Choosing Beginner Knitting Books and Beyond

A good knitting book can be a true blessing when you're learning how to knit.

And having one or even two good beginner knitting books on hand to reference something can really help.

Do you ever wonder which ones are actually going to help? Everyone learns differently.

There are so many books out there today all claiming to be the best knitting books for beginners but the real question is which ones will work for you.

There's teaching books, knitting pattern books, knitting stitch pattern books, desgining books, lace knitting and well you get the picture.

here's a suggestion Before you buy Any books on knitting 

If you can - see if you can try out the book you want first before buying it. How? The best way is by going to your local library.

Sign it out and take it home where you can relax, have a cup of tea and have a good look through it.

Or if you don't have a local library go into a big book store, find a book you're interested in, sit down and check it out first.

That's what I did with most of the books you see in the pictures below. 

That way I didn't have to worry about returning them or worse being stuck with a book I didn't like.

The books for knitting on this page are all books I own and still love to use. And honestly? They work.

All the pictures are my own books from my knitting library. Wow. I didn't realize how many I had until I pulled some down for this page. 

I won't be going through all of them, just the ones that I think might help you. 

The link to the knitting book will be just below the picture for you to check out on Amazon.

Make sure to check out the reviews. They can be very enlightening and useful when you're trying to decide. 

Also Amazon gives you a chance to look inside some books and I like that. 

It gives you a chance to see how the book is written. Do you like the writing style? Is it easy to read and so on.

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. If you make a purchase through one of my links I may receive a small commission. This will not affect the purchase price and you will not pay more when you buy through my link. 

Learn to knit books

Knitting Book #1 - Teach Yourself Visually Knitting

Teach Yourself Visually Knitting

These 'visual books' are still great. They're simple to follow and simple to read and they're still one of my favorite books for knitting. 

I even have Teach Yourself Visually Crochet and also the next one on my list just below. You'll find everything you need to learn how to knit in here.

It starts by telling you about the yarn types and the needles and accessories then proceeds into the knitting lessons right from the beginning starting with a slip knot.

There's a section on shaping which is increasing and decreasing stitches plus a section on fixing some common knitting mistakes.

There's detailed color photos instructions detailing each step plus you'll find helpful knitting tips throughout the pages

There's even a section on how to read knitting patterns.

You'll also find more advanced knitting techniques like lace knitting, cable knitting, color work. And there's some nice simple knitting patterns to practice. 

This is a simple knitting book full of good knitting information for beginners and once you've learned how to knit it will still be a very handy reference.

Knitting Book #2 - Teach Yourself visually knitting design

Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design

If you're going to pick up Teach Yourself Visually Knitting then you're gonna love this book too! As you can see this one has been used a lot! 

This book very gently gives you suggestions and ideas about how to change things up a little and truly knit something the way you want it to look.

Maybe you have a gorgeous yarn you'd like to use to knit a hat or maybe you'd like to try and knit your very first sweater or a bag, shawl, vests - it's all in here and it's fun.

What they've done is taken all the more difficult calculations out by creating a 'master pattern' in multiple sizes and gauges. 

This way all you need to do is create a hat or a bag or a shawl and so on. It's easy and fun and totally doable. 

In fact this book helped me learn how to knit socks.

I was so thrilled when I finished my very first pair of socks. I didn't want to wear them, just look at them. haha

This is one easy book on knitting design you will have so much fun with and it's done very well with great picture instructions and explanations.  

Once you can cast on, knit, purl and cast off you'll be able to use this book. It's very simple to use.

Knitting Book #3 - The Most Helpful Book on Knitting Ever  

The knitting answer book

The Knitting Answer Book

Every knitter needs to have this little book tucked in their knitting bag. 

This is still one of the best knitting books I found that covers every possible question a knitter might have.

And it is small so it fits into your bag easily. My book is a different color because there's a newer version now still chock full of great knitting information.

From beginner knitting questions all the way up to advanced it's all packed in this knitting book. 

There's full explanations, photos and diagrams that are all easy to understand. It's like having a knitting expert in your pocket. haha

This is my favorite knitting book of all times and it's always beside me when I'm knitting...just in case.

Knitting Stitch Pattern Books

We all love those knitting stitch patterns and it's always nice to have at least one book that will give you a nice selection.  These knitting books do not have knitting patterns in them. 

Knitting stitch patterns are not actuall knitting patterns but rather a stitch pattern that you will incorporate into your knitting project.

For instance you want to knit a hat but you don't want a plain knit hat you want something with texture maybe like seed stitch. Seed stitch is a knitting stitch pattern.

They are great for knitting squares for a blanket or when you knit dishcloths too. And they're a fun way to practice your knitting.

You'll find some really neat knitting ideas.

Knitting Book #4 - The Knitting All Around Stitch Dictionary

The Knitting All Around Stitch Dictionary

This is a lovely book of stitch patterns!  And it's perfect for beginner and experienced knitters.  

The book is ring bound and will lie flat so you can read it comfortably.  

And it shows stitch patterns for flat knitting, in the round, bottom up and top down.  You'll also find them charted out too.  

It also takes a lot of guesswork out of converting a stitch pattern for flat to circular and vice versa. 

It's also organized into categories like knit and purl stitches, cables and so on.

It's all very simply done and well made and a great knitting resource for knitters. 

Wendy Bernard did an outstanding job in creating this book of stitch patterns for everyone to use. 

Knitting Book #5 - A Treasury Of Knitting Patterns

A Treasury Of Knitting Patterns

This book is iconic and one of four treasury books from Barbara Walker. As you can see from the picture above I do have all four.

These books are like history books. They went out of print years ago and so many people wanted them back so they brought them back again for us to enjoy.

My favorite book is this one because the stitch patterns are simple and easy to follow. 

It's filled to the brim with beautiful stitch patterns and they are all written out. The pictures are in black and white but nicely presented.

The book is in categories, knit and purl stitches, ribbing, cables and so on. 

Something I truly enjoy about all of her books are the special notes at the beginning of each chapter. Those are a must read! 

It provides extra detail and understanding when you knit the stitch patterns. It's a treasure trove of information. 

Check it out though and read the reviews. It's a special book to own and the stitch patterns are fun to try. 

This is the first book I pick when I'm looking for some inspiration.

A couple More Knitting Books For beginners to check out

My dear friend told me that these books on knitting are simply amazing. I don't have pictures of them because I don't own them.

But I trust my girlfriend with all my heart and I'm giving you the links to check them out for yourself. 

I have taken them out of the library though and I just have to mention them to you. Check them out on amazon or check them out at the library like I did. 

They helped her learn to knit and they're also great reference books too.

The Knitters Book Of Yarn - A must read I took this out of the library and I have it on order.

First Time Knitting - The Absolute Beginner's Guide My girlfriend learned to knit with this book.

Principles Of Knitting - Beautiful big book on knitting that covers absolutely everything about knitting.

And guess who had to get in on all the picture taking?

As soon as I was getting ready to take some pictures of my

knitting books this little guy came along and had to lie right in the

middle of all my books. 

I managed to move a few out of the way but I couldn't resit taking

a picture of that face.

Sometimes Oscar wants all the attention. He's not used to me

working so much. So I decided it was tea time...haha

You may enjoy stopping by my knitting magazines page too. These wonderful knitting books and magazines can really help you get inspired to started knitting something wonderful. 

Hope this helps.  Happy Knitting!