Check out these fantastic and thorough knitting reference books and have everything you need to know for your next knitting project right at your fingertips!
Back when I taught myself to knit, I bought a black and white pamphlet from the craft store. It had diagrams and explanations for each step and was probably about 20 pages long. And that was it. I didn’t have a teacher or another person I even knew who knit to help me.
This makes me extra appreciative for all of the incredible knitting reference books and online tutorials and videos that exist now. I can literally not only learn how to do something, but also watch someone else do it themselves in about 30 seconds just by searching. Isn’t that amazing??
I do like to have quality knitting reference books at home though. A book screen doesn’t go to sleep while you’re looking at it and when I’m looking up how to do kitchener stitch for the 97th time, I need to keep checking the instructions.
I also really enjoy a good stitch dictionary, I get lots of inspiration from them. even if you’re not a designer yourself, you can use a stitch dictionary to choose a stitch for something simple like a scarf or dishcloth or baby blanket! Basically, the options are endless.
So today I waded through tons of reviews and recommendations and am sharing some fantastic knitting reference books to add to your library. These are not books that give you 10 different cardigan sweater patterns or 15 different shawl designs. These are reference books that you can use to looks up techniques or terms or get inspiration. The majority are books that I actually own or have checked out from my library but if it’s something new to me, I promise I read LOTS of reviews before I put it on the list. If you have any of these, I’d love to know what you think of them! Or if you have another favorite, let me know!
Fantastic Knitting Reference Books to Add to Your Library!
Check out these fantastic and thorough knitting reference books and have everything you need to know for your next knitting project right at your fingertips!
This is my absolute favorite book for looking up stitch abbreviations in patterns. It can be a little hard to find in print anymore, but you can still get the kindle version!
I had to include this one just because I love the title so much. Reviewers agree that they were indeed able to knit by the end of the book, ha!
A solid beginning knitting guide with good reviews!
I loved the sample questions that this book answers. They're the kind of things that we all google. Only in book format so you have all the answers in one place!
Many knitters consider the Vogue knitting book "the Bible" of knitting!
I have and love this one, it has SOOOO many different stitches, I find something new every time I open it!
Kristen has done a great job with this stitch pattern book. It's FULL of great stitches that only use the knit and purl stitch!
Learning about all the many types of yarn is a great basis for increasing your knitting knowledge and this book explains it all. There will be something for everyone to learn here!
Definitely just put this one in my cart, I really really need to read this!
This is an example of a book for someone who is really interested in the mechanics of knitting as it breaks down different increase and decrease stitches in depth. It's not going to teach you to knit, but if you want to know a lot more about increase and decrease stitches, this is the book for you!
This book is filled with fair isle motifs (hence the title) and is perfect if you're interested in adding your own patterns to your knitting projects.
If you like modern knitting patterns then this book is full of fair isle motifs with a modern twist. So much inspiration and creativity in this one!
Ok, look, I have never knit socks. I hate having to make the same thing more than once so I just don't. But if I were going to, I'd start with this book!
Nancy Marchant is known as a brioche knitting expert so if you're going to learn from someone, it should definitely be her!
If you want to be wowed, this is a book for you. These Japanese stitches are incredibly beautiful (and complicated, this one is not for beginners)!
This is the knitting pattern writing Bible if you're interested in designing yourself. I have seen it recommended over and over and over. I loved it when I read it too. Does focus on garment design primarily.
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
- Gingerbread House and Gingerbread Man Knitting Patterns - December 13, 2024
- Peppermint Candy Cane Wreath Knitting Pattern - December 9, 2024
- Gingerbread Wreath Knitting Pattern - December 9, 2024
Gloria says
I lost a paper book/pamphlet as to finishing knitting projects. It had hand drawn diagrams as to seaming in particular. It’s a red cover booklet. Etiher Lion Brand yarn or Red Heart. I’m heart broken as the drawn diagrams were spot on and helped me immensely figure out how to assemble my first cardigan. It was a used book sale item so it’s at least 10+ years old. HELP!