The Knitter's Handbook: Yarns - Needles - Stitches - Techniques by Eleanor Van Zandt

Published 2009

From casting on and understanding patterns to creating intricate stitches and edgings, here is all the knitting know-how you'll ever need.

Whether you're a new knitter who wants to learn the basics, or an experienced knitter who wants to try complex patterns, THE KNITTER'S HANDBOOK provides clear, easy-to-follow guidance for over 250 stitches and techniques. Beginning with basics like casting on and simple textures and eventually building up to cables, jacquards, fair isles, embellishments and intricate ribbon patterns, this terrific visual resource offers a combination of photos and diagrams so it's easy to understand stitches and patterns at a glance.

Design Your Own Knits in 5 Easy Steps by Debbie Abrahams

Published 2008

Can’t find the right knitting pattern? Want to produce your own designs but aren’t sure how? Now it’s not just possible to make original patterns, it’s actually easy! All it takes are five simple steps, each laid out in this colorful resource—along with 48 pages of special knitter’s graph paper to work on. First, see how to find inspiration for your work, decide on the stitches, and select the yarn. Second, learn how to put those ideas onto paper like a pro. Step three involves knitting a swatch to get a quick sense of how it will look and if your gauge is right. Then you’re ready to map out the entire design. And finally—start knitting! The results are sure to be fabulous.