The 9 Best Knitting Books for Beginners of 2023

Best Overall

First Time Knitting: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide

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If you’re unsure of where to get started with your knitting instruction, First Time Knitting: The Absolute Beginner's Guide gives an outstanding overview of what you’ll need to know and which supplies to get, as well as guidance on each aspect of knitting from needles to yarn. Clear and easy-to-follow descriptions accompany each section of the guide, ensuring readers will gain a thorough understanding of beginner stitches and techniques.

There’s also a chapter featuring nine beginner projects at the end of the book, including simple pieces as scarves, blankets, and more. Plus, there are distinct sections explaining textures, knitting in the round, shaping, basic knitting techniques, and more.

Users say First Time Knitting helped them learn how to knit properly and without frustration. They say it left them feeling accomplished being able to knit their very own hat or scarf by the end.

Best Inspiration

We Are Knitters: Knitspiration to Take Anywhere and Everywhere

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We Are Knitters is a well-known knitting company that produces beloved knitting kits to help any beginner learn knitting. This book not only provides step-by-step tutorials, but its 175 pages are filled with beautiful, inspirational photography from around the world to inspire your next knitting project. It includes patterns for both beginners and advanced knitting students, and is the perfect book for someone who wants a little more story around their tutorials.

Knitting fans praise this book for its inspirational photography and down-to-earth guidance. The authors write clearly and eloquently to ease any beginner knitter fears. Even once you're past the beginner's stage, this is a good book to keep around for new patterns to try.

Best Yarn

The Knitter's Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn

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Get the lowdown on every type of knitting yarn imaginable with this collection. This highly informative reference can help you figure out exactly which kind will yield the results you need for any and every type of knitting project. Take a peek inside to find the author provides a deep dive into such details as the fiber types of various yarn options, their ply combinations, different kinds of spins, and more. She gives insight into where the yarns come from and how they’re made as well.

No matter your question (how your favorite yarns are made, who makes them, how they’re transported to you, and what they usually turn into), this book will answer them.  This is a must-have book for anyone who uses a lot of yarn, or just a knitter who wants to create the perfect piece. The author writes an online knitting review and edits the Interweave kid's site.

Best Pattern

60 Quick Knits for Beginners: Easy Projects for New Knitters in 220 Superwash from Cascade Yarns

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Especially created for the novice knitter, this book offers the best instruction on techniques and knitting patterns you’ll find. With 176 pages full of essential guidance for those new to patterns, this book includes clear instructions and fun illustrations.

There are numerous sidebars featured throughout the book pointing out important facts and insights. Readers can expect plenty of projects, varied to satisfy every kind of knitter. With some items specifically written for beginners, there are also plenty for more sophisticated knitters—we especially find it helpful that the projects are in order of difficulty throughout the book.

Best Stitch

The Knitter’s Stitch Collection: A creative guide to the 300 knitting stitches you really need to know

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Featuring the top stitches for knitters, this book offers a collection of 300 favorite stitches both new and old. Regardless of skill level, readers will find a treasure trove of projects to dive into. Written by two highly experienced hand knitters, this guide is well-organized and chock full of instruction, explanatory images, and diagrams. There’s also a banner that runs along the bottom of each page with symbols used in the patterns and a full explanation in the final chapter.

Best for Star Wars Fans

Star Wars: Knitting the Galaxy

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In its 208-page frame, Knitting the Galaxy: The Official Star Wars Knitting Pattern Book brings to life all your favorite Star Wars characters from the first six movies in knit form. From throw pillows to costumes (sized for both children to adults) and so much more, kids who love Star Wars will love every item in the book. With patterns for every skill level, they will be able to make many of them easily too!

Each project is accompanied by full-color photos, so you can follow along and make sure your skills are on point. Readers will follow instructions using colorwork, lace knitting, and many other techniques to create George Lucas’ favorite creatures and some of their outfits. This book is written by Tanis Gray, author of ten knitting books with over 500 published knitting designs, who has also worked for HBO and Martha Stewart. She teaches knitting worldwide.

Best Socks

The Sock Knitting Bible: Everything you need to know about how to knit socks

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If it’s socks you’d like to knit, look no further. Regardless of your knitting skills, this guide breaks down the structure of socks to help you knit your first pair. Taking our best beginners’ book for socks slot, The Sock Knitting Bible features the techniques you’ll need for abundant sock-making in easy-to-follow instructions. We love that the author makes sure to mention all the best types of yarn and knitting tools for sock-making as well.

All the knitters’ favorite methods are in this guide as well, so browse and readers can browse and choose one at their leisure. Also included is a section with ten sample projects created by top sock designers for readers to try out for themselves.

Best Specialty

Michael Pearson's Traditional Knitting: Aran, Fair Isle and Fisher Ganseys, New & Expanded Edition

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This specialty option gathers together the patterns found in far-off English and Scottish fishing villages to create the most comprehensive and unique patterns of the regions. With their distinctive look and colors, these popular Fair Isle methods are revealed in technique within the 70-page collection. There are 17 color illustrations to back up the instruction as well.

Delve into mitten-making, jackets, hats, and so much more in these classic styles. An intriguing and well-researched reference, there are also interesting historical notations throughout the Fair Isle, Guernsey, and Aran techniques displayed. Users find that the patterns never get boring with the countless alternatives offered.