Book suggestions?

[rainne]

I have a couple of extra nickels to spend on knitting books, and I'm interested in your suggestions. I'm especially interested in books that provide a variety of different kinds of patterns, not just "book of cardigans" or similar, if that makes sense.

Thanks in advance!

Comments

[synecdochic]

I'm fond of Mason-Dixon Knitting for "loads of different stuffs". Or, you could go for a few of the Barbara Walker treasury books of stitches, and plug them into free patterns available :)

[rainne]

Thanks Rah! Will check them out.

[untonuggan]

I like designing my own patterns more than following other peoples', or at least messing with other peoples', and I second a copy of Barbara Walker and Elizabeth Zimmerman for doing so. (Elizabeth Zimmerman shows you, say, how to do a basic spoked shawl construction and says you can put whatever designs you want in between the increases...then you can use Barbara Walker to pick the design you want.) If that's not your style they're both still really entertaining reads, and you can use Barbara Walker for scarves and dishcloths ad infinitum.

[starfish]

Also Elizabeth Zimmerman's books have many different types of things, and are generally fun to read as well.

[indeliblesasha]

I second the Walker recommendation. Particularly the Learn To Knit Afghan Book. I'm working my way through it right now and having a blast doing instant-gratification style blocks in just about every pattern under the sun.

The Twenty Most Popular Knits from Knitscene

[jazzypom]

The link is here.

ETA, I should tell you why, huh? They do have the most popular patterns going (the Central Park Hoodie, and the geodisc cardigan for two). There's a mix of accessories, like the ubiquitous sock patterns.

Wendy Bernard's Custom Knits Accessories isn't a bad book. There are a mix of patterns, for hats, legwarmers, scarves, shawls, etc.

[woolychicken]

I will second EZ's books and also stitch dictionaries. Another recommendation if you like making socks is "Sensational Knitted Socks" since she gives you the basic pattern and four or more different stitch patterns to plug in plus charts for using different yarn weights. I find it helpful for figuring out how best to sub other things in too since then you have a good basic template.