Learn How to Knit with 50 Squares: For Beginners and Up, a Unique Approach to Learning to Knit

by Che Lam

Never thought that YOU could knit? Well, with Learn How to Knit with 50 Squares, you will discover all the essential skills that you need, one stitch at a time. Learn a new stitch by knitting a square, following a clear step-by-step tutorial and chart. By the time you've finished the square, you've practiced the new stitch, and you're ready to move on to the next one-quick and easy!

The squares are organized according to skill level, progressing from basic knit and purl stitches to more challenging techniques, such as cable and lace. And at the back of the book you'll find a handful of inspirational projects that show you how to combine your blocks for unique and stylish results.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2016

Reviews

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was initially excited about this book. The photographs are lovely, but even for someone who has prior knitting experience I found myself having to heavily rely on google and youtube. I can only imagine that a true beginner would have a much more frustrating and confusing time working through this book. The instructions are sometimes vague and not clear (for example, the author claims that each square should end up measuring a certain size, but then doesn't tell you how many rows or repeats to knit in a pattern in order to end up with squares of that size.) I've also noticed that the written instructions sometimes have mistakes in them or are abbreviated in such a way that you're forced to depend almost solely on the pattern chart, which is annoying if you're not a visual learner or comfortable with reading charted patterns. What makes this worse is that those same charts are sized a bit too small to be followed easily. I found a lot of the difficult squares were introduced before the simple ones, even though those difficult squares were rated as "easy" according to the author.

[Jane Easton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Appalling for beginners. I was able to cast on, cast off and do knit and purl stitch when I bought this and I still struggled. Lack of clarity, massive assumptions about people’s skill set- turning and yarn over techniques especially come to mind. Was this book actually tested on beginner knitters? I very much doubt it.

[OneDayI'll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of stitches. Everything from garter to stockinette to textured to lace. Way to follow with both written patterns and charts.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and found the skill-building aspect of it helpful. I think it might bore an experience knitter. I used it to learn increases and decreases. Some of the squares are odd looking, because they are more learning, than design focused.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want a small, portable reference book for knitting stitches, you may enjoy this book. I found the font and charts too small and the print too light to read comfortably.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ordering a copy so that I can play with the creation of the squares and learn some new techniques!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward and very detailed instructions packed into a slim volume. The selected square projects are a great way to introduce new knitters to a variety of techniques.

[Valori Zaffino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to learn to knit

[Irene M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Most of the knit patterns for the squares are not for beginners, and the font used for the patterns is too thin and light to read comfortably. Very disappointed in this book.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

AAaaaaAaaarrrrrRRrrgggGGGggghhhHHhHHH!!!!! Why do I keep trying to learn to knit???? I found myself able to do some of these patterns, but certainly not all. I often went to other books with clearer illustrations to figure out some of the tricky bits. A great idea, really--knit up a six by six square of a particular stitch pattern, and voila! Suddenly you have 50 six by six squares. But I found the instructions, particularly for increasing and decreasing, really confusing, and some of the stitch patterns hopelessly convoluted. I got through about seven and then realized that fifty was overly ambitious. I think I'll stick to cable scarves and amigurumi.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this is a pretty book with appealing illustrations, but I didn't care much for any of the projects, so it's not a book I am likely to revisit or recommend. The skills covered are those covered in any number of books on various knitting stitches and in so-called knit stitch "bibles" which present many more than 50 and thus offer more bang for the buck so to speak!