A fun read, and lots of good information

I bought this book a couple of years ago based on the reviews, and I haven't been sorry. It's like having your best friend teaching you and coaching you along.

My first project was the "Fireworks Scarf" which turned out great even though I chose totally different yarns and added a strand of mohair for extra warmth. Last fall I made the "Alien Illusion Scarf" which I do not recommend as a first project as you must pay careful attention to the pattern. Also the colors listed in that pattern were reversed; fortunately I had discovered this before making the scarf as I had visited the designer's knitting blog beforehand. It would have been a serious disappointment to have the colors reversed, the effect would not have been right.

If there were 4-1/2 stars that is what I would have rated it for lack of illustrations for us left-handed knitters. I already knew how to knit (thanks to a patient and clever grandmother who was right-handed herself). However, I had never learned how to cast on properly (or maybe I forgot) so I needed to refer to the illustrations for doing this. I ended up scanning the appropriate pages into my computer and using my photo editing software to reverse the images and then printed them out, as I just couldn't "get" it otherwise.

Excellently written knitting book

I originally bought this book to teach myself how to knit. Stoller's instructions are clear and simple, and I had no problem following them.

In addition to the great material for beginners, the entire book is witty, amusing, and fun to read. There are a lot of great patterns, and all of them can be knit with the techniques that Stoller introduces in the book.

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Not that great!

I recently purchased this book and was not that impressed with the book. The writing is long winded and the projects were kind of boring. I am anticipating the book by teva durham to come out because of her know ability to get the knitter more accomplished.

I would not recommend this book to anyone except for the novice knitter or someone interested in only craft, campy style.