Knitting in Plain English (Knit & Crochet)

This is NOT "The only book any knitter will need." That statement on the front cover is ridiculous. There are many misleading pieces of information for beginning knitters. For example, the glossary lists Kitchener stitch (a method of grafting rows of knitting together) as "a special way of manufacturing a row of stitches in thin air between two pieces of knitted fabric..." and a bobble as "a made on-purpose glob of knitted or crocheted stitches." Oh, and for full-fashioned decreases, the glossary says they are made in "a special way." I find it annoying that the technique illustrations are hand-drawn, yet there are photos of various stitch patterns. It would be so helpful to have photos of the techniques, and better written instructions. I highly recommend new knitters to avoid this book, but if you are looking for the "fun" style of writing, try Debbie Stoller's Stitch n' Bitch. Vogue Knitting is an excellent resource as well.

Remember the old adage "give a man a fish, and he eats for a day, teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime"? That's what this book is to knitting.

While many of the current glut of beginning knitting books will teach you to cast on, knit, and purl (and possibly to make an already outdated scarf out of an already discontinued eyelash yarn), Ms. Righetti's book teaches you to think critically and how to knit what YOU have set out to knit.

I own many, many knitting books. This is one I refer back to as I grow within the craft. The patterns provided might not be very stylish, but I learned excellent skills to take to other projects I adore.

This book is a wonderful contribution. I was glad to see that so many here felt the same way about it. I'd love to hear more from Maggie. I wonder if she has any idea how many knitters she has influenced?

This book is a disappointment. Not enough pictures. Too much time guessing.

Not enough pictures, many wasted pages written not on knitting patterns... makes me wanna write my own book

This is a "must have" for any knitter, both experienced and non-experienced. Being a beginning knitter when I first discovered the book and writer, I have purchased several copies and given then as gifts to friends. I also keep one in my possessionfor reference all the time. It is written in plain, understandable english with good illustrations. I recommend it highly!

I wish I would have gotten to this book at the beginning of my knitting career - it would have made things so much less painful.

This is a no-nonsense, wonderful book on knitting basics. Many of my knitting friends have balked at the concept of anyone being able to learn to knit without being shown by another human being, in person, exactly what to do, but it is absolutely true that I taught myself to knit, using *this* book. It is an enjoyable, chatty read and her instructions are clear and well written. She doesn't just tell you WHAT you are supposed to be doing, but more often than not, she is giving you the WHY as well. I highly recommend it!

Lots of really good information here, but the actual directions for how to do stuff (even as simple as making a knit or purl stitch) are impossible to follow. It needs more illustrations.

Easy to understand.

Knitting in Plain English is perfectly titled. I have tried to learn to knit before but I gave up, because I never really understood it. Ms. Righetti writes in a way to clearly show you what you are doing. She sometimes explains something three different ways so that you will likely be able to understand it in at least one of them. She includes both Continental/European style of knit (yarn in the left hand) and British/American (yarn in the right hand). She is positive and encouraging the whole way through. I think I'll keep this book forever.