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Vogue Knitting Stitchionary #1
Vogue® Knitting Stitchionary™ Volume One: Knit & Purl: The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary
An essential reference for knitters from novice to expert, this fully illustrated sourcebook is the first of three "stitch dictionaries," to be written by the professionals at Vogue® Knitting . Some 300 stitches are detailed, and hundreds of charts, photographs, and illustrations make it easy to understand how to construct each stitch, as well as the ways they can be used in projects. The experts at Vogue® Knitting demonstrate rib stitches such as brioche, herringbone, chevron, and quilted patterns; traveling patterns like parquet, ripple, and diamond stitches; lace, including daisy and wave patterns; and such unusual stitches as eye of lynx, bobble block, peppercorn, and bamboo. The most complete book of its kind, this is the definitive stitch reference!
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 18, 2013
Fantastically comprehensive - one to own, I think.
August 28, 2008
Who knew knitting could be vogue?
July 14, 2014
I love all of the stitch patterns. It helps a lot that they used the same yarn with everything.
April 18, 2023
Review posted on my blog, Life As Katherine. https://lifeaskatherine.blogspot.com/
The magazine Vogue Knitting put out a series of Stitchionaries so knitters can build their own patterns. I have volumes one and two. This volume is comprised of patterns that use the knit and purl stitches combined with increases and decreases, including lace.
I've used this to design my own projects. It's very useful when I know what I want to make but don't have a pattern for it. Some of my designs have been quite beautiful, and I could not have done it without this book and other books in this series.
An essential addition to any knitter's bookshelf!
The magazine Vogue Knitting put out a series of Stitchionaries so knitters can build their own patterns. I have volumes one and two. This volume is comprised of patterns that use the knit and purl stitches combined with increases and decreases, including lace.
I've used this to design my own projects. It's very useful when I know what I want to make but don't have a pattern for it. Some of my designs have been quite beautiful, and I could not have done it without this book and other books in this series.
An essential addition to any knitter's bookshelf!
August 2, 2018
This series is amazing!
May 15, 2019
Nice stitch book, but it looses a star for lack of charts
December 4, 2021
A fantastic resource, with great written instructions, and clear photography. This is definitely a tome which I will use throughout my knitting life.
January 15, 2023
A rather nice collection of stitches, and I like how swatches of the same type are knitted in the same color. However, some of the swatches could have used better blocking.
December 29, 2023
This is a really great comprehensive guide to the different stitches used in knitting. I wish I was more skilled and able to use them!
February 20, 2025
Some nice options, good variety
Good colour photography
Clear written instructions
No charts
Library book
Good colour photography
Clear written instructions
No charts
Library book
November 8, 2025
Wonderful book filled with knitting patterns using knit and purl stitches. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next ones in the series.
May 20, 2012
(Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from Sixth & Spring Books to review on my blog.)
This is a paperback version of the previously published Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume One: Knit & Purl. (I assume the content is the same, but since I don’t own the hardcover version, I haven’t verified that assumption.) After a foreword explaining the original motivation for publishing what were to be three volumes of the Stitchionary, the book opens with the How to Use This Book section. This section explains that stitches in each chapter are arranged in order of difficulty and that selvage stitches and rows were added to each swatch to keep them relatively flat with minimal blocking. The yarn used in this book is Lana Grossa Cool Wool 2000, and all the swatches were knit with Lantern Moon size 6 (4 mm) needles.
The stitches are organized into four chapters: Knit & Purl, Lace, Traveling, and Unusual. Like other books in this series, it ends with Abbreviations, a key to the pattern abbreviation terms which includes a US/UK conversion chart for the crochet terminology; Yarn Overs, an illustrated guide to forming different types of yarn overs; and Glossary, which explains pattern essentials like “rep from *, end…” and “stockinette stitch.” The book is beautifully presented with great colors and photography.
What I like about this book
Each stitch includes a large swatch which is clearly photographed. Each chapter uses one color of yarn for all of the swatches, so there is a uniform appearance which makes comparison between similar stitches easier. The book’s color palette is in the green family and feels very springlike.
The book is well organized (by stitch type, and then by difficulty level through each chapter), so it would be easy to find a stitch you like later.
The book is beautiful to look at, and is one of those stitch guides that makes you want to pull out your needles and start experimenting.
Although the book is paperback, the binding allows it to lay somewhat flat. That combined with generous white space around each pattern allows you to knit and read at the same time. And, just in case, each cover also has a flap that you can use to hold your place.
You can find errata online at the Sixth & Spring website.
I’ve brought quite a few stitch guides to my knitting classes, and this is the only one a student has ever asked to borrow. I think that says it all.
What I don’t like (or what’s missing)
I’ve mentioned in previous reviews that I prefer when a stitch guide includes basic information for a newbie (e.g., illustrations of how to form basic stitches). The book is written with the presumption that you already know how to knit.
The patterns are written very concisely (perhaps to keep the generous white space around each picture). It can sometimes be unclear what is happening at the end of a row as a result. For example, a pattern might say: K5, *p3, k3; rep from *, end k1. I would prefer a more detailed description (such as K5, *p3, k3.* Repeat from * to * to last 4 sts, p3, k1). I have been bringing the book to my knitting classes and this has been a point of confusion for some students, too.
There are no stitch charts used in this book. This isn’t a concern for me, but I know that some knitters prefer charted patterns to written patterns.
Summary
This book is a great addition to the library of any knitter who has already mastered the mechanics of forming the knit and purl and has familiarity with written patterns. A more experienced knitter might think the book is geared towards beginners, but there is actually a range of stitch types which include slip stitches, increasing, and decreasing to create interesting textures and designs, though the patterns are limited to one color. If you love symbol charts, you will wish they were included. If you are a relative newbie, you may want to hold off on buying this until you feel more comfortable with pattern reading (or be prepared to jump onto Ravelry with questions). I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This is a paperback version of the previously published Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume One: Knit & Purl. (I assume the content is the same, but since I don’t own the hardcover version, I haven’t verified that assumption.) After a foreword explaining the original motivation for publishing what were to be three volumes of the Stitchionary, the book opens with the How to Use This Book section. This section explains that stitches in each chapter are arranged in order of difficulty and that selvage stitches and rows were added to each swatch to keep them relatively flat with minimal blocking. The yarn used in this book is Lana Grossa Cool Wool 2000, and all the swatches were knit with Lantern Moon size 6 (4 mm) needles.
The stitches are organized into four chapters: Knit & Purl, Lace, Traveling, and Unusual. Like other books in this series, it ends with Abbreviations, a key to the pattern abbreviation terms which includes a US/UK conversion chart for the crochet terminology; Yarn Overs, an illustrated guide to forming different types of yarn overs; and Glossary, which explains pattern essentials like “rep from *, end…” and “stockinette stitch.” The book is beautifully presented with great colors and photography.
What I like about this book
Each stitch includes a large swatch which is clearly photographed. Each chapter uses one color of yarn for all of the swatches, so there is a uniform appearance which makes comparison between similar stitches easier. The book’s color palette is in the green family and feels very springlike.
The book is well organized (by stitch type, and then by difficulty level through each chapter), so it would be easy to find a stitch you like later.
The book is beautiful to look at, and is one of those stitch guides that makes you want to pull out your needles and start experimenting.
Although the book is paperback, the binding allows it to lay somewhat flat. That combined with generous white space around each pattern allows you to knit and read at the same time. And, just in case, each cover also has a flap that you can use to hold your place.
You can find errata online at the Sixth & Spring website.
I’ve brought quite a few stitch guides to my knitting classes, and this is the only one a student has ever asked to borrow. I think that says it all.
What I don’t like (or what’s missing)
I’ve mentioned in previous reviews that I prefer when a stitch guide includes basic information for a newbie (e.g., illustrations of how to form basic stitches). The book is written with the presumption that you already know how to knit.
The patterns are written very concisely (perhaps to keep the generous white space around each picture). It can sometimes be unclear what is happening at the end of a row as a result. For example, a pattern might say: K5, *p3, k3; rep from *, end k1. I would prefer a more detailed description (such as K5, *p3, k3.* Repeat from * to * to last 4 sts, p3, k1). I have been bringing the book to my knitting classes and this has been a point of confusion for some students, too.
There are no stitch charts used in this book. This isn’t a concern for me, but I know that some knitters prefer charted patterns to written patterns.
Summary
This book is a great addition to the library of any knitter who has already mastered the mechanics of forming the knit and purl and has familiarity with written patterns. A more experienced knitter might think the book is geared towards beginners, but there is actually a range of stitch types which include slip stitches, increasing, and decreasing to create interesting textures and designs, though the patterns are limited to one color. If you love symbol charts, you will wish they were included. If you are a relative newbie, you may want to hold off on buying this until you feel more comfortable with pattern reading (or be prepared to jump onto Ravelry with questions). I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
August 9, 2023
"Vogue® Knitting The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary: More Than 800 Stitch Patterns" is better as it has pattern diagrams.
February 20, 2017
Is it cheating to claim these for my yearly book challenge? I did read them, technically.
July 9, 2008
Light on reading, heavy on stitches as I think it should be. Since I haven't been knitting long and have never seen Vogue Knitting, these were all pretty new to me and very neat. I hope I don't have to take this back to the library before I get a couple more scarves in my traveling scarf group. It's going to be hard to choose one of these cool patterns. I may have to buy this for my library...
June 24, 2012
This series is THE best resource for knitting! Just this one book (part of a series) contains more then 250 stitch patterns (and great swatch photos of each one) and they are arranged by order of difficulty, which is really handy!! There's also a bunch of patterns in this book and the instructions are really great.
****Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from Sixth & Spring Books/SoHo Publishing.
****Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from Sixth & Spring Books/SoHo Publishing.
January 4, 2010
I couldn't decide whether I wanted to get this book or the Barbara Walker classic, "A Treasury of Knitting Patterns"...but ended up with this one because of the pretty color photos. Plus, the photos are larger so that my aging eyes can see the details in the knitted swatches better.
I'm hoping for another Amazon gift card from my FIL so that I can buy the Walker volume too.
I'm hoping for another Amazon gift card from my FIL so that I can buy the Walker volume too.
May 28, 2015
Large photographs of swatches and concise directions make the "Stitionary" (I love the name!) easy to use. I'm not quite a beginner, but I'm not a very advanced knitter either - a little more directions at the beginning about the types of stitches and directions used would have been more helpful. That being said, I was itching to make something just to try the different patterns!
February 22, 2008
This book is set up beautifully and I can't wait to try out these different designs. The directions are minimal and while I absorb charts more easily, I still found I was able to follow these with a little work.
August 25, 2008
Beautifully photographed. Something I'd consider for my own bookshelves when/if I'm ready to design garments and want to have some lovely patterns within the projects. Makes me want to look at the other volumes too!
November 23, 2008
This is a nice stitch dictionary with clear photographs and a good assortment of stitches. However, it would have been greatly improved with the addition of charts! That would make it so much easier to follow many of the patterns.
April 9, 2009
This is the first volume of a series by Vogue. It contains a nice selection of stitches using only knit and purl. Covers ribbing, textures, lace, cables and more. If you are a serious knitter with a library this would be a nice addition.
April 15, 2009
I cannot tell you how many times I've turned to this book to find the perfect stitch pattern for the project I'm dreaming up. The pictures of the knitted swatches are very sharp and easy to see. The stitch instructions are easy to follow.
February 5, 2012
This is such a great resource for knitters. Tons of great stitch patterns with clear, easy to follow directions. Clear photos of a swatch for each stitch pattern. A must have for any aspiring pattern designers!
December 7, 2013
I really liked this stitchionary. It has some cute stitch patterns. I love to make my own knitted items from patterns I create. So this makes it nice to pull from when coming to texture. Plus using this you can take an ordinary pattern you've don a thousand times and make it interesting or new.
July 1, 2014
IF you want to expand your knitting beyond garter, stockinette, ribbing, and seed stitch, this book offers lots of different patterns to try including lace, traveling, and some unusual ones including brioche.
February 3, 2008
how can you not love a book with 6 shades of sage, er..moss, no wait...green on the front cover? the pages show what every type of knit purl combinations can look like. it really is wonderful.
May 1, 2008
Great to have on the shelf
June 30, 2008
A good basic stitch guide with some fancier stitches thrown in. A good reference guide.
October 2, 2008
I marked this as "read" but this really isn't a book you just sit down to read.
It seems to have a lot of good stitches!
It seems to have a lot of good stitches!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews