Knitspeak: An A to Z Guide to the Language of Knitting Patterns

Like a 24-hour help hotline, Knitspeak demystifies pattern language for knitters and gives them confidence to take on new projects
The only book of its kind
Designed for quick reference and sized to fit in every knitting bag

Knitting can be a challenging craft, but even more challenging than knitting itself is the cryptic languagea mix of abbreviations, numbers, jargon, punctuation marks, and other symbolsin which patterns are usually written. Its no wonder so many beginners (and even some whose skills are quite advanced) are intimidated by the bewildering codeor that so many yarn-shop owners grow frustrated by the amount of time they must spend deciphering patterns for the uninitiated.

Enter Knitspeak, a knitters dictionary that disentangles the mysteries of pattern language and translates it into plain English, helping knitters to easily transition from confused to confident. Andrea Berman Prices essential guidewritten in a friendly, reassuring tone and formatted for quick referencebegins with an overview of how knitting patterns are organized. It then offers a comprehensive alphabetical listing of all the abbreviations, words, phrases, and symbols typically encountered in patterns.

Knitspeaks many easy-to-understand drawings clarify basic and not-so-basic needle techniques, and a series of sidebars deals with issues ranging from keeping track of simultaneous shaping to substituting yarns and reading a yarn label. The books appendix is filled with valuable tips, charts, and worksheets.