How to Knit – Debbie Bliss
I’m starting this book review in a quandary – to keep or not to keep. On first pass, I was ready to chuck this one. As much as I love Debbie Bliss (fantastic UK designer), I didn’t think this book offered enough to keep on my shelf. On 2nd pass, I’m conflicted.
How to Knit – back cover
The back cover could have added a little more info for the reader? What were the publishers thinking?
Great illustrations
The illustrations in this How-to are very clear and would be easy for a novice to use.
Aran Workshop
This section comes pretty early in the book – Chapter 3 as a matter of fact. It’s really Debbie Bliss’s favorite style so I’m not surprised to see it covered extensively.
Cable Workshop
In the middle of the Aran chapter, this simple cabled sweater is a simpler version of some of the other knits.
Lace Workshop
The best thing about this chapter is the 23 lace stitch pattern samples.
Edgings
Love the edgings. This makes the book a winner. I just used the leaf edging for a project. Wish the instructions were charted and not so UK centric with yf terminology that is not used by US knitters.
Entrelac illustrations
Ok – I know you’re asking – what the hell is Entrelac. Not a common technique, but these illustration make it very clear.
What did I decide? I might keep this book for awhile and see if I refer to it before moving it along. My copy is a bit worn and I probably couldn’t sell. I do think the UK vs US make it less valuable for a new knitter, but then again – I’m not a new knitter.
nancyjthomas 
Hello. I have searched the internet looking for any edits this book might have had. I am trying to knit the Project #6 in the book, the Aran Throw. When the pattern begins on row 1 (RS) it starts with 12 stitches, then the repeats, then ends with 8 stitches. But then the 2nd row starts again with 12 stitches, ending with 8 stitches. I thought this might have been a mistake, so I tried to work from the end of the instructions to the beginning on the even rows. Then I wondered if the K and P stitches are reversed on the even rows as well. It says garter stitch, so I am guessing not. It seems a complicated pattern with all the cable work, but to have this confusion is making it even more challenging. I search to see if maybe there were corrections to the book. I couldn’t find anything. I did see your review here and wondered if you knew if this is what needs to be done or if I’m reading the instructions wrong. 12 stitches, then 30 stitches X 6 then 8 stitches to make 200 stitches. Do I reverse the direction or the type of stitches though on the WS? Thanks in advance if you can help me or know where I could go for help.
Hi,
Sorry that I didn’t see your comment sooner. I’m just now going through old emails. In my book, Row 1 begins with k7 not 12 its. Oh, I see, k7, p1, k4 and ends p1, k7. Next row is k8 (garter stitch) border. Does that make sense to you? Email back if I can help further: njthomas913@gmail.com