Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook

TAKE BACK THE NEEDLES! For years and years knitting was what your grandmother did. Women involved in the women's movement didn't knit. Now it's what the young and hip do because they want to. The women's movement moves on to a new generation and a new chapter. Knitting like racing cars or running corporations is a way a woman asserts her independence. That was the message of this book. It intrigued me on so many levels. When I picked up this book I was a brand new knitter who had barely learned the knit and purl stitch from a kit. I have made a hat and a sweater directly from this book. I enjoyed that any stitch or technique you were using was quick referenced on the pattern to the page in the book. I've since taken a sweater pattern, show more and using just the front of the sweater, started making a cable shawl from some of my 50/50 camel/silk homespun. (I'm also a spinner.) This book inspires that much confidence in your abilities. show less

This is an awesome, inspiring book. I figured I'd just browse through the patterns a little, but the next thing I knew I'd read it cover to cover. I've been knitting since I was five, so I wasn't relying on this book to teach me how, but it still got me thinking about the whole process of knitting in an entirely new way. It also got me thinking about issues of "women's work" vs. "men's work," and gender roles in our society. Very good stuff. The instructions are readable and entertaining, and most of the patterns are really funky.

When I first decided that I actually wanted to learn how to do more than just garter stitch rectangles I leafed through a number of knitting books, but this is the one that clicked for me. This book not only taught me new skills, but made me understand mechanically what was happening to the yarn as I knitted it. The patterns at the back are maybe a little dated, but I love the illustrations and lessons in the beginning to much to care.

I can knit socks now, so I think it helped.

I've recently taken up knitting again, so I checked this book out of the library, having heard great things about it over the years. It's super informative, with neat drawings, photos, and diagrams as well as very clear text that explains all steps in detail. There are lots of useful tips and it's all presented in a cute, witty way. Apparently I knit wrong, though, so I may need to unlearn and relearn some things. I'm not very advanced at all so that shouldn't be a problem.

Almost all of the projects are super cute, unlike a lot of knitting books with stuffy old sweaters an out-of-touch grandma would make. I've been eyeing the Alien Illusion Scarf and Skully sweater especially. What I really like about the patterns is that in addition to show more listing the materials you'll need, they also list all the techniques used in a particular project, which makes it perfect for beginners like me. That way even if you only have a couple tricks in your bag, you'll know at a glance whether the project is suited for your skill level or not.

I'm probably going to be keeping this one for a while, so I'll have to update if I make anything! show less

I taught myself to knit using this book. The illustrations are excellent, just about as good as what you'll find in the Vogue knitting handbook, and the patterns are cute, if a little dated. Ms. Stoller was one of the leading figures in the early-2000s revitalization of knitting, and she brought it out of the hands of blue-haired grannies and into the hands of cool kids. She gives lessons in a straightforward, easy to follow way and intersperses her information with tidbits and factoids about knitting and its history. If you have never picked up a pair of needles, this is a great place to start. More advanced knitters will want to borrow a copy rather than buy one. My personal favourite patterns? The Skully and Peppermint Twist sweaters.

I love this book. I decided that, after many years of avoiding it, I wanted to relearn how to knit. (I'd learned a long time ago, but gave it up after finishing a particularly challenging project). This book was a great way for me to get back into it. The author gives great instruction, but even better, she's smart and funny, too. There's a section in the beginning where she talks about how undervalued knitting (and other "womanly" arts and crafts) are so undervalued in our society, and how stupid it is for them to be viewed as "less" just because they've been traditionally done mostly by women. I haven't tried out any of her patterns yet, but she taught me to knit, purl, increase and decrease. Highly recommended.

This book is amazing - I have completely taught myself to knit (and purl, change colours, bind off, increase, and decrease so far) from it. There are a few things that I find very helpful: the order in which new skills is introduced is very sensible and not intimidating. I trust that I won't be scared off by the next new thing each time I'm ready to move on. Also, the diagrams show the HANDS - so many books show the position of the needles and yarn, but not how your hands hold them. This is very helpful. Finally, each of the fancy projects in the back of the book (after the main instructional part) have a small chart that lists which skills you need in order to attempt it. It's really easy to see what you have the ability to make, and show more which projects you'll be able to make soon. Great knitting book for beginners! show less