This was an early holiday gift from friends. They know me so well! I had paged through the Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook at the bookstore and became engrossed with the back story of all those wonderful fibers. Now I can read it anytime!
Just in time for the holiday break, there is this collection of stories about knitting. If it wasn’t so warm out (you know, Texas) I would kindle a fire in the fireplace and start reading now.
This made me think of other knitting books I’ve collected. There aren’t that many but each one has a purpose – spinning, dyeing, intricate color work, knitting art, and gift ideas.
I also realized I had a few quilting books from prior attempts. Quilting with Japanese Fabrics has photos and instructions for stunning silk quilts. I picked up Hidden in Plain View during a trip to Gettysburg. I found it fascinating how quilt patterns were used as signs on the Underground Railroad.
What’s in your knitting library? Any favorites you recommend?
Agujas 
Elizabeth Zimmerman is a great read – her Knitting Without Tears was one I purchased when I started knitting, and it encouraged me to jump in and play!
Thanks for the recommendation!
My crafting library is extensive. My favourites though are:
*Simple Crocheting — Erika Knight,
*Cast On Bind Off — Cap Sease,
*Knitting Workshop — Elizabeth Zimmerman. I have a few of her publications but this one is my absolute must-have.
*Vogue Knitting Encyclopedia,
*Respect the Spindle — Abby Franquemont,
*Get Started Knitting Socks — Ann Budd,
*Colour Knitting the Easy Way and Mastering Colour Knitting — Melissa Leapman,
*Barbara Walker’s Stitch Dictionaries (I have from 1 – 3) and finally
*HandDyeing Yarn and Fleece — Gail Callahan.
What a great list! I’ll have to go check them out at the bookstore.
I’m sure you’ll find something in there that can benefit you. Glad to share. 😀
I love The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook! I also like the Stitch ‘n Bitch series, and Knitter’s Template.
Had not heard of Knitter’s Template.
It’s by Laura Bryant (of Prism Yarns) and Barry Klein (Trendsetter Yarns). It has charts that enable you to start with your own gauge (rather than matching gauge of a pattern), then build your own design around it. There are also patterns in the book, with instructions how to adjust them to your gauge. I find it extremely helpful.
Such great books and recommendations. Two of my favorites are Lynne Barr’s Knitting New Scarves, none of which are boring to knit. And for a great read, check out Larissa Brown’s books knitalong and My Grandmother’s Knitting. She’s a wonderful writer as well as a designer.
Q – Love the Fleece and Fiber book. Nice collection. And, Daughter D is in Austin and has been freezing! LOL!
The weather here fluctuates. Some days are cold, on other days, people are walking around in shorts!
Thank you for visiting my weaving blog. I shall certainly visit here again.
Oooh, that first book looks particularly yummy. 🙂
Take a look at Knitting in the Nordic Tradition, by Vibeke Lind. It’s an old book (early 70s?), but I’ve used it again and again – old-fashioned patterns that are somehow very elegant and modern. Worth it if only for the multiple methods of decreasing hats and the heelless stocking pattern.
I found it on the web. It looks great! Seems hard to get.
If you have access to a good library, but it isn’t in their collection, ask them to get it for you as an interlibrary loan. That way, you can browse and either find a few patterns you want to copy, or decide to hunt it down online. I really have gotten a lot of use out of it.
Great idea!