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Title: excellent starter knitting book
Review: For the absolute beginner knitter. Barnden's instructions are clear and straightforward. The photos of the stitch techniques are supplemented with detailed drawings. Explanations about picking up stitches, blocking, getting gauge, etc. are thorough. Barnden covers just the basics stitches: cast on, knit, purl, 2 ways to increase, 2 ways to decrease, bind off. The patterns for practicing the techniques start with a simple garter stitch scarf and end with a fair isle child's sweater.Personally, I found the patterns to be just OK. I wish she had included more and in greater variety. The only other "con" is that some of the yarns she uses are not readily found in the US, e.g., Patons and Sirdar. However, her pattern instructions are very good and easy to follow.Between Knitting Basics and The Knit Stitch by Sally Melville, which I also have and absolutely love, the beginning knitter should have no problems picking up the craft.
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