The Best Knitting Books for Beginners

A brand new stitch dictionary from the author of the wildly popular, AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary. KnitOvation includes more than 150 brand new colorwork motifs to expand knitters' creative possibilities and draw them further into the world of stranded knitting with clever, quirky, and beautiful motifs including botanicals, animals, and geometric patterns. The motifs are accompanied by a selection of accessory and garment designs to illustrate how the motifs can be used, and technical information on new topics including using charts and adding flourishes with duplicate stitch.

More knitters than ever are enjoying colorwork, so now is a fantastic time to give them another tool for their knitting toolbox. Whether you’re looking for new colorwork motifs, knitting techniques, or pattern ideas, KnitOvation makes a great gift for experienced knitters or for beginners looking for inspiration.

Knit unique beanies inspired by the jaw-dropping and unique landscapes from each of the 63 US National Parks. From the brightly colored pebbles of Lake McDonald in Montana’s Glacier National Park to the regal granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome in California’s Yosemite Valley, the US National Parks contain some of the most recognizable and iconic natural landmarks in the world. Capture the majesty each national park offers with original beanie patterns created by knitting designer and outdoor enthusiast Nancy Bates.

Beanies range from simple beanie constructions to more challenging stitch patterns such as the two-color crossovers inspired by South Dakota’s Badlands or the multiple cable designs inspired by New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns. Clear charts, easy-to-read keys, and thorough instructions help any knitter, whether beginner or experienced, through these gratifying projects. Show your love and appreciation of our national parks with these beautiful and practical beanie projects you can wear any time or any place. 63 KNITTING PATTERNS: Every US National Park is celebrated with a unique beanie design, including the newly designated park New River Gorge in West Virginia. BEAUTIFULLY PHOTOGRAPHED: Each pattern is accompanied by photos of the finished beanie and gorgeous images of the park’s landscapes that inspired it. INSPIRED BY NATURE: Learn about each national park’s unique fauna, flora, and landscapes that inspired each original beanie, from the Painted Wall in Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison to the Salt Flats in California Death Valley. EASY-TO-FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the 63 beanies knitting patterns have been tested and verified and offer clear charts so that knitters of every skill level can knit a beanie in no time.

Knitting secrets for creating all shapes and sizes of socks with dots, zigzags, stripes, and a near-neon palette of happy colors from Summer Lee, Oklahoma native and proud member of the Muscogee-Creek Nation. Sock projects are universally loved by knitters, but popular knitting creator Summer Lee has turned this favorite pastime topsy turvy with designs that feature the most electric colors and wow-patterns ever dreamt up.

The Sock Project is a book for every crafter: beginners who want to learn, knitters who want to improve their sock skills, and anyone who wants to fill their knitting needles—and sock drawers—with jazzy colors and new designs. Build your skills month-by-month with 12 levels of sock knitting. First, start with the humble-but-mighty Basic Sock, then try more complicated patterns for lace socks, cabled socks, socks with Estonian Inlay, and socks done in stranded knitting. You’ll be able to sample 18 fresh and zippy patterns, plus new variations on favorite designs! The Sock Project is a joyful Starburst-color explosion for adventurous knitters everywhere. Includes Color Photographs.