Knitting in Plain English (Knit & Crochet)

As someone new to knitting--and as someone without a mentor to help me--it was imperative that I find a good book. The first book I found targeted 9 to 14 year olds; I'm in my 30s. However, it was instant gratification: I could get needles, yarn and a how-to book all at once, and start knitting that afternoon.After using the little booklet I got in the local crafts store, I was able to make the basic knit/purl stitch, but I had no idea how to keep track of where I was in a pattern. I had no idea how to look at a stich and tell whether it had been knit or purled. And although my stitches were quite even and attractive, I was getting extremely discouraged in trying to keep various patterns straight in my head: was that the sixth stitch after the yarn-over, or the seventh? Is this a purl row or a knit row? And when I tried to do a seed stitch, I often ended up making a rib by accident, simply because my eyes weren't educated; I didn't know how to look at the stitches I had just made.How happy was I to get my copy of /Knitting in Plain English/ by Maggie Righetti! If you're a beginning knitter who has mastered the simple art of knit and purl stitches, but you need common sense advice on how to keep track of your knitting... if you want a clear illustration of the visual difference between knit and purl stiches as they lay on the needle... if you want a great reference for various simple techniques like I-cord... and if you need a troubleshooting guide with a wonderful index (a well-organized and thorough index is a key difference, I might add, between a good book and a great one) then this is the book for you. I can't recommend it highly enough. What's more, it's well-written and a fun read.In fact, if you know any beginning knitters, you couldn't do any better than to make a gift of this book to them.

This is the book every knitter needs to read. It's well written and easy to understand.

I probably would have liked this book more 10 years ago. Let me explain. I taught myself to knit almost 60years ago. I had what would best be described as an idiosyncratic style. I was shy about knitting in public since conventional knitters would tell me that I was doing it wrong. Time passed and I mostly was too busy with other things to knit. When I started knitting again, I analyzed my style, watched some videos to tweak it a bit and now am settled in as a continental, combined style knitter. This would have been really helpful when I was getting started,now it's kind of interesting to browse.

Lost my original copy of Maggie's book somewhere and when I got back into knitting really needed help. It was lovely to see that the book had been updated. I also own the crochet book, purchased years ago. All I can say is, thank you Maggie Righetti, for being willing to write down common sense advice about knitting (and crocheting!). I laughed when I read the book, then when I read the instructions in the booklet I found and purchased for the pictures for left handed knitting. Sure enough, there were some of the silly edicts that only make learning harder. Was delighted to recognize them and progress quickly to a review sweater project. Have already been back into the book for advice on increases when my pattern book was inadequate (and that pattern book is one that is recommended by Ms. Righetti). Can't wait to learn more.I highly recommend this reference. I will likely purchase the updated book on crochet, as well as the one on sweater design. While I do not agree with everything in each book, the vast majority of advise is spot-on, and the techniques clearly explained. My only regret? Wish Ms. Righetti was left handed, so I could get all that translate for a dominant leftie, instead of having to reverse things. Happy knitting!

Maggie teaches you the basics of knitting, from how to make that first stitch and projects that will give you the knowledge and confidence to knit from any pattern that you may want to knit. She has a way with words and a way of explaining the complex in very simple terms, as if you are a student sitting in her classroom. She includes different patterns of knit stitches and offers advice as to when and how to use them. She also instructs the reader about learning to read a pattern whether it is written out or written with symbols in a diagram format. She also instructs with stories of other knitters that she has taught in her class, thus making the reader feel comfortable learning the art of knitting from the beginning, building one's skills and confidence to tackle the lessons that she is teaching. She also informs the reader about the best yarns to use, the best methods to cast on, cast off, make buttonholes, make increases and decreases to form the sweater to fit you or someone you are knitting the garment for. Even though you may be an experienced knitter, she has lessons to teach you, with tips and tricks to make your garment fit and look professional. This book belongs in every knitter's library as a reference book that will be used over and over again.

Maggie Righetti has a chatty way of explaining things which will make even those of us who do not like instruction books very much (I love them, by the way) keep on reading. Her instructions are clear and practical. The drawings look a bit hard to understand ('what am I supposed to do here?'), but the accompanying text explains it all.Her warnings on how to spot weaknesses (and major flaws) in knitted garments by the way the model is posing are good advice (I learned this the hard way).She covers all kinds of problems that most books on knitting won't tell you about.What more can I say? It is an excellent book. Buy it!P.S. For those who have serious difficulties with interpreting 'how-to' drawings and pictures in knitting books: there is a whole series of Vogue books on knitting, available from Amazon.com. I bought the one on 'knitting and felting' and I was simply stunned by the clarity of its drawings. I didn't even need text to understand what was meant. Every small step was drawn very clearly.

Klare Empfehlung für Strickneulinge, die die englische Sprache einigermaßen verstehen.

It’s true!The only book you’ll ever need.Beginner or experienced, this is essential.Even after 45 years knitting, I learned a couple of new tricks, and was reminded of some forgotten wisdom.

Got it on time and it was as expected

I got this book out of the library when I started to knit, and as the years went by I kept remembering bits of advice from it & realising how helpful it was, so I bought my own.The author used to work in a shop, helping people with their knitting, so she understands what people get wrong and what we don't understand.There are some diagrams and charts, but it's more a collection of principles to help you build up your own expertise - and the way she explains WHY things work or don't work is brilliant.She starts with a long section on choosing your pattern - and the book is worth the price just for this alone - learning why certain patterns do not work and what not to knit is invaluable. Think of the time & money you waste for only one failed garment, not to mention the heartbreak.This is the book that has helped me the most.

Thi book we found is very easy to read and to follow its instructions