The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd

I give it 5 out of 5 stars as a beginner design book and a beginner sweater book. This book contain instructions for creating the most popular knitted items socks, mittens, gloves, hats, tams, scarves, sweaters and vests all sized from baby to toddler to large adult. There are many full color photos and each pattern sample is photographed on a model. More than 350 ways to warm all of the hands, heads, feet, and bodies that you love. There's also a pocket in the back where presumably you would keep notes. It is a hardcover, spiral-bound book so it lays flat, and it includes an elastic marker to keep your place. The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges by Ann Budd. But there is also design advice sprinkled throughout. It talks you through the number of stitches to cast on, when to shape armholes, sleeves, etc. This book seems like the intermediary between following patterns and completely creating your own designs. There are some additional patterns ('copy cats') in each chapter. There are also tips for several variations of ribbing, necklines, edgings, and waist shaping throughout the book. Each design includes guidelines for creating that style of sweater in child and adult sizes based on a stockinette gauge of 3-7 stitches/inch, and a cardigan variation. Ann Budd is the best-selling author of The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns and The Knitters Handy Book of Sweater Patterns.She is also the author of Getting Started Knitting Socks, Interweave Presents Knitted Gifts, Knitting Green, and Simple Style, and coauthor of Bag Style, Color Style, Lace Style, and Wrap Style. The designs included are Drop-Shoulder Sweaters, Modified Drop-Shoulder Sweaters, Set-In Sleeve Sweaters, Saddle-Shoulder Sweaters, Raglan Sweaters, and Seamless Yoke Sweaters. Cataloging-in-Publication Data Budd, Ann, 1956The knitter's handy book of patterns: basic designs in multiple sizes and gauges / Ann Budd p. The subtitle of this book is 'Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges.' It's basically a sweater recipe book. Ann Budd's book provides a lot of background detail that would benefit a beginner to sweater making, whether you choose to follow one of the patterns or design your own sweater using the 'formulas.' This is my favorite beginner-friendly book to indoctrinate you into the sweater culture. Making sweaters seems to be a requisite part of the 'being a knitter' package.

The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd