to have reliable, comprehensive, expert guidance on how to fix mistakes even when I'm on the road for work.
Great to just browse through, and of course excellent as a reference. The ebook is worth the price for the repair section alone; it's so handy to have reliable, comprehensive, expert guidance on how to fix mistakes even when I'm on the road for work.
April 20, 2016
Having checked this book out three times & as it is now overdue, I have to say this may be on my Christmas list.
I rarely give 5 stars, reserving that accolade for classics, past, present & future. This is a classic. No kidding. A one-volume (albeit a hefty one) knitting reference that lives up to the classification.
The only caveat I have is the tendency to use English terminology, although the really excellent and copious illustrations make this a minor objection, and I can see clearly what is meant.
Wonderful book. I mean to check it out regularly until next Christmas.
I rarely give 5 stars, reserving that accolade for classics, past, present & future. This is a classic. No kidding. A one-volume (albeit a hefty one) knitting reference that lives up to the classification.
The only caveat I have is the tendency to use English terminology, although the really excellent and copious illustrations make this a minor objection, and I can see clearly what is meant.
Wonderful book. I mean to check it out regularly until next Christmas.
December 15, 2017
This is the oddest knitting book because there are pretty stitch samples scattered throughout the book but no accompanying stitch patterns... I searched through the book a few times but could not find the patterns. I ended up searching on the internet for the patterns using the stitch names instead.
It's definitely a comprehensive book but is a bit hard to follow since there are not enough photographs of the techniques. All in all, it's a good way to know that such a technique exists and the solutions the technique may offer, but there are better tutorials online.
It's definitely a comprehensive book but is a bit hard to follow since there are not enough photographs of the techniques. All in all, it's a good way to know that such a technique exists and the solutions the technique may offer, but there are better tutorials online.
Currently reading
February 23, 2012Just arrived today and I am so excited to dig in. It looks and feels like a textbook, which I love, because I'm enamored with the notion of delving deep into the world of knitting technique. Very impressed by both the new introduction and the original. I can tell I will learn so much from Ms. Hiatt. Looking forward to exploring new methods for the colorwork project I'm currently working on. Hooray! I didn't think it was possible, but Principles of Knitting is living up to my expectations.
unfinished
October 29, 2012This is so in depth it is going to the "reference book" pile. It's an incredible resource on knitting, but I need to work the techniques as she explains them because I can't picture them in my head or comprehend them very well just reading about them. It's hard to read on my Nook and I wonder if a paper version would have been easier. Having a digital copy is helpful, though, because I can search it so easily.
Read
March 23, 2015The Principles of Knitting could be the "one book" of knitting books. This thing is huge—toting it home from the library reminded me of my days carrying around a textbook in school. I've only flipped through this book a few times, but it seems to cover a bit of everything. I would probably use it more often, though, if it weren't so unwieldy to look through with a piece of knitting on my lap.
Want to read
April 1, 2012Browsing through. I've been waiting a long time for this book to be re-released. She's been working on it for ten years. The original (out-of-print) version was selling on e-bay for over $300. I had taken a "finishing" class from a teacher who used the methods in this book and I've been intrigued with it ever since.
August 23, 2014
Holy crap! I couldn't believe my phenomenal good fortune to find a first edition, first printing of this classic work at my local used bookstore. If I was a newbie knitter, this might be an intimidating reference book (hence the 4 out of 5 stars), but as an intermediate knitter this is the book I want when experimenting new cast on/offs and creating original patterns.
November 16, 2020
The best knitting books in my library, as
It contains essential things to know for creating good quality things that will fit. A lot of practical information, and I liked illustrations of techniques, they are very clear and functional. The book cost a lot, but it is actually money saver, as you do not need to buy knitting patterns.
It contains essential things to know for creating good quality things that will fit. A lot of practical information, and I liked illustrations of techniques, they are very clear and functional. The book cost a lot, but it is actually money saver, as you do not need to buy knitting patterns.
July 8, 2012
Fantastic! The author gives a pretty thorough run down of many knitting techniques, but what i really appreciate is that she also tells you her opinions. I love opinionated people even though we may not always agree on everything. This is a huge book.
September 19, 2012
This book is beyond comprehensive. However, the technique names and descriptions were a bit antiquated (or maybe just not mainstream?). I prefer TechKnitter's descriptions, but will come here when all else fails.
July 14, 2012
Excellent, clear instructions. Hemmons-Hiatt generally refers to the working needle rather than left/right. I have solved a few knitting problems with this book since its purchase. The indexing is fantastic.
February 14, 2016
Although I certainly did not read every page, this is a great reference for solving knitting dilemnas. Not sure that it would be useful to a new knitter, as I think it is somewhat sophisticated to use. I have a few pages bookmarked to reread to absorb better.
July 16, 2008
Five stars is not enough. Very comprehesive book. Written with a definite opinion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews