Rating:  Summary: Heavy with poor illustrations Review: Add the KNITTER'S COMPANION and the CROCHETER'S COMPANION to your work basket and you will have most of the basics and then some at your finger tips wherever you go. The KC has a lovely gauge in the back that will help you determine the size of your knitting needle (if you don't know it) and the number of stitches you need to make per inch to reach a certain gauge. The book also includes all sorts of other information you might have determined before you left the house, such as `finished chest measurements' and `yarn choices'. The pages of this little book are heavy and covered with plastic, so it will add weight to your yarn bag.
The illustrations are a mixed bag. Some are clear and large so easy enough to see, but many of the more complex steps are small and hard to see (do I really need a large clear illustration of `slipping a stitch' and a small hard to see illustration of the `Purl Stitch-Continental Method?). Given the tradeoff between the weight of the book and likelihood I will use much of the material given my lack of knitting experience, I figure it's better to carry `Stitch and Bitch' with me on those excursions to the doctor's office. When I am more accomplished, I will bring this little book along.
Rating:  Summary: Ehh, it's all right but I wouldn't buy it first Review: I bought this book when it was hot off the press.I've used it more for its needle gauge than any other reason. Oh, I occasionally turn to a page in the middle to look up a term that I haven't been exposed to often, and maybe have learned a new thing or two. But, this book is not a to-die-for knitter's reference by any means. It's too cursory to be that. Yes, I keep it in my knitting bag, but often consider it to be just extra weight I should remove from my knitting bag. Like I said above, I **do** use it for the needle gauge and occasional look-up. I don't use it for inspiration or learning a complex new technique. I strongly suggest you immediately discard the protective plastic bag it comes in. I left my book in that, left my book in the knitting bag, and left the knitting bag in the car. (None of these are unusual.) The plastic protective wrap split from temps in my car (I presume) and played havoc with my yarn. This was unbeknownst to me until I opened my knitting bag to find the book's protective plastic cover entangled with my then-current project and slicing its way through. PITCH THE COVER! A few dings on your book are worth less than your precious yarn. If you (A) use circular needles often and need a gauge to carry around, (B) like a book for quick-look-up that gives you a handy way to refresh your mind about a little-used technique, and (C) have a litle extra money that you want to spend on knitting, then by all means buy this book. But, if you have only a little extra money to spend on yourself or a friend as a knitter's reference or want to buy a book for a beginner, then this is NOT what I would suggest you get. It's a refresher tool, not a reference manual.
Rating:  Summary: The best knitting book I have found, hands down. Review: I have recently started to knit, and had several books and patterns that supposedly showed what to do. This book has the clearest illustrations of what is actually going on with the yarn and needles I have come across. It also has everything I have needed so far. Need to increase? There are several methods shown. Want to try Continental knitting instead of American? This is where I learned it. I can't emphasize how great this book is. Just let me say it is ALWAYS in my bag, and is as cherished as my grandmother's crochet hook!
Rating:  Summary: Easy To Carry With You Review: I have the "Vogue Knitting" (a knitter's bible) on my desk at home for referencing finishing, different stitches, abbreviations, etc. I bought "The Knitter's Companion" to keep in my knitting basket so that when I'm knitting away from my home I'll have a good, convenient-sized reference book with me at all times. It has come in very handy already.
Rating:  Summary: Great reminder book! Review: I love this book and take it with me everywhere I knit (it's a staple in my knitting bag). It's particularly useful if I haven't knit in a while, quick refresher and review for a stitch or technique I haven't done in a while. A "must have" for beginners, which I am, and possibly intermediate and advanced knitters, too.
Rating:  Summary: Definitely one of my knitting companions Review: I love this book. I refer to this book for help on which way a decrease slants to easy-to-understand explanations for my beginning knitting class handouts. I never thought such a small knitting book could contain so much wonderful information. It's small enough to throw in your knitting bag, but it contains almost all of the information you would need from a bigger book. If the Knitter's Companion doesn't have what I'm looking for, it usually tides me over until I can get home and consult my Vogue Knitting book. I've only had to wait once, so it's definitely a very helpful little book. I love the gauge ruler and needle-size helper (can't think of the right word) in the back. If you want one book to help you with all of the little knitting things that you need to know to be a successful knitter or to consult for a quicker refresher -- this is your book.
Rating:  Summary: Terrific Knitting Companion Review: I picked up this book for my daughter but somehow it always just jumps into MY knitting bag when I'm traveling. I love for the needle gauges in the back and for those times when I go brain dead and can't remember how to do something simple and just need a little "refresher". My daughter is going to have to buy another copy for HER bag.
Rating:  Summary: A must-have for your knitting bag Review: I recieved the crochet version of this book (have crocheted for over 20 years) and picked up a few tricks I didn't know about. I had just learned to knit and wanted a reference that I could stash in my craft bag and take along. So, I bought the knit version and love it. It doesn't tell you everything about knitting, but it has all the basics right there. I love it and would recommend it to any knitter.
Rating:  Summary: A must-have for beginner's! Review: I've been knitting for awhile but always have problems with correcting mistakes. This book shows with easy text and good diagrams how to take out stitches and pick up dropped stitches. I'm just learning socks and the diagram for Kitchener stitch is good too. I was never very good seaming but have improved dramatically because of these easy directions. This little book stays in my knitting bag no matter what I'm working on. Experienced knitter's would probably not find this book of much use.
Rating:  Summary: The Best I Ever Used - Just the Important Stuff Review: Love this handy little book that has stuff that you just don't find in all the big complicated books. It's great the way it can be propped-up. Even mentions that for lefties, just put the book in front of a mirror!! There's so much information that I have never seen in any of the major knitting "bibles". I found myself saying over and over "why didn't someone tell me that before'?
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