Knitting books are so inspirational. They make you want to grab some yarn and knitting needles and get knitting.
I love knitting as it gives me a chance to enjoy a different type of book that’s functional and practical. One to help me create something.
Sometimes just sifting through the beautiful photography of the fabulous knitted designs is enough.
Here are the results of my Knitting Books and Magazines research.
Knitting Books Inspire and Delight!
There are heaps of knitting books covering knitting patterns, knitting help, knitting stitches, knitting techniques, and tutorials. Most with stunning photography.
The best knitting books can guide you a project you’re tackling. Great for inspiration on what to knit next.
Every knitter needs a knitting library. Having the best knitting books on your bookshelf or in your e-reader library is essential.
I’ve read suggestions from top bloggers and sifted through 5-star reviews.
Here is a list for you based on many hours of research.
Table of Contents
- The Best Knitting Books
- What Are The Best Knitting Magazines?
- What Are The Best Sock Knitting Books?
- What Are The Best Japan Knitting Books?
- What Are The Best Lace Knitting Books?
- What Is The Best Knitting Book?
- What Are The Best Knitting Books for Beginners?
- What Are The Best Baby Knitting Books?
- What Is The Best Brioche Knitting Book?
- What Are The Best Finger Knitting Books?
The Best Knitting Books
These books will be cherished and have pride of place on your bookshelves. A fabulous addition to a knitter’s resource library.
Find instructions on techniques, stitches, and methods for honing your craft.
Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Wonderful hints, tips, and great humor from the author. Elizabeth Zimmermann is well known in the knitting community. Her knowledge and skill led her to write many helpful instructional books.
She revolutionized the modern practice of knitting.
This book helps to decipher what looks like a foreign language with all the knitting terms. Understand reading patterns.
Learn the basics of knitting, including knitting with two colors.
Also, discover Elizabeth’s Percentage System (EPS) for sweater design, yoke-style sweaters, drop-shoulder sweaters, and knitting garter stitch, lace, arans, guernseys, and fair isles.
Lots of useful, adaptable, fun to knit patterns for you to try when learning to knit. You may also like the famous surprise ‘baby jacket’ pattern. Learn the fundamentals of knitting & designing.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon
Stitch ‘n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook by Debbie Stoller
Something for everyone, whether you are a beginner knitter, intermediate or advanced. This book has something to suit all abilities.
There are 40 fun projects included, and it also covers plenty of handy skills and tips for learning how to knit.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonKnitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes by Elizabeth Zimmermann
An introduction to designing sweaters. Learn how to create sweaters to fit anybody, with any yarn. The book is full of practical tips and tricks for improving your knitting.
Full of skill building with ways to create your patterns.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonVogue Knitting The Ultimate Knitting Book: Completely Revised by Editors Of Vogue Knitting
Completely updated, the new version has 65 extra pages and heaps of photos and tutorials. This knitting book includes how-tos, knitting methods, circular and flat knitting.
Includes cast on and bind off techniques, lace, cables, brioche, and more. Covers tools to use and correcting mistakes. Written in a clear and easy to follow manner. Suitable for beginners to advanced knitters.
The basics of knitting are all here.
- Fibers and knitting tools, casting on, binding off.
- English and Continental knitting style.
- Increases, decreases, and joining yarns.
- Knitting gauge, knitting charts, and symbols.
- Knitting in the round, fixing mistakes, and finishing techniques.
“Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn’t hurt the untroubled spirit either.”
― Elizabeth Zimmermann
Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann
This knitting book provides a rough framework for a variety of knitting projects. It teaches you about design choices and techniques. It’s a very readable and fun book due to the author’s fabulous writing ability.
Suitable for advanced knitters wanting to further their designs and creativity.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonThe Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt
This knitting book includes how-tos, knitting methods, circular and flat knitting. Includes decorative techniques plus so much more. Written in a clear and easy to follow manner. Suitable for beginners to advanced knitters.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonVogue Knitting The Ultimate Knitting Book by Vogue Knitting Magazine Editors
2002 Second Edition. This knitting book includes how-tos, knitting methods, circular and flat knitting. Includes decorative techniques plus so much more. Written in a clear and easy to follow manner.
Suitable for beginners to advanced knitters. Everything you want to learn about knitting. The information contained in this book helps you to become a better knitter.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonAran Knitting by Alice Starmore
Discusses the history and traditions of Aran Knitting with wonderful patterns. Many knitters love Alice Starmore’s designs. The designs are detailed and intricate.
Beautifully detailed patterns for men and women. The cable designs are interesting and varied. You will also learn about a brief history of Aran.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon
You Can Knit That by Amy Herzog
A clear, simple reference book and pattern collection that covers sweater-making. Suitable for those knitting a sweater for the first time or those looking to expand your skills to knit sweaters in styles you’ve never tried before.
Sweater patterns that you will love to knit.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon200 Fair Isle Designs by Mary Jane Mucklestone
Fair Isle knitting looks complicated, but it needn’t be. Mary Jane Mucklestone’s book steps you through how to knit using the stranded colorwork technique. This book suits beginners to more advanced knitters.
- an actual-size photograph of the design
- black and white chart
- color chart, a color variation chart
- suggested all-over repeat chart for each of the 200 motifs.
The Knitter’s Book of Wool by Clara Parkes
Clara Parkes, an authority in the knitting industry, writes about nine different types of wool. The book discusses her lifelong love of wool. The Book covers her experience with spinning, knitting, and observing wool.
This book helps knitters understand how wool behaves and covers the use of different yarns in knitting. Packed full of information and a super interesting read.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon
A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara Walker
This knitting book has crystal-clear instructions and explanations. Easy for anyone to follow. Many of the designs are quite simple, and any beginner could do them without too much difficulty.
There are enough designs in this book to please the beginner knitter. Also, for the most experienced knitter looking for a challenge.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonA Stitch in Time Volume 1 by Susan Crawford & Jane Waller
For those of you who love vintage knitting patterns. Included in this book are knitting and crochet patterns for women, from the period 1920 to 1949.
The authors’ passion for vintage knitting shines through. The designs are gorgeous.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonThe Knowledgeable Knitter by Margaret Radcliffe
This knitting book answers many questions about the art of knitting. Topics covered:
- Patterns, Yarns, and needles
- Planning projects, modifying a pattern
- Shaping and fitting, borders and embellishment, plus more.
The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd
Includes basic knitting patterns for different projects, including – sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, and socks.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonThe Knitting Answer Book by Margaret Radcliffe
This guide contains an overview of some of the more common problems a knitter faces. Excellent for beginner knitters, but more advanced knitters will also find it helpful.
This book takes the guesswork out of problem-solving in knitting and guides you to be a better knitter.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonThe Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes
This informative book of yarn makes things much clearer. It helps in making wiser yarn choices!. The author explores the qualities of different plys of yarn. Each section of the book includes patterns.
The patterns showcase the best qualities of each type of yarn. One book for yarn lovers.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon55 Christmas Balls to Knit by Carlos Zachrison and Arne Nerjordet
Full of quick and easy knitting patterns for the festive season. Arne and Carlos translate traditional Scandinavian knitwear designs into individual patterns perfect for holiday décor.
Hand knitted items to suit both beginners and experts alike. You’ll find step-by-step instructions, how-to tips, and full-color photos of great knitting ideas.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonAlterKnit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel
Stranded colorwork with a modern twist. Explore the 200 motifs derived from graphic design elements and colorwork charts.
Learn how stranded colorwork can be used in design with five accompanying projects, including mitts, cowls, and sweaters.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonHarry Potter: Knitting Magic by Tanis Gray
The first official Harry Potter knitting book. Create over 25 authentic Harry Potter knits based on iconic films. Tanis Gray is a wonderful designer, and if you have Harry Potter fans in your life, this knitting book is for you.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonSeamless Knit Sweaters in 2 Weeks by Marie Greene
Marie Greene’s twenty gorgeous seamless knit patterns make knitting a sweater simple.
If you’ve ever struggled to complete a pullover or been too intimidated to start a cardigan, these seamless, top-down designs will change the way you think about sweaters. Some of the sweaters are sure to be your favorites.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon
What Is The Best Knitting Book?
A knitting book needs to be
- super helpful
- simple to understand
- illustrated either with drawings/photographs
- easy to read
Based on these criteria, I’ve sorted through hundreds of knitting books. The best one is Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.
What Are The Best Knitting Magazines?
Do you love to sit down, grab a cuppa and sift through glossy magazines Knitting Magazines?
Many Knitting Magazines have a fabulous assortment of patterns. Containing both quick and longer projects to work on.
Included are knitting tips and tricks. With articles about the latest products and trends.
Some knitting magazines are available to read on your tablet with IOS and Android Apps.
Knitting Magazines in print and the best knitting magazines online are below.
Best Knitting Magazines (Print)
Vogue Knitting
The Vogue Knitting magazine has been providing people with knitting inspiration for decades. With 5 issues per year, there is plenty of knitting inspiration to keep you happy all year.
Vogue Knitting Magazine offers printed and digital versions. Digital versions are via their IOS and Android Apps.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonThe Knitter
For experienced knitters or those looking for a challenge. There are 13 issues published over the course of a year.
Each issue has more than 12 patterns to try. Masterclasses cover techniques to build on knitters’ confidence and ability.
Simply Knitting
A knitting magazine for all levels of knitting ability. Includes gorgeous patterns for garments.
Knitting patterns for the home and an exclusive toy pattern in each issue. Available in both print and digital forms.
Interweave Knits
Full of fabulous patterns, interviews with yarn enthusiasts, and tricks and tips to improve your knitting.
Best Knitting Magazines (Online)
Knitty, an online knitting magazine, has been going since 2002. It has heaps of fun patterns. Talented designers with video tutorials, contests, and cool stuff to explore.
The Twist Collective
After 10 years of online publication and supporting independent designers, The Twist Collective’s last issue was September 2018.
Tangled Magazine
Another online Knitting magazine started back in 2010. It has since stopped publishing online.
Petite Purls
Online Knitting Magazine gave readers fabulous content over the years. They closed their virtual doors at the end of 2014.
Knit Circus
Online Knitting Magazine editions ran until 2012. When the online pattern world became too crowded, the Knit Circus team changed focus. Now focusing on hand dyed-yarns.
What Are The Best Knitting Books For Beginners?
Are you looking to start your first knitting project? Trying to find the best knitting books for beginners can be overwhelming. You want to find the best book to learn knitting.
There are a serious amount of knitting books for beginners on the market. I’ve got a list of the best knitting book for beginners of the best below.
Knitting Gritty – Knitting for The Absolute Beginner
This book is like having a wise and encouraging knitting teacher sitting by your side. Includes tips, techniques, and encouraging words. All to help you along in your knitting journey. Basic patterns to try, such as hat patterns.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonKnitting Rules! by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
General guidelines for creating a variety of knit garments and accessories. The author instructs by mixing humor with her vast knowledge of knitting short-cuts.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon
What Are The Best Sock Knitting Books?
It seems that sock knitting can become addictive. There are an enormous amount of sock knitting pattern books.
There seems no end to the number of creative designs and stitches.
When looking for the best sock knitting books, you need to consider your knitting ability If you’ve never knitted socks, I’ve got you covered.
Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd
A handbook to help navigate what seems like difficult knitting. Filled with photographs and helpful illustrations. Ensures that both beginner knitters and more advanced knitters can create gorgeous socks.
Plenty of tips and designs for sock knitting.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonThe Knitter’s Book of Socks by Clara Parkes
The Knitter’s Book of Socks talks about what makes a great sock. Learn about the importance of strength, elasticity, and wicking away moisture.
There are plenty of patterns included with fabulous designs and colorwork.
Some patterns are suitable for beginners with simple knit and purl combinations. It includes intricate and challenging designs with cables and delicate lace.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonSock Knitting Master Class by Ann Budd
Covering the skills of sock knitting construction top-down and toe-up construction. There are 17 wonderful sock patterns included with helpful instructional illustrations.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonToasty Toes: Socks for All Seasons by Knit Picks
12 fabulous toe-up patterns, one for each month. From the textured stitches of January’s Thermals Socks to the fancy florals of May’s Rose of Sharon Socks, to the evocative imagery of November’s Bare Bark Socks.
There’s something for every toe-up sock knitter.
Click To Learn More / Buy From KnitPicks
Sock Architecture by Laura Neal
This is an amazing resource! Great for both beginner knitters and those with more experience. Includes 17 designed patterns, most of them that cover 5 sizes.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonCustom Socks by Kate Atherley
Whether you knit them toe-up or top-down, getting just the right fit on hand knit socks can be a major challenge!
In this book, Kate Atherley teaches knitters the skills and tools they need to understand sock fit and knit a pair of socks that fit properly.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonFolk Socks by Nancy Bush
Good for the experienced sock knitter. A History of Socks, How to Knit a Sock, and Great Sock Patterns.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon“Knitters use knitting to value-add to the world.”
― Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
What Are The Best Baby Knitting Books?
Looking for adorable baby knits? Don’t miss these top-rated baby knitting books. Full of the cutest, softest, snug designs perfect for babies.
The Ultimate Book of Baby Knits
This baby knits collection includes:
- gorgeous baby blankets/afghans
- teddy bears, bootees
- a hooded wrap, snug duffel coat, and felted slippers.
It includes 50 contemporary designed projects. Featuring soft and snuggly wool, perfect for baby skin.
Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss
Excellent beginner knitters guide for knitting for babies. This baby knits book teaches the basic knitting steps and techniques. Included are 15 super-cute knitwear designs.
Designs for Bootees and blankets, beanie hat, sweater, and knitted baby shoes.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon
What Are The Best Japan Knitting Books?
For those of us who do not read Japanese, why would you buy a Japanese Knitting Book? Japan Knitting Books have beautiful photography of the finished knitted items.
Knitting is big in Japan! The good news is that Japan Knitting books work on a chart system. This is good to know for experienced knitters familiar with chart system knitting.
Japan knitting books open up a whole world of creativity with their fabulous designs.
Japanese patterns are different from the written patterns of European and Western countries. Japan Knitting Book includes charted patterns rather than written row-by-row.
There is an excellent tutorial by Twig and Horn on how to read Japanese Knitting Patterns. They have some fabulous Japan Knitting books in their online store.
Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible by Hitomi Shida
Original designs and variations on a huge range of classic stitches result in intricate patterns. This is the perfect book for the experienced knitter who is looking for new stitches that look incredible.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon
What Is The Best Brioche Knitting Book?
The Brioche stitch is a knitting technique, creating a reversible ribbed design. Perfect for sweaters, hats, and mittens. Some of the Brioche Knitting Books on the market cover gorgeous patterns.
The brioche stitch is not an easy one. It’s a challenge to learn and especially tricky as far as correcting errors. Expand your knitting repertoire and learn something new!
The Brioche stitch isn’t for the faint of heart or beginner. Unless one is a beginner who wants to take off running and accepts early disasters.
For a fabulous tutorial on brioche knitting, see Weekly Stitch’s easy to follow video.
Knitting Brioche by Nancy Marchant
Author Nancy Marchant provides a huge array of variations on the brioche stitch. Includes beautiful object patterns to get started, from simple to more challenging. The many pictures of the techniques and swatches are excellent.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonKnitting Brioche Stitch Socks by Barbara Sander
Great for easy to make socks that have wonderful warmth and comfort. Choose the right socks for you and take a look at inspiration ideas in this book. A mainstay in your knitting skills.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonKnitting Fresh Brioche Creating Two Color
A fabulous foundation for brioche knitting. Allows you to understand how to make brioche fabric. Enabling you to create your brioche patterns. Sharing knitting tips, projects, and adventures in knitting.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonReversible Knitting: 50 New, Groundbreaking Stitch Patterns
This book has a section on brioche knitting in 2 colors. Included are many other techniques for reversible knitting. Patterns for hats, scarves, socks, dresses, and sweaters.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonKnit One Below by Elyse Duvekot
The author presents her knit one below (K1B) technique with clear illustrations. The book includes gorgeous photos and detailed instructions. For beginner-beginners, it’s worth giving k1b a try.
The technique is interesting, and the results are charming. It doesn’t take much time to learn the technique and is easy to do.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonWhat Are The Best Lace Knitting Books?
Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush
The book begins with a brief history of knitting in Estonia. It describes traditional shawl design and techniques.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonA Gathering of Lace by Meg Swanson
Most of the projects are best suited to knitters with some experience with lace. The shawls featured in this book are stunning.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonWrapped in Lace by Margaret Stove
This is a challenging book, full of patterns to show off your skill as a lace knitter. A couple of patterns are suitable for beginners of lace knitting.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonHere are some other Lace Knitting Books to consider.
What Are The Best Finger Knitting Books?
Finger knitting is great fun. Let these books show you how!
Knitting Without Needles by Anne Weil
Great projects to create items for the home, gifts, scarves, blankets, and the cutest big bunny. Easy to follow instructions. Something to be aware of is that some of these projects take up a lot of yarn.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonFinger Knitting Fun by Vickie Howell
So much fun for kids 🙂 There are plenty of projects to interest kids. Very simple to follow directions and lots of good illustrations. From jewelry and wearable accessories to wall art, gifts, and room decorations.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonWhat Is The Best Rowan Knitting Book?
Rowan: 40 Years: 40 Iconic Hand-Knit Designs
Featuring popular knitwear designers as Kaffe Fassett, Martin Storey, Louisa Harding, and Sarah Hatton. It focuses on gorgeous sweaters, cardigans, wraps, and more.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonLooking For A Great Sweater Knitting Book?
Home and Away by Hannah Fettig
Beautiful and doable modern knitting patterns, lots of inspiration with beautiful photography.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonKnitting Book to Sharpen Your Skills
Building Blocks Knitting Book
A great way to sharpen your knitting skills by knitting the squares in this book. Learn to knit cables, bobbles, and how to knit from a chart.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonLoom Knitting
Big Book of Loom Knitting: Learn to Loom Knit
Easy to follow instructions, great pictures. Each project lists the items and supplies you will need. Tells you what to do each step of the way to master Loom Knitting.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonKnitted Dinosaurs by Tina Barrett
Patterns to knit cute cuddly knitted dinosaurs from scratch in Tina Barrett’s Knitted Dinosaurs book.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonFriday Night Knitting Club
A fun, light-hearted read. No knitting needles or yarn required. Friday Night Knitting Club is a light read and a bit of fun. As a knitter, this story will resonate.
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonPlenty of great knitting books to start or add to your knitting resource library.
I know you’ll find something to put on your bookshelf or add to your e-reader 🙂 Enjoy all the fabulous new knitting projects and new-found knowledge.
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I love the Vogue Knitting book, it has been my knitting bible for years and I love the newest edition. They’ve made it even easier to follow the steps. Highly recommended.
Thanks so much Grace for your recommendation. I’ve included it in my list. Cheers Jodie 🙂
Has anyone experienced using the Japanese Stitch Bible? I worry that I won’t be able to understand it.
Hi Peta, the Japanese Stitch Bible is indeed a wealth of information and has some gorgeous stitch patterns. The patterns are all charted, so you will need to take your time, understanding what each symbol means. I’ve had a look and found I can follow the instructions on the charts and there are very helpful pictures. Cheer Jodie
What book would you recommend for a beginner knitter? I don’t want something too difficult.
Hi Cindy. I know the feeling when you are starting out that you just want simple instructions. Knitting Gritty – Knitting for The Absolute Beginner will walk a new knitter through all the basics of learning the stitches. How to read a pattern and even how to fix mistakes. It includes detailed, color pictures and helpful tips. 🙂 Jodie
I personally learned to knit with Stitch N Bitch. The instructions are very easy to learn from in Debbie’s book and her patterns are fun and diverse.
That’s wonderful to hear about your experience with learning to knit with Debbie’s book; Stitch N Bitch. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Jodie
Is there a really great book for learning stranded knitting, floats and the best way to do them? I have a pattern and yarn, but all of the books seem to expect you to make one of their patterns. I splurged on a boyland knitworks colorwork sweater, so I’m anxious for some resources. Thank you!!
Hi Holly. That’s very exciting to be knitting a Boyland Knitworks colorwork sweater. I will reach out to my readers and see what resources they suggest to help you. I will be back in touch. Cheers Jodie
Hi Holly, back with some suggestions from some very kind experts.
Mastering Color Knitting: Simple Instructions for Stranded, Intarsia, and Double Knitting by Melissa Leapman https://amzn.to/3hGESfk
The Knitting Answer Book by Margaret Radcliffe, published by D&C https://amzn.to/2UZueXf
Knitting With Two Colors by Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen https://amzn.to/2UXHADA
The reader who recommended Knitting with Two Colors by Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen highly recommends it and said this-
It’s nice book because, not only does it start at the beginning but then goes on with more details as one gets more experienced which usually happens as this kind of pattering is so addictive.
I encourage that person to knit a hat first using color-stranded patts to get used to tensioning the yarns without major puckering, the most likely problem many newbies encounter. Working in the round is an easier way to approach stranded patts, I think, because you’re only dealing with getting the tensioning good with just the knit rows first. Fortunately the Boyland Knits patts are set up for circular knitting so that cuts out the double whammy of getting it going smoothly with both knits and purls.
Great advice to be sure 🙂 Good luck with your colorwork pursuits Holly! I am super excited for you.
Thank you so very much for your help!! I am excited to check out all of these resources!! I’m not touching that pattern or yarn until I educate myself!!
A pleasure. Do some swatching as you learn the techniques. Your Boyland Knits sweater will benefit from this enormously. Have fun!
Here are some more helpful tips Holly from lovely more experienced knitters-
It’s not a book; it is a 15 min youtube video by Marie Wallin on how to do stranded knitting. She does not insist on 2 handed knitting for beginners. The key is how to manage floats for good tension and she also shows you how to weave in ends as you knit. She is also someone who does not believe in ‘color dominance’ – which is incredibly liberating for any beginner trying to do stranded knitting.
Any of these books are great. But you get great stranded knitting the same way you get to Carnegie Hall. Practice, practice, practice. Along with the book recommendation, also recommend that they practice on swatches before they dive into the project.
some really nice suggestions there 🙂 and my all time favorite (principles of knitting) is also among them. that book taught me so much!
Hi Norman. Thank you for your kind comment. There is so much to learn about knitting and books written by experts make learning so much easier. Thanks for sharing your all time favorite. Cheers Jodie