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Monday, June 29, 2015

A Book Review and a Giveaway: Knit Stitch Dictionary

* The winner of the drawing is Doula Mommy - MonkeyButtBabies on Rav! 
Congrats, and thank you everyone for participating! *

Interweave/F+W; $22.99

This is a review of the book Knit Stitch Dictionary by Debbie Tomkies from Interweave Press.
As a designer, I really love stitch dictionaries. They can inspire me, or they can help me solve difficult design problems. 
I really love this book!  Here are a few reasons.
The organization is fantastic, such an improvement over older stitch dictionaries. 
The Table of Contents, first of all, is divided into categories such as knit and purl stitch patterns, eyelets and lace, tucks and pleats, etc.
Best of all, it is organized visually so you get a small thumbnail picture of each stitch right in the Table of Contents, so you can leaf through and quickly identify what you might be looking for. It's also fun to just open pages at random and browse, and find new and interesting stitches to try. It includes both written and charted instructions. It doesn't address knitting in the round however.

One of the best things about the book -- that really sets it apart -- is that for each stitch there is a description. The description tells you, for example, that this stitch works best with a smooth yarn, or that it creates a firm non curling fabric, and it even gives suggestions as to where it might be used. For example, a bulky yarn to make home accessories would work well with this stitch; or an open lacy stitch would be great in a summer shawl.
This book gives you everything you would need in a stitch dictionary; not  just a bunch of stitches but guidance as to how and where to use them. This would be a great advantage for a newer knitter, who doesn't always know which stitch works best with which use.

When I was a new knitter, I often made the mistake of choosing an inappropriate stitch with an inappropriate yarn (e.g. heavily textured or highly variegated), and having results that I wasn't too happy with. This book gives you the guidance you need so that you might avoid these mistakes.

It gives you additional information about gauge, knitting techniques, discussion of the various kinds of knitting needles, and description of different types of yarn. It's an excellent reference for both the new and experienced knitter.
I highly recommend this book.

Once again, Interweave is sponsoring a giveaway of this book. Please comment on this blog post saying why you would like to win this book, and also sign up for my newsletter (top right corner of the blog) to to be entered into the drawing. Please include an email address or Ravelry ID so I can contact you if you win. I'll choose the winner on July 8, 2015 and announce it here on the blog.
Good luck!

Disclaimer: I was given a review copy of this book.



36 comments:

  1. Thanks for the giveaway. It sounds like a great book. I like the sound of the descriptions as well. I'm interested to see if this stitch dictionary offers any charting and/or instructions for working flat vs. in the round?
    (Rav ID knittingwithwords)

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    1. Great question! It includes both written and charted instructions (I updated the blog post) - but no info on knitting in the round that I noticed.

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  2. I really really need this book. I am having that very problem. I am using the wrong yarn for a project. I am a new knitter and I don't want to give it up but I have too many WIP!!! elstonewoman@gmail.com

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  4. I really want to begin designing, and I'm certain this book would help. Rav amchart

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  5. Stitch dictionaries are essential for budding designers! Guidance on what works makes it easier to create a derivation or something completely new. I have a couple Harmony stitch guides, but that section of advice of when to use which stitch pattern with which yarn sounds very intriguing! Thanks for hosting this giveaway! Ravelry name: Kino

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  6. I'm a bit of a stitch dictionary junkie and I don't have this one!

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  7. Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book! It sounds interesting and I would love the chance to learn new information!
    Mamagiff on ravelry

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  8. This would be a great addition to my knitting resource collection. I am especially interested in the insights regarding yarn choice with different stitches. Thank you for the review, and if course I'd love to win it.
    Laterknitter on Ravelry.

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  9. So cool, i dont own a stitch ductonary so I would love a copy!

    Ummrania on ravelry

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  10. I'd like the stitch dictionary because I currently do not own any. Thanks for the chance to win it!
    Lmecoll on Ravelry

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  11. Always find it interesting to see different stitch dictionaries and the approaches ... and the more info, the better.

    Thanks for the review!

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  12. I never want to knit the same pattern twice - I get bored. There are some patterns though, that I would be happy to knit again, if I could just change it up a bit. Having this stitch dictionary would let me pick other stitch patterns which could be substituted, giving the same pattern a whole new look. Finnknitter on Ravelry

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  13. I need a good stitch dictionary as I'm starting out designing my own socks and this would be so useful!
    lindarumsey on Ravelry

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  14. I like to used stitch dictionaries to knit dishcloth and scarves.
    knittingdancer on Ravelry

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  15. I would love to win this book because I'm gaining the confidence to start subbing stitch patterns in some projects. :)

    I'm vernalequinox on Ravelry.

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  16. I would like to win because I'm just a beginner so it would be cool to learn some new stiches and how to use them. Thanks for the giveaway :)
    KnitWithBrit on Ravelry

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  17. Coming from crochet to knitting this type of stitch dictionary would be so helpful.
    Doobee60 on Ravelry.

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  19. Stitch dictionaries are a staple that everyone needs. This one sounds interesting.
    alikat2004 on Ravelry

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  20. Excellent review, Brenda. I'd like to have this book to further my knitting skills!

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  21. I would like to win this book because I love to try new stitches.
    sparky136 on Ravelry

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  22. This book looks amazing! I would love to enlarge my simple repritoire of stitches! clarlor@cox.net

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  23. I have seen this book and it is SUPER! I would love to win this book so I could be more creative with my knitting. Often I know kind of what I want in my mind but don't know how to make the stitches.This would be so helpful to who ever wins it. I know they will love it and thanks for the give away!

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  24. I forgot to mention that my Ravelry name is Nemo15.

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  25. A collection of stitch patterns like this book would be invaluable for socks! Once you know the size of the socks you knit regularly, this book would be great for adding design to them. KnitTenFeet on Ravelry

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  26. Sounds like a book I NEED to have, thanks for the opportunity to win it. I'm knattersknits on Rav. Thanks for the review too, I do find these helpful.

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  27. I love stitch dictionaries and this one looks like a good one to get!
    ~Jessica, MonkeyButtBabies on Ravelry

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  28. I LOVE stitch dictionaries!! Trying new stitches is always interesting and fun.

    knitknut

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  29. Sounds like a great book - I've been looking for a good stitch dictionary for ages, so fingers crossed! (Rav id: Coxabey)

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  30. Your review has piqued my interest in this book. Thanks for the chance to win. Rav - eegrl

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  31. I would love to win this because I don't have a stitch dictionary. Also I really like the aspect that it lets you know what yarn is best for that stitch.
    (Rav: PamfromNOLA)

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  32. Stitch Dictionaries are a great resource :)

    Bobnlin is my rav handle

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  33. This stitch dictionary sounds awesome. I don't have a stitch dictionary. So this would help me to move beyond stockinette, rib, and simple wrap and turn.

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  34. What a great giveaway!!! I would like to win for a couple of reasons. Number one being I want to start designing my own sock patterns, especially for people like me with wide feet. And because I don't have a stitch dictionary yet! Thank you so much for the chance to win!

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