KNITTING BASICS : All You Need to Know to Take Up Your Needles and Get Knitting

Knitting is fun, practical, therapeutic, and a great way to produce wonderful things to wear and use. A leading English textile designer shows home knitters how to create good-looking items knitted in wool, cotton, silk, mohair, and synthetic yarns. She describes all the needed yarns, needles, and accessories, then instructs in basic skills that include knit, purl, changing colors, and casting off. The largest part of this profusely illustrated book is devoted to twelve original projects, and presents clear directions on how to master the techniques required for each project. They include a striped garter-stitch scarf, an afghan blanket, a tank top, a pullover sweater, a buttoned sweater with matching hat, and several attractive items of clothing for children and babies. More than 250 full-color illustrations are clear enough for beginners to follow, though all projects are imaginative enough to appeal to experienced knitters as well.

Betty Barnden is a professional hand-knitting and needlecraft designer who received her training at London's Royal College of Art. She has produced patterns for several yarn companies, and her designs have appeared in many magazines published in Britain.