Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting

For prison use.

With such great reviews, I was hopeful that I could finally learn how to knit, but turns out that this book wasn't much help at all!I got all the things needed, so I could start this process. I turned to Chapter Two, titled "Basic Techniques," and learned to make a slipknot. Easy peasy. Next was to learn to cast on. With the descriptions of each casting on method, I was able to do the backward-loop cast on method (aka simple cast-on method), but according to Sharon Turner, she said "[i]t doesn't, however, create a tidy edge" (15). Okay, let's try the other ones (long-tail cast-on, knit cast-on, cable cast on, and provisional cast-on). I couldn't do anything of it because 1) the directions are awkwardly written and 2) the pictures weren't no help.For example, trying to learn the knit cast-on, it says, "put a slipknot on your needle, holding this needle in your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand, insert the right needle into the stitch from front to back, as if to knit" (18). What does that even mean? The picture look confusing. I inserted the right needle into the stitch on the left needle, but what does it mean "from front to back, as if to knit"? It doesn't make sense to me. AT ALL."From front to back" Huh?"As if to knit." I'm a beginner, and I don't know what Sharon Turner means by "as if to knit." Like is there a special move I have to do this. What does she mean? I'm confused. And English is my first language.Due to the poorly written instructions and the useless pictures, I was unable to do the other cast-on methods. I was only able to do the backward loop cast-on. I really did try following Turner's directions, but I only ended up frustrated trying to get to what it supposed to like in the pictures provided.Now learning how to do actual knit stitch... First, I tried "How to Knit Using the English Method" on pages 24 and 26. The first three steps were easy. But then when I tried step 4, I came up empty when I tried to "pull the needle toward the front, bringing the new loop of yarn you just wrapped around it through the stitch on needle, and slip the old stitch off the left needle. I tried and I tried and I tried, and nada. And I stare at the pictures, but I didn't end up like the one in the pictures. These pictures were supposed to show how to knit, step by step. But I find them unhelpful.So, I decided to try the continental method on pages 28 and 29, but once I hit Step 3, I was confused. When author Sharon Turner instructed "[u]se your left forefinger to wrap yarn around the right needle from front to back" does she mean to wrap counterclockwise or clockwise? And I see step four, read it four to five times, as I looked back and forth between the instructions and the pictures provided, and I was just left confused. Why can't there be a troubleshooting question on why I keep undoing my cast-on stitch instead of actually making a knit stitch. I don't get what I'm doing wrong.I bought this book because of the high ratings, but I find myself not being able to even to master the basic techniques provided by the author. And I'm terribly disappointed. I wasted money on a book that doesn't have well-written instructions and unhelpful pictures. And probably better off researching how to knit on the Internet.

When I start any new hobby or project, I always research (a lot). I just try to hit the learning curve with avengence rather than flub around for years. I bought Nici McNally's DVD to actually learn to knit as lessons are not available in my area. I was super pleased with it as a way to get going and knit your first few projects. She even includes patterns and some finishing tips and instuction on fixing mistakes. You can get rolling with that alone. But then, I bought several knitting reference books. I think you will find, once you branch out from basics, you are going to come upon terms and instructions that leave you with the deer in the headlights look! Of all the books I purchased, this one is (in my opinon) the best reference. The diagrams are the most clear that I have seen. That's not to say I don't Google YouTube for a short video occasionally to see a technique, but the information is quite good. The book covers a lot of useful material, in addition to being colorful and inspiring. There may be a better book out there for you "go-to encyclopedia" but I haven't seen it (yet?) If I had to just keep one book for my knitting reference, it would definitely be this one. And by the way, one of the wonderful things is the section on modifiable patterns for hats and things. If you can't find the exact pattern you want and are brave, even as a beginner, you will find you can do a bit of your own original design work. I especially loved that section!

Everyone has already said everything there is to say about this book: clear instructions, great pictures, and overall just a great book to learn by. I especially like the master patterns in the back.Two small pointers from things that I DID have problems with:1. When swapping between knitted stitches and purled stitches, you need to move the yarn from back to front BETWEEN the needle points. Either this wasn't explained clearly, or it was just really obvious to everyone else. In any case, learn from my mistake.2. When estimating gauge for hats (which is really all I've been knitting so far), it's best to stretch out your gauge swatch a bit (for example, making your gauge 4 stitches per inches instead of 5). The amount of stitches for different hat sizes given in the master plan came out exact...however, knitted hats are supposed to be stretchy and fit snug. If they fit the exact circumference of your head without being stretched a little, then they feel to loose. When it doubt, I'd either knit for one size down, or knit for the right size but for a larger gauge.Anyway, overall I found this to be an easy book to follow and a great intro to various kinds of knitting. I have also bought Circular Knitting by the same author, since I seem to prefer circular knitting so far and would like to learn a few more basic patterns besides hats.

I loved this full version so much that I bought the Quick Tips version for taking along with me when I'm on the go. The full sized book works for so many questions, techniques and definitions. This style just speaks to me in a way that works for the way I'm learning to knit, which is Continental. Not that many books really tell you both the English and Continental versions of the knit and purl stitch, but this book does.This book covers a lot of topics that I'd have to pay a lot of money to learn if I had to pay a person at my local yarn shop to teach me. AND the book is available 24 hours a day whenever I need it. I have several Teach Yourself Visually and Visual Quick Tip books and I'm very happy with them on a wide range of topics. You can't go wrong if you need more than just words sometimes to help you grasp a subject.

I borrowed this book from our library. I keep ending up with a loop between stitches, and because I didn't know how to search a remedy. I turned the page and thr was a photo of my loop. I bought myself a copy! Awesome colour photos showing very detailed fixes!

Too basic for me so I gave it a friend who is learning to knit.

A good book for beginners. Clear instructions and well organized though I miss selvedges chapter. Basic knitting design concepts are a plus to this book // Buen libro para principiantes. Las explicaciones son muy claras y está muy organizado aunque echo de menos un capítulos sobre puntos de orillo. La información básica sobre diseño en punto le da más valor

Really good quality publication.Combination of words and pictures taking you through how to knit.Easy to follow and transfer skills to patterns

a great book for learning and reference. I recommend all of the "Teach yourself Visually" for knitting, Crochet and Circular Knitting. Purchase and delivery went well without any issues.