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Beyond Basic Knitting
Detailed information that builds on basic knitting techniquesHow-to instructions complete with color photographsIncludes essential skills review and knitting resources listHow to knit on the bias, create flawless necklines, incorporate beads into a design, and knit a mitred corner are only a few of the more advanced techniques covered in this lavishly illustrated book. Hundreds of step-by-step photographs guide the intermediate knitter through ten beautiful projects: a scarf, hat, sweater, throw, purse, and more. Using a variety of yarns and stitches, these patterns are sure to complement any knitter's library.
- GenresKnittingNonfiction
128 pages, Spiral-bound
First published October 30, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 19, 2025
Beyond Basic Knitting: Techniques and projects to expand your skills - Alan Wycheck (photographer), Anita J. Tosten (contributor), Missy Burns (contributor)
Part 1 Materials and basic skills review:
I found an error 10 pages in after scanning a lot of gumph, there’s one error already! 🤦♀️ just hope it gets better from here on in…
In the skill review section there are a few things I would like to learn which include different cast ons and Kitchener stitch being another of them! I’ve seen a few peoples projects using Kitchener and it’s one that’s added to-learn list. 📖 ✍️
Part 2 Projects:
1. Hearts Content Scarf - This looks pretty 😍 Usually if I find a scarf pattern that I like, and I have made loads of different types of scarves, I’ll make it with DK because I know my skin is safe with that. However, this pattern calls for Mohair & Cellulose blend and I love the way it looks! Do I need an excuse to buy yet more yarn? Nope. lol my Mum made me a jumper when I was younger with a mohair band around the middle, it felt like a teddy bears fur. I know I like Mohair, and I know I used to always wear a T-shirt with that jumper and having a scarf may be different on my skin…One way to find out! And if the itchies come, the charity shop gains a scarf. lol 💯 % want to make this.
2. Sugar Run Skirt - Again this also looks pretty and I think I would learn a lot from this project. I haven’t made a skirt as yet, but I do have a few patterns and ideas I’d like to take parts from to make something unique. I’d like to have a go at this even if only for the learning process.
3. Twin Lakes Cover-up And Hat - Cute, but I don’t have any baby girls hanging around here. If I was still making things to sell I would probably have a go at making this.
4. Lantz Corners Shawl - yeah okay it’s pretty, but not my style. I like how in the pattern pics they’ve not only pictured it worn as a shawl but a table is wearing it too! 🥴 they used it as a tablecloth! Now, if I had a table which I don’t, then I would consider making this. Phew glad I don’t have to bring out the dpn’s for this. 😥😂
5. Tracy Ridge Hat - 😅😂🤭 OMG! It’s a drawstring bag on her head! And in my 2 least favourite colours put together in one cock-up. Seriously? If I wanted to wear a bag on my head, I wouldn’t go to the effort of knitting it! Someone somewhere may like this and good for them it’s umm unique *giggle* but It’s a definite NO from me! 👎🏼
6. Beaver Meadows Felted Purse - I’ve always had a fascination with knitting/felting, never actually tried it though. There are some awesome patterns out there! This large bag is doable, I mean I like the idea of the whole felting process and the finished effect, but if I wanted to make this bag I would have to make the straps longer. I’m not a fan of a bag under my arm-pit, hip length would be preferable for me personally. Love the bright contrasting colours and it would be beautiful for summer time. 🌺🌺🌺
7. Big Rock Socks - There are those dreaded dpn’s rearing their head again. These socks look cool, probably pretty simple once you get the hang of dpn’s, I haven’t… Not yet. I have a book aimed at knitting socks on straight needles and I haven’t even tried that yet. So I can make excuses for not learning dpn’s. lol one day 💭 🧶 🧦
8. Tionesta Lake Throw - Love the colour scheme! I’ve made a few blankets for cats and they still prefer my shop bought ones. lol and I bet if I made one of these they would want it because it was mine. lol
9. Watson Crossing Sweater - I like this but unfortunately it doesn’t go up to my bust size 🙈 … Hmmm I like it, enough to make it but I’d have to change the name of it.
10. Saybrook Neck warmer And Wrist warmers - I don’t like these at all. They look very tatty and old.
It had a bit of a rough start, the first pattern in my opinion is without a doubt the best one in the book. From about halfway through it just went downhill (pattern wise), the skills workshops are ace, but wtf is wrong with this choice of patterns? And the worst for last. Lmfao! 🤣 🤣
I would recommend this book to a beginner for the workshops and techniques but that’s about it.
On a good note - Well done to the photographer who captured all the best bits. 😮🫢
Part 1 Materials and basic skills review:
I found an error 10 pages in after scanning a lot of gumph, there’s one error already! 🤦♀️ just hope it gets better from here on in…
In the skill review section there are a few things I would like to learn which include different cast ons and Kitchener stitch being another of them! I’ve seen a few peoples projects using Kitchener and it’s one that’s added to-learn list. 📖 ✍️
Part 2 Projects:
1. Hearts Content Scarf - This looks pretty 😍 Usually if I find a scarf pattern that I like, and I have made loads of different types of scarves, I’ll make it with DK because I know my skin is safe with that. However, this pattern calls for Mohair & Cellulose blend and I love the way it looks! Do I need an excuse to buy yet more yarn? Nope. lol my Mum made me a jumper when I was younger with a mohair band around the middle, it felt like a teddy bears fur. I know I like Mohair, and I know I used to always wear a T-shirt with that jumper and having a scarf may be different on my skin…One way to find out! And if the itchies come, the charity shop gains a scarf. lol 💯 % want to make this.
2. Sugar Run Skirt - Again this also looks pretty and I think I would learn a lot from this project. I haven’t made a skirt as yet, but I do have a few patterns and ideas I’d like to take parts from to make something unique. I’d like to have a go at this even if only for the learning process.
3. Twin Lakes Cover-up And Hat - Cute, but I don’t have any baby girls hanging around here. If I was still making things to sell I would probably have a go at making this.
4. Lantz Corners Shawl - yeah okay it’s pretty, but not my style. I like how in the pattern pics they’ve not only pictured it worn as a shawl but a table is wearing it too! 🥴 they used it as a tablecloth! Now, if I had a table which I don’t, then I would consider making this. Phew glad I don’t have to bring out the dpn’s for this. 😥😂
5. Tracy Ridge Hat - 😅😂🤭 OMG! It’s a drawstring bag on her head! And in my 2 least favourite colours put together in one cock-up. Seriously? If I wanted to wear a bag on my head, I wouldn’t go to the effort of knitting it! Someone somewhere may like this and good for them it’s umm unique *giggle* but It’s a definite NO from me! 👎🏼
6. Beaver Meadows Felted Purse - I’ve always had a fascination with knitting/felting, never actually tried it though. There are some awesome patterns out there! This large bag is doable, I mean I like the idea of the whole felting process and the finished effect, but if I wanted to make this bag I would have to make the straps longer. I’m not a fan of a bag under my arm-pit, hip length would be preferable for me personally. Love the bright contrasting colours and it would be beautiful for summer time. 🌺🌺🌺
7. Big Rock Socks - There are those dreaded dpn’s rearing their head again. These socks look cool, probably pretty simple once you get the hang of dpn’s, I haven’t… Not yet. I have a book aimed at knitting socks on straight needles and I haven’t even tried that yet. So I can make excuses for not learning dpn’s. lol one day 💭 🧶 🧦
8. Tionesta Lake Throw - Love the colour scheme! I’ve made a few blankets for cats and they still prefer my shop bought ones. lol and I bet if I made one of these they would want it because it was mine. lol
9. Watson Crossing Sweater - I like this but unfortunately it doesn’t go up to my bust size 🙈 … Hmmm I like it, enough to make it but I’d have to change the name of it.
10. Saybrook Neck warmer And Wrist warmers - I don’t like these at all. They look very tatty and old.
It had a bit of a rough start, the first pattern in my opinion is without a doubt the best one in the book. From about halfway through it just went downhill (pattern wise), the skills workshops are ace, but wtf is wrong with this choice of patterns? And the worst for last. Lmfao! 🤣 🤣
I would recommend this book to a beginner for the workshops and techniques but that’s about it.
On a good note - Well done to the photographer who captured all the best bits. 😮🫢
November 20, 2018
Variety
March 9, 2017
An informative read. The Author did an outstanding job of clearly illustrating thru pics & words trickier stitches such as the Kitchener Stitch and made adding beads to knitting appear effortless. For my taste many of the designs although skill testing wasn't as creatively exciting; however, the overall layout & content of this book was nicely done and beneficial to any knitters' bookshelf.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews