Reader's Digest Knitter's Handbook

Very satisfied. Book , though used, was really in excellent condition.

I am a new knitter, but this book offered a number of additions to my growing library. First it is no nonsense. The author knows her subject and gives almost a military directness to her wide range of instructions -- that could have been Reader's Digest editing, I am not sure. The book covers a vast array of technique. There are numerous ways to cast on and bind off related to the style of garment one is knitting. While a simple cast on may be commonly appropriate, having those additional techniques to really tighten up a specific design seems a plus to me. The instructions for various stitches and illustrations are clear and precise. Again the techniques covered for shaping are excellent. There are great sections on knitting with color and adding designs, stitch patterns. I also liked the finishing section which offered more information than any other reference book I have come across thus far. This book delivers what it sets out to provide. It is instructional - may a bit toward the advanced side, but it is all about "how to." The techniques offered here can be applied to the endless range of knitting options. And unlike some references I have come across, this one is NOT half pattern book. This is ALL reference! Wonderful. I highly recommend it.

...is that I heard that this book is being discontinued and immediately bought two new copies so I'd have a lifetime supply. I am very hard on my own copy; it gets marked, dog-eared, photocopied; it's got coffee stains beyond counting. And in truth, the binding isn't especially strong.I must have more than a hundred knitting books, judging by shelf footage alone. More often than not, they are reference books rather than pattern compendia. This, along with the Barbara Walker Treasuries, is what I turn to most often, and with the most hope of finding what I need. The organization is a bit strange until you learn to work with it. The names of many techniques don't match what other experts call them. But who cares? Stanley's comments are so sensible and personal that any quirks are easily forgiven. For new and experienced knitters alike, this book is indispensable. The other one is Vogue Knitting, which is clearer and prettier but not as packed information, basic and esoteric. To me, the difference is: I respect Vogue Knitting (which is written by a committee) but I love Montse Stanley's book.

Buy this book NOW---before you get hours into that complicated pattern in that beautiful coffee table book and realize the instructions that go with the beautiful picture are worthless and you've wasted an entire weekend.UPDATE - this was my first ever review on Amazon, and I can see now why it wasn't very helpful.As much as I love beautiful-Coffee-Table-Knitting Books, sometimes they lack any explanation for the cast-on methods, stitches, finishing techniques - or even abbreviations. When my friends were learning to knit - they would get very frustrated because they would purchase a fantastic book, the notions, the yarn - but then have no idea what the words in their beautiful, new book meant. I was lucky enough to receive this book as a gift when I first learned to knit, so being the good friend that I am, now give this book as gifts to my newbie knitty friends.I have found this book to be a complete resource. It contains descriptions & examples of just about anythink knitting related you can imagine. Just to name a few, cast-ons, bind-offs, increases, decreases, finishing techniques, even information on the history of knitting. I refer to this book & "DomiKNITrix" all the time for principles & techniques.I do find the writing to be a touch dry & some of the examples are very, VERY dated (IMO). If this bothers you - I highly recommend "DomiKNITrix" - it is surprisingly a great technique book & a lot of fun to read. That aside, the "guts" of "Knitter's Handbook" are valid, & thorough. Overall I highly recommend this book as an addition to any knitter's library.

Great book in wonderful condition, and at an amazing price. The fast shipping was especially appreciated. Thank you!

Definitely NOT "the best reference book on handknitting ever written" as one of the reviewers stated. Do yourself a favor and purchase The Principles of Knitting if you're looking for a comprehensive book. This book is good for beginners, has good illustrations and covers many techniques on a surface level which can be enough to get started. Not a waste of money but there are better books out there.

Briefly, I am just learning to use this book. It sat on my shelf for quite a while, until I realized I couldn't find information I needed in Vogue Knitting, The Big Book of Knitting, or any of the other popular knitting books. After learning the basics, when you need more complex information on an unfamiliar or obscure technique, this book is more likely to have it than the newer, flashier, and more expensive books. The number of options she offers for any given technique is astounding, and once you get over the feeling of being overwhelmed with too much information, you begin to appreciate the differences and are able to make an informed choice. This is rapidly becoming my primary resource. I can get the basics out of Vogue, but for more advanced techniques, this is my first choice.