Reviews

As an ambitious beginner knitter, I keep this book beside me when I sit down to knit--it has become my essential learning and reference guide. After knitting for just a couple of months, I jumped right in, using advanced techniques like cables and fair isle that I learned by following the instructions in Teach Yourself Visually. Everything is explained clearly--from understanding knitting jargon to stitch patterns, from correcting mistakes to casting off--with plenty of photos for visual support. I especially like the extras such as tips to make my projects look more professional, patterns for simple knitting projects and measurement charts. Thanks to this book, the Christmas gifts I made for my family turned out beautifully! I love this book!

I already knew how to crochet and I wanted to learn how to knit also, I saw that this book had great reviews but when I bought it I found it was not very helpful at all. It's not organized well and there are alot of assumptions that you already know stuff that they just don't mention how to do. It has not helped me really at all. I gave it two stars because it does have alot of projects and information. It's just not very easy to learn yourself.

I always wanted to learn how to knit. As a person that spends about 14 of the 16 awake hours of the day on my rear end (infront of the TV, on the subway, in class), I felt a good use of my hands in my idle time would be knitting. I researched a ton of books and websites, hoping to come across one that would suit my absolute fear of technical "textbook"-like guides. I purchased this one based on the reviews, and could not be more satisfied! I opened this book assuming I'd have to know some basic patterns, or at least knitting terminology, but the first three chapters contain the perfect amount of information to educate even the least informed, without being overwhelming (not to mention the brilliant inclusion of an abbreviation chart on the inside front cover for easy reference). After choosing my yarn type and needles (bamboo for me!), I was ready to jump right into some of the "basic techniques" (Chapter 2). The beauty of this book is in its ability to break down something complex and provide both an easy to follow, frame-by-frame guide on how to do it (w/ instructions), while giving you a clear, concise explanation on when to use each technique. The best part is is that this theme continues throughout the book. As you work your way into more advanced techniques and projects, including knitting a variety of actual garments, the book still continues to treat the user as if they're seeing all this for the first time. You rarely have to flip back to earlier chapters because the book is so effective at teaching you what you need to know from the get-go! Couple this with the dozens of picture by picture explanations of cast-ons, stitch patterns, shapes, finishing details, fixes...(I could keep going), and you've got yourself one of the easiest, most comprehensive guides around! I highly recommend this both for the apprehensive knitter that is scared to get into such a seemingly difficult hobby, and for those that would just like to supplement their knitting knowledge. Though this book began my new relaxing hobby, it is also going to guide me (practically holding my hand) into much more advanced techniques when I'm ready. Don't hesitate on this one!

I love this book! The instructions are so clear and concise; and coupled with the photos and illustrations make learning knitting a breeze! My wife, a more advanced knitter than I consults it frequently as well for tips and techniques!

I am shocked by the praise for this book. It has awful instructions. The first step on making a slip knot- if you follow the directions it does not produce a slip knot. I learned more from watching YouTube videos...that were free! This was a waste of money for me as a beginner. Perhaps as I learn more I could reference it, but it certainly did not teach me to knit! I almost gave up out of frustration!

Reviews

This book has lots of cute patterns that are fairly simple to make. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

I am a new self taught knitter. This book has been a wonderful knitting experience for me. I learned how to knit on double pointed needles with this book. All the patterns are very clear and easy for a new knitter. I have knitted half the hats in this book so far. The hats are so cute everybody wants one. Susan B Anderson has a blog: [...] and there is also a group on Ravelry [...] called Itty-Bitty Knits. On both of these sites you can contact Susan with any questions. She also has tutorials on her blog. She is sweet, talented and very friendly. If I could only recommend one book on knitting this would be the one. Happy knitting! Womanwithstixs

This is a great book for beginner to experienced knitters. The designs are unique and fun.

I spotted this book on a table while in line to check out at a bookstore. I picked it up and was inspired to start knitting again after a 5 year hiatus. The technique explanations are just the ticket for beginners or those in need of a refresher (like me). The designs are cute and interesting...also easily modifiable for the more advanced knitter. I have made hats from this book for co-workers, family, and friends and they never fail to delight. The "simple" caps are an incredibly quick knit and make wonderful donations to churches, charities, or hospital NICUs. If you are looking for sweet little projects that give instant gratification, get this book. (Bonus points for the layout and spiral binding!)

I purchased this book with only a few years of basic knitting under my belt. I felt her patterns were VERY easy to follow and she gave very clear explanations. There are MANY more girl patterns than boy but that is just the way it always is. The projects are quick to finish as baby items always are and people will be AMAZED by your "skill". Buy it - you'll fall in love with it. And fall in love with your baby all over again by these cute hats on top of their precious heads!

Reviews

This is a very diverse, very rich collection of hats. When I say that there's something for everyone, I mean that there is a project for every knitter, a weight and gauge for any yarn or any needle size, and a hat that will fit the style of anyone and everyone you know. There are also patterns for beginners, those looking to expand their knitting knowledge and for advanced knitters. Some of the styles are either too over the top or too drab for me but they'll make perfect gifts for others. I've already knit three of the hats and haven't found any mistakes yet. I'm going to move on to one of the heavier hats now and I can't wait to get started on the two-toned tassle hat called whimsical. These patterns are easy to read, fast, and fun to make and wear. My daughter just loves them! I gave this book 4 stars instead of five because a few of the caps look like they were thrown together to fill the pages of the book and because crafting publishers still ignore the actual crafters who buy their books. It is very frustrating trying to knit when you have an unruly book fluttering around in you lap. However I would still recommend this to anyone looking for comprehensive pattern, fun fashions and innovative design.

Over all this book is quite handy you have over 42 different style to make so the possibility of the yarn colors out there and then these hat are just endless.

I'm really enjoying all the hats in this book, I'm planning to make several of them, The first one I'm working on lists a bulky yarn and it will not knit to gauge in this weight, so I switched to the worsted weight of the same brand, and all is knitting up like the picture now. Most of these look pretty quick, and I like that too.

I enjoy knitting hats and wanted a book with lots of really great patterns. This title caught my eye, I had great hopes for it. Boy am I ever glad I saw it at the bookstore before committing to buy it. Flipping through this book, I think there are maybe 3 I might consider making, but none were inspiring enough for me to say "I must have this!" And many of them were absolutely not anything I would wear or gift. Sometimes, many times, I am willing to buy a book or a magazine for 1 or two patterns. This time I was not. You would be much better off checking it out from the library or looking for samples from this book on Ravelry before buying it. I was disappointed.

This book has several patterns that I'd like to make. I am currently knitting "Determined", shown on the cover in a mustard yellow color. There are patterns for beginners who understand pattern reading pretty well, as well as patterns challenging enough for advanced knitters. The only thing that I am new to is a pattern being written from the top down, rather than bottom up, for a hat. Not all of the patterns are written in this manner, but for some, such as "Whimsical" (shown at the top right corner of the front cover), it is necessary to work top down. Although I was unsure about this book when first reading about it, I have really come to love its variety of styles, yarn sizes used, and the fact that the patterns use different ways of knitting (some use colorwork, some are lacy, some are felted, some cabled).