Two needles, many knits The new knitter's guide with easy patterns

Review by Booklist Review

Stark's is a very organized and process-driven approach to Knitting 101, complete with lots of color photographs and well-thought-out projects across three skill levels. Occasional sidebars seem to anticipate beginner questions and include charts on yarn weights, help with reading labels, and information on topics like blocking, troubleshooting, and avoiding project curls. Basic instructions feature plenty of step-by-step pictures of knitting and purling stitches as well as smaller tutorials on gauges, increases, and decreases. Before the patterns start, two easy-to-reference glossaries on stitches, patterns, and techniques appear. Practice projects like a washcloth and beanie gently guide Level One novices with all the necessary info (stitches, techniques, size, materials, gauge, directions) before moving them into more complex projects like a headband and jasper stitch scarf. Levels Two and Three offer more difficult projects in lace, cables, stripes, and the like. This book's bright colors plus the ease of following Stark's instructions just might result in converts to the craft.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

This valuable debut guide from Stark tells beginners all they need to know to get started knitting. He explains the pros and cons of different materials (plant-based yarns such as cotton and linen are ideal for warm-weather garments, and people with skin sensitivities will want to avoid wool) and which needle types are best suited for particular garments (double-pointed needles are typically used to knit hats, socks, and other small articles in the round). Novices will have no problem following the step-by-step instructions for casting on, binding off, and creating knit and purl stitches. The easiest projects, particularly the "jade garter stitch washcloth" and the "ruby in-the-round cowl," consist of repetitive rows that will help knitters build muscle memory. Such intermediate projects as the "agate seed stitch clutch" and the "opal striped children's beanie" incorporate simple increases and decreases. Even the advanced projects are relatively easy, requiring no harder techniques than cable work. Stark's overview of the craft is comprehensive, even if the reasoning behind some of the suggestions is opaque (it's not clear, for instance, why he makes the unusual assertion that acrylic yarn is ill-suited to colorwork). Still, newbie knitters will find much of use. (Sept.)

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Review by Library Journal Review

Pattern designer Stark's latest book is for beginning knitters. His guide is divided into two sections: "Beginner Basics" and patterns. The first concentrates on required tools, different types of needles, yarn types and their best uses, and yarn weights. The book also shows readers how to read yarn labels and patterns, how to hold the needles, how to create basic stitches, and how to identify the differences between English and Continental knitting styles. The second half has practice patterns; several incorporate stitches that are a little more difficult to make. The book's projects include a dishcloth, beanie, cowl, scarf, pillowcase, garter bag, clutch, baby blanket, pullover, and more. Placing the instructions alongside color photographs is a useful visual tool to help new knitters understand yarn placement. Additional sections on how to troubleshoot issues are quite helpful as well. VERDICT A fantastic introduction to knitting. Best suited for beginners.--Jacqueline Parascandola

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