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The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting
Looking for the perfect book on knitting? It's right here in The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting. Containing all you need to know to knit, this book is an essential reference for novice and expert knitters. It's packed with hundreds of tips and ideas, plus step-by-step instructions and photos for 200 stitch patterns.
Find expanded basics for all knitting techniques, from cast-on to bind-off and every step in between. Margaret Hubert will guide you through special knitting topics like cables, intarsia, entrelac, Fair Isle knitting, and lace knitting. Learn to knit row by row and in the round. Understand knitting jargon and how to follow a pattern. Learn all the methods for increasing and decreasing stitches, seaming, and adding details like pockets and zippers. With twenty new stitch patterns, this section expands to 220 in all, arranged in style categories for easy reference. Projects at the end of each section give you opportunities to try some of the techniques.
Find expanded basics for all knitting techniques, from cast-on to bind-off and every step in between. Margaret Hubert will guide you through special knitting topics like cables, intarsia, entrelac, Fair Isle knitting, and lace knitting. Learn to knit row by row and in the round. Understand knitting jargon and how to follow a pattern. Learn all the methods for increasing and decreasing stitches, seaming, and adding details like pockets and zippers. With twenty new stitch patterns, this section expands to 220 in all, arranged in style categories for easy reference. Projects at the end of each section give you opportunities to try some of the techniques.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
106 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Hubert
54 books58 followersFrom her Ravelry Profile: I have been knitting and crocheting forever. I am a mother and grandmother, and a great grandmother. I design, teach, and write books. My first book was published in 1978, and I just completed my 19th book In addition to the books, I have 2 independently produced video’s/dvd’s, and 3 self published entrelac crochet patterns. My flicker name is MHDesigner. I love it all!
I am a member of the CGOA, The Happily Hooked on Crochet chapter in CT, and a member of The Big Apple Knitters in New York City.
I am a member of the CGOA, The Happily Hooked on Crochet chapter in CT, and a member of The Big Apple Knitters in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 10, 2020
I've been knitting for about 40 years. I used to knit a lot of islandic-style sweaters but haven't made one in years. These days I'm into making quick projects ... dish cloths, slippers, mittens, etc. It's been a while since I've read a knitting book and this one caught my eye.
The chapters include:
* Introduction
* History of knitting
* Knitting basics - needles and other tools, knitting instructions, techniques, and details and finishing techniques
* Stitch patterns - basic stitches, light textures, medium and heavy textures, laces, ribs, honeycomb and brioche stitches, eyelets, ripples and chevrons, slip stitches, color combos, motifs and cables
* Specialty knitting methods - One-piece knitting, entrelac knitting, free form knitting, crazy lace knitting, knitting with beads, intarsia knitting, twined knitting and ouroborus knitting
I found this book fairly easy to read and understand for the most part so think it's good for a beginner (the easy stuff) and a nice reference for an experienced knitter. There are full-colour pictures for everything and I found most of the instructions easy to follow in my head (I haven't tried actually knitting anything from the book yet). Everything is coded "easy", "intermediate" and "experienced". There are patterns so you can try to make what you just learned about (hats, purses, sweaters, etc.)
I tend to learn trickier things, though, by watching rather than pictures so some things I think I'll have to look for on YouTube for more detailed step by step instructions. There were some terms I wasn't familiar with and I couldn't find any reference to them in the book so I'll look them up as needed.
When I get back to making dish cloths again, I'll use some of the stitch patterns I haven't used or seen before.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2020/06...
The chapters include:
* Introduction
* History of knitting
* Knitting basics - needles and other tools, knitting instructions, techniques, and details and finishing techniques
* Stitch patterns - basic stitches, light textures, medium and heavy textures, laces, ribs, honeycomb and brioche stitches, eyelets, ripples and chevrons, slip stitches, color combos, motifs and cables
* Specialty knitting methods - One-piece knitting, entrelac knitting, free form knitting, crazy lace knitting, knitting with beads, intarsia knitting, twined knitting and ouroborus knitting
I found this book fairly easy to read and understand for the most part so think it's good for a beginner (the easy stuff) and a nice reference for an experienced knitter. There are full-colour pictures for everything and I found most of the instructions easy to follow in my head (I haven't tried actually knitting anything from the book yet). Everything is coded "easy", "intermediate" and "experienced". There are patterns so you can try to make what you just learned about (hats, purses, sweaters, etc.)
I tend to learn trickier things, though, by watching rather than pictures so some things I think I'll have to look for on YouTube for more detailed step by step instructions. There were some terms I wasn't familiar with and I couldn't find any reference to them in the book so I'll look them up as needed.
When I get back to making dish cloths again, I'll use some of the stitch patterns I haven't used or seen before.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2020/06...
August 12, 2016
So far I love this book. My only gripe is that it is illustrated in continental style. I'm an English knitter. But that's a small thing for me since I already know the techniques shown this way. More when I get through it. I've already spotted a of couple patterns worth making. And the stitch patterns have a few I haven't seen before.
Now that I'm done I definitely have plans to use some of the stitch patterns in some simple designs of my own. Or adapting patterns I have to include some of these stitches. I really liked this book, enough to buy it after checking it out at the library.
After owning this book for quite a while(added 8/12/16) I have found some problems. One sweater pattern is completely off. I tried making it and the measurements didn't add up at all. I ended up with a mid-drift sweater instead of tunic length. This is the simple garter stitch sweater towards the beginning of the book. I made another sweater pattern from the book and it was correct. I just have to down rate this because editing patterns is a very important part of any knitting book(especially a teaching book).
Now that I'm done I definitely have plans to use some of the stitch patterns in some simple designs of my own. Or adapting patterns I have to include some of these stitches. I really liked this book, enough to buy it after checking it out at the library.
After owning this book for quite a while(added 8/12/16) I have found some problems. One sweater pattern is completely off. I tried making it and the measurements didn't add up at all. I ended up with a mid-drift sweater instead of tunic length. This is the simple garter stitch sweater towards the beginning of the book. I made another sweater pattern from the book and it was correct. I just have to down rate this because editing patterns is a very important part of any knitting book(especially a teaching book).
September 21, 2010
Great resource for beginners, featuring plenty of detailed photos of many knitting patterns and techniques. Much more helpful that most online sources I have used.
February 7, 2015
This was a huge help! I haven't knitted in years and pretty much needed to start from scratch, but this book got me back on track.
December 26, 2018
This has been my year to reconnect to skills learned in my young adulthood, knitting being one of them. I picked this up at the library to help me gain expertise. I was especially attracted to the photos because I find illustrations had to translate into action.
This book has a large number of stitch patterns as well. I’ve used it primarily for that, making some of the projects but also using the patterns to create my own small projects. I’ve checked it out of the library many times and will eventually purchase it. It comes in both paperback and e-book versions, each of which has its strengths.
Recommend for all beginning and intermediate knitters.
This book has a large number of stitch patterns as well. I’ve used it primarily for that, making some of the projects but also using the patterns to create my own small projects. I’ve checked it out of the library many times and will eventually purchase it. It comes in both paperback and e-book versions, each of which has its strengths.
Recommend for all beginning and intermediate knitters.
January 26, 2018
This book is really helpful and it explains it so very well and there are illustrations as well too that you can go by.
If you want to learn to knit I would highly recommend this book.
I got this book from Hoopla which you can download the App for Hoopla from your App Store on your Phone.
If you want to learn to knit I would highly recommend this book.
I got this book from Hoopla which you can download the App for Hoopla from your App Store on your Phone.
October 3, 2011
After about 25 years away from knitting, in the last year I decided to conquer my fears (of making enormous trapezoids) and start to knit again. Perhaps my motor skills are better now, or I understand yarn and needlecrafts better, or I'm just more patient, but this time it "stuck." An invaluable tool that I picked up along the way was Margaret Hubert's The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting. I recommend it to my beginner knitting students and think it is a great resource for your knitting library for several reasons.
The book is organized into three major sections: Knitting Basics, Stitch Patterns, and Specialty Knitting Methods. As the title suggests, the book is heavy on photographs and light on illustrations. (Sidenote: I personally find it impossible to learn anything new from an illustration, but can use illustrations as reminders for techniques I'm already familiar with.) Margaret opens with a brief history of knitting, and then jumps into the Knitting Basics section. This section includes a review of tools, pattern abbreviations, and provides an explanation of how to read patterns in addition to the abbreviations. At this point, the book jumps into various techniques for casting on (5 options), forming the knit and purl stitches (2 methods each), and binding off (3 options). Each technique includes multiple, large photographs which are clearly lit. Margaret then goes on to display several shaping methods. This is followed by knitting in the round, again including photographs with double-pointed needles, one circular, and then two circular needles. Margaret also emphasizes gauge. There is also a nice piece on finishing. This section has many photographs, but the text is rather brief. If you are a visual learner, this is probably an ideal reference book for you. If you learn best from reading descriptions of the process, this section is lacking some detail that you might need. For example, there is no discussion about choosing yarn, or how to hold the needles, or the usual debate between the continental and the English knitting methods.
The next section, Stitch Patterns, is like having a stitch guide embedded in the book. There are 185 stitch patterns, arranged by type:
* Basic stitches,
* Light textures,
* Medium and heavy textures,
* Laces,
* Ribs,
* Honeycomb and brioche stitches,
* Eyelets,
* Ripples and chevrons,
* Slip stitches,
* Color combos,
* Motifs, and
* Cables.
I love the way the stitch patterns are organized - like most knitters/crocheters, I hate seeing a wonderful stitch and then never being able to find it again. There is also a difficulty rating for each stitch (using the Craft Yarn Council standard skill levels). The swatches are beautifully photographed and are quite large, so you can see the detail. The colors Margaret uses for her yarns are also lovely. There are several project patterns in this section, generally following the type of stitch that is used in the pattern. This section is worth the price of admission alone for me, since it is a great stitch guide. However, if you are looking for stitch symbols, there are very few in this book - most patterns use abbreviations only. (The cable stitches in this section all include symbols though.)
The final section, Specialty Knitting Methods, introduces (or reminds!) the reader to (of) various techniques and includes at least one pattern along with a description of the method. The methods included are:
* One-Piece Knitting,
* Entrelac Knitting,
* Freeform Knitting,
* Crazy Lace Knitting (pattern by Myra Wood),
* Knitting with Beads (pattern by Judy Pascale),
* Intarsia Knitting (pattern by Sasha Kagen),
* Twined Knitting (pattern by Beth Brown-Reinsel), and
* Ouroborus Kntting (pattern by Debbie New)
The Crazy Lace, Intarsia, and Twined projects include charts in addition to pattern abbreviations. As with the rest of the book, the projects are beautifully photographed and the colors and layout really bring the projects to life. In the last section, the photographs are of the projects, not the methods for creating the projects.
Overall, I recommend the Complete Photo Guide to Knitting to a beginner knitter looking for a book to "grow" into an intermediate knitter with. I also recommend it as a stitch guide - it doesn't have as many stitches as some guides, but the organization, skill levels, photographs, and yarn colors are superior to most on the market. There are also projects included so you can try the stitches on something other than swatches if you aren't at the stage of designing your own creations yet. The photographs are great for visual learners. On the other hand, there are few stitch symbols in the book, which didn't bother me since I prefer pattern abbreviations, but I know that many knitters prefer symbols. This is really a comprehensive visual reference rather than a thorough written treatise on knitting. If you are looking for a wordy text, go for the Knitter's Handbook : A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Techniques of Handknitting. Because of the visual cues, it is also a great book for a more advanced knitter who needs a quick photographic reminder ("Oh, right, that's how to do the provisional cast on!") before starting or while working a project.
The book is organized into three major sections: Knitting Basics, Stitch Patterns, and Specialty Knitting Methods. As the title suggests, the book is heavy on photographs and light on illustrations. (Sidenote: I personally find it impossible to learn anything new from an illustration, but can use illustrations as reminders for techniques I'm already familiar with.) Margaret opens with a brief history of knitting, and then jumps into the Knitting Basics section. This section includes a review of tools, pattern abbreviations, and provides an explanation of how to read patterns in addition to the abbreviations. At this point, the book jumps into various techniques for casting on (5 options), forming the knit and purl stitches (2 methods each), and binding off (3 options). Each technique includes multiple, large photographs which are clearly lit. Margaret then goes on to display several shaping methods. This is followed by knitting in the round, again including photographs with double-pointed needles, one circular, and then two circular needles. Margaret also emphasizes gauge. There is also a nice piece on finishing. This section has many photographs, but the text is rather brief. If you are a visual learner, this is probably an ideal reference book for you. If you learn best from reading descriptions of the process, this section is lacking some detail that you might need. For example, there is no discussion about choosing yarn, or how to hold the needles, or the usual debate between the continental and the English knitting methods.
The next section, Stitch Patterns, is like having a stitch guide embedded in the book. There are 185 stitch patterns, arranged by type:
* Basic stitches,
* Light textures,
* Medium and heavy textures,
* Laces,
* Ribs,
* Honeycomb and brioche stitches,
* Eyelets,
* Ripples and chevrons,
* Slip stitches,
* Color combos,
* Motifs, and
* Cables.
I love the way the stitch patterns are organized - like most knitters/crocheters, I hate seeing a wonderful stitch and then never being able to find it again. There is also a difficulty rating for each stitch (using the Craft Yarn Council standard skill levels). The swatches are beautifully photographed and are quite large, so you can see the detail. The colors Margaret uses for her yarns are also lovely. There are several project patterns in this section, generally following the type of stitch that is used in the pattern. This section is worth the price of admission alone for me, since it is a great stitch guide. However, if you are looking for stitch symbols, there are very few in this book - most patterns use abbreviations only. (The cable stitches in this section all include symbols though.)
The final section, Specialty Knitting Methods, introduces (or reminds!) the reader to (of) various techniques and includes at least one pattern along with a description of the method. The methods included are:
* One-Piece Knitting,
* Entrelac Knitting,
* Freeform Knitting,
* Crazy Lace Knitting (pattern by Myra Wood),
* Knitting with Beads (pattern by Judy Pascale),
* Intarsia Knitting (pattern by Sasha Kagen),
* Twined Knitting (pattern by Beth Brown-Reinsel), and
* Ouroborus Kntting (pattern by Debbie New)
The Crazy Lace, Intarsia, and Twined projects include charts in addition to pattern abbreviations. As with the rest of the book, the projects are beautifully photographed and the colors and layout really bring the projects to life. In the last section, the photographs are of the projects, not the methods for creating the projects.
Overall, I recommend the Complete Photo Guide to Knitting to a beginner knitter looking for a book to "grow" into an intermediate knitter with. I also recommend it as a stitch guide - it doesn't have as many stitches as some guides, but the organization, skill levels, photographs, and yarn colors are superior to most on the market. There are also projects included so you can try the stitches on something other than swatches if you aren't at the stage of designing your own creations yet. The photographs are great for visual learners. On the other hand, there are few stitch symbols in the book, which didn't bother me since I prefer pattern abbreviations, but I know that many knitters prefer symbols. This is really a comprehensive visual reference rather than a thorough written treatise on knitting. If you are looking for a wordy text, go for the Knitter's Handbook : A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Techniques of Handknitting. Because of the visual cues, it is also a great book for a more advanced knitter who needs a quick photographic reminder ("Oh, right, that's how to do the provisional cast on!") before starting or while working a project.
September 6, 2021
Fabulous teaching and reference.
January 8, 2012
I love bright, cheerful colors and books full of large, detailed photographs, so this book is ideal for me. I consider myself a beginner-intermediate knitter; I only just recently learned the purl stitch, don't know how to cable knit, and have only ever knit scarves. Well, I tried one of the "Experienced" two-color patterns in the book (X's and O's) and found that with Margaret Hubert's instruction, I was capable enough to knit a beautiful scarf using that pattern. I worked on it at a knitting club with people much more experienced than me and everyone loved it and wondered how I did it. I'm not sure that I would recommend this book as a comprehensive guide; for a couple of patterns/techniques, I did have to go on Youtube to see how they were done. But supplemented with Youtube, this is about as comprehensive a knitting book as one can expect, and has definitely made knitting more enjoyable for me.
July 27, 2011
I love the large, color photos and the variety of patterns and projects. I've now tried two different projects: cable knitting and flower motifs. The cable knitting explanation and photos were fantastic. The flower motif pattern, unfortunately, is seriously confusing. I've now tried it three times and still haven't figured it out. Some of the terms aren't defined anywhere in the book (which is quite a significant oversight), and one of the terms is explained several pages later (but you have to hunt to find it). I'm looking forward to trying some new patterns, and I'm hoping they're explained clearly.
Read
January 29, 2020Skimmed through the whole book, didn't get the feeling that it can teach me, everything looks so complicated, and from pics it wasn't clear what I should do.
Doesn't looked suitable for green beginners.
Although it could be a good reference later, witch nice pictures of stitches and instructions how to achieve them. If I ever caught with that knitters' language.
Doesn't looked suitable for green beginners.
Although it could be a good reference later, witch nice pictures of stitches and instructions how to achieve them. If I ever caught with that knitters' language.
January 17, 2012
My sister-in-law taught me to knit by watching her, so I have no idea how to read a pattern. This guide sheds a lot of light on the craft for me. Did you know there were more stitch patterns than stockinette? Wow! :)
December 3, 2012
Very helpful in learning textures, but there are a couple of notations that are not throughly explained. Since this starts with basic stitches, the book shouldn't assume that we know the intermediate level techniques (like twisting stitches).
December 19, 2010
Beautiful large color pictures that demonstrate clearly how to do the various stitches. As a beginner I have found this book very helpful.
February 15, 2011
seriously, this book is a continual read...and I LOVE IT! I actually went to the bookstore and bought it new and at full price (which for a knitting book in my world is a big deal).
January 24, 2016
Easy to read and understand, provides a vast number of stitch patterns for inspiration.
December 19, 2012
Handy and helpful. But, the photos are not as crisp as the "Complete Photo Guide to Crochet" version.
November 30, 2013
Really good resource for learning a lot of different stitch patterns.
April 3, 2018
This is a book for patterns of knitting and purling rather than patterns for projects. Clear and easy to follow.
August 29, 2014
Clear directions and many different patterns to take you from novice to experienced
January 20, 2015
Excellent guidebook that takes you through so many lovely stitches and how to do them.
April 13, 2016
It's a great resource to refer back to. I tried several of the patterns, and they all turned out great. I do wish it had more different stitches though, and maybe more modern ideas.
January 25, 2017
Great introduction. Has easy patterns for beginners.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews