Trish Knits.com

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Trish’s Knitting Library

Welcome to my Knitting Library!

stack of books in soft focus

I hope you find this part of my site to be useful and informative. I’ll be adding titles constantly, so do check back often!

In the interest of full disclosure, I will let you know that I participate in the Amazon Associates program. I run another website that provides resources and support for parents who happen to be people with disabilities, Parents with Disabilities Online. I have cerebral palsy, use a wheelchair, and I have two beautiful children. There are more than 8 million families in the United States alone that have at least one parent with a disability. If you happen to click on any of the links on this page to order a knitting book, any proceeds will support my effort to provide expanded resources to parents with disabilities. Thanks so much!

Library Items by Topic


Upcoming Releases

It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons–by Franklin Habit. This author of the famous blog, The Panopticon, shares with us a collection of his knitting cartoon, and a few essays along the way. I can’t wait for this book to come out!


Learn to Knit

Knitting for Dummies — By Pam Allen and Trisha Malcolm. This book is where I learned to knit. Don’t be put off by the title; there’s a wealth of information. I still use this book today.


Stitch n Bitch — By Debbie Stoller. I love the chatty nature of this book, and the patterns are very cool!


Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book — I finally just got this book in January 2006, and WOW!! I do love it! It contains lots of really cool information that every knitter should know. It’s a bit large, though, kind of like a knitting “coffee table” book? Still, a great addition to my library!


Vogue Knitting Quick Reference — a smaller, handy edition of the “Big Book” above; easier to whip out of the knitting bag!


Knitting in Plain English — by Maggie Righetti


Stitch Dictionaries

A Treasury of Knitting Patterns — I really love this book for its nearly endless supply of ideas for creative knitting.


A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns — Here are even more stitch pattern ideas.


Charted Knitting Designs: A Third Treasury of Knitting Patterns — This is Barbara’s third in the series, but the patterns are all shown in charted form.


A Fourth Treasury of Knitting Patterns — This is Barbara’s fourth in the series, but the patterns are all shown in charted form.


Special Techniques

The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques — This book is one which no knitter should be without. Learn how to do a variety of finishing techniques to give your knitted project that professional, polished look.


Knitting in the Old Way, by Priscilla Gibsosn-Roberts. This book is almost like a textbook how-to for designing several styles of sweaters. If you want to make traditional sweaters in your own way, this book will teach you what you need to know.


Knitting on the Edge — This book offers a plethora of knitted edgings for just about any type of project!


Nicky Epstein’s Knitted Embellishments — This book offers a lot of cool ideas such as knitted flowers and other designs that can dress up a basic knitted design.


Very Easy Circular Knits: Simple Techniques and Step-by-Step Projects for the Well-Rounded Knitter by Betty Barnden. I love this book! It is a great intro to circular knitting with lots of different projects to choose from.


Pattern Collections


General

The Opinionated Knitter — by Elizabeth Zimmermann. I would be completely dishonest if I didn’t say that I avoided buying this book for a LONG time. I figured it contained many of the designs and ideas that I’d already seen before in some of Elizabeth’s other books, even if not quite presented the same way. And, until recently, I had begun to believe that some of the ideas that EZ taught in terms of garment design were getting a bit tired. Boy, was I wrong about this book. It contains Elizabeth’s original newsletters from the 50s and 60s in their original form, yes… and for that alone this book stands as an important historical archive. But, throughout the book there are notes and modern photographs that give the time-revered designs a fresh, new feel. I especially loved seeing the schematics and the journal pages in Elizabeth’s own hand. It was as if I was allowed to be a voyeur to a time that I am a smidge to young to claim as my own. I’m sorry I waited on this book. I can’t wait to read it cover to cover.


One Skein Wonders — by Judith Durant (Ed.). This book contains a likely collection of hats, scarves and little kitsch bags, but is still worth adding to your knitting library. It’s great for deciding what to do with all of those odd bits of leftover yarn from various projects. I bought it for the baby jackets inside, but also discovered an Aran-looking beret that is now on my must-make list.


Mason Dixon Knitting


The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns — by Ann Budd. I really love this book for its nearly endless supply of ideas for creative knitting.


Stitch n Bitch Nation — This book is a great follow up to Debbie Stoller’s first book. I’m enjoying reading it!


Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac — This book is listed new at $7.95 US at Amazon, and for that price, you’ll get a real glimpse into the mind of the great Elizabeth Zimmermann. Some of her most famous techniques are presented here in her usual chatty style, so if you’re like me, you might have to read a couple times to get the idea of what she’s saying. But the cool thing is, once you get it? You REALLY get it. And it totally frees your mind to start thinking on your own and not being a slave to a pattern. This little book is full of projects big and small, that can keep you knitting and keep expanding your knitting repertoire far beyond the year for which it is intended to be used.


Hats

Hip Knit Hats by Cathy Carron. I love to knit hats, and this book offers lots of different designs, shown at different gauges with different yarns. This is really a great book! If you do get this book, be sure to check out the author’s errata page.


Hats: A Knitter’s Dozen This book has lots of fun and funky hat pattern designs… I especially love the “Sweater for Your Head”!


Folk Hats : 32 Knitting Patterns & Tales from Around the World By Vickie Square. This book has lots of great hat patterns, inspired by traditional hat styles from around the world. A great book!


Knit Hats — This book has some really cute hat patterns! Definitely worth the buy!


Scarves/Wraps

Scarf Style — I LOVE the scarf patterns in this book! If you like scarves, definitely check this one out!


Wrap Style : Innovative to Traditional, 24 Inspirational Shawls, Ponchos, and Capelets to Knit and Crochet by Pam Allen and Ann Budd. I LOVE this book! The patterns are unique and stunning, and classic all at the same time! I will be making many objects from this book this winter, and hope you will enjoy it as well.


Wrapped in Comfort: Knitted Lace Shawls by Alison Hyde — Beautiful lace patterns in shawls and scarves… and a great read, too!


Mittens

Knit Mitens— I love the cute mitten patterns in this book. I can’t wait to make myself some mittens for winter.


Socks

New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One — by Cat Bordhi. I cannot say too many times how revolutionary and wonderful this book is. Not that it is teaching anything new, but that it is teaching in a new WAY, with clear directions and diagrams, and no prejudice toward a particular method (DPNs and circs are covered equally). If you want to knit socks but have been afraid to try (like me!) BUY THIS BOOK!


Sweaters

The Sweater Workshop–by Jaqueline Fee


Knitting for Men

Son of Stitch and Bitch — by Debbie Stoller. For Men Who Knit, and the people who knit for them. Some nice patterns in this book. But really, who needs an Ernie Sweater? You’ll have to look at the book to see what I mean.


Plus Size Knitting

Big Girl Knits by Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer. Ok, so why did I wait so long to add this wonderful book to the library?? I have no idea why! If you are a plus size woman or want to knit for someone who is, there’s no question. You MUST get this book!!


Babies and Children

BabyKnits Hats & Booties–by Edie Eckman, Bonnie Franz, and Debby Ware. There are some SERIOUSLY cute patterns in here! Definitely worth a look if you want to knit something cute, and maybe a little fun, for baby.


Knit Baby Blankets — I love the adorable baby blankets in this book. Very unique and inspiring.


Knit Baby Heads and Toes — I love the baby hats, socks and booties in this book. I can’t wait to make some of these! I’ve never made socks before but baby feet are small enough that I think I could get through it if I try! 🙂


Minnowknits, Too! — The patterns in this book are simply adorable. If you like knitting for babies and children, you should definitely put this one on your list!


Afghans, Blankets and Throws

Learn to Knit Afghan Book–by Barbara G. Walker


Home Decor/Accessories

Toilet Roll Covers


Kids Knitting

Teen Knitting Club: Chill Out and Knit Some Cool Stuff — By Jennifer Wenger, et. al.


Kids Knit! Simple Steps to Nifty Projects — by Sarah Bradberry. I have this book, actually my daughter does, and we love it! The projects are interesting and each one builds on a new skill. Well done!


Kids Knitting — Melanie Falick


Knit Lit

At Knit’s End : Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. A collection of wit and wisdom for the totally obsessed knitter.


Confessions of a Knitting Heretic


Knitting Magazines and Periodicals

Interweave Knits


Last Update: June 17, 2008