Vogue® Knitting The Ultimate Knitting Book: Completely Revised & Updated

This is, by far, the most comprehensive knitting skill building book I have ever seen. I am a knitting instructor who has been knitting for 30 years and I knit at an expert level and I design my own sweaters. I own approximately 300 knitting books and I have purchased just about every skill building book out there, including the predecessor to this one. The improvements that have been made in this edition are significant and are worth the upgrade. This could literally be the only knitting book in your library and it will get you from beginning knitter to expert.You will learn everything, and I mean everything you need to know to become a great knitter. This book starts with the very basics and brings you right through to expert knitting. The only thing that is not in here is "couture knitting" but that is a niche market and if you get to that point, you can buy Catherine Lowe's "Ravell'd Sleeve" online for $40. (That's another book that's worth the price if you get to that level).Here is the layout of this hard-cover coffee table sized book's color coded chapters ( there are extensive well done diagrams and photos in every chapter)1. Yarns and Supplies - Explanation of types of yarns including definitions of fibers, yarn twist/structure, weights, gauge, needle size, an ounces vs weights table and care of the yarn. 10 pages elucidating the various styles of needles, best uses for each kind, and knitting and crochet needle size chart and many photos and explanations of all of the other gadgets and tools needed in knitting.2. Basic Techniques: The Structure of Knitting (shows clear examples of what a knit stitch looks like and what a purl stitch looks like - very important basic skill needed so that you can "read" your knitting. Holding Yarn and Needles, Casting On, The Basic Knit stitch, Basic Stitch Patterns, Joining Yarns, Increases, Decreases, Binding Off. This is all in 37 pages of nice diagrams with explanations. There are some additions from the previous version of this book.3. Cables: Introduction to Cables, Types of Cables, Understanding Cable Symbols, Reading Cable Charts, Cable Stitches and Symbols, Cabling Without a Cable Needle ( which is probably my all-time favorite technique and an absolute time saver if you are making cables).4. Color Knitting: Stranding Knitting (ie. fair isle and the like - there are examples of the many kinds of stranded knitting) Intarsia, Bobbins, Charts, Horizontal Stripes , Vertical Stripes, Slip Stitches, Mosaic Knitting, Short-Row Color Knitting, Plaid Knitting. (I am in a fair isle group on Facebook and there are many people who are new to stranded knitting who have many questions that can easily be answered in this chapter).5. Lace; Introduction to Lace, Yarn Overs, Decreases, Reading Lace Charts, Shaping in Lace, Lace Borders and Edgings, Blocking Lace, Correcting Mistakes in Lace Knitting6. Circular Knitting: Knitting in the Round, Circular Needles, Double - Pointed Needles, Two Circular Needles, Magic Loop, Jogless Join ( how to make color changes in the round without a "jog" in the color), Steeking, Moebius Knitting7. Directional Knitting: Entrelac, How to Knit Entrelac in the Round, Modular Knitting, Bias Knitting, Center-Out Knitting, Center-Out Squares, Center-Out Circles, Center-Out Geometric Shapes, Center-Out Stars8. Advanced Techniques: Brioche Knitting, Double Knitting, Tucks, Loop Stitch, Elongated and Drop Stitches, Felting9. Understanding Instructions: Understanding Garment Knitting Instructions, Schematics, Gauge, Gauge Swatch for Knitting in the Round, Counting Rows, Knitting Abbreviations Explained, Crochet Abbreviations Explained, knitting Terminology, Symbols, Unusual and Alternative Symbols10. Correcting Errors11. Finishing: Introduction to Blocking, Blocking Materials, Blocking, Seaming, Grafting or Kitchener Stitch, Picking Up Stitches, sewing in a Sleeve, Attaching Separate Pieces and Hemming12. Designing Sweaters: 73 pages in this chapter because you need this kind of comprehensive material Introduction to Designing Sweaters, The Conceptual Process, Planning Yarn Amounts, Body Measurements, Using the Vogue Knitting Design Worksheet, Vogue Knitting Design Worksheet, Ribbing, Body Shaping, Armhole Shaping, Raglan Armhole Shaping, Neck and Shoulder Shaping, Sleeve Shaping, Set-In Cap Shaping, Raglan Cap Shaping, Cardigan Shaping, Dart Shaping, Short Row Shaping, Circular Design, Selvages, Neckbands, Collars, Plackets, Buttonholes, Bands Borders and Edges, Crochet Edges, Hems, Patch Pockets, Inset Pockets, Pleats and Tucks, Gathers Ruching and Flares, Finishing Touches, Shoulder Pads, Using Elastic, Buttons, Zippers, Linings13. Designing Shawls: Introduction to Shawls, Designing Shawls, Square and Rectangular Shawls, Shetland Construction, Triangular Shawls, Circular and Half-Circular Shawls, Crescent and Short-Row Shaped Shawls, Faroese Shawl Construction, Nupps and Beads, Ruanas14. Designing Accessories: Caps and Hats, Anatomy of a Hat, Types f Hats, Designing Hats (including schematics for measuring head), Blocking Hats, Mittens and Gloves, Anatomy of Mittens and Gloves, Measuring the Hand for Mittens and Gloves, Making Fingerless Gloves and Mittens, Mittens, Gloves, Socks and Stockings, Anatomy of a Sock, Designing Socks, Cuff-Down Socks, Toe-Up Socks, Toes and Heels, Knitting Knee-High and Over the Knee Socks, blocking and caring for Socks15. Embellishments: Embroidery, Knitting With Beads, Knitting With Sequins, Additions**I bought this book at a pre-release price of $27. I would be willing to pay $40 for it all day long. I am not benefiting from providing this review, I just believe strongly in sharing my knitting skills with other knitters and I feel strongly that this is the absolute best knitting reference I've ever seen

They weren't kidding when they said this book is huge. While not practical travel, you would have the more condense version for that; but makes a nice coffee table book and pretty much covers most techniques now, including the magic loop. Sure it might not go in-depth on every topic; it is still a great starting point for both beginners and those who want to expand their knowledge and learn something new. Even helps when it comes to fitting and gives tips if your cast ons are too tight, etc...

I’ve been knitting garments for myself for over seven years before purchasing this book. Just by briefly skimming through each of the 16 chapters it has, I’ve noticed there’s significantly more to learn about knitting. It’s also extremely helpful and nice to have all of what I already know about knitting in one place and concisely communicated.

Perfect book for your reference library. To big for knitting bag. The vogue knitting ultimate quick reference carries the majority of the information in a smaller spiral bound. I personally have both. this is more a coffee table style book but a must for those new to knitting or looking to add new techniques.

Great book with a wealth of information for any level knitters

It is indeed greatly expanded and updated. I own the 2002 edition and have used it quite a bit as a reference book. This book is larger, making the many illustrations and diagrams easy to see. The page numbers have returned to the outside of the page. The 2002 book was laid out differently.I like the sections on design, modular knitting, and lace blocking the most. I have a lot to learn from them. I am a little disappointed in some of the very general instructions, such as the short paragraph given to creating vertical buttonholes. On the other hand, I appreciate the detailed treatment of doing intarsia.I was disappointed to see that the moebius section and how-to did not include the moebius cast-on, but just said to twist your piece or twist a circular cast-on when joining. Section 12 has many completely dark-blue swatches that make stitch definition hard to see. Dark blue is also used as the base piece when illustrating a lighter border or band. That's not so bad. Some of the knitting on the sample pieces could have had more regular stitches or better blocking. I mean -- they're supposed to be samples in an ultimate knitting book! I found a few typos such as the perplexing "CATHCHING" in one header.Overall, I think it's worth acquiring, even if you own previous editions.

Why didn't I get this book ages ago? Probably because "Vogue" sounded like it would be more high fashion than practical. It's so detailed and comprehensive it replaces just about every other resource. Borrowed it from the library and immediately ordered one for myself. I recommend it highly.

Excellent book in condition as described. This is wonderful book for knitters. Would make an excelent gift but this one is for me :). I have no problems ever buying from this seller and am a repeat customer. So USPS has some sort of deal with Amazon regarding delivery and when the USPS fails to deliver the product on time, they play this little game. They put in the USPS tracking that the customer (Me) has requested USPS not deliver the item to the house and that the item be kept in a parcel container at the post office. Of course this is complete bull. USPS does this so that Amazon doesn’t know how often they fail to deliver the item on a certain date as promised. How do I know this? I was told by a USPS employee. Please Amazon don’t throw business to the USPS. They are completely incompetent!