The Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt has recently hit the book shelves! It is published by Simon and Schuster, Inc. via Touchstone books, and though it retails for $45, as you can see from the Amazon link, it is (as usual) less expensive over there. The first thing I thought of when I picked up this book was, “Dang, this sucker is huge!” 712 pages actually, but who’s counting?!

Now, as you know (if you’ve been reading this blog at all), I’m a novice knitter. So I was kind of freaked out about the size of this thing that I was sent a review copy of from the publisher. After I finally got the nerve to crack it open, I realized this book is sort of like the Joy of Cooking for knitters. It has go it all. I say “sort of” because like the Joy of Cooking it has tons and tons of information about knitting and yarn too; however, the Joy of Cooking has recipes too, and this book is a reference book, not a project book. I have a few books similar to this for other crafts such as crochet and jewelry making, and they tend to be the type of books I refer to over and over again when I have a question or need extra help with a particular technique that is giving me trouble or I just plain want more information about an aspect of the craft.

While, from what I have read of it, the book has the beginning knitter in mind, I would hesitate to say that anyone who has never picked up a pointy stick (ever) would be able to learn to knit just from this book. Now, if you have picked up some point sticks and like me only have some minor knitting knowledge, then you will find this to be a handy reference, and I would imagine the same would be true for more experienced knitters. There.is.just.so.much.information.here!