Knitting Books to Help You Be a Better Knitter

Knitting books are one of my favorite things to buy! There are so many useful, educational and inspiring books about knitting that teach you everything from the basics of how to knit to how to design garments. And they are a great source of patterns! In this video, I show you some of my favorite knitting books and tell you why I love them!

Knit How by Pom Pom Press

The Colorwork Bible by Jesie Ostermiller

The Knowledgeable Knitter by Margaret Radcliffe

The Ultimate Knitting Book by Vogue Knitting Magazine

Selbu Mittens: Discover the Rich History of a Norwegian Knitting Tradition with Over 500 Charts and 35 Classic Patterns by Anne Bardsgard

Knitting Fresh Brioche: Creating Two-Color Twists & Turns by Nancy Marchant

Strange Brew by Tin Can Knits

Big Book of Knitting by Katharina Buss

Knitting Ephemera: A Compendium of Articles, Useful and Otherwise, for the Edification and Amusement of the Handknitter by Carol J. Sulcoski

#knittingbooks #learntoknit #knittingpatterns

[suzannes]

Thank you for mentioning Margaret Radcliffe. Margaret gave an hour presentation to our Knitting Guild. She is the most humble, kind and knowledgeable woman. Her books are invaluable.

[roundknittles]

Experienced knitter here. I also love Knitting Rules. A lot,

[sunnyw]

I would add Clara Parkes The Book of Wool and The Book of Yarn. Both give you a much better understanding of how to select the best yarn that you can afford for your project. Both are gems.

[nataliefbehler]

Just checked out The Colorwork Bible from my library - thanks for the suggestion!

[rdand]

One resource I use is "The Knitter's Book of Knowledge" by Debbie Bliss. It's good for most skill levels, although some of the advanced topics aren't covered well, if at all. The only drawback I can see is that it's written for the British, but she does her best to translate things for us Americans; on a positive note, this gives you insight into how to read British patterns.

[urbanyarn]

Awesome books - you’ve included the book I would have suggested down in the description box already - that is Tin Can Knits “Strange Brew”. Fantastic book to build your own sized sweaters.

[mscatherinemccoy]

Thanks! Just ordered the colorwork bible. Appreciate the suggestion.

[natashaburdall]

Thank you so much for the recommendations. I ordered The Knowledgeable Knitter yesterday, it arrived today and I already know it's going to be such a valuable purchase!

[gina]

Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hyatt is a great reference book that is always on my coffee table.

[yarneffects]

I found Building Blocks by Knit Purl Hunter is a great learning tool. It walks you through 12 different squares that get more complex and also builds on the skills you are learning in previous squares. When your done your 12 squares sew them together and voila you have a gorgeous blanket.

[elizabethlussier]

Thank you for those suggestion: I'm building myself my library of such books. My first suggestion is not a book but a magazine : the vogue knitting magazine for this winter. The patterns are size inclusive (xs to xxx) and are so beautiful. I already made 2 patterns and I learned techniques that I was sure to not be able to do. I was just sad to learn that they have only 2 new one per year. The book that I can't stop just looking at and want to make most of the pattern is 100 knits by interwave. A 500 pages of pure glory: each pattern are shown with many pictures... The other one that I like because of the pure originality of the things made in it: dolls, christmas balls, cushion, clothes for the dolls... is Arne and Carlos Favorite designs. Have a good day! Really sorry for my lenghty response: My 2 hobby are reading and knitting and you just kindda press a special piece in my heart, lol!!!

[laurataylornyc]

Thank you, these are really helpful resources!

[maryklenewski]

All your videos are so informative and interesting. You inspire me and help me with my knitting and give me confidence to try new techniques. Thank you so much Caleb 🧶

[lilliang]

I have to suggest Knitting From The Top Down by Barbara Walker (raglan sweaters aren't the only option :) ) and Knitting in the Old Way by Priscilla Gibson Roberts. Both are more theory/reference books than patterns, and even though Knitting in Old Way is more bottom-up sweaters, the techniques and rules-of-thumb she has applies just as well to top-down knitting.

[carb]

The book I use the most frequently is the little, little sister of the Vogue Knitting book that you show. It's call Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Quick Reference Guide.

[kathosim]

I have the Vogue book and I’ve tried looking up a few things and none of them were covered - most noticeably they don’t cover how to do German short rows.

[lillyhoram]

A delightfully helpful video Caleb. Do you know of any book which focus on designing a knitted garment?

[collady]

I have three of those books and will order The Knowledgeable Knitter tomorrow! Thanks for the recommendation. Keep making the great videos.

[barbmckinlay]

Thank you. I have so many books that are duds. No ads today, yaaay! 😄

[andreabritz]

Thanks for the information. Great video.