Joelle Hoverson - Last-minute knitted gifts

HOW-TO

How to Knit, Debbie Bliss (Trafalgar Square)

This is one of the best reference books around, especially for beginners. The instructions are presented clearly and simply with large illustrations. Each chapter introduces a new skill. This book also has patterns; even if you dont want to knit the patterns, the instructional value of this title is priceless.

Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book, The Editors of Vogue Knitting Magazine (Sixth & Spring Books)

This book is often held up as the ultimate knitting guide, and in many ways it is. It has tons of detailed information as well as a catalog of design techniques. I dont always recommend this book for beginners because the sheer amount of material can be overwhelming.

Kids Knitting, Melanie Falick (Artisan) Meant to teach children to knit, this book also happens to be an excellent resource for adults!

Hand Knitting: New Directions, Alison Ellen (Crowood Press)

A gorgeous book full of techniques for all skill levels, including an explanation of how stitches work and sections on design and working with color. It also includes patterns for sweaters, coats, hats, and other accessories.

A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, Volumes 1 4, Barbara Walker (Schoolhouse Press)

These four volumes contain over 1,000 different stitch patterns, including textured knit-purl combinations, slip-stitch texture and color patterns, mosaic patterns, cables, lace, eyelets, and borders. The most comprehensive collection of stitch patterns available.

A Compendium of Finishing Techniques, Naomi McEneely (Interweave Press)

A thorough, illustrated reference for finishing techniques used for knitting, weaving, sewing, and quilting.

The Knitters Companion, Vicki Square (Interweave Press)

This small, spiral-bound book (designed to fit in your knitting bag) explains and illustrates the most-used knitting techniques.

BABIES & CHILDREN

Knitting for Baby,

Melanie Falick and Kristin Nicholas (Stewart, Tabori & Chang)

This is a great learn-to-knit book with patterns for babies and toddlers. It is filled with detailed, illustrated instructions, plus patterns for blankets, sweaters, hats, booties, and toys for baby, plus a mothers sweater and a felted diaper bag. Most of the projects are beginner and intermediate level; many will hold the attention of more experienced knitters as well.

Baby Knits for Beginners, Debbie Bliss (Trafalgar Square)

Another excellent book for soon-to-be mothers, particularly those who dont yet know how to knit. It includes great designs, with each technique explained and clearly illustrated in the pattern itself.

Simple Knits for Cherished Babies, Erika Knight (Collins & Brown)

A lovely collection of patterns for babies from newborn to nine months. Each pattern is simple, elegant, and relatively quick to knit. Choices include sweaters, a hat, leggings, blankets, toys, pillows, and booties.

ADULTS & OTHER

Knitters Almanac, Elizabeth Zimmermann (Dover Publications) This book contains 12 patterns (some have a few variations), one for each month of the year. The patterns in this book are wonderful old-fashioned classics.

Weekend Knitting, Melanie Falick (Stewart, Tabori & Chang)

A diverse collection of contemporary patterns for the home, adults, and children. The poncho pattern is one of my all-time favorites.

Felted Knits, Beverly Galeskas (Interweave Press)

From a true felting expert, thirty-six designs (including bags, totes, hats, mittens, slippers, pillows, placemats, and coasters), plus indispensable guidelines for choosing yarn for felting, and sizing and caring for felted projects.

DESIGNING YOUR OWN PATTERNS

Knitting Without Tears, Elizabeth Zimmermann (Simon & Schuster)

All of Elizabeth Zimmermanns books are wonderful, witty, and wry. Zimmermann teaches knitters how to develop their own designs and techniques (her term for this is unventions). She also gives instructions for many of her own innovative designs and unventions. This is the quintessential title from Elizabeth Zimmerman. It has excellent information for creating several different styles of seamless sweaters, and a few other projects in the round.

Knitting Around, Elizabeth Zimmermann (Schoolhouse Press)

This book is full of patterns and unventions as well as Elizabeth Zimmermanns fascinating autobiography. The Bog Jacket is one of my favorites.

Knitting Workshop, Elizabeth Zimmermann (Schoolhouse Press)

A companion to Elizabeth Zimmermanns television series, The Busy Knitter, and The Busy Knitter II. Both series are available on VHS from Schoolhouse Press. It is filled with techniques for hats, seamless sweaters, color knitting, and other wonderful things.

Knitting in the Nordic Tradition, Vibeke Lind (Lark Books)

An amazing collection of traditional Norwegian knitting patterns. Although some of the projects can feel too Old World for some knitters, many are old enough to be new again. This is a great book to learn from when you want to create your own designs.

The Sweater Workshop, Jacqueline Fee (Down East Books) This books draws upon the techniques of Elizabeth Zimmermann but goes into more detail. Its great if youre looking to design your own sweaters in the round.

The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns, Ann Budd (Interweave Press)

A fantastic book of basic designs for sweaters, hats, mittens, and gloves in multiple sizes and gauges. If youre having trouble finding a classic unembellished pattern to work with your favorite yarn, this is the book for you.

COLOR AND FIBER

Color Works, The Crafters Guide to Color, Deb Menz (Interweave Press)

Through photos of different color palettes with explanations of how the colors interact in fiber, plus a pull-out color wheel, and perforated color chips, this book provides readers with both a theoretical and hands-on look at color theory.

Color and Fiber, P. Lambert, B. Staepelaere, M. Fry (Schiffer Publishing Ltd.)

An in-depth exploration of color theory and practical information about working with color in fiber. Although it focuses primarily on color in weaving, this book is still invaluable.

Interaction of Color, Josef Albers (Yale University Press)

This is probably the most influential book about color ever written. It is not a didactic explanation of color theories; rather, it shows readers how to discover new ways of working with color. It will encourage you to see color in a whole new light.

In Sheeps Clothing, Nola and Jane Fournier (Interweave Press)

A guide to different breeds of sheep and the unique characteristics of their wool. Aimed at handspinners, it is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in learning about the fibers with which they work.

INSPIRATION

Unexpected Knitting, Debbie New (Schoolhouse Press)

One of the most inspirational knitting books Ive ever seen. It includes detailed and comprehensive patterns for projects made from freeform knitting, scribble lace, swirl knitting, labyrinth knitting, and many more extraordinary and innovative techniques.

The Joy of Knitting, Lisa Myers (Running Press Book Publishers)

This is a wonderful book about the knitting experience written by a yarn shop owner. Topics covered include everything from yarn selection, to gifts, to the knitting community. Each of the twelve chapters concludes with a pattern. There is also a short section on knitting basics.