Resources: great books on knitting

Books on learning to knit for kids and adults:

1. Bliss, Debbie – How to Knit: The definitive knitting course complete with step-by-step techniques, stitch libraries and projects for your home and family – Trafalgar Square Publishing (North Pomfret, VT) 1999. A wonderful, easy to use, knitting book that leads the reader through this ancient craft. Bliss is a well-known London designer with her own line of yarns. The Brits do such a great job with their knitting books and this is one of the best!
2. Falick, Melanie – Kids Knitting: Projects for Kids of All Ages – Artisan (New York) 2003. This is the book I always recommend for teaching knitting (even adults). The projects are fun and lead the reader through the process (starting with making your own needles). Falick, former editor of one of the best knitting periodicals, does a great job with this book!
3. Fryer, Jane Eayre – The Mary Frances Book of Knitting and Crochet – Hobby House Press 2002. A reprint of a book from the early 1900s that leads older girls and adults through the process of knitting and crochet through a delightful story of a little girl and the tools that teach her. The vintage feel includes projects for war-time knitting and clothes for celluloid dolls (that would fit today’s 18” dolls).
4. Gildersleeve, Mary C. – Glory of America Knits! – Ecce Homo Press (LaGrange, KY) 2004. Inspired by chapter books written by Joan Stromberg about American saints Francis Cabrini and Elizabeth Ann Seton, this book includes over a dozen hand-knit projects.
5. Gildersleeve, Mary C. – Great Yarns for the Close-Knit Family: Over two dozen original hand-knit designs inspired by one dozen fantastic family read-alouds – Hillside Education (Lake Ariel, PA) 2008. Merging the author’s love of knitting with family read-alouds, this book contains more than 20 designs inspired by great classics like Mary Poppins and Pinocchio.
6. Gosse, Bonnie & Allerton, Jill – A First Book of Knitting for Children – Wynstones Press (Stourbridge, England) 1997. This is a great Waldorf-style book about teaching children to knit. The projects are unique and fun toys and dolls that kids want to make!
7. Hansen, Robin – Sunny’s Mittens: Learn to Knit Lovikka Mittens – Down East Books (Camden, ME) 1990. Part story, part knitting book, this book describes how a little girl learns to make super-warm, cozy felted mittens. This is a classic!
8. Haxell, Kate & Roberts, Luise -- First Knits: projects for beginning knitters – Martingale Company (Woodinville, WA). 2005. This book has been out a while, but I just discovered it and it will now rank as my go-to book for helping others to learn to knit. This one is great – excellent illustrations, clear and concise directions, beautiful projects and a creative mix of technique tutorials. I really like this one for giving beginners and nervous knitters the impetus to try some different stitches, color-work, techniques and projects.
9. Murphy, Bernadette – Zen and the Art of Knitting: Exploring the Links Between Knitting, Spirituality, and Creativity – Adams Media Corporation 2002. Although Murphy goes a bit new-agey, this book does a good job of linking knitting with the spiritual and creative processes. A good read when you want to get meditative about the craft.