Knitting Books

Inspiration comes in many forms, but for me it's most evident in books. I have a wonderful collection of knitting books, both technique books and pattern books. Here's a list of my favorites.

Overall Knitting Pattern Books: My favorites are New England Knits, by Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LeBarre, and New Stranded Colorwork by Mary Scott Huff. New England Knits contains wonderful sweater knitting patterns, knitted hat patterns, shawls, a bag, and even a skirt pattern! Its approach is a perfect blend of classic knits that are fashion-forward. New Stranded Colorwork is simply the best in stranded colorwork sweater knitting patterns (there's also a couple of vests and a bag, too!). Mary Scott Huff is such a wonderful, creative, artistic designer. You'll love this one!

Sock Knitting Books: Those of us who are sock knitters probably have more sock yarn than we think we can ever knit into socks! But these knitting books will give you pattern after pattern to use up your beautiful yarn. My favorites are Sock Knitting Master Class by Ann Budd, Sock Innovation by Cookie A., and Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn by Carol Sulcoski. Sock Knitting Master Class is a lesson after lesson, sock by sock. You'll learn so much with each design, guided by top designers in the today's sock knitting world. Sock Innovation is just that—innovative sock designs by renowned designer Cookie A. You'll find new stitch patterns, new types of construction, and tons of inspiration! Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn is just full of beautiful patterns that showcase beautiful, handpainted yarn. It's a feast for the eyes (and the feet!).

How to Knit Books: Every knitter needs a great instructional knitting book. My go-to book is The Knitters Companion by Vicki Square. It covers just about every knitting technique in a handy spiral –bound book that's small enough to fit in your knitting bag. And it comes with a bonus DVD that shows Vicki demonstrating all of the techniques. So wonderful! If you're a designer (or just dream about being one), you should definitely have Shirley Paden's Knitwear Design Workshop on your bookshelf. It's an all-encompassing tome that you'll use for years to come.

There are many tools knitters need to accomplish a knitted sweater or other project. Yarn and needles are certainly the most important, but there are other items that are indispensible. Inspiration is something some people may not think of as a tool, but it is!