Principles of Knitting: Book Review

When Principles of Knitting came out in 1989, it was the 500 page sleeping gorilla of knitting books. It was overlooked by many knitters until after it had gone out of print, and only then did knitters realize how useful this book is. The price of used copies shot up, and people were paying $200.00 for a copy - and considering it a worthwhile investment.

Ms Hiatt knew she had a winner, but lacked the resources to put the book back in print. She considered self-publishing, but also wanted to re-write the book. For years, knitters waited, hoping the book would be available again.

Now, the wait is over. Principles of Knitting, the revised, 704 page edition, will be released in February, 2012.

Ms Hiatt has written the equivalent of a PhD thesis on knitting techniques. This book is comprehensive.

She covers every possible technique of knitting, where it is best used, and what she thinks about it. For example, I believe she discusses over 40 different cast on methods, including one she invented to get around the drawbacks of Long Tail Cast On. [I've used it, and like the book itself, the cast on works beautifully, but is complicated.] Different ways to hold the yarn, to make knit and purl stitches, increases and decreases, cables, lace, color work ... it's all in here.

If I could have only one book on knitting after the world came to an end, this would be that book.

However, remember above where I said Ms Hiatt gives us her opinions? In the first edition, she did exactly that, even when her opinion went against common knowledge or knitting political correctness. Her opinion branded the book controversial, and people would argue the merits of each on the knitting e-mail lists of the 1990s.

The new edition claims to be extensively re-written. I am very interested to see what Ms Hiatt has changed and added.

I don't own this book, and I wish I did. I will be ordering the new edition, sight unseen.

I only learned about Principles of Knitting after it had gone out of print. My library did have a copy though, and I renewed it at least once before I had read through the whole book. The format appeals to my technical, geeky knitting mind. I like knowing there are 40+ different cast ons, and why each is best suited for a particular use. I didn't mind the opinion, even when I disagreed with it, because Ms Hiatt always explained why she had the opinion she did.

If you want patterns, patterns, and more patterns, and want the designer to figure out all the details for you, this book will be a waste of money.

But if you are a designer (professional or amateur) or love the theory of knitting, or just want to impress your "expert" knitting friends, order the book now.