If you like the history aspect of Portuguese Knitting, then I'd highly recommend "Traditional Danish Sweaters" by Vivian Høxbro (it's available in English for those of you who don't speak Danish). It's a really fascinating book that I loved about the history of Danish knitting in the 19th century, particularly around Danish night sweaters, and a few of the patterns are actual reconstructions of museum pieces she was able to examine. Plus an entire third of the book is nothing but pattern repeat examples, since 19th century Danish knitting was famous for intricate patterns using only one color of yarn, and for traveling stitch and star motifs.
Also as for my favorite knitting books, I'm still new enough to knitting that I haven't seen a lot. But my go-to yarn brand Knit Picks has a lot of good ones. For socks I love "Splendid Soles," for outdoorsy rugged stuff (and knits for my boyfriend) I like "Adventure Awaits," and for colorblock knits I like "Vertex Colorblock Projects."
Thanks, these all look terrific. The first book I ever bought on knitting was a Kaffe Fassett one, which I still love to look through every now and then called Glorious Knitting. I still haven't made anything from it, lol, but it got me back into knitting after not doing anything for years. The edition I have was published in 1988, so it is as old as my daughter. 💜💜💜
Kika I am super excited for your book! For a “tip” as a traveler I would highly suggest also coming out with a digital version because that would be super handy and also more accessible and affordable for some☺️🫶🏽
My most treasured knitting book is Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore. I also love my collection of books by Elizabeth Zimmermann, especially Knitter’s Almanac. For techniques, Finishing Techniques by Nancy Weismann, Principles of Knitting by Julie Hemmons Hyatt, and Vogue Knitting. I have some charming mitten books by Robin Hansen that talk about the history of knitted mittens from New England and Canada and I love Knitting Ganseys by Beth Brown Reisel. I could go on and on!
Greetings, Kika, this was an immense pleasure to have a tour of your favorite knitting books. I have a wall of bookshelves packed top to bottom of all of the knitting books I have accrued through the years and which one is my favorite changes with every new book I get - there is space on my shelves for yours! A current loved book is "Handmade: Slow Fashion Inspired by Arizona's 5 c's" for the photographic beauty as much as for the knitted works. When were you in San Francisco? It must have been like a treasure chest finding the Japanese stitch dictionary at that time. It reminds me of one of those unearthly coincidences of which there are maybe but a handful in life - I love mid century modern design (especially Scandinavian) as much as I love knitting and had my eye out for months and months for a holy grail book at that time "Scandinavian Modern Design 1880s-1980s" long before there was an internet and just could not come across a copy no matter how many bookstores new and used I would write to. I traveled a lot in the 1980s/1990s and was on a trip to Hong Kong in 1989 when I happened upon a tiny dusty used bookstore, a booth, really, on a crowded street. By chance, I entered and to my utter amazement, tucked on a shelf in a jumble of books in Chinese was that very design book, pretty much standing apart. To me it had a halo and a ray of sunshine surrounding it. It is not a small book but I quickly bought it and it journeyed with me across other points in Asia for the next 5 weeks. It is almost like I conjured it! But here it is now 33 years later and I know exactly where it is on my bookshelves. Wishing you the same serendipity and deep joy ahead in your own momentous year. I relish your videos!
Mine arrived yesterday - it’s great! I’m getting so many ideas now. She’s definitely not a traditionalist, but that’s almost better. Good to challenge the brain.
When I started learning knitting myself, a book called "Fearless Knitting Workbook" really helped me gain confidence - it covers all the basics and each technique comes with a little exercise dishcloth pattern that you can knit to practise what you just learned. My partner also gifted me a book called "The Knitter's Life List", which is super awesome because it gives a lot of suggestions about new things you can try throughout your knitting "career" - using different fibres, trying different techniques, exploring new styles and traditions, sourcing your materials from different places, etc. It really encourages you to keep an open mind and never hesitate to step out of your comfort zone. In a purely aesthetic sense, my favourite knitting book is Laine's 52 Weeks of Shawls. The designs in there are absolutely gorgeous - beautifully presented and featuring super interesting techniques and constructions. I have already knitted two of them for myself and I will definitely be making more. I was not a shawl person but I've been converted.
Oh those first two books mentioned I’ve never heard of, sounds so interesting! And yes the Laine book of shawls is stunning, I’ve held it in my hand in the book shop so many times, but haven’t yet bought is as I’m not a typical shawl person but maybe if I try a pattern that might change 😀
@@Kutovakika it makes for a lovely coffee table book as well if nothing else 🤭 But I feel like shawls are basically more versatile scarves - you can wear it around your neck like a normal scarf but you can also drape it on your shoulders in different ways depending on how cold it is/what look you’re going for. You can even wrap it over your head as a makeshift hood or put it over your lap as a cosy little blanket.
I've been binging on your videos since I discovered you. My goodness! So many books! I would love a video on how to read knitting instructions and patterns for someone with beginner skills. Thanks for sharing!
I like yr knitting videos so much. I look forward to yr own knitting book. I personally like Petite knit patterns very much, and Rowan's knit book of maybe several years ago which was absolutely so beautiful belonging to my aunt's friend who lives in London. I also had a Phildar yarn magazine in French of many many years ago but the patterns are beautiful and very classic for everyday life, that I hv knitted two of the patterns.
You talk so nice about others' creations! I also like the idea of naming each piece of art you create! You bring magic with the names as Northern Lights and such!
I really love watching your videos I sometimes watch and knit 🧶 at the same time. I had a break from knitting and came across your account and it gave my the push to complete a knitted hat. 😊 the way you explain stuff is so cool 😁
Knitting books were never a staple in our home library, even though all the women in the family knitted/crocheted/were seamstresses. I guess we passed on the techniques old-style, teaching each other... Now the web is full of inspo, but these books have such a charm! This video made me want to explore the crafts area of the bookshop!
Same in my family growing up. Knitting books/patterns were expensive, so there were a few pattern pamphlets and patterns torn from magazines that were saved and swapped and used over and over. I feel so fortunate now to have access to such a wide variety of knitting books from around the world!
I've been waiting so excitedly for this video, i really want to hear your recommendations and get myself some books, working with digital things is fine but i crave holding a book. I also want to learn a lot this year and hopefully be well prepared to knit all the beautiful patterns from your book 💖🧶
I think one of the best knowledge-based knitting books is The Principles of Knitting (revised) by June Hammond hiatt. It’s over 700 pages but explains how and why of every knitting detail. For example, I better understand how a knitted piece can bias and what to do to prevent that. Also if you go for knitted certification through TNNA, this would be most helpful
I’m not into knitting but you always inspire me to think about new things! Love your videos and you motivated me to start my youtube channel I’m still working on it! Thank you for sharing your ideas 🤍
Hi Kika, I am so glad I found this video. I quickly ordered the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible (& am loving the inspiration), as well as a Japanese book of lace stitches, Knitting for Olive, and Kate Atherley's pattern knitting how to book. I have dabbled in knit design before, but on easy projects. You inspire me to get back into design and try new techinques and designs. Two of my go to books are Sally Melville's Knitting Pattern Essentials as well as Amy Herzog's Ultimate Sweater Book. Both are super for learning techniques for both design and just knitting in general. Thanks again for alll your videos. I keep watching them, some on repeat. 😊❤
Hi Kika, this is one of my favorite topics in knitting world! Thanks for making this video. I also have that one, "Japanese knitting bible" in English version, I think this book was translated in tons of languages cuz it's truely a masterpiece! I bought this on Amazon as digital file. As for my favorite book, I cannot pick only one! Here I share with all of you two my fav books by now. 1-"Yarns and Knitting" by SANAE NASU, I love the classical patterns made with simple colors and I love how contemporary style those structures have. 2-"Eclogue Fair Isle Knitting" by TOSHIYUKI SHIMADA, this is absolutely a poetic work of knitting! Unfortunately these two books are probably only written in Japanese, but there are pattern charts alongside the instructions. I can read them even though I know nothing about Japanese (only need a little help from Google translate for few words). Recommended!
I have Japanilaiset Neulemallit too, those models are so beautiful! ❤ You didn't mention "Vogue Knitting - The Ultimate Knitting Book", I ordered it from Amazon some years ago, it's a huge and a very thorough handbook for knitting methods, tips and designing knits. Absolutely recommended. 😊
I cannot wait until your books comes out, I love how fun you are in YT & IG and how that translates into your designs. I hope you can add sizes to the Saga cardigan you designed a few yrs ago,. I would love to get it, but my size is not yet there. I know how awfully busy you have been but I do jope you can add sizes soon!! Thanks!!!
These look amazing. My favourites are the alter knit stich dictionary, which has amazing colourwork charts, and vouge knitting ultimate stitch dictionary, which has textures, lace, colourwork, cables and edgings!
I just found you today! I have watched several videos this morning ... love your sweaters, and I can't wait for your book. I will definitely want a copy of it!!!
My favourite knitting books are Vogue Knitting The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary; Norah Gaughan’s Knitted Cable Sourcebook and Twisted Stitch Sourcebook; Alterknits Stitch Dictionary and Imaginative Projects and Creativity Exercises Book; and 100 Knits: Interweave’s Ultimate Pattern Collection. I also love Laine magazine, and their Stripes, 52 Weeks of Shawls and 52 Weeks of Socks, and the Worsted as you showed - Perennial is in my queue 😍
Wonderful thank you! I love seeing the books and designs from knitters who may not have their designs in English. I feel we miss out on so much because they’re distinctive and unique. I love my knitting books so much!
I am very excited for you book! Thank you for sharing you books. Yes, please share Magazines because I have looked into any and would love to learn more about them.
This is delightful! I don't have many knitting books, only those basic "stitch libraries", really, I hope to have more in the future. "Worsted" looks amazing! Your knitting content is my favourite that you make. :)
Some books off the top of my head so likely most looked into... Kaffe Fassett books. English ones and even the Swedish "Sticka med". Even if mostly to drool over the yarns and colourwork. I've knitted a couple of things inspired by his patterns and designs. Jo Sharp books. Quite a few books gathered in the past due to locality. Tanis Gray. Because we wanted to make Harry Potter socks (is that a good enough reason to buy 3 books lol?) We bought both Harry Potter books and the Star Wars one as well. I'm planning on knitting a Niffler next. Nancy Marchant "Knitting Fresh Brioche.." for wanting to learn how to knit those brioche patterns even if wanting to use them to make other things. Stephen West. "Westknits Bestknits", a couple of editions and "Hiberknitting". To have solid copies of several patterns given I don't have a printer (nor fuss arranging printouts) and don't want to look at a screen all the time. Simple patterns that have provided an easy path to learning new techniques while making something special, as well as inspiring further use of the techniques. Loani Prior. For who doesn't like having a really wild tea cosy?
It's a fantastc video. Thank you. Here are some of my favorits: the principla of knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt, Cast on - ind off by Leslie Ann Bestor, Astitch in time 1 and 2 by Susan Craford and Åsa Tricosa Ziggurats by Åsa Söderman.
Oh my goodness! I used to watch knitty Gritty with Vickie. Her stuff was so edgy and creative. So much looked complicated but she always had at least one pattern that was simple for us hopeful knitter wanna-be's.😉😃
What a great idea, sharing your knitting books with us! I am going to order Strik by Laerke Bagger and Norwegian Knitting Designs by Margaretha Finseth and, of course, your book, when it is available!!💘 I have all Kaffe Fassett's knitting (and needlepoint) books. A few books you might want to check out are-any and all knitting books by Nicky Epstein (a very favorite designer of mine) and Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan McGowan-Michael (easily found online) and Finishing School by Deborah Newton. Hugs and happy knitting🧶 from Texas! Barbara
Hi! Really enjoyed your review and a couple of orders for books have gone in just now!!! When you are planning your book please can I ask that charts are large enough to be read easily (not all of us have perfect eyesight) and also that the chart is not close to the centre of the book. This is for two reasons; firstly, those of us who use a type of flat page enlarger to make charts clearer find that the enlarger works best on the flattest part of a page so the area of a chart nearest the centre of the page tends to get distorted; secondly, if I want to photocopy the chart to mark the chart rows on that page or use highlighters to indicate certain sections, the page copies best where it is flat. I know your publisher will want to try and fit charts on to pages more closely to save pages but it's quite important for people with slightly restricted eyesight to have clear charts. I find I use certain books much more because of the clarity of the chart, for example, the charts in 'Top-down Colorwork Knit' by Wenke Muller are large and extremely clear and I return to that book for inspiration time and again. 'Wilderness Knits' by Linka Neumann is another book with lovely clear charts too. I appreciate this is a minor point when planning your book but it does make a lot of difference.
All the books are so much fun. Thanks for sharing, and reviewing them with us. I'm not very advanced, but pick it up, every now and then, and try to make something in either crochet or knitting. I do love the books, and magazines, though. I used to watch Knitty Gritty with Vicky Howell. I wondered where that show went. Maybe she is watching this, and can tell us how to find her. I'd love that.
Knitting books are like cooking books to me. I always find 1 or 2 recipes or 1 or 2 patterns. I've spent lots of $ for 1-2 ideas. The internet has been my cooking and knitting guide. On a fixed income this suits me. But love ur site.
Wow! Just "meet" you for the first time!!!! Hi from Brazil!!!! You are amazing!!!!!! Thank you for your videos! Just got my first one (japaneese bible).... hope so I will understand some..... Thank you!!! Thank you!
Great episode, I love collecting knitting books. It’s interesting how what goes out of fashion always comes back in if you just hang on to them long enough. Thank you for the sneak peek of Contrasts, I really want this one! Some of my favourites are ( Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan - Modern Classics by Louisa Harding- and everything Kate Davies 🖐🏽
i really love this video! I’m very excited for your book to come out, i’ve already decided it’s going to be my first knitting book purchase and i just can’t wait! I’m very glad i came across your videos!
Hitomi Shida (yes you said it right) has 2 books! The other one in English is "250 Japanese Knitting Stitches". I also have the Knitting Cable Sourcebook, and a book of 400 knitting charts. Then there's the Knitter's Guide to Spinning (I think that's what it's called... but I'm at my work desk so can't go running off to look), which gives you the breakdown of yarn types and twists and what goes best with which stitches even if you don't spin.
Thank you for inspiration !! Definitely gonna check those books 📚! I’m a relatively new knitter, I started two years ago but I already own a large pile of knitting books 😃 My favorite so far: The VOGUE knitting book (for technique), “Alterknit Rebellion” (for Fair Isle pattern), “painting shawls” from Stephen West (all about shawls!) Kaffee Fassett pattern book (also Fair Isle and colors) …and many others! I’m bilingual, Italian German (and English)…so I have a mix of all languages and cultures! -/greetings from Italy 🇮🇹
After watching your post on your Favorite knitting books ☺ I ordered the Portuguese Knitting by Rosa Pomar, that day with my fingers crossed that it was in English. I love the book, the history, the patterns (plan to try some of the patterns). I also ordered another knitting book at the same time, Saltwater Classics by Christine LeGrow and Shirley A. Scott, really enjoy their book its full of warm Newfoundland (Canada) patterns and some history of the areas, as well as a few great tips.
It's exactly the same with me. I prefer to have the book in my hands. It simply has a different quality. I would also have liked to have your knitting book in paper form, but the shipping costs to Austria were quite high, so I bought the e-book and am so so happy about it. I'm waiting for my wool orders so I can finally start on the Maybe forever jumper. I'm making it in the recommended yarn, but in a cool shade of pink.🧶
I just loved these knitting books...at one time I had many of them...however like you wrote in one of your books...please tell Kiki before you take this...with the passing of time and many house moves quite a lot have gone AWAL...(Absent Without Authorised Leave)...how can you tell that I was an Army wife ...however the two books that you had there I liked the most was the Japanese one and the other the Norwegian book they look extremely exciting...love from Scotland 🧶😁
I’ve probably accumulated a whole knitting library over my decades of knitting, more than any LYS I know. My all time favourites are Kaffe Fasset at the V&A and Alice Starmore’s books, of them Tudor Roses, Glamourie and Celtic Knitting. Their innovative influence on fibre art long before the internet, let alone Ravelry is unmatched. Classics like Elizabeth Zimmerman and Barbara Walker tickle my brain as much as Marie Wallin (Shetland!) and Kate Davies and the newer beautiful Laine publications (just now I can’t wait for Paula Pereira’s Textured Knits to arrive…). Text books of course like Principles of Knitting or Vogue Knitting or rarities like Solveig Hisdal’s Poetry in stitches… i could probably fill a complete UA-cam channel with them…
this was such a great inspiration! I am new to the whole knitting kosmos and sometimes feel lost inbetween all the instagram accounts 😵💫🌼a video about magazines and general source for inspiration would be great too. until now I really thought there only was these very oldschool knit-magazines?
The size of the book is very important. Large books are beautiful but they only fit on the coffee table, not my bookshelf or my bag. I like hardback books for patterns because they last a long time. I like spiral bound books for educational or pattern making books so they stay open while you are using them.
I only have two books. Vogue Knitting the ultimate quick reference. Sock knitting master class. I got Hitomi's other book 250 Japanese stitches from the library though. I am using #55 on the sleeve of my forst sweater. My Grandma is Japanese so this means a lot that I found this book. I have Irish ancestry too. I'm looking for a good Irish lace book or maybe Aran.
So you made me buy a book lol. I'm Portuguese and have been knitting since I was a little girl. And the Portuguese knitting book is now going into my collection.
Immediately ordered Neuleiden Vuosi! Have to say I can blame you for my inspiration to start knitting. Only found my love for it several months ago and I'm only a beginner. BUT I'm so excited for your book! I love absolutely love the knits you've created!
I just watched your some videos and it’s different nice 👌👍 , I’m also small Travel vlogger and this time I want to travel in iceland and Finland . I like your speech style , it’s nice so I appreciate to you 🕉🙏
I’m visiting family in Finland this summer and I really hope your book is in the shops by then. 😉 I also plan to check out some finish yarn but I know little about them. i see you use some Norwegian brands which I’m used to as I’m Norwegian. But it would be fun to hear your thought on finish yarns. What brands are there, how do they feel, behave, and what is popular in Finland right now, yarnwise. In Norway we have had an increased focus on the Norwegian wool and its qualities. The small yarn mills also have gotten som attention lately. Which i think is good. But we also like the soft yarns such as alpakka and mohair yarns as well. So what about an episode on yarns from Finland ? I’m sure I’m not the only one that would be interested. 😊
The San Francisco bookstore you found The Japanese Knitting Bible in was likely Kinokuniya. They used to come to knitting conferences in California and they would sell out quickly even though their books were in Japanese. Such complex and unusual stitch patterns, and between the charts and the photos an adventurous knitter could figure it out. That particular book is now available in the US in English on Amazon. It is quite reasonably priced and I recommend it highly. I loved seeing all your favorites! A couple I need to check out pronto to see if they are available here. Like you, I will often read patterns just to see how something is constructed, or look at knitting books to get inspiration, so I really enjoyed this episode. My personal favorites are the books by Elizabeth Zimmermann and her daughter Meg Swansen, but I never met a knitting book I didn't like!
I really enjoyed this video and would love to see a magazine version . I think The Principles of Knitting by June Hiatt is worth a look , some good information, Bridget
just started to follow you, and this video surprised me with the book Knitting for radical self-care, 'cause when I'm really stressed, I knit something. my skills are questionable, and the patterns I pick are simple, but if I am overwhelmed, I create something. gotta look for that book in Spanish(I wish) or English.
If you like colourwork or lace - socks or mittens - then Niina Laitinen books are great. The patterns are really easy to follow and the colourwork or lace part is always really fun to knit and they're not the regular kind that you usually see, but are always really creatively done. I recommend her books a lot!!
😍 Thank you for sharing. All your knitting books are interesting and inspiring I have the Japanese knitting in english, its 💯 % amazing, I knitted 2 Sumer pullovers sinse. Than the Norwegian Knitting book, I so much like it, it would be more helpful, if the patterns would be printed only on white background and black lines, bcs its better to follow. But anyway, now I'm again motivated to buye some lovely yarn and knit the blue colourwork pullover 😅😍 And of course I'm highly curious how your knitting book will look like 📙🌼 I would like it in a medium size like A4, but thick 😂😂 Thank you, I like your interesting, inspired colorful videos, bcs it makes me smile ☺ 🌷🌷🌷
I love the video; I would like to shout out a book I borrowed from my library multiple times. I had to break down, and finally, on my own, it is 1000 Japanese Knitting and crochet stitches by Nihon Vogue.
Loved this video 😍 I did not know any of these books! My personal favorite knitting book is the Loopy Mango book. Everything is made with needle size 15mm and up with very clear instructions. The designs are really cool and original. Great for an adventurous beginner
I can't knit but would like to start. Can you maybe recommend a video for total beginners, what should I buy and what should I start with? Or can you make a video or two about it?
It's interesting hearing you consider the physical size/style of the book. I love hard covers to look at and they feel luxurious, but to actually knit from I think spiral bound books, which are way less premium feeling, are actually easier to use. Basically it's quite important for a pattern book to be able to open up and stay open without holding it with your hands.
For my big clumpy books I often photocopy the pattern from the book, then I can fold it up to keep it in the project bag and scribble over it as I go. (Only for my own personal use though, I never photocopy a pattern to give away to others and afterwards once I have copied any notes to my notebook I destroy the copies)
Thanks for sharing. Urban Knits is a beautiful book. I hope Neulematkalla is available soon in English. Can't wait for your book to come out. It was too funny to see your knitting book from when you were 12. Even back then, you were serious about knitting. What cardigan do you have one?
Thank you for this eposide, very nice to see your books. My favourite book is Egostrikkboka by Lene Holme Samsöe. I have knitted very many patterns from this book. My latest purchases are Minun islantilaisneuleeni and Barnestrikk
thanks for this sharing ! My knitting books I love are "Sentimental Tricot" By alice Hammer, "Tricoter le jacquard en rond" by Anne Devout (along avec anna) and the 2 books written By Lise Tailor (2 knitting guides really well written and clear to follow). Those are in french
Hi Kika! I really love the Hitomi Shida's 260 patterns. It's my go-to book too. There is an updated version called Knitting Patterns Book 250 published in 2021. Hope it will be translated into Finnish soon.
I love the Japanese short rows better than the German short rows... but I need to practice more. It would be nice to find that technique for knitting in the round in a book.
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What's your favorite or most beloved knitting book? 📚 Let us know in a comment below so we can all get inspired!
If you like the history aspect of Portuguese Knitting, then I'd highly recommend "Traditional Danish Sweaters" by Vivian Høxbro (it's available in English for those of you who don't speak Danish). It's a really fascinating book that I loved about the history of Danish knitting in the 19th century, particularly around Danish night sweaters, and a few of the patterns are actual reconstructions of museum pieces she was able to examine. Plus an entire third of the book is nothing but pattern repeat examples, since 19th century Danish knitting was famous for intricate patterns using only one color of yarn, and for traveling stitch and star motifs.
Also as for my favorite knitting books, I'm still new enough to knitting that I haven't seen a lot. But my go-to yarn brand Knit Picks has a lot of good ones. For socks I love "Splendid Soles," for outdoorsy rugged stuff (and knits for my boyfriend) I like "Adventure Awaits," and for colorblock knits I like "Vertex Colorblock Projects."
If the direction of your book is going to be patterns, a book that lays flat is so wonderful.
Thanks, these all look terrific. The first book I ever bought on knitting was a Kaffe Fassett one, which I still love to look through every now and then called Glorious Knitting. I still haven't made anything from it, lol, but it got me back into knitting after not doing anything for years. The edition I have was published in 1988, so it is as old as my daughter. 💜💜💜
I got his recent book about his studio space and house! His use of colour is stunning!
That was probably my first one as well. I’ve got them all.
This video was fantastic, and I would love one about knitting magazines as well. I couldn’t resist ordering Worsted!
Kika I am super excited for your book! For a “tip” as a traveler I would highly suggest also coming out with a digital version because that would be super handy and also more accessible and affordable for some☺️🫶🏽
This was such a fun roundup! I’d love to see a video about knitting magazines too!!
My most treasured knitting book is Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore. I also love my collection of books by Elizabeth Zimmermann, especially Knitter’s Almanac. For techniques, Finishing Techniques by Nancy Weismann, Principles of Knitting by Julie Hemmons Hyatt, and Vogue Knitting. I have some charming mitten books by Robin Hansen that talk about the history of knitted mittens from New England and Canada and I love Knitting Ganseys by Beth Brown Reisel. I could go on and on!
Greetings, Kika, this was an immense pleasure to have a tour of your favorite knitting books. I have a wall of bookshelves packed top to bottom of all of the knitting books I have accrued through the years and which one is my favorite changes with every new book I get - there is space on my shelves for yours! A current loved book is "Handmade: Slow Fashion Inspired by Arizona's 5 c's" for the photographic beauty as much as for the knitted works. When were you in San Francisco? It must have been like a treasure chest finding the Japanese stitch dictionary at that time. It reminds me of one of those unearthly coincidences of which there are maybe but a handful in life - I love mid century modern design (especially Scandinavian) as much as I love knitting and had my eye out for months and months for a holy grail book at that time "Scandinavian Modern Design 1880s-1980s" long before there was an internet and just could not come across a copy no matter how many bookstores new and used I would write to. I traveled a lot in the 1980s/1990s and was on a trip to Hong Kong in 1989 when I happened upon a tiny dusty used bookstore, a booth, really, on a crowded street. By chance, I entered and to my utter amazement, tucked on a shelf in a jumble of books in Chinese was that very design book, pretty much standing apart. To me it had a halo and a ray of sunshine surrounding it. It is not a small book but I quickly bought it and it journeyed with me across other points in Asia for the next 5 weeks. It is almost like I conjured it! But here it is now 33 years later and I know exactly where it is on my bookshelves. Wishing you the same serendipity and deep joy ahead in your own momentous year. I relish your videos!
I can’t wait for Laerke Bagger’s book to be available in English. It’s going to be this November I think xx
It’s such a treasure trove of inspiration, so glad it’s coming out in English as well 😍📚
I just pre-ordered mine 🥹
Mine arrived yesterday - it’s great! I’m getting so many ideas now. She’s definitely not a traditionalist, but that’s almost better. Good to challenge the brain.
When I started learning knitting myself, a book called "Fearless Knitting Workbook" really helped me gain confidence - it covers all the basics and each technique comes with a little exercise dishcloth pattern that you can knit to practise what you just learned. My partner also gifted me a book called "The Knitter's Life List", which is super awesome because it gives a lot of suggestions about new things you can try throughout your knitting "career" - using different fibres, trying different techniques, exploring new styles and traditions, sourcing your materials from different places, etc. It really encourages you to keep an open mind and never hesitate to step out of your comfort zone. In a purely aesthetic sense, my favourite knitting book is Laine's 52 Weeks of Shawls. The designs in there are absolutely gorgeous - beautifully presented and featuring super interesting techniques and constructions. I have already knitted two of them for myself and I will definitely be making more. I was not a shawl person but I've been converted.
Oh those first two books mentioned I’ve never heard of, sounds so interesting! And yes the Laine book of shawls is stunning, I’ve held it in my hand in the book shop so many times, but haven’t yet bought is as I’m not a typical shawl person but maybe if I try a pattern that might change 😀
@@Kutovakika it makes for a lovely coffee table book as well if nothing else 🤭 But I feel like shawls are basically more versatile scarves - you can wear it around your neck like a normal scarf but you can also drape it on your shoulders in different ways depending on how cold it is/what look you’re going for. You can even wrap it over your head as a makeshift hood or put it over your lap as a cosy little blanket.
I've been binging on your videos since I discovered you. My goodness! So many books! I would love a video on how to read knitting instructions and patterns for someone with beginner skills.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the book recommendations! Yes, please do one also for the best knitting magazines -even if there are specific issues you would recommend.
I like yr knitting videos so much. I look forward to yr own knitting book. I personally like Petite knit patterns very much, and Rowan's knit book of maybe several years ago which was absolutely so beautiful belonging to my aunt's friend who lives in London. I also had a Phildar yarn magazine in French of many many years ago but the patterns are beautiful and very classic for everyday life, that I hv knitted two of the patterns.
You talk so nice about others'
creations!
I also like the idea of naming each piece of art you create!
You bring magic with the names as Northern Lights and such!
I really love watching your videos I sometimes watch and knit 🧶 at the same time. I had a break from knitting and came across your account and it gave my the push to complete a knitted hat. 😊 the way you explain stuff is so cool 😁
You're my favourite creative content creator ❣️
Knitting books were never a staple in our home library, even though all the women in the family knitted/crocheted/were seamstresses. I guess we passed on the techniques old-style, teaching each other... Now the web is full of inspo, but these books have such a charm! This video made me want to explore the crafts area of the bookshop!
Same in my family growing up. Knitting books/patterns were expensive, so there were a few pattern pamphlets and patterns torn from magazines that were saved and swapped and used over and over. I feel so fortunate now to have access to such a wide variety of knitting books from around the world!
I've been waiting so excitedly for this video, i really want to hear your recommendations and get myself some books, working with digital things is fine but i crave holding a book. I also want to learn a lot this year and hopefully be well prepared to knit all the beautiful patterns from your book 💖🧶
I feel exactly the same!! :) xx
I think one of the best knowledge-based knitting books is The Principles of Knitting (revised) by June Hammond hiatt. It’s over 700 pages but explains how and why of every knitting detail. For example, I better understand how a knitted piece can bias and what to do to prevent that. Also if you go for knitted certification through TNNA, this would be most helpful
I’m not into knitting but you always inspire me to think about new things! Love your videos and you motivated me to start my youtube channel I’m still working on it! Thank you for sharing your ideas 🤍
Hi Kika, I am so glad I found this video. I quickly ordered the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible (& am loving the inspiration), as well as a Japanese book of lace stitches, Knitting for Olive, and Kate Atherley's pattern knitting how to book. I have dabbled in knit design before, but on easy projects. You inspire me to get back into design and try new techinques and designs. Two of my go to books are Sally Melville's Knitting Pattern Essentials as well as Amy Herzog's Ultimate Sweater Book. Both are super for learning techniques for both design and just knitting in general. Thanks again for alll your videos. I keep watching them, some on repeat. 😊❤
Hi Kika, this is one of my favorite topics in knitting world! Thanks for making this video.
I also have that one, "Japanese knitting bible" in English version, I think this book was translated in tons of languages cuz it's truely a masterpiece! I bought this on Amazon as digital file.
As for my favorite book, I cannot pick only one! Here I share with all of you two my fav books by now.
1-"Yarns and Knitting" by SANAE NASU, I love the classical patterns made with simple colors and I love how contemporary style those structures have.
2-"Eclogue Fair Isle Knitting" by TOSHIYUKI SHIMADA, this is absolutely a poetic work of knitting!
Unfortunately these two books are probably only written in Japanese, but there are pattern charts alongside the instructions. I can read them even though I know nothing about Japanese (only need a little help from Google translate for few words).
Recommended!
I have Japanilaiset Neulemallit too, those models are so beautiful! ❤ You didn't mention "Vogue Knitting - The Ultimate Knitting Book", I ordered it from Amazon some years ago, it's a huge and a very thorough handbook for knitting methods, tips and designing knits. Absolutely recommended. 😊
I cannot wait until your books comes out, I love how fun you are in YT & IG and how that translates into your designs. I hope you can add sizes to the Saga cardigan you designed a few yrs ago,. I would love to get it, but my size is not yet there.
I know how awfully busy you have been but I do jope you can add sizes soon!! Thanks!!!
I just immediately bought the kindle version of the Hitomi Shida books because just you flippimg through gave me inspiration for a pattern
My favorite book and my first knittibg book it's your book!!!! I love it!!
Loved watching the books...yes please do suggest magazine... I would say Alice Starmore for fair isle knit lovers❤❤❤
These look amazing. My favourites are the alter knit stich dictionary, which has amazing colourwork charts, and vouge knitting ultimate stitch dictionary, which has textures, lace, colourwork, cables and edgings!
I just posted the same books in my comment below 😅
I love knitting books! They are so pretty and useful!!
I just found you today! I have watched several videos this morning ... love your sweaters, and I can't wait for your book. I will definitely want a copy of it!!!
My favourite knitting books are Vogue Knitting The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary; Norah Gaughan’s Knitted Cable Sourcebook and Twisted Stitch Sourcebook; Alterknits Stitch Dictionary and Imaginative Projects and Creativity Exercises Book; and 100 Knits: Interweave’s Ultimate Pattern Collection. I also love Laine magazine, and their Stripes, 52 Weeks of Shawls and 52 Weeks of Socks, and the Worsted as you showed - Perennial is in my queue 😍
Please make a podcast on knitting magazines ! You are an inspiration !! Can't wait for your book !!
Wonderful thank you! I love seeing the books and designs from knitters who may not have their designs in English. I feel we miss out on so much because they’re distinctive and unique. I love my knitting books so much!
I am very excited for you book! Thank you for sharing you books. Yes, please share Magazines because I have looked into any and would love to learn more about them.
Have several knit books, also old historical knitting. But I use and love my Lærke bagger book!
This is delightful! I don't have many knitting books, only those basic "stitch libraries", really, I hope to have more in the future. "Worsted" looks amazing!
Your knitting content is my favourite that you make. :)
I agree that Worsted is such a beautiful book! Looking forward to your book launching!!
Some books off the top of my head so likely most looked into...
Kaffe Fassett books. English ones and even the Swedish "Sticka med". Even if mostly to drool over the yarns and colourwork. I've knitted a couple of things inspired by his patterns and designs.
Jo Sharp books. Quite a few books gathered in the past due to locality.
Tanis Gray. Because we wanted to make Harry Potter socks (is that a good enough reason to buy 3 books lol?) We bought both Harry Potter books and the Star Wars one as well. I'm planning on knitting a Niffler next.
Nancy Marchant "Knitting Fresh Brioche.." for wanting to learn how to knit those brioche patterns even if wanting to use them to make other things.
Stephen West. "Westknits Bestknits", a couple of editions and "Hiberknitting". To have solid copies of several patterns given I don't have a printer (nor fuss arranging printouts) and don't want to look at a screen all the time. Simple patterns that have provided an easy path to learning new techniques while making something special, as well as inspiring further use of the techniques.
Loani Prior. For who doesn't like having a really wild tea cosy?
"Norah Gaughan: Knit, Fold, Pleat, Repeat." Such a fresh approach to knitting! simple pleasures!
You look so happy , thank you for your inspiration!
It's a fantastc video. Thank you. Here are some of my favorits: the principla of knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt, Cast on - ind off by Leslie Ann Bestor, Astitch in time 1 and 2 by Susan Craford and Åsa Tricosa Ziggurats by Åsa Söderman.
Oh my goodness! I used to watch knitty Gritty with Vickie. Her stuff was so edgy and creative. So much looked complicated but she always had at least one pattern that was simple for us hopeful knitter wanna-be's.😉😃
What a great idea, sharing your knitting books with us! I am going to order Strik by Laerke Bagger and Norwegian Knitting Designs by Margaretha Finseth and, of course, your book, when it is available!!💘 I have all Kaffe Fassett's knitting (and needlepoint) books. A few books you might want to check out are-any and all knitting books by Nicky Epstein (a very favorite designer of mine) and Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan McGowan-Michael (easily found online) and Finishing School by Deborah Newton. Hugs and happy knitting🧶 from Texas! Barbara
Hi! Really enjoyed your review and a couple of orders for books have gone in just now!!!
When you are planning your book please can I ask that charts are large enough to be read easily (not all of us have perfect eyesight) and also that the chart is not close to the centre of the book. This is for two reasons; firstly, those of us who use a type of flat page enlarger to make charts clearer find that the enlarger works best on the flattest part of a page so the area of a chart nearest the centre of the page tends to get distorted; secondly, if I want to photocopy the chart to mark the chart rows on that page or use highlighters to indicate certain sections, the page copies best where it is flat. I know your publisher will want to try and fit charts on to pages more closely to save pages but it's quite important for people with slightly restricted eyesight to have clear charts. I find I use certain books much more because of the clarity of the chart, for example, the charts in 'Top-down Colorwork Knit' by Wenke Muller are large and extremely clear and I return to that book for inspiration time and again. 'Wilderness Knits' by Linka Neumann is another book with lovely clear charts too. I appreciate this is a minor point when planning your book but it does make a lot of difference.
All the books are so much fun. Thanks for sharing, and reviewing them with us. I'm not very advanced, but pick it up, every now and then, and try to make something in either crochet or knitting. I do love the books, and magazines, though. I used to watch Knitty Gritty with Vicky Howell. I wondered where that show went. Maybe she is watching this, and can tell us how to find her. I'd love that.
Knitting books are like cooking books to me. I always find 1 or 2 recipes or 1 or 2 patterns. I've spent lots of $ for 1-2 ideas. The internet has been my cooking and knitting guide. On a fixed income this suits me. But love ur site.
Great video! I love the “52 weeks of … “ (socks, shawls) a lot!!
Yes! I have 52 weeks of socks and the pics are really beautiful (haven't tried the patterns yet)!
I love the Japanese knitting Bible. The images are amazing.
Wow! Just "meet" you for the first time!!!! Hi from Brazil!!!! You are amazing!!!!!! Thank you for your videos! Just got my first one (japaneese bible).... hope so I will understand some..... Thank you!!! Thank you!
Great episode, I love collecting knitting books. It’s interesting how what goes out of fashion always comes back in if you just hang on to them long enough. Thank you for the sneak peek of Contrasts, I really want this one!
Some of my favourites are ( Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan - Modern Classics by Louisa Harding- and everything Kate Davies 🖐🏽
Can’t wait for YOUR book!!!🧶❤️🧶❤️🧶
i really love this video! I’m very excited for your book to come out, i’ve already decided it’s going to be my first knitting book purchase and i just can’t wait! I’m very glad i came across your videos!
Hitomi Shida (yes you said it right) has 2 books! The other one in English is "250 Japanese Knitting Stitches". I also have the Knitting Cable Sourcebook, and a book of 400 knitting charts. Then there's the Knitter's Guide to Spinning (I think that's what it's called... but I'm at my work desk so can't go running off to look), which gives you the breakdown of yarn types and twists and what goes best with which stitches even if you don't spin.
One or more 2 of my favorite knitting books is Modern Top Down Knitting and More Modern Top Down Knitting by Kristina McGowan. They are soo lovley!
Thank you for inspiration !! Definitely gonna check those books 📚! I’m a relatively new knitter, I started two years ago but I already own a large pile of knitting books 😃 My favorite so far: The VOGUE knitting book (for technique), “Alterknit Rebellion” (for Fair Isle pattern), “painting shawls” from Stephen West (all about shawls!) Kaffee Fassett pattern book (also Fair Isle and colors) …and many others! I’m bilingual, Italian German (and English)…so I have a mix of all languages and cultures! -/greetings from Italy 🇮🇹
After watching your post on your Favorite knitting books ☺ I ordered the Portuguese Knitting by Rosa Pomar, that day with my fingers crossed that it was in English. I love the book, the history, the patterns (plan to try some of the patterns). I also ordered another knitting book at the same time, Saltwater Classics by Christine LeGrow and Shirley A. Scott, really enjoy their book its full of warm Newfoundland (Canada) patterns and some history of the areas, as well as a few great tips.
It's exactly the same with me. I prefer to have the book in my hands. It simply has a different quality. I would also have liked to have your knitting book in paper form, but the shipping costs to Austria were quite high, so I bought the e-book and am so so happy about it. I'm waiting for my wool orders so I can finally start on the Maybe forever jumper. I'm making it in the recommended yarn, but in a cool shade of pink.🧶
I just loved these knitting books...at one time I had many of them...however like you wrote in one of your books...please tell Kiki before you take this...with the passing of time and many house moves quite a lot have gone AWAL...(Absent Without Authorised Leave)...how can you tell that I was an Army wife ...however the two books that you had there I liked the most was the Japanese one and the other the Norwegian book they look extremely exciting...love from Scotland 🧶😁
I’ve probably accumulated a whole knitting library over my decades of knitting, more than any LYS I know. My all time favourites are Kaffe Fasset at the V&A and Alice Starmore’s books, of them Tudor Roses, Glamourie and Celtic Knitting. Their innovative influence on fibre art long before the internet, let alone Ravelry is unmatched. Classics like Elizabeth Zimmerman and Barbara Walker tickle my brain as much as Marie Wallin (Shetland!) and Kate Davies and the newer beautiful Laine publications (just now I can’t wait for Paula Pereira’s Textured Knits to arrive…). Text books of course like Principles of Knitting or Vogue Knitting or rarities like Solveig Hisdal’s Poetry in stitches… i could probably fill a complete UA-cam channel with them…
this was such a great inspiration! I am new to the whole knitting kosmos and sometimes feel lost inbetween all the instagram accounts 😵💫🌼a video about magazines and general source for inspiration would be great too. until now I really thought there only was these very oldschool knit-magazines?
The size of the book is very important. Large books are beautiful but they only fit on the coffee table, not my bookshelf or my bag. I like hardback books for patterns because they last a long time. I like spiral bound books for educational or pattern making books so they stay open while you are using them.
I only have two books. Vogue Knitting the ultimate quick reference. Sock knitting master class. I got Hitomi's other book 250 Japanese stitches from the library though. I am using #55 on the sleeve of my forst sweater. My Grandma is Japanese so this means a lot that I found this book. I have Irish ancestry too. I'm looking for a good Irish lace book or maybe Aran.
so turns out, book reviewing is another one of your talents!
So you made me buy a book lol. I'm Portuguese and have been knitting since I was a little girl. And the Portuguese knitting book is now going into my collection.
Almost 200 000 subscribers! You deserve it!!! And some more!!! I like your style!!! Love from Lisbon!
Immediately ordered Neuleiden Vuosi! Have to say I can blame you for my inspiration to start knitting. Only found my love for it several months ago and I'm only a beginner. BUT I'm so excited for your book! I love absolutely love the knits you've created!
I can't wait to get YOUR book!
Strange Brew by Tin Can knits is amazing. Really good simple ideas for colour work😀
Great video, I also love the vogue knitting (the ultimate knitting book) I bought 1 year ago for allll the basics (but it is very heavy and big)
I just watched your some videos and it’s different nice 👌👍 , I’m also small Travel vlogger and this time I want to travel in iceland and Finland . I like your speech style , it’s nice so I appreciate to you 🕉🙏
love having a book around 8"x10" at most and spiral bound for instructional books and information.. easy to leave open flat
I’m visiting family in Finland this summer and I really hope your book is in the shops by then. 😉
I also plan to check out some finish yarn but I know little about them. i see you use some Norwegian brands which I’m used to as I’m Norwegian. But it would be fun to hear your thought on finish yarns. What brands are there, how do they feel, behave, and what is popular in Finland right now, yarnwise. In Norway we have had an increased focus on the Norwegian wool and its qualities. The small yarn mills also have gotten som attention lately. Which i think is good. But we also like the soft yarns such as alpakka and mohair yarns as well.
So what about an episode on yarns from Finland ? I’m sure I’m not the only one that would be interested. 😊
i like your creativity way of thinking and way of talking photos
the yellow book size is a good idea with a simple and soft cover :-) xoxox
The San Francisco bookstore you found The Japanese Knitting Bible in was likely Kinokuniya. They used to come to knitting conferences in California and they would sell out quickly even though their books were in Japanese. Such complex and unusual stitch patterns, and between the charts and the photos an adventurous knitter could figure it out. That particular book is now available in the US in English on Amazon. It is quite reasonably priced and I recommend it highly.
I loved seeing all your favorites! A couple I need to check out pronto to see if they are available here. Like you, I will often read patterns just to see how something is constructed, or look at knitting books to get inspiration, so I really enjoyed this episode. My personal favorites are the books by Elizabeth Zimmermann and her daughter Meg Swansen, but I never met a knitting book I didn't like!
I really enjoyed this video and would love to see a magazine version . I think The Principles of Knitting by June Hiatt is worth a look , some good information, Bridget
just started to follow you, and this video surprised me with the book Knitting for radical self-care, 'cause when I'm really stressed, I knit something. my skills are questionable, and the patterns I pick are simple, but if I am overwhelmed, I create something. gotta look for that book in Spanish(I wish) or English.
If you like colourwork or lace - socks or mittens - then Niina Laitinen books are great. The patterns are really easy to follow and the colourwork or lace part is always really fun to knit and they're not the regular kind that you usually see, but are always really creatively done. I recommend her books a lot!!
This was a helpful video. I found a couple on Amazon that I ordered
Thank you for this ❤ I would love to get to know some magazines, too!
😍 Thank you for sharing.
All your knitting books are interesting and inspiring
I have the Japanese knitting in english, its 💯 % amazing, I knitted 2 Sumer pullovers sinse.
Than the Norwegian Knitting book, I so much like it, it would be more helpful, if the patterns would be printed only on white background and black lines, bcs its better to follow.
But anyway, now I'm again motivated to buye some lovely yarn and knit the blue colourwork pullover 😅😍
And of course I'm highly curious how your knitting book will look like 📙🌼
I would like it in a medium size like A4, but thick 😂😂
Thank you, I like your interesting, inspired colorful videos, bcs it makes me smile ☺ 🌷🌷🌷
I love the video; I would like to shout out a book I borrowed from my library multiple times. I had to break down, and finally, on my own, it is 1000 Japanese Knitting and crochet stitches by Nihon Vogue.
Loved this video 😍 I did not know any of these books! My personal favorite knitting book is the Loopy Mango book. Everything is made with needle size 15mm and up with very clear instructions. The designs are really cool and original. Great for an adventurous beginner
I can't knit but would like to start. Can you maybe recommend a video for total beginners, what should I buy and what should I start with? Or can you make a video or two about it?
It's interesting hearing you consider the physical size/style of the book. I love hard covers to look at and they feel luxurious, but to actually knit from I think spiral bound books, which are way less premium feeling, are actually easier to use. Basically it's quite important for a pattern book to be able to open up and stay open without holding it with your hands.
I agree and was going to say this as well.
For my big clumpy books I often photocopy the pattern from the book, then I can fold it up to keep it in the project bag and scribble over it as I go. (Only for my own personal use though, I never photocopy a pattern to give away to others and afterwards once I have copied any notes to my notebook I destroy the copies)
Thanks for sharing. Urban Knits is a beautiful book. I hope Neulematkalla is available soon in English. Can't wait for your book to come out. It was too funny to see your knitting book from when you were 12. Even back then, you were serious about knitting. What cardigan do you have one?
I dont have any knitting books yet as i only started to knit half a year ago. But you definitely gave me some good inspiration 🙃😍
Definitely add Vogue Knitting to your collection.
I love Linka Neumann’s designs. She has 2 books in English. Her first Wilderness Knits has really beautiful sweaters in it.
I love your videos. When is your book coming out? Can’t wait to see it ❤️
Thank you for this eposide, very nice to see your books. My favourite book is Egostrikkboka by Lene Holme Samsöe. I have knitted very many patterns from this book. My latest purchases are Minun islantilaisneuleeni and Barnestrikk
Thank you! It was so much fun💕
thanks for this sharing ! My knitting books I love are "Sentimental Tricot" By alice Hammer, "Tricoter le jacquard en rond" by Anne Devout (along avec anna) and the 2 books written By Lise Tailor (2 knitting guides really well written and clear to follow). Those are in french
I ❤ your channel. Thank you Kika. 😎👍🙏
I'm hoping your book will be my favorite!!
All lovely books! Looking forward to your book coming out, love your designs :) Will it be available in the UK in English?
The book I can recommend is from Rowan called “Aran Knits” by Martin Storey.
Seasonal slow Knitting by Hannah Theissen! It has beautiful reflections, essays, patterns, tips, and other crafty things!
Hi Kika! I really love the Hitomi Shida's 260 patterns. It's my go-to book too. There is an updated version called Knitting Patterns Book 250 published in 2021. Hope it will be translated into Finnish soon.
I love the Japanese short rows better than the German short rows... but I need to practice more. It would be nice to find that technique for knitting in the round in a book.