The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges Spiral-bound – June 14, 2002

I have been knitting for a year and a half and consider myself to be intermediate. How I wish this book had been available when I was first learning! Like most new knitters, I had very definate ideas on what I was going to knit but patterns do not always match imagination so I was sometimes stuck knitting from patterns that were not quite what I wanted.In the introduction to the book, the author voices the exact same feelings, there is a need for just plain patterns. They are needed by beginners, fans of novelty yarns and for gifts when the recipient is conservative. For the most part, this book delivers.It should be noted that other books have been written on multi-sizes/gauges for sweaters but this is the first book I have seen that is also dedicated to hats, scarves, gloves, mittens and socks. I particularly liked the basic tam pattern (something I searched high and low for as a beginner) There is a breakdown of how different decreasing methods will change the look of the tam and various ways to make the hatband. This is just one example of how useful this book is.Now for the not so good bits. The sweater section is skimpier than I had hoped. There is only one sleeve option (set-in, I believe) and the sweater does not offer many shaping options. However, it is a marvelous canvas for color or cables though I do not suggest this tweaking for an absolute beginner. Be sure to read through the author's suggestions before undertaking a color/cable project.(A quick suggestion to a beginner: read the charts very carefully and follow the authors advise to copy the page you are using and circle the numbers you will need, it makes life so much easier when knitting from number charts)This is a great book for a beginner and great for a knitter with a large stash of "leftovers". (ahem, not me, honest) Armed with this book, I now plan to make matching hats, mittens and socks for my sweaters. This book is almost essential and I would recommend it to any knitter of any skill level.

The perfect pattern book for beginner to intermediate knitters. Each item pattern has sizing from baby to large adult. It's laid out very well.

Ever try to find a mitten pattern? Just a plain old mitten pattern? One without funky cuffs, intarsia patterns? It was this quest that led me to this book. On a cold January, I wanted to knit myself a pair of thick woollen mittens, with extra long cuffs and shorter than normal thumbs (my thumbs are unusually short for my hands, so finding gloves or mittens with a proper thumb size is hard).This book not only has basic mitten patterns -- it also has gloves, hats, tams, socks, and some basic sweaters (she now has a Handy Book of Sweater Patterns I bought as soon as I found it). At first, the charts seem daunting, but it's actually quite easy to use. Just knit a swatch using the yarn and needles you want to use for the project, then count your stitches per inch. That's the number on one side of the chart. The upper section of the chart is for the various sizes -- and she includes a wide variety of sizes to suit many needs. For example, the basic hats include sizes from premature infants to adult men's hats. Just follow the chart section for your gauge and the size, and you end up with something that's exactly what you expected.I made two pairs of mittens, one for myself and one for my husband. I've made a preemie hat and a newborn hat so far, and plan to do an adult hat.Each section also has a variety of ideas on how to personalize the item and make it to your tastes. For example, the hats include a variety of edge styles and hat toppers, with instructions on how to add these to your pattern.For beginners to advanced knitters, this book is a must-have for foolproof basics.

This book delivers what the title promises. There are patterns for making basic garments in a range of gauges and sizes. This is not a book full of different, new, or funky patterns. They are very basic, allowing you to use the yarn and needles that you desire. So, if you wish you could just find a basic hat, mitten, glove, scarf, vest, or sweater pattern, this book is for you. If you are looking for something with a lot of new designs, you will be disappointed. I give the book 4 stars, because I feel that it is a bit pricey for the size of the book. But, other than that, it is a good addition to your knitting library.

I bought this book because several (more than 3) of my favorite knitting teachers gave it heavy recommendations, saying that this is a valuable permanent reference book they still use. It is a slim spiral bound volume that delivers the promised information & no more or less. There are basic simple garments, with all of the pertinent figures and directions for tailoring to taste or fit. This is a guide to personalizing patterns, so they never become outdated or inappropriate for fit.

My very favorite resource for basic knitting patterns. Purchased as a replacement for my original copy which is falling apart from frequent use!