Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook

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Summary: visually descriptive instructions really help newbies
Review: Unlike other beginner knitting books I've seen, this one uses very helpful, visually descriptive instructions. For example, when she writes about avoiding twisted stitches, she describes the stitch on the needle as a gymnast straddling a horse vault. You're viewing the gymnast from the back, so the leg nearest you should appear to be ahead of the leg in the back. Contrast this with a description I found in another popular beginner's book, which describes the stitch as being made of 2 parts, the half nearest you and the half furthest from you. The half nearest you is always closest the pointy end of the needle. HUH? Yes, Deb Stoller's description is hands-down more helpful. The book is full of such helpful visual descriptions.

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Summary: Love it love it love it...
Review: I absolutley love this book... being a teenage knitter this book is sweet and sassy with good instructions and lots of tips the funky yet cool illustrations and super kool patterns make it the perfect knitting book be you 13 or 103 sweet and super cool i love it its one of the best refrence books i own and the coolest by far i love it!!!!

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Summary: Great book,
Review: Great read, even before trying the patterns. Thank you

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Summary: Perfect for the imperfect knitter
Review: I had tried knitting before, but never finished a project because I just made too many bad stitches and mistakes. I'd give up in frustration. After finding this book on display at a bookstore, I decided to try again and "viola!" finally finished a project! The reason: the chapter on fixing mistakes- something which I hadn't seen in any other how-to book. I have no more frustration over a dropped stitch or a purl-when-I-should-have-knit incident. Debbie's writing style is not at all like a stuffy instruction manual: it's funny and down-to-earth. I felt like I was reading something written by a friend or relative. It certainly made knitting seem possible, and it is!

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Summary: more than cute patterns
Review: I was somewhat horrified by my interest in (and love of) knitting, as a first in a few generations knitter in my early twenties. My mom saw knitting as a throwback to unglorious days. This book helps to clear things up a bit.
Through personal essay and observation, Debbie Stoller manages to clarify the pull knitting is having on young women (in this latest wave of new knitters) as well as to reclaim knitting from its unflattering stereotype.
When I finished reading, I passed the book on to Mom, who now knits.

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Summary: Great Book- needs better diagrams
Review: I am a basic crochter, brand new to knitting. I enjoyed reading this book- especially the beginning parts about the author's personal experiences. Overall, the tone and style of the book are great. I had a problem understanding the diagrams and step-by-step instructions. I have a hard time taking words and turning them into actions, so maybe it was just me. But my mechanically inclined boyfriend thought they were difficult too. If you have a friend to help you through some of the steps, you'll do fine with this book. I think this was a good first book, a good place to get a start.

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Summary: A good book for patterns and some of the basics
Review: This is a really fun book, and I love the patterns, but it's incomplete as a how-to guide. If you already own a book that goes into detail about techniques, this is a good one for you. It's also nice if you are just starting, but it really won't take you very far. I've tried a few of the patterns and they work really well!

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Summary: Great Knitting book for Stylish Knitters
Review: I am just learning to knit and I found this book to be very helpful. The author explains how to pick the right tools and yarn; how to knit; how to fix mistakes; and there must be at least 15-20 patterns that are all do able. The best part of the book is that patterns, just because you are a beginning knitter doesn't mean that you want to knit grandma-ish items. The patterns are very cute and include a wide variety of things, such as: an optical illusion alien scarf, a cute kitty bed, an adorable shawl that are all the rage right now, and hoodie sweaters. This should be every knitters first book.

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Summary: If you only buy one knitting book, make it this one!
Review: Open the book to any page, and you'll discover immediately that Debbie Stoller is one hip and righteous woman, as well as a gifted and hilarious writer. Even if you're not interested in learning how to knit (that'll change when you flip through the projects section and see that it's chock full of stuff that you actually want - nay, need!), the clever text, pictures, and titles will suck you into the knitting world and keep you there forever. The instructions are excellent and valuable to both new and seasoned knitters alike; Debbie really takes the time to help you understand what you're doing, so even accomplished knitters will learn concepts that will make their knitting easier. The book is a must-have for all Generation X knitters (or cool knitters of any age). Just don't be surprised if you start using your food budget to purchase yarn instead - the author's passion for her craft is truly that contagious. Thanks, Debbie, for such a great book!

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Summary: Best knitting reference, ideas, explanations...
Review: I'm a fairly ambitious knitter: I like to make up my own projects, talk about ways/things to knit with friends, shop for yarn on the weekends, etc. And I thought I knew all I needed to know to get the job done. This book explains ALL aspects of knitting - from the very start to the very complex that I didn't know existed. Plus the author gives you more than one way to do it. It's not hard to read, either - you don't have to have experience to understand what's going on. In the back are knitting projects (which they teach you how to read); how does it all fit in such a tidy manner? I highly recommend this book to anyone curious about starting to knit or already making scarves, socks, etc. Get your knit on!