Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes

Would that all knitting books were as companionable, friendly, and interesting as this one! Even when giving instructions for casting on, she's liable to say something like "Now, cast on 24 stitches--this may seem like a measly sum at first, but wait," etc. ... the patterns are conversational and her conversation is lively and delightful.

This is a good book for the beginning-ish knitter ... I'm about 2 1/2 years into this hobby, and felt I could appreciate/understand most of this book (whereas her Knitting Around, which has marvelous autobiographical digressions, is quite a bit beyond me knitting-wise).

She writes about knitting rather like M.F.K. Fisher writes about cooking--that's a very high compliment indeed!

4 stars and not 5 show more because it's still a "how to knit garments" kind of a book, and even the very best books of practical instructions don't feel 5-ish to me. They would have to transcend, and this comes close but not quite. show less

I've never understood why people rave about this book (or Elizabeth Zimmermann). She didn't reinvent the wheel or invent knitting, and it gets really tiring to listen to some knitters go on and on about her. More often than not, in her attempts to remind people that they're in charge of the knitting, not the other way around - a noble cause, I must admit - she just ends up being condescending. (Why she jumps to the conclusion that everyone else besides her is necessarily afraid of their knitting is baffling.)

I've never understood why people rave about this book (or Elizabeth Zimmermann). She didn't reinvent the wheel or invent knitting, and it gets really tiring to listen to some knitters go on and on about her. More often than not, in her attempts to remind people that they're in charge of the knitting, not the other way around - a noble cause, I must admit - she just ends up being condescending. (Why she jumps to the conclusion that everyone else besides her is necessarily afraid of their knitting is baffling.)

Amazing. Elizabeth Zimmerman's approach to knitting is a breath of fresh air.
I LOVE the way she encourages knitters to figure things out themselves. This has been very liberating...very.

It has inspired me to try my hand at design!

I have a soft spot for this book because it helped me enormously when I learned to knit in the mid 80's. But things have changed, and it's no longer particularly useful for new knitters. Even novices feel free to alter patterns now, and the wonderful wool yarns available today are a welcome change from the way things were when she wrote.

It's still a fun read, and has useful tips and techniques. But it isn't an essential primer anymore.

Engaging and informative at first. Pictures in black and white do not assist with visual learning. Has a few intermediate patterns. Not good for basic beginners.

I would recommend this as the basic reference for any knitter. It has been my knitting bible for as long as I can remember. Especially important is Elizabeth's chaper on gauge.