The beginner's guide to knitting Easy techniques and 8 fun projects

A well-known expert in the business of knit and crochet, UK-based Rowe shares her skills to create a better way for beginners or other struggling knitters and sewers. Appropriately, she carefully, logically plots out every step, beginning with examining tools and materials, and selects eight patterns that few will get bored by. Almost every page features a tip (e.g., knit a small sample; use a larger needle if cast ons are too tight) and close-up color photographs. A few terms and bits of advice might seem alien, like unpicking your work (aka frogging it), or a bit stiff, such as buying a pattern's specified brand yarns. But very helpfully, as Rowe delves into techniques, each one is accompanied by a design showcasing, say, garter or purl knitting. The garland project, for example, explains how to knit two pieces together, while the ribbed beanie hat, as its name suggests, examines the art of ribbing. For those inspired to go further, Rowe shows "what's next," such as eyelets and cables. This no-fear how-to will more than coax reluctant would-be knitters.