Knitty Gritty: Knitting For The Absolute Beginner Paperback – Illustrated, March 30, 2010

I bought this book because I wanted to learn to knit and have no one to teach me. I didn't know how to cast on, knit, purl, or even hold the needle correctly. I needed a book that would teach me those things as well as guide me as my skill levels increase. This book does all that! With large, detailed, color pictures and helpful tips and encouraging words, this book will walk a new knitter through all the basics of learning the stitches, reading a pattern and even how to fix mistakes! I'd recommend this book to anyone learning to knit!

I had tried knitting prior to purchasing this book, and the other books I had just didn't visually assist me. This book is a must for a beginner! Everything is clearly explained and is accompanied by pictures. The book progresses through different patterns (scarf, baby booties, hat, shawl, etc) and teaches you new stitches and techniques as you go. So far the projects have been exceptionally simple to complete due to the clear and concise instructions and visual aids. I highly recommend this book for not only those that have never picked up knitting needles before, but also for those that gave up or are struggling because other books didn't explain it enough.

This is a super book. I last knitted probably 30 years ago - I could make scarfs. woo hoo. I have only done dish washing cloths - but they look really good! I knitted and purled. It has several easy to do projects. I just retired so this is a start.

I just started knitting and this book has been so valuable. It really starts at the very beginning and not only offers lesson and tips for improving your work but several interesting beginning projects as well.

I saw this book recommended on a knitting blog, and boy am I glad I purchased it! It is fantastic book for a person who would love to learn to knit, but has never picked up a pair of knitting needles before. Everything is explained with clear language and great pictures. Aneeta Patel writes so clearly and warmly, it's like she is standing right over your shoulder to help.

This book is decent. It has some good beginner projects, but I had an easier time teaching myself to knit by watching YouTube videos. Kind of wish I had bought knitting needles instead of this book. Haven't tried any of the projects yet, but there's a good range to help demonstrate the basic concepts/stitches.

Love love love this book. A great intro to knitting that I can grow with. So much great info.

I've spent the last 3 hours just trying to follow the first couple pages of this book. First, the cast on method in the beginning does NOT have good clear pictures. It's very difficult to tell if/when/how the yarn is wrapping around the needles, & the photos are very small...very very small. To give you an idea how small, her hands & knitting needles are viewed in a 1x1 inch area of the photos. Within this 1x1 inch area her hands are shrunk down to 3/8 of an inch wide & the needles are 1/16 of an inch wide. Therefore, the yarn that is wrapping around the needles is viewed in less than a 1/16" area. The yarn is also a hot pink color & the lighting contrast makes it hard to see what's going on even w/ a magnifying glass. Perhaps if you've tried knitting before or you've seen someone knit you can figure out how the yarn is wrapping around the needles, but for a truly absolute beginner, like me. I'm totally lost!

I have not bought any other knitting books for beginners except for this one but I can honestly say this book is perfect for any novice. My mother in law showed me how to knit and purl but with the help of this book I can comfortably cast on, knit some simple patterns, cable and cast off few projects with confidence by myself. All the patterns and techniques are clearly explained which helps your confidence before moving onto different slightly more complicated patterns elsewhere. I have never been happier with a book purchase before, get it and don't hesitate!

I love this book and I think as a beginner to knitting that this is so perfectly written and explained and illustrated that anyone whether new to knitting or a pro would find it helpful and could build on their knowledge that they already have or can create a great steppingstone for those that know nothing about knitting (like myself). I have looked through this book and I can't wait to delve straight into the different tutorials and creating the different items in the 20 different products that you get to make throughout this book. It takes you from absolute beginner to moderate level and there's a sequel to this book coming out in the next couple of months that will take you from moderate onwards which I think is just absolutely fantastic. I think the author of this book has done such a great job at explaining things thoroughly yet simply that many other authors of knitting and craft books have fallen short of doing. It is very easy for people to make crafts seem very complicated with complicated books and terminology that sometimes can deter people from taking up a craft or a skill, I'm so thankful that I did find this book as it has made me want to get into knitting and get to know the craft that I've always been interested in. You are never too young or old to start up any craft and I would advise all of you who are interested in knitting to buy this book and get started now. I really hope this review has helped you with your choices and thank you for taking the time to read it :-)

Like a lot of people I decided to learn (again) how to knit. Knitting is not hard and I always wondered why I could never get the hang of even Child kits.This book however does give some ideas on why you might be struggling with just extreamly simple (and yet not thought of by myself) ideas!The idea to use 15mm needles so you can see the work grow quicker and so you can see the stitches easier has never ever occured to me and yet i can see how it will work better! Also the first pattern? a SCARF!!! seriously most books start with baby booties (2nd :P) or something else. A scarf is the most basic pattern and yet no one seems to use it! You can practice this pattern with the basic stitches with your huge wool and needles without fear! I love this book <3I really think I can learn from this book and will prolly be down the bookshop the day her next book comes out.And if you are REALLY struggling she does classes in london on a regular basis on various days of the week including saturday and sunday.

Although I'm not an absolute beginner, my knitting (had last taken up the needlesabout 20 years previously) is still at a fairly basic level. I would think thisbook is excellent for absolute beginners, and people like myself, who need arefresher. Mrs Patel's way of explaining what thread to pick up when 'making one'by having us think of a bowl of soup is...brilliant! I'm not sure that I'd everreally mastered that before, but have now. And...I'd always been frightened oflearning to cable. Her instructions were so easy to follow that I now have abeautiful piece of cable knitting - can't believe I've done it!I've made a scarf from Colinette Point 5 (her suggestion) yarn that looks stunning -work of art, and only garter stitch! Halfway through the knitting bag (cable) andhave started mittens. Am also three-quarters through a cardigan from another book,and Mrs Patel's instructions on increasing have helped enormously.Would definitely recommend for beginners and 'rusty' knitters. And hoping there willbe an 'Improvers' book!

This is an excellent book for any beginner with straightforward easy to follow instructions and some lovely simple patterns. So far I've completed the scarf, booties and hat and am looking forward to trying out the cardigan next. As an absolute beginner this book has been just the thing to get me started and already I feel I've made good progress.The author was very helpful when approached with a query via her website and writes in a friendly and encouraging manner.The only downside I have found to this book would be the lack of easy reference (no index). While working on the pattern the technique is often referenced in the text, so not the end of the world, but I do feel that after I've finished with the projects in the book, the lack of index will detract from it's value. For example, if I'm working on a pattern and want to refresh my memory on purling, I pretty much need to flick through the book to find the right page.It really is a fantastic book to get started with though and I am thoroughly pleased with my purchase.