I will admit it. I love books. I love books so much that I was a remedial reading teacher before my husband and I had kids. When we moved from St. Louis to Fort Collins three years ago, I got rid of a lot of books. The moving company charges by weight. Guess what weighs a lot? BOOKS! One thing I did not get rid of were my knitting and quilting books. (Because that would just be silly.)
Some books I buy because I want to make some of the patterns in there. Here’s what my knitting and quilting bookcase looks like at home. (Hey – there’s still plenty of room to add more. I might need to go shopping.)
Some books I buy just because when I look through them, I get inspired. I keep a small stack of these books on the shelf right behind my sewing machine table. These are the books that I want to have quick and frequent access to, because I love looking through them. I love the patterns, I love the colors, and reading through them makes me want to knit (or quilt). I don’t want them to get lost in the multitude that sits in the bookcase. Here is what is currently on that little shelf.
Today, I want to share some books with you! I have two books from market – a brand new stitch dictionary from awesome Wendy Bernard – signed!, a book of pretty sweaters from talented Vicki Square, and two of my all-time favorite knitting books by Hunter Hammerson – Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet books, volumes 1 and 2. These are always on my little shelf, because I love reading through them and being inspired by her designs. Hunter sent me these copies, which I will share with you! These books are not just socks – there are mitts, hats and shawls in there as well. (Volume Three comes out later this month. We’ll be featuring Hunter in a Designer Spotlight when her third book is available, so you’ll learn more about her.)
To enter the contest, leave a comment and tell me about a knitting/quilting/sewing book that you would keep on your little shelf, if you had one. (Not a collector of books? Then tell us something else that inspires your creativity.) You can also tell us which of these four books you’d love to win. I’ll draw names next week and will be sending these books on their way to new homes soon!
Sheri hopingthereareotherbookcollectorsouttherelikeme
Would love Vicki Square’s Light and Layered book of patterns! I have the other three books, and I agree that they are very inspiring!
Well I would have Ann Budds books The Handy book of series. I have two. One is for everything, the other Top down sweaters, I think. Would like series 1 of the books buy Hunter
I really love Botanical Knits by Alana Dakos. The photography is coffee table worthy, and the knits are so fun to make. Can’t wait for the second one!
I would keep anything written by Edyta Sitar on my shelves. I love her quilting patterns.
I always buy the books by 2 designers, Alice Starmore and Elsbeth Lavold. Not only are the patterns lovely but the books themselves are beautiful and inspiring. I would love the stitch dictionary.
I’m a fan of stitch dictionaries, especially ones with regional or historical stitch patterns, such as Twisted-Stitch Knitting by Maria Erlbacher.
I have a huge book collection and adding more. I have a collection of knitting & spinning books. On my books shelf nearby is All you Knit is Love by Debbie Harrold, We Knit you A Merry Christmas by Debbie Harrold, Toe-up Socks for everybody by Wendy Johnson (love her books), Cast On Bind Off by Leslie Ann Bestor, Mastering Color Knitting by Melissa Leapman and Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece by Gail Callahan.
I love books and rarely part with any. My most used knitting book is:
Reader’s Digest Knitter’s Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Techniques of Handknitting. By: Montse Stanley.
I would also refuse to part with my Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen collections (books and DVDs); my Alice and Jade Starmore books; my Wendy Johnson books; and my Siiri Reimann and Aime Edasi Haapsalu Shawl and Haapsalu Scarf books.
Of the four books you have shown, I like the sock books. 🙂
Stitch n’ Bitch would be on my little shelf. I love the cute pictures, the humor, and the instructions are so helpful! I would want the stitch dictionary! You can never have too many knitting books.
Hi Sheri,
I used to work for a public library, so I like to own a lot of books. I’m with you about getting rid of knitting books–it would be silly! I have certain books that I like to keep for reference and also inspiration: The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt, knit.sock.love by cookie a, Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush, and Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmerman. I could not live without these books. I am trying out ebooks, and I like the fact that they don’t take up a lot of space, but I don’t like that I can’t hold them and go to the page that I need and make notes like I can on paper.
I am inspired by both words and pictures. I would have to have a copy of “lark Rise to Candleford” on my shelf because the descriptions have been inspiring me to be creative since before I learned to knit. Also, I would love to have the Barbara Walker stitch dictionaries, and a collection of TinCanKnits patterns….
I have Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann. It was the first time I encountered EZ.
Knitting on the Road, by Nancy Bush is one of my favorite sock pattern books. I ‘ve made every pattern at least once.
I have the Nikki Epstein Edge books (over, under, next to…) I have them all. And I have a great crochet book about different shaped squares by Edie Eckman. (I don’t crochet – but I love looking through it and I feel inspired to maybe start.)
Sorry, I am at the old house right now going through stuff and decrapifying. The books are at the new house and I cannot think of titles at the moment.
Knitting with the Color Guys is a book that I just love to flip through for inspiration. So many gorgeous colors used in interesting ways. Always makes me want to cast on something new and colorful.
I would love to win Wendy Bernard’s stitch dictionary. Love reading her blog and this looks like a great resource to have with all of the stitches being presented in so many different ways.
I would keep my copy of TinCanKnits’ Handmade in the UK. I love having a hardcopy and a PDF of this collection. Every single pattern is perfect and the color scheme makes me so happy and inspired.
on my shelf are reference books, especially the harmony guides: basic crochet and knitting stitches. being new to the craft i tend to forget which is which so having a reference book /card/material is always handy. I would love to win Vicki Square’s Light and Layered. Thank you!
I recently checked out “The Knitter’s Book of…” series from my local library. I hadn’t spent more than 5 minutes looking at them before deciding these are definitely books I want on my shelf at home! Whether I’m looking for more information on the fiber I’m working with, or digging for that perfect sock pattern, these books have it all and when I finally add them to my shelf, will be much loved for years to come.
My first knitting book was Stitch n Bitch. I must admit it is my current fav. I think I could use a good stitch dictionary.
The two books I use constantly are the Sensational Knitted Socks and the More Sensational Knitted Socks books. In the category of beautiful objects but won’t be knitting them in my lifetime: Knitted Lace of Estonia.
I just bought Up Down All Around and think it is a shelf worthy book.
There are a couple of books that I always have had on my bookshelf. The first one is “Complete Guide to Needlework”. 25 years ago I learned to knit from this book – however, I didn’t knit again for 20 years. The other is “A Treasury of Crochet Patterns” that belonged to my husband’s grandmother. There are so many more that I would love to own.
I would love to win Wendy Bernard’s stitch dictionary book. I am just getting back into knitting and so knitting blogs are a huge inspiration to me! I also am really enjoying all the Craftsy classes on knitting.
I love knitting books for inspiration! One of my favorites is the Art of Knitting. Photos are great and you can almost feel the textures.
My favs on my bookshelf which I would replace immediately if lost are: Cast on Bind off by Leslie Ann Bestor, and Knitting without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman. The first is for me, because it’s such an easy reference tool, and the second I loan (and occasionally gift) to new knitters. Love them both. I’m torn between wishing I could win Wendy Bernard’s stitch Dictionary or Hunter Hammerson’s latest book!
I have Joy of knitting that I keep at the ready, Alice starmores book of fair isle patterns, a couple of pattern dictionaries, and Wendy Johnson’s sock books. I also have two entire book cases full of other books and magazines. I love books!
My Barbara Walker stitch dictionaries, Principles of Knitting, and Alice Starmore books.
Louisa Harding’s books; everything is so delicate and beautiful.
I love stitch dictionaries, and would like Wendy Barnard’s new book.
I keep a reference book like the Knitting Answer Book on my shelf so that I can look things up quickly when a pattern stumps me or I simply need a refresher on something.
I would be happy to win any of these books!
I love my Selbuvotter book. It’s the knitting book I’ve used the most I think. Also I have the Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques. It’s not one of the popular finishing books, but it has so much information. I originally bought it as a gift for a swap pal years ago, and loved it so much that I bought it again for myself to have.
A book of traditional Dutch sweaters would go on my shelf to highlight my Dutch half!
One skein wonders. Would love “up down, all around”.
My go-to book is Anne Budd’s Handy Book Of Sweaters – I love designing my own. I also lke the Reader’s Digest and Vogue how-to books. I like stitch dictionaries for the inspiration, but since I usually design top-down, and I can’t always figure out how to upsy-turvey a stitch pattern I like, I’m really excited by Wendy’s new book, and one way or another it will be on my shelf! Thanks for the giveaway. KittenWhiplash on rav
I would love to have either of The Hunter Hammersen books I have been coveting both for awhile now. Knitting circles around socks by Antje Gillingham and getting started knittin g socks by Ann Budd. Just to have if I forget or want basic patterns. Always go to books for socks
I have two bookCASES of quilting, knitting, beading and mixed media books. My go to books for inspiration and eye candy are all of Judith Baker Montano’s books.
The book on your giveaway list that I would love to have is the stitch dictionary one. I have Hunter’s books. So excited to see she’s coming out with a new one.
My go-to book for knitting is the Knitting Answer Book. As long as this book is within reach, I am fearless!
I go back to Wendy Johnson’s books time and again for sock and lace inspiration. Would love to win Hunter Hammerson’s books they look awesome!
I’m a sucker for sock books and I always love looking through Mochimochiland books. They’re so cute!
Free Range Knitter, the Yarn Harlot
Cast on and Bind offs
Would love to have Knitters curiosity 1 or2
I love books, but don’t have a very big knitting collection yet, so one of these would be awesome! I love the look of that stitch dictionary and have always wanted to check out the Curiosity Cabinet books.
My favorite knitting book is “Knitting Rules” by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, because it reminds me there really aren’t any rules when knitting. I’ve read that book about a dozen times in the past seven years, and I still pull it out when I’m at a loss for something to read or knit. I also have a sizable collection of sock knitting books because they’re my kryptonite when I’m shopping for knitting books.
I hear ya, Sheri! I too love books! Right now I am being inspired by Ann Budd’s Getting Started Knitting Socks. I would love, love, love either of Hunter’s books.
Oh, so many inspirational books! I keep the Haapsalu Saal and Haapsalu Raat books on my version of the little shelf, along with Sharon Miller’s Heirloom Knitting and a basic sewing book, Learn to Sew by Allison Reid. Again, great little patterns in there, and lots of practical advice for those of us who like to wing it without a lot of knowledge or experience. And of course there are also a few stitch dictionaries for knitting and crocheting. 😉
Knit.Sock.Love. So much eye candy—I would LOVE to win the stitch dictionary.
I started knitting because of Allison Hansel’s Charmed Knits–I wanted some Harry Potter knitwear! My favorite inspiration books are The Enchanted Sole and The Eclectic Sole, so I would love to add the Knitter’s Curiousity Cabinet volumes to my little shelf!
I love E. Zimmerman’s books! Of those you offer, I’d love Wendy’s book, but also would love Hunter’s books.
I would love any of these books. I don’t have too many knitting books – but I do have binders of patterns from Ravelry.
Oh, yes! I do love knitting books!
I have all of the Elizabeth Zimmerman books on the shelves of my knitting bookcase. She is forever an inspiration.
I particularly love “Knitting Without Tears,” because it gave me confidence when I was a new knitter.
She was such a genius. I adore all of her books.
Books. Whether for crochet, knitting or stitching I have quite a few. I am unable to pick just one knitting book. Anything by EZ or Meg would have to stay as well as all my sock pattern books by Nancy Bush, Cookie A and others. And stitch dictionaries especially the treasuries by Barbara Walker.
I like Hunter’s designs – and I don’t have either of her books. Would like to win one of them.