It didn't get great reviews on Amazon, but I really like Knitting Simple Sweaters From Luxurious Yarns, by Marilyn Saitz Cohen. I think it's one of the most beginner-friendly book of sweater patterns, and makes it so that even a first time knitter can make a sweater that doesn't look like a cat's hairball. Simple patterns usually yield the best, most wearable results (I learned that from my seamstress grandmother!).
I recommend New Directions in Sock Knitting by Ann Budd. It will help free up ideas about how knit items can be constructed (not just socks!). Also Knit Fold Pleat Repeat by Norah Gaughan for how to make beautiful interesting items from basic shapes, and ideas for how to elevate simple patterns for more interest.
I appreciate your comments about the illustrations in the Vogue Knitting book. I’m one of the illustrators that worked on the updated version of this classic. It was an honor to be part of this beautiful book. Plus I have a lot of the books on your list and agree with your selections 👍🏼
Motif is pronounced “mo-TEEF” emphasis on last syllable. Didn’t see any comments on that, since you asked in the video if you were pronouncing it correctly. Love love LOVE your videos, Norman!! I learned to knit when I was very young, but always crocheted instead, as I found it easier. BUT now I’m trying to teach myself to knit again (using mainly your videos,) so I can make the same family Santa Christmas stockings that my mom knit for me and my siblings. Will be signing up to your Patreon soon, too! Thanks again for all your hard work and passion for knitting ❤
I'm one of those 30-year knitters, and your recommendations are very interesting and helpful. I'm so glad you included the Vogue book; I wrote the index for that wonderful book!
@@NimbleNeedles Sorry, I missed your reply. I've been indexing books for 28 years, so it was probably a referral. I don't remember exactly how they found me.
I never realized that indexing was a specialty that a person can earn a living from. I love books, so anything I learned about the process of publishing a book is wonderful. How in the world did you come about becoming an expert in indexing?
I have all these books. This is an awesome list. I had the great honour of spending an entire weekend in very small classes taught in person by Nancy Bush. It was back in the 90’s. Her knowledge, expertise and kindness towards the knitters was incredible. I learned so much and still refer back to the notes from the classes. What a confidence booster!
I had the Vogue book on my wish list, but was unsure, so thanks for sharing. As a beginner/intermediate knitter I loved by Kristen McDonnell. I've been knitting three years and still find it useful. It features 2- 28 row repeats with charts and clear photos. The text is large, so I can lay it nearby and still check/read it without having to put down my knitting. I wish it also had other info, like how stretchy the patterns are, or which tend to curl. That said, it was cheap ($18 USD, < $15 for used). BTW, I just retired from teaching and you, Norman, are a natural educator. Your knowledge is well-curated, presented in a clear, organized manner and your dialogue is always respectful and encouraging. Much appreciated!
You are up there with the more technical knitting channels and I am so thankful for this. I can't stop watching your videos. So much information already know, learned and some information that I needed reminding. I've been basking in all of this knowledge!
Because you recommended it, I bought the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible -- oh my goodness, these stitches are amazing. I want to knit swatches just to see some of them in real life! Thanks for the recommendations! Love your videos, and your quarantine beanie!
Thanks for your great top ten picks, all of those are excellent reference materials. I loved that you included your notebook. I have been knitting for over 40 years and still learning, especially from you. Knitting can be a solitary endeavor and I'm enjoying all the blogs, vlogs, youtube vids, so many talented people out there. By far, you are my favorite and very lovely to listen to - articulate and generous. I enjoy your accent (or maybe it's me with the accent?) and pleasant conversation. Its like having a friend over who is a great knitting coach. My projects have improved so much that I just keep your videos running as I knit and always there is something that is relevant to my work and I'm keeping the best company. I like that you have opinions and not too PC to express them. This is the difference between listening to someone trying to please everyone and someone who is an individual with an interesting point of view. Thanks again and looking forward to knitting some more with you.
Aww..thank you for your lovely feedback! That's definitely some accent. While I'm from Germany, not sure if that'S really what it sounds, tho. Too many friends from all over the place, lol :P
Norman, I am loving your videos and finally felt like I needed to comment because you are talking about books. I am American and in 1985 I was living in Stuttgart when I taught myself how to knit using a German book called Stricken by Mosaik Verlag. I couldn’t read German well enough to understand every pattern, but the illustrations were so good that I could learn just from the pictures. I knit my first daughter some items, then came back to the states and kept knitting. This discussion by a German man makes me nostalgic for my beginnings as a knitter. Thank you!
oh what a lovely story you share with us. I too taught myself with books. But i can't remmeber what they were called - too long ago. Wish I still had them. ^_°
I can’t recommend Clara Parke’s “The Knitter’s Book of Yarn” enough! So many patterns utilize yarns that are either no longer made, or I cannot get for whatever reason. I had quite a few experiences early on making bad yarn substitutions, or not understanding just how impractical a yarn used in a pattern shown will be in the end (like the alpaca/cotton sweater that was knit as shown to waist length…and not long afterward, became a knee length tunic…thankfully, it still looks good, lol…but sometimes these problems don’t work out.) The book explains how different fibers work in a fabric, how the twist works, and gives you the kind of base knowledge so that when you see a yarn in the shop (or on the internet) you can know what it will and won’t work for…it will save you so much grief!! All the Elizabeth Zimmerman books are great, too…they’re just classics, and fun reads, even if you (like me) really don’t have much interest in the patterns. Her attitude toward knitting that she teaches really does help take the stress out of it, lol. Norman, I feel good that I have 80% of the books in your stack and have for years! I have a little travel size book that has all the basic cast ons, fixes, increases/decreases with diagrams, that was so handy to have before the iPhone was a thing. A good reminder when you needed to do something like a provisional cast-on and forgot the specifics on it…now I just use my phone. The others you mentioned, I’d definitely get in book form.
Love your channel and have found many helpful tips. Really liked your book reccomendatios. I learned to knit at age 8 and now 84 enjoy knitting more than ever! Thanks for your information! Holly
Thank you so much for recommending the Book of Yarn. That's exactly what I need right now, as I just ventured into new fibers outside of basic acrylic. And I totally agree with the Vogue Knitting book. Every time I thought to myself "I bet there's a better way to do this," I looked it up in that book, and usually there was a way better way than what I was doing!
There are some great knitting apps out there, but I use a binder with sheet protectors for my project notebook. I put my completed gauge swatch in the sheet protector with the paper pattern as well, so I can recall what the piece looked like with various yarns! I've only recently discovered your channel and am SO grateful for the sharing of your knowledge, skills, and instruction! Definite subscriber here, thank you so much! 🥰
Another great video. I am heading off to check out some of those recommended books. And the last book is sorely needed now I have gotten back into knitting. I had a few UFOs from many years back and a note book would have saved quite a bit of unraveling. Thanks again for your generosity in sharing your knowledge and expertise.
I’m currently reading The Knitter’s Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Using, and Loving this Most Fabulous Fiber by Clara Parkes. It’s fantastic! It breaks wool all the way down to breed of sheep and shearing methods. It explains in surprisingly interesting detail why various wool yarns behave the way they do, how to identify vaguely labeled fibers, and how best to utilize each type in your projects. If you haven’t already, it’s worth reading.
Hi Norman, I was laughing out loud by the end of your list. I have and use each of these books. I especially love that you included a personal notebook.
This was fun to listen to and I wrote down a few titles to refer to such as the Principles of Knitting by June Hiatt. A good reference book is always welcome in my library. We have four bookcases in our house full of various books on different topics. Needless to say, I am a bibliophile! I also appreciate the books you recommended that are written in German because I have a friend that lives in Jena. She is a knitter and she always amazes me with the sweaters that she just seems to whip out so quickly. Although she is fluent in English, her primary language will always be German. So I might surprise her for her birthday by shipping her one of your recommendations. 😊Thank you so much Norman! I hope you provide a book review every year. Again, this was most enjoyable.
Thank you so much Norman! I have only just discovered you and you have been so IMMENSELY helpful to my understanding of knitting - and especially those techniques - like weaving in the ends - that no-one really tells you about. Thank you - I've learnt such a lot. I took up knitting during NZ's first lockdown last year and have been loving it. (I am also very pleased that I already own some of the books you've recommended here, so I must be on the right track!)
This video just popped up for me today. It is great. As you went through your choices, I was saying, "Got that. Got that. That sounds interesting." Then you got to Bauerliches Stricken. And my reaction was, "I must get those!" Thank you.
I have to say, I love your videos! I ordered the Vogue ultimate knitting book and their ultimate stich dictionary a week ago and am waiting for them to arrive. I was so impressed with your blank book suggestion, I started a knitting diary this year to note what I was able to accomplish this year, what yarn I used, and what notes I had for myself about the patterns. I love being able to look back and see what I have done. Thanks for your list!
Norman, you are a gem! I've stumbled across your videos a couple of weeks ago and somehow ever since then I always find myself coming back to them because you are such a lovely person. Over 20 years ago I learned how to knit and I've been doing it ever since - but I never stopped learning. A nun at school taught me the basics, my mom's old books taught me a lot of techniques and by now, I've grown to be a knitting book collector. Yet, the only book of your list I own is Hitomi Shida's Strickmusterbibel. Thank you for adding to my "must buy or add to my wishlist"-list! And thank you for making such gorgeous videos, keep up the good work - you found a new subscriber in me! Love, Ela
I'm excited to see if you include Knitting Without Tears by Zimmerman. That was my first knitting book from a neighborhood free pile and I still use it constantly. There's always something more to learn from her. :)
Thank you so much for making these videos. I have seen so many you tubers talk about knitting, but you make it the most understandable and available. I want all of these books now. I am a beginner but I look forward to learning the art, and your videos help make me more optimistic. :) Thanks Norman!
I only own the last one (the notebook). As a biologist, I totally get the importance of documenting your work to improve and learn from there. I'll now peruse your other suggestions!
I love your videos and totally agree about the notebook! I have an A4 binder with clear pockets because I tend to photocopy or print out my patterns and I like keeping the print outs or copies with my notes in case I want to use it again. (eco friendly!) The clear pockets also serve as protective sheets when I am carrying the patterns with me in my project bags. I throw all my yarn tags into the clear pockets, too. As you say, they are great to include in gifts and also for me to keep track of the number of skeins and the lot and colour numbers!
Norman, I had to laugh when you said how knitters walk into a yarn shop and sigh when they see the beautiful colors of the yarn. I do it all the time and then do not know which yarn to choose. I never heard of the Book of Yarn. Sounds like the perfect book for me. About the Japanese book, can you make a video on how to read the charts. I know how to read charts, but am always confused with Ishida's book. Thank you very much.
Not like I wouldn't do it..if it's pretty and soft it lands in the shopping cart - no questions asked, lol! :P As for the Japanese Stitch Bibel. The thing is, for copyright reasons, I cannot actually show the content of the book. So, not really sure how useful such a video would be :(
I see a pretty yarn, and then I pick out a pattern later. Or I try to shop for a yarn with a similar fiber if I already have a pattern in mind. The first scenario is far more likely. And yes! Ishida's charts confuse me sometimes. I made a pair of fingerless gloves, and I just had to make the same mistakes on the second glove that I made on the first glove 😅
Thank you Norman for sharing these books! I’m 6 months into knitting and loving it. I love your channel and always look forward to learning from you. 🥰 Happy Holidays 🌲
There are 3 knitting books I want to mention. The first is “The Knowledgeable Knitter”, the second is “The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques”, both by Margaret Radcliffe, and the third is “The Knitter’s Book of Knowledge” by Debbie Bliss. I love the first 2 books by Margaret Radcliffe and I have them. The third book looks good with many positive reviews, that’s why I recommended it.
All fantastic recommendations! I have and use most of these and they're so so so useful! I've made charts from all my favourite patterns in the Barbara Walker books because I have the same issue with reading written vs charted patterns, but it's such a good collection that I think the slight difficulty/extra step is worth it for the sheer variety in there. I do tend towards picking treasuries and collections of patterns as I'm of a younger generation and will usually look up tutorials online for new techniques, but sometimes having just those books is an absolute project saver and they explain things so well! I'd also highly recommend the book "Creating Original Hand-Knitted Lace" by Margaret Stove if anyone is venturing into lace and pattern designing, I've found it utterly invaluable in my own work as she does a brilliant job of breaking down how to pick out patterns that flow together, regional styles and their history, creating your own lace motifs from scratch and adapting existing ones!
Hi Norman, I’ve been a crocheted for many years and only started to knit this year. So far I have made a few pairs of simple socks and am now feeling confident enough to try a sweater. I came across your channel when looking for recommendations for interchangeable needles and found it so informative and engaging - thank you so much for the wonderful content and clear, easy to understand instructions!
Norman, thank you, I think I stumbled into a goldmine of fabulousness. I have a few of the books on your list, but will be picking up a few more and checking out your how to read charts video.
Always good to watch your videos loving you book collection. My absolute favorite is the notebook. I to believe a book with my own personal information on the patterns that work for me. Crocheting for 40 yrs. & now knitting less than 1 yr. But I have my book started. No electricity is needed to reference the information. Guess I'm old school. ;~) ♡ ya always good content!
Thank you Norman for this! I'm constantly looking to expand my knowledge in knitting, and I just got the handy book of sweater patterns from your recommendation. This is awesome! Thank you so much :)
I use Cast On, Bind Off by Cap Sease with almost every project. Many many options with descriptions of the best ons and offs for different kinds of projects and effects. And for someone like me who has problems following diagrams, these are exceptional and the words actually match the pictures. Love your videos. Just stumbled on your channel looking for edgings to keep from curling...using your lace edging for a rectangle shawl.
Thanks for this. I have several of these books myself. I am starting to document what I knit on paper rather than on my computer because you don’t know what will be available in the future, but your handwritten pages will always be there.
Big Book Of Knitting by Katharina Buss is one I really like because it has really good color photos of every technique plus very clear written instructions, but doesn’t feel like a dry tome. Sadly, it’s a bit hard to find. Also, Knitters Handbook by Montse-Stanley is fantastic. It has a lot of pictures too, but is a bit like Principles Of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt in that it is a large tome with a lot of small technical print.
Knitter's Handbook by Montse Stanley is very good for explaining mist techniques. It came out in 1986 but has been republished many times. Although I have been Knitting for about 56 years I have never thought of using a notebook. Excellent idea.
I'm so glad this video popped up in my news feed this morning! I've had the Japanese stitch book in my eBay cart for a few days and after watching this video, I pulled the trigger! Looking forward to watching some more of your videos soon! Cheers!
I have all the Treasuries of Knitting Stitch patterns. Great book for reference if you just want to dive right in and combine pay for whatever you wish to knit
Norman, you are AMAZING! You look such a sincere human :) I love love love your videos - best quality advice without bl....... marketing selling and unnecessary complications :D You are my new knitting STAR GURU! xox P.S. for more modern colour patterns I have got Alter Knit stich dictionary by Andrea Rangel - not a miracle, but worth looking.
Hey Ruta; Thank you for your feedback. Just catching up on all the comments. Thx for the recommendation. I'll have a look. And i personally don't like the marketing stuff a lot either *grin*
Just found you Norman! Loved your knitting tips, hints . . . and Interchangeable needles review, as well as this book review. I would also like to share a few of my favs you might want to check out. From Elizabeth Zimmerman's daughter, Meg Swanson ( she heard your request for more illustrations and color photos!), Knitting with Two Colors and Twisted Stitch Knitting - Schoolhouse Press and Amazon. Estonian Knitting 1, and with all the indie dyers of today, I keep referring to my copy of The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook by Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius - Amazon - for reference on the base each dyer is using. Loving your podcast! I subscribed!
I only have 1 knitting book. It's a sock book by ann budd. It includes all the kinds of toes, heels, top down, toe up, colorwork, lace, cables, etc. I haven't used the DVD because its quicker to pull up a video on youtube but I could go offline with this book.
I had to draw up my own chart for the decreases in one pattern after knitting and undoing too many times. Now i like both the chart and the written instructions, both together make the knitting easy.
Great selection of books ! The Ann Budd, Handy book of Top-Down Sweaters is a good initiation book to design your own. M-J Mucklestone is also nice in many ways. I use the black and white charts to make motifs in knits and purls when I use single color. Fair Isle from the island motifs are shown, so it is traditional. She makes a difference between FI and stranded knitting...Thank you for your work and inspiration !
Lieber Norman, herzlichen Dank für das Video :) seit ein paar Jahren lerne ich Deutsch und auch stricke ich seit einiger Zeit und werde das "Bäuerliches Stricken" Buch sehr gerne lesen, um beides - Deutsch und Stricken zu verbessern :) Grüße aus Krakau ❤️
I recommend Sally Melville's The Knitting Experience to beginners. The information is useful even for experienced knitters and the patterns, with their measurements, are infinitely adaptable. I've also used them for crochet.
Thank you. What a gorgeous clear presentation. Thank you so much for your fabulous, intelligent sharing of a lifetime of skill and knowledge. What a treasure trove!
Such a great video Norman! I absolutely love your videos, there's something very calming about them and they're always full of useful information. Do you happen to have any recommendations for Tracht or other traditional German / Austrian knitwear (other then the Lisl Fanderl ones)?
I have 2 Elizabeth Zimmerman books, the Japanese knitting bible and all of Nancy Marchant’s brioche books. Plus some my mom had and some up the 40 years old.
Thank you Norman. A few of these books were on my local bookseller's website for which I had a gift card. I have purchased 3 of these books, and as I can read German (I was once fluent), I will be looking at the Bäuerliches Stricken series too. Vielen Dank
I would look into knitwear design workshop by Shirley Paden (it was written in the 80s so depending on your style right now the projects are either atrocious or hip 😂) Her theory is so detailed and helpful for that terrifying first leap into designing your own from scratch. I also recommend The Ultimate Sweater Book by Amy Herzog for additional help learning how to fit your sweater, and Kaffe Fassett in the Studio to add to your knowledge of color theory.
Thank you Norman :) You have a great presentation style. I enjoy your topics and I think you go into just the right amount of detail with your discussions. I love knitting and you keep me inspired! :)
I am a beginner and find charts confusing. I appreciate your list of recommendations. Do you have a video that explains how to make sense of charts? I enjoy your humor and sensibilities when you talk about knitting. Thank you
I enjoy your videos very much. The last book is one of the most important items in your video. It happens to me all the time that I forget what and how my proyect was goin on. Thank you 🥰 Saludos desde Chile.
Thanks for your book suggestions. I only have the Vogue book you mentioned. Unfortunately, the German knitting books have not yet been translated into English or other languages. ( When I was just learning how to cast on, a few months ago, I consulted how to knit books that were written for children or teenagers. They helped me lot.)
Thank you for that very clear and insightful presentation - I have some of the books that you discussed and enjoy them very much. ps- I love your t-shirt!!!
Thank you Norman, you are the perfect knitting teacher. I learned german in high school, oh my God, dificult, but I still remember Ich liebe dich und vielen dank!!! I remember more things, but these aplly here!
I don't care for vogue either, it's more vauge to me however, I did get the lace , 40 bold & delicate knits. Most will get knitted by me. As for the lace books, I will be purchasing those.
I am proud that i have 5 of your 10 best books, 6 if i count the empty notebook. As far as your pronunciation of names i think your command of the English language is incredible, and would love to hear you speak Japanese . And i love the Japanese stitch book
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