"Knitting Stitches Visual Encyclopedia" by Sharon Turner contains 350 stitch patterns. The book is sectioned into 10 chapters. The first chapter covers over 50 knit and purl stitches. Following chapters include ribs, bobbles, textures, slipstitches, twist-stitches, cables, drop stitches...., borders and color knitting.
Two clear, detailed, color stitch photographs are on each page. Graphs are added as well as writtten instructions. Depending on the knitter, some feel more comfortable with one way of instruction over the other. Here you have your choice. The chart symbols are explained in the back of the book. What I would have liked is an index, for ease of locating the individual stitches.
Sharon says, swatching is the best way to see if the yarn you choose to knit with has the correct parameters, for the stitch you choose. The yarns texture, weight and drape determines the outcome "tremendously". The stitch patterns are all knit with a lightweight yarn. The yarn shows stitch clarity and consistency.
Knitting Stitches is the second in this series. "Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia" was the first to appear. It is also a hardcover book. There are 300 crochet stitch patterns, edgings and more by Robyn Chachula. Robyn has included a number of stitches that I am unfamiliar with. The breadth of the stitch collections, both knit and crochet, will have you sampling these stitches and thinking about how to show them off best.
The color slip stitches would be perfect to create your own QR code items. If you are a sock or fingerless glove knitter, your pattern can be as creative as your choice of stitch. A stitch book always feeds my inspiration. It is putting on the brakes and deciding which stitches to incorporate, that gets my yarn into a knot.
If you are a beginner or an advanced knitter your bookshelf should hold a knitting stitch reference book. If you have a book that walks you through the basics of knitting, then this makes a wonderful book to accompany it.
For a class, using ethnic traditional stitches, modular knitting, free form embroidery, embellishments and funky stitch patterns Westport Yarns is offering just that. Myra Wood has designed a sweater incorporating them all in Krazy Kurti Sweater (see slideshow). Pam Grushkin will teach you the techniques you need to knit this unique sweater. The fee is $90 and the class will meet Wednesdays, Feb. 1, 15, 29, March 14 and 28 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Westport Yarns is located 582 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880, (203) 454 - 4300.
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