General Knitting Reading List

A selection answering general enquiries on knitting and related crafts.

Knitting For Beginners:

• Bliss, Debbie. How To Knit. London: Collins & Brown, 1999.
• Dupernex, Alison. Knitting for the Absolute Beginner. Tunbridge Wells: Search Press, 2012.
• McNicol, Alison. How To Knit: A Complete Guide for Absolute Beginners. London: Kyle Craig, 2013.
• Patel, Aneeta. Knitty Gritty: Knitting for the Absolute Beginner. London: A & C Black, 2008.
• Stanley, Montse. The Handknitter’s Handbook. Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1986.
• Stoller, Debbie. Stitch ‘n Bitch Handbook: Instructions, Patterns, and Advice for a New Generation of Knitters. New York: Workman Publishing, 2003.
• Walton, Sally. Teach Yourself Knitting. London: Teach Yourself Books, 2006.

Knitting Reference & Manuals:

• Blacker, Sue. Pure Wool: A Knitter’s Guide to Using Single-breed Yarns. London: A & C Black, 2012.
• Brant, Sharon. Ultimate Knitting Bible: A Complete Reference with Step-by-step Techniques. London: Collins & Brown, 2008.
• Crompton, Claire. The Knitter’s Bible: The Complete Handbook for Creative Knitters. Newton Abbott: David & Charles, 2004.
• Guagliumi, Susan Fletcher. Hand Knits by Machine: The Ultimate Guide for Hand and Machine Knitters. CreateSpace, 2014.
• Hiatt, June Hemmons. The Principles of Knitting : methods and techniques of hand knitting. New York: Touchstone, 2012.
• Norbury, James. The Penguin Knitting Book. London: Penguin, 2014.
• Parkes, Clara. The Knitter’s Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn. New York: Potter Craft, 2009.
• Parkes, Clara. The Knitter’s Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn. New York: Potter Craft, 2007.
• Patmore, Frederica and Haffenden, Vikki. The Knitting Book. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2011.
• Radcliffe, Margaret. The Knowledgeable Knitter. North Adams: Storey Publishing, 2014.
• Stanley, Montse. The Handknitter’s Handbook. Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1986.
• Thomas, Mary. Mary Thomas’s Knitting Book. New York: Dover Publications, 1972 (reprint of 1938 edition).

Knitting Stitches:

• Crompton, Claire. Stitch Library: Over 200 Stitches for Knitters of All Abilities. Newton Abbott: David & Charles, 2010.
• Potter Craft. 400 Knitting Stitches: A Complete Dictionary of Essential Stitch Patterns. New York: Potter Craft, 2009.
• Thomas, Mary. Mary Thomas’s Book of Knitting Patterns. New York: Dover Publications, 1972 (reprint of 1943 edition) .
• Walker, Barbara. A Treasury of Knitting Patterns. London: Pitman, 1968.
• Walker, Barbara. A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns. New York: Scribner, 1970.

Knitting Design:

• Brown, Carol. Knitwear Design. London: Laurence King, 2013.
• Ellen, Alison. The Handknitter’s Design Book: A Practical Guide to Creating Beautiful Knitwear. Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1992.
• Ellen, Alison. Knitting: Colour, Structure and Design. Ramsbury: Crowood Press, 2011.
• Kinder, Kathleen. Machine and Hand Knitting: Pattern Design. London: Batsford, 1990.
• Melville, Sally. Knitting Pattern Essentials: Adapting and Drafting Knitting Patterns for Great Knitwear. Potter Craft, 2013.
• Nabney, Janet. Designing Garments on the Knitting Machine. London: Batsford, 1991.
• Paden-Bernstein, Shirley. Knitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits. Loveland: Interweave, 2012.
• Rose, Cirilia. Magpies, Homebodies, and Nomads: A Modern Knitter’s Guide to Discovering and Exploring Style. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2014.
• Sissons, Juliana, Knitwear: basics fashion design 6. Lausanne, AVA Academia, 2010.
• Stanley, Montse. Knitting Your Own Designs for a Perfect Fit. Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1982 (also issued by HarperCollins as ‘Creating and Knitting Your Own Designs’) .

Knitting & Colour:

• Christofferson, Britt. Pop Knitting. Loveland: Interweave, 2012.
• Ford, Felicity. The Knitsonik Stranded Colourwork Sourcebook. KNITSONIK, 2014.
• Radcliffe, Margaret. The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques. North Adams: Storey Publishing, 2008.
• Swansen, Meg and Detjen, Amy. Knitting with Two Colors: Techniques for Stranded Knitting and Designing Color-Patterned Garments. Pittsville: Schoolhouse Press, 2011.

Knitting Traditions:

• Bøhn, Annichen Sibbern. Norwegian Knitting Designs. Oslo: Grondahl & Son, 1965.
• Bush, Nancy. Folk Knitting in Estonia: A Garland of Symbolism, Tradition and Technique. Loveland: Interweave Press, 1999.
• Bush, Nancy. Folk Socks. Loveland: Interweave Press, 1994.
• Davies, Kate. Yokes. Kate Davies Designs, 2014.
• Don, Sarah. Fair Isle Knitting. London: Bell & Hyman, 1984.
• Druchunas, Donna. Arctic Lace: Knitting Projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska’s Native Knitters. Lerwick: Nomad Press, 2006.
• Epstein, Nicky. Knitting on Top of the World: The Global Guide to Traditions, Techniques and Design. New York: Sixth & Spring, 2008.
• Gibson-Roberts, Priscilla. Knitting in the Old Way. Fort Collins: Nomad Press, 2004.
• Gibson-Roberts, Priscilla. Ethnic Socks and Stockings: A Compendium of Eastern Design and Technique. Sioux Falls: XRX Books, 1995.
• Harrell, Betsey. Anatolian Knitting Designs. Istanbul: Redhouse Press, 1981.
• Keele, Wendy. Poems Of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition. Loveland: Interweave, 1995.
• Khmeleva, Galina and Noble, Carol R. Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls. Loveland: Interweave Press, 1998.
• Klift-Tellegen, Henriette Van Der. Knitting From the Netherlands: Traditional Dutch Fishermen’s Sweaters. New York: Dryad Press, 1987.
• Jonsdottir, Vedis. Knitting with Icelandic Wool. New York: St Martins, 2013.
• LeCount, Cynthia Gravelle. Andean Folk Knitting: Traditions and Techniques from Peru and Bolivia. Saint Paul: Dos Tejedoras Fiber Arts Publications, 1990.
• Lind, Vibeke. Knitting in the Nordic tradition. Asheville: Lark Books, 1984.
• Lovick, Elizabeth, ed. Centenary Stitches: Telling the story of one WW1 family through vintage knitting and crochet. Flotta: Northern Lace Press, 2014.
• Lovick, Elizabeth. The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting: Stitches, Techniques, and Projects for Lighter-Than-Air Shawls & More. Tunbridge Wells: Search Press, 2013.
• Magnússon, Hélène. Icelandic Handknits: 25 Heirloom Techniques and Projects. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press, 2013.
• McGregor, Sheila. Traditional Fair Isle Knitting. New York: Dover, 2003.
• McGregor, Sheila. Traditional Scandinavian Knitting. New York: Dover, 2004.
• Miller, Sharon. Heirloom Knitting – A Shetland Lace Knitter’s Pattern and Work Book. Lerwick: Shetland Times, 2002.
• Nerjordet, Arne and Zachrison, Carlos. Knitting Scandinavian Style. Tunbridge Wells: Search Press, 2014.
• Shea, Terri. Selbuvotter: Biography of a Knitting Tradition. Seattle: Spinningwheel, 2007.
• Starmore, Alice. Alice Starmore’s Book of Fair Isle Knitting. New York: Dover, 2009.
• Starmore, Alice. Aran Knitting. New York: Dover, 2010.
• Sowerby, Jane. Victorian Lace Today. Sioux Falls: XRX books, 2006.
• Taylor, Rita. A Stitch in Time: Heirloom Knitting Skills. Tunbridge Wells: Search Press, 2013.
• Thompson, Gladys. Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys and Arans. New York: Dover, 1971.
• Threads Editors. Knitting Around the World. Newtown: Taunton Press, 1993.
• Upitis, Lizbeth. Latvian Mittens: Traditional Designs & Techniques. Pittsville: Schoolhouse Press, 1997.
• Waller, Jane. Knitting Fashions of the 1940s: Styles, Patterns and History. Ramsbury: Crowood Press, 2006.
• Waller, Jane and Crawford, Susan. A Stitch in Time Volume 1: Vintage Knitting & Crochet Patterns 1920-1949. Southport: Arbour House, 2008.
• Waterman, Martha. Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls. Loveland: Interweave, 1993.
• Wiseman, Nancie. Lace from the Attic. Loveland: Interweave, 1998.
• Wright, Mary. Cornish Guernseys and Knit-frocks. Penzance: Alison Hodge, 1979.
• Zilboorg, Anna. Simply Socks: 45 Traditional Turkish Patterns to Knit. Asheville: Lark Books, 2001.

Miscellaneous Knitting:

• Bernard, Juliet, ed. The Knitter – Knitting Masterclass. London: Collins & Brown, 2013.
• Black, Sandy. Knitwear In Fashion. London: Thames and Hudson, 2002.
• Epstein, Nicky. Knitting Reimagined. New York: Potter Craft, 2014.
• Fassett, Kaffe. Glorious Knitting. London: Ebury Press, 1985.
• Fougner, David. The Manly Art of Knitting. Berkeley: Gingko Press, 2007.
• Gschwandtner, Sabrina. KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects From Knitting’s New Wave. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2007
• Hemmings, Jessica. In the Loop: Knitting Now. London: Black Dog Publishing, 2010.
• Hood, Ann. Knitting Yarns – Writers on Knitting. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.
• Lee, Ruth. Contemporary Knitting For Textile Artists. London: Anova, 2007.
• Menkes, Suzi. The Knitwear Revolution. London: Bell & Hyman, 1983.
• Modesitt, Annie. Confessions of a Knitting Heretic. St Paul: ModeKnit Press, 1995.
• Pearl-McPhee, Stephanie. Knitting Rules! North Adams: Storey Publishing, 2006.
• Phillips, Mary Walker. Creative Knitting: A New Art Form. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
• Rutt, Richard. A History of Handknitting. London: Batsford, 1987.
• Searle, Karen. Knitting Art: 150 Innovative Works from 18 Contemporary Artists: Expanding the Boundaries of Knitting. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press, 2008.
• Spencer, David. Knitting Technology: A Comprehensive Handbook and Practical Guide to Modern Day Principles and Practices. Sawston: Woodhead Publishing, 2010.
• Stanley, Montse. Simply Fabulous Knitting. Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 2006 (compilation of previously published writings).
• Tellier-Loumagne, Françoise. The Art of Knitting: Inspirational Stitches, Textures and Surfaces. London: Thames & Hudson, 2005.
• Udale, Jenny. Fashion Knitwear. London: Laurence King, 2014.
• Zimmermann, Elizabeth. Knitting Without Tears. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1972.

Crochet:

• Bojczuk, Claire. Crochet Unravelled: A Clear and Concise Guide to Learning Crochet. South Ockendon: Pottage Publishing, 2013.
• Eaton, Jan. Compendium of Crochet Techniques. Tunbridge Wells: Search Press, 2008.
• Grabowski, Angela. The Encyclopedia of Tunisian Crochet. Abilene: LoneStar Publishing, 2006.
• Hazell, Sarah. 200 Crochet Stitches: A Practical Guide with Actual-size Swatches, Charts and Step-by-step Instructions. Tunbridge Wells: Search Press, 2013.
• Hubert, Margaret. The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet: All You Need to Know to Crochet. Minneapolis: Creative Publishing International, 2014.
• Kagan, Sasha. Crochet Inspiration. New York: Sixth & Spring, 2010.
• Kooler, Donna. Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Crochet. Little Rock: Leisure Arts, 2011.
• Leinhauser, Jean and Weiss, Rita. The Big Book of Crochet Stitches. Bothell: Martingale & Company, 2014.
• McNicol, Alison. How To Crochet: A Complete Guide for Absolute Beginners. London: Kyle Craig Publishing, 2013.
• Paludan, Liz. Crochet: History and Technique. Loveland: Interweave, 1995.
• Schapper, Linda. The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs. Asheville: Lark Books, 2012.
• Treanor, Máire. Clones Lace: the Story and Patterns of an Irish Crochet. Mercier Press: Cork, 2002.
• Whiting, Sue. The Crochet Bible: The Complete Handbook for Creative Crochet. Newton Abbott: David & Charles, 2007.

Sprang and Nalbinding (Nålbinding, Nalbindning, Naalbinding, Nailbinding, Needlebinding…):

• Collingwood, Peter. The Techniques of Sprang: Plaiting on Stretched Threads. Guilford: The Lyons Press, 1999.
• [Anne Marie Haymes writing as] Briansdotter, Sigrid. Nålbinding: The Åsle Mitten Stitch: An Instruction Manual. Snohomish: Tangle Fairies, 2000.
• [Anne Marie Haymes writing as] Briansdotter, Sigrid. Nalbinding Made Easy. Snohomish: Tangle Fairies, 2004.
• James, Carol. Sprang Unsprung: An Illustrated Guide To Interlinking, Interlacing And Intertwining. Winnipeg: SashWeaver 2011.
• Kliot, Jules. Sprang Language & Techniques. Berkeley: Lacis Publications, 2002.
• Overby, Marianne. Nålebinding. Copenhagen: Books On Demand, 2014.
• Skowronski, Hella and Mary Reddy. Sprang: Thread Twisting, A Creative Textile Technique. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1974.

The Knitting History Reading List has further books and articles on the history of knitting and similar non-woven textiles. Our Knitting History Forum Resources page has website links, conference papers and other information which may also be of interest.

Compiled by I N Eliatamby. Additional material contributed by L A O’Connell Edwards.