paperback

I have...mixed feelings about Debbie Bliss Tips for Knitters. From an artistic perspective, it is very beautiful. The photography is gorgeous, and the pages and sections are well laid out. The text flows nicely, and each section includes a goodly amount of diagrams.

Unfortunately, beauty of design seems to be more or less the only thing this book really has going for it. The beautiful photographs are of Debbie Bliss designs--that much information can be gleaned from the front matter of the book--but there is no reference list of the patterns shown included anywhere in the book.

The scope of the knitting techniques described and discussed is quite narrow, and at least some of the terms used are non-standard to knitters in the United States (and possibly elsewhere as well). As an example, this book gives two different methods for casting on stitches. Two other comparably-sized guides give between six and eight cast on methods, complete with diagrams. Binding (or casting) off fares similarly.

As a very basic book for a beginning knitter this would be reasonably adequate. For a more advanced knitter there may be some things of interest or use (I do like that it includes patterns for several knit lace edgings which can be added to the work, and the colorwork section seems decent as well). In general, however, I would have to recommend picking up a different book if you want a quick reference for your knitting bag. ( )