The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes & Gauges

Rating:
Summary: All that excitement for nothing much.
Review: Like one of the other reviewers, I bought this book based on the other excellent reviews it had received. I was also disappointed in the limited patterns, but my primary disappointment is that most of the instructions (charts for changing gauges) are printed backwards! As an experienced knitter, I recognized it before trying anything. But that is a major mistake for a book that is supposed to be useful for beginners. It is a shame this mistake slipped by the authors - it could have been a useful book. For those who need to identify the mistakes, look at the charts showing how many stitches to cast on based on gauge. The hat instructions say gauge 9 should cast on 216 stitches - that is one huge hat!

Rating:
Summary: This is my favorite knitting book!
Review: This book allows you to use your imagination, and knit your own creation. You get to choose the yarn, the appropriate gauge, and the size/dimensions of the item. The patterns are basic and simple--with a few variations shown on each item. The patterns are a great starting point to embellish with your own colors, textures, fancy stitches, creative edgings, etc.

I have knit sweaters, cardigans, gloves, mittens, and socks--all of various sizes--and a scarf from their patterns. All were easy to follow, and the sizes were right on. I've been very pleased with the results.

To address complaints of a few other reviewers:

"The patterns are printed backwards." I have no idea what this reviewer was talking about. The patterns are very clear, beginning at the beginning, and guiding you through each step to the end. There's even an illustrated reference in the back that explains how to do required things, like making button holes, and binding off.

"...the Child sweater sizes are too broad" They've worked for me. The sizes given are for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 year olds. I've learned never to knit a sweater for the age of the child anyway, but to round up! Roll up the cuffs, and let them fit into the sweater for more than 6 months!

"What about raglan and dropped sleeve sweaters? What about a V-neck cardigan instead of the round neck, what about a V-neck crew?" Actually, the vests in this book are V neck, so you can always follow the instructions for the vest when decreasing for the neck. If you're still hankering for other sweater pattern variations, try Ann Budd's other book: "The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns." I own the book, but actually prefer the classic crew neck shape and set-in sleeves of the sweater pattern in the above book.

As an intermediate knitter who loves knitting for other people, I consider this book absolutely indispensable. It's extremely useful for gift giving. I can always find the size and gauge I want, and the patterns have all come out to my liking. I haven't bought a pattern since buying this book! I don't know what I'd do without it!

Great companion books: "The New Knitting Stitch Library," and "1000 Great Knitting Motifs"

Rating:
Summary: Handy Indeed
Review: This is great addition, really a necessity, for anyone who has stashes of yarn, is wanting to be creative or who is just beginning to knit and wants to make something that fits. All you have to do is knit a sample(swatch) with your yarn and needles an look up the directions on a chart. Very easy to follow, I would recommend this book to beginning and experienced knitters.

Rating:
Summary: Great basics - exactly as promised!
Review: This was what I needed at that intermediate stage - flexible basics, so I could concentrate on design. I still use it. Since my background is in pattern drafting, I have no difficulty calculating gauge or adapting armscyes and necklines ... but sometimes, I just don't feel like thinking about it. Want to knit a hat or scarf or vest with the latest impulse yarn buy? Turn to this book.

One more thing - the math is right on the money. I have no idea what a previous reviewer was talking about: at 9 st/inch, 216 stitches give you a 24" cast-on edge for a hat. It's on the high end of average, but certainly not enormous. No problems there.