Dec 08
(Reviewed with Compendium of Crochet Techniques)
Both these books offer a great deal of information (300 tips, techniques and trade secrets) in their respective subjects. They start with the basics (tools, yarns, tension) that you would expect in books of this kind, but also include interesting additions such as design and choosing the best look for your body shape. Both cover basic techniques which then lead onto ones that are more complicated and varied, so you could use this book from beginner to more advanced levels. Neither book has patterns or projects, and would be suitable for anyone wanting a comprehensive one-stop shop for achieving a great number of varied techniques and stitches. Both touch on dyeing and felting with interesting results, particularly the crocheted motifs, but you wouldn't want to buy the books for this reason alone. Useful books to have if you ever need to source a particular stitch or technique that you aren't familiar with.
* Workshop On The Web *
Dec 08
A 160-page paperback with the Search Press hallmark of copious illustrations including photographs of techniques being worked. For anyone who likes to learn froma book, this represents very good value and could replace numerous workshops - leaving aside the social aspects of meeting other knitters. It does not replace works such as Montse Stanley's The Handknitter's Handbook or the Harmony stitch guides but it covers a vast amount of material that would otherwise be hard to find. Understandably, in view of its being 70 years younger, it has more visual appeal than my copy of Mary Thomas's Knitting Book. There are photographs of the English and continental ways of working knit and purl stitches: not information that is easy to come by at the time one wants it. Unfortunately, the indexing is haphazard. There is no reference to 'lace' for example, and 'lace stitches' gives one page number. Here there is a reference to a section on 'Lace and openwork stitches' but that is not indexed under 'lace', 'stitches' or 'openwork'. Despite quibbles of this nature, I wish it had been in publication long ago as it draws together many things it has taken me years to learn. It would make a good Christmas present for an enthusiastic, but less experienced knitter.
* SlipKnot *
June 08
We could all do with a Betty Barnden in our lives! Betty has worked for many years in the field of needlework and knitwear with the industry's big names and has an impressive list of publications to her name. This latest one is a gem that knitters of all abilities and experience will refer to for Betty's advice and wisdom again and again. The Compendium of Knitting Techniques is a really useful book to have to hand. There are obviously some knitters who are experts in absolutely everything, but many can spend an entire knitting lifetime without working a bobble and most need a refresher in a technique at some point. To have 300 tips ready and waiting is especially helpful and although there are this many, they are all thoroughly and clearly explained. The book is packed with problem solutions and ideas with 'try it' and 'fix it' panels peppered throughout. Novice knitters will of course benefit from the basics and introduction to yarns, equipment and techniques. Experienced knitters can find information about designing and adapting patterns and the more technical side of knitting and design. There are extensive sections on choosing colour, flattering your body shape and getting the perfect fit. As sometimes patterns assume a little too much, especially for intermediate knitters, you can easily refer to this encyclopedia to fill in the gaps to perfect your ssk or picking up stitches. Advanced techniques covered in the book include entrelac, cables and other subjects such as buttonholes, openwork stitches and fastenings. Creative methods and approaches are covered too with dyeing, felting, combining yarns and beads. There are some interesting suggestions hidden in the panels such as knitting both sides of a neckline at the same time and how to add shaping to your knits with vertical darts. Once your kntting is complete there is a section on assembly and sewing together with hints on finishing and blocking. The compendium is extremely well presented and everything is accompanied with clear colour photographs and illustrations. It is a brilliant book to leaf through for inspiration or to find something new to try that will give even the most jaded knitter an idea or stepping stone for a new project. Beginners can be assured of a thorough grounding in a comprehensive range of techniques that will be of use for a lifetime of knitting.
* Knit Today *
Jan 09
An indispensable compendium of technical know-how and troubleshooting tips that's new and affordable in paperback. If you're a long-standing reader, you'll remember that Betty Barnden was one of our machine-knitwear designers and we published many of her designs in MKM. In this essential compendium, she shows us how to give a stylish finish to our garments and accessories. She includes over 200 tips and gives away lots of trade secrets with clear step-by-step photographs and diagrams. Although the book has been written for hand knitters, machine knitters also use many of the techniques. The full-colour diagrams are much easier touse than those in many machine manuals. Beginners in machine knitting can learn how to read patterns and charts; choose colours and yarns; mix and match stitch patterns and deal with gauge variations; adapt designs for the perfect fit. It's also a useful guide if you need to teach youngsters how to hand knit and includes left-handed knitting methods.
* Machine Knitting Monthly *
