Rating: 
Summary: Easy to use and FUN!
Review: I recently learned a basic knitting stitch from my sister in-law, but it was becoming increasingly boring - I wanted to learn how to do more! I had looked through several "how to knit" type books and they were all confusing and full of terms that a non-knitter like myself has no way of knowing. On one of my quests to find a knitting book I could use, I stumbled across Stich 'N Bitch. Hey with a title like that, who wouldn't at lease skim through it??! I bought it, and began reading it right away.
Not only does this book have some neat facts/stories about knitting, it also is easy to use, providing layman's definitions for all of those counfusing knitting terms. It lays the groundwork for future knitting projects, and has patterns that even a beginner can use (and look like a pro!). This is definately the best book available for the beginning knitter.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book for your Library
Review: I picked up knitting after many years away and this book was great! I am a self taught knitter, who generally is a fast learner and I would recommend this to anyone. It was easier to understand then many other "textbook" types. It was easy to follow for someone who doesn't like to read directions.I may even attempt some of the patterns in the back, although admittedly they aren't high on my priority list. Buy it - you won't be sorry!
Rating: 
Summary: Highly overrated
Review: (...)there are way cooler patterns available for free on the internet (try the European yarn company sites for a start). The book has patterns for -- now hold your breath -- a garter stitch scarf! And a garter stitch scarf with eyelash yarn!! A simple ribbed scarf! A ribbed hat! And, well worth the price of the book -- wrist warmers! Ok, this is all sarcastic, but seriously, the vast majority of sweaters in the book are just the bread & butter basics, made over in newer yarns or colors. I don't think you need this book to tell you that yarns have come a long way in the past few years. Perhaps they look hip because of the anorexic models set in gritty urban scenes. (...) A good bit of text is taken over by the pattern authors telling you cutesy stories about themselves, and how hip they are. Most of the pattern designers have been knitting for three years or less. Do you really want a purse pattern written by someone who made it while trying to made a hat instead? As a basic instruction book: It's OK, and a few sections are even good, but it is also pretty limited in its scope. There are better books out there. (...)As a read: The author's "wicked" humor, as frequently referred to, means sexual innuendo. I guess if you need to get your excitement out of a knitting book, by all means purchase this book. Also, if you need constant affirmation that it's hip to be a knit chick, this is also the book for you. I found the constant "I'm now a knitter, therefore it's cool" and "knitting is not for grannies anymore" attitude to be both sexist and ageist.
Rating: 
Summary: Mostly good
Review: I'm fairly new to knitting - I've known the very basics for many years, but had never actually completed a project. I bought this book after having tackled a couple of very basic projects, partly because of the patterns for trendier items. At first I loved the book - would have given it five stars, definitely. But after having lived with it for a while, it's imperfections have become evident. I must say that I found the instructions on techniques, for the most part, to be very clear. I've always had trouble understanding instructions on knitting technique (one reason I'd never done a project), but this book explains things in a way that I, for one, can understand easily. For this reason, this is the book I turn to when I have questions on technique. I must also say that I love circular knitting. One weakness of this book is that it seems that the only patterns that are written for circular knitting are the ones that pretty much HAVE to be done that way (socks, mittens, etc). But sweaters...all are knit flat in this book. Which is unfortunate because they're mostly the sorts of things I would like to make, but there's no way I'm going to make a sweater I'll have to stitch together when I can make one more quickly in the round due to the relative lack of purling, as well as more seamlessly. The patterns could probably be converted into circular patterns, but as one who's closer to the beginner side of the spectrum, I'm sort of afraid of doing this on my own. Also, there are quite a few errors in the patterns. Be sure to check out the errata (available online - try searching for the book title and "errata") before tackling any of the projects.
Rating:
Summary: the best knitting money you can spend!
Review: i picked this book up to re-learn knitting properly. I love that you can refer to a technique or tip quickly and find most sentences start with - this is easy!! gotta love that :) i recommend this book to any newbie learning to knit, or knitter needing a laugh and some truly hip patterns that are REALLY wearable/useable!! I can't wait til Ms. Stoller's next book comes out!
Rating:
Summary: Clever but lame
Review: I am sorry I only gave this 2 stars. I am normally one that will only write reviews of things I feel strongly in favor of, this isn't one of them. I find this to be too cute for words. I find this lacking in fundemental knitting and only bought the thing because of those that seem to have grasped knitting for it's trendy nature right now....It's not the end all and be all that most books promise. It's far from it. The puns are lame, the idea that you MUST use the yarn without explaining it to those that are new to the craft annoys me greatly not to mention the cost of the yarns she uses. There are a great many of us that are allergic to animal hairs or are vegan in nature or simply cant afford those yarns....it sounds ridiculous to to harp on such an issue but it would have been a simple service to those of us with limited funds, inabilitity to to work with animal fibers to those that are vegan to offer a simple classification of the yarns (from the Yarn Council of America). It was cute, it was a fun READ but honestly, when it comes to teaching one how to knit...this is not the book for you. Stoller needs to find a better way to write a book on knitting. This book relies upon fun rather than technique which can lead to frustration for most any new knitter. I personally say that this is for those that already know how to knit, even if on a basic level, but do not, no way in heck, rely upon this book to help you to learn. There are many other resources out there that will give you good instructions along with good technique. While this is a fun book, it's not for beginners. Learn from Grandma, Reader's Digest books (that's how I learned), along with, yes combine your learning abilities, the internet videos for free. Get this book if you understand and have a small grasp on knitting, otherwise, find other resources, this is NOT a beginners book nor is it a book that is worth the money BUT for it's saving grace, how to rip put stitches (and you will end up having to do this at some point) to ensure your stitches are laying upon the needle correctly. Other than the last item, it's been a useless book for me. Cute and getting the younger women involved, great but otherwise, what a bad display of knitting in gerneral.
Rating:
Summary: Hey, I taught MYSELF to knit!
Review: I didn't think I could, but with the help of this book, I WON. Learning to knit without a good teacher around can be tough, but Debbie's sense of humor kept me going. I knit a scarf the first week, and it's quite handsome, I must say. The illustrations are easy to follow, considering the subject matter. The patterns are interesting, you gotta see the alien illusion scarf!. One of the knitters even explains how to dye yarn with Koolaid. Recommended for the young at heart. If you want to learn how to knit with a smile on your face, buy it. You'll like it.
Rating:
Summary: This book proved that I can knit
Review: I have always wanted to learn to knit, but could never quite grasp how to do it. This book solved that! It is perfect for a beginner like myself because the instructions are so easy to follow that they basically talk you through getting started. Before I even realized it, I was knitting! An added bonus is that the patterns are for things that I would actually wear - I can't wait to get advanced enough to knit the skull sweater. This History of Knitting parts are very informative as well. I would recommend this book to anyone who has wanted to learn to knit.
Rating:
Summary: By Far the Best Knitting Help I've Received
Review: If you're just getting started; particularly if you don't have a super-knowlegable live person to help you out, this book is invaluable. The diagrams are better than any I've seen in any other source, and the written instructions are so precise and easy to follow; it's just great. It's helped not only with getting me started in knitting, but in connecting to the knitting community which is now ranging far and wide. Since I got the book a couple months ago, I've started a blog of my own, connected to online knitters, begun attending a Stitch N Bitch and then started a group of my own. ...not that you HAVE to become a maniac if you buy this book, but the possiblity is there for the taking. Don't listen to the knitpickers who get all bent out of shape over little details in the book - there's room for disagreement in knitting, and this is one of the best places to get enough chops to have an opinion. Happy Starting!
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant surprise
Review: This book was a gift and a wonderful addition to my needle arts library. I have many excellent books on knitting and this "beginners" book had tips I haven't found elsewhere. It's easy to read, loaded with personality, and finally resolved some long-time confusions. (My knitting skill level is intermediate but gaining on expert.) Patterns are geared more for teens and 20-somethings but can really be made by just about anyone who likes them. Definitely a good place to start.
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