Stitch n Bitch by Debbie Stoller

If it wasn’t for this book, I would never have knit that scarf. It’s the ultimate beginners’ guide, written in such a clear and concise way, and so well illustrated that you’d have a tough time getting it wrong.

Stoller is clearly a knitting devotee. Her enthusiasm for the subject really shines through the witty prose and amusing sidebars that talk as much about the culture and history of knitting as they do about how to knit yourself.

Stitch ‘n Bitch isn’t expensively produced – there are only two colours on its square pages – but the mix of orange and black line art is clear and well drawn, making it easy to follow the flow of the yarn and copy it on your own needles.

It’s billed as ‘instructions, patterns and advice for a new generation of knitters’ and it really does start from the absolute beginning with bags of information on needle gauges, different styles of knitting and, most importantly, casting on. It’s the next best thing to having your grandmother standing over you showing you how it’s done.

Stitch n Bitch

Stitch n Bitch has become something of a phenomenon, with groups of the same name meeting around the world, and it’s been followed up by two companion volumes: Stitch ‘n Bitch Nation and Stitch ‘n Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker, the latter of which I’m very keen to try out.

Rating
Author Debbie Stoller
Price £10.99 (£6.20 from Amazon.co.uk)
ISBN 0761128182

Related posts:

1. I’m knitting a scarf
2. Crocheting is surprisingly difficult
3. I’ve finished my scarf
4. Our home-knit blanket has earned itself a third colour
5. Re-thinking that scarf

Tagged as: book, knitting, review