Our top pick is First Time Knitting: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide. It shows clear instruction on the main techniques, finishing up with eight simple projects to practice your newfound skills on. Here are the best knitting books for beginners. There’s also a chapter featuring nine beginner projects at the end of the book, including simple pieces as scarves, blankets, and more. Plus, there are distinct sections explaining textures, knitting in the round, shaping, basic knitting techniques, and more. Users say First Time Knitting helped them learn how to knit properly and without frustration. They say it left them feeling accomplished being able to knit their very own hat or scarf by the end. Knitting fans praise this book for its inspirational photography and down-to-earth guidance. The authors write clearly and eloquently to ease any beginner knitter fears. Even once you’re past the beginner’s stage, this is a good book to keep around for new patterns to try. No matter your question (how your favorite yarns are made, who makes them, how they’re transported to you, and what they usually turn into), this book will answer them. This is a must-have book for anyone who uses a lot of yarn, or just a knitter who wants to create the perfect piece. The author writes an online knitting review and edits the Interweave kid’s site. There are numerous sidebars featured throughout the book pointing out important facts and insights. Readers can expect plenty of projects, varied to satisfy every kind of knitter. With some items specifically written for beginners, there are also plenty for more sophisticated knitters—we especially find it helpful that the projects are in order of difficulty throughout the book. Each project is accompanied by full-color photos, so you can follow along and make sure your skills are on point. Readers will follow instructions using colorwork, lace knitting, and many other techniques to create George Lucas’ favorite creatures and some of their outfits. This book is written by Tanis Gray, author of ten knitting books with over 500 published knitting designs, who has also worked for HBO and Martha Stewart. She teaches knitting worldwide. All the knitters’ favorite methods are in this guide as well, so browse and readers can browse and choose one at their leisure. Also included is a section with ten sample projects created by top sock designers for readers to try out for themselves. Delve into mitten-making, jackets, hats, and so much more in these classic styles. An intriguing and well-researched reference, there are also interesting historical notations throughout the Fair Isle, Guernsey, and Aran techniques displayed. Users find that the patterns never get boring with the countless alternatives offered. This collection is full of chapters divided into projects, patterns, and explanations of the concepts necessary for creating certain pieces. There’s even a section on color theory so readers can knowledgeably choose the right color mixes for their creations. To boot, there are over 50 patterns and twelve lovely projects included.
Step-by-Step Instruction with Photos
Just as it’s helpful to have clear, concise, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, it’s also important to have images (photos, illustrations, or diagrams, preferably in color), available to make sure your hands are positioned correctly and you’re using the supplies accurately. These used together allow you to familiarize yourself with the basic steps at your own speed and double-check your technique as you go along.
Simple Starter Projects
Once you’ve mastered a few new skills, trying out some easy starter projects can make it all seem worthwhile. Look for a book that has as many as possible to choose from. After beginners have completed some simple projects, they may feel encouraged to do further learning and the mastering of more complex patterns.
Why Trust The Spruce Crafts?
This guide was created by KJ Callilhan, a writer for The Spruce The Spruce Crafts. She’s also written numerous shopping, activity, and gift guides for sites like CNET, Bob Vila, and AAA Northeast in addition to various other types of articles for Outward On, Ancient Origins, and Finfrock Marketing. For this roundup, she consulted Jessy Gregg, store owner and teacher of knitting, sewing, embroidery, and spinning. According to Gregg, tackling something with a smaller diameter such as a hat will require needles with a 16-inch cable as well as a matching set of double-pointed needles for closing the crown of the hat.
