Rating: 
Summary: In a down-to-earth style which leave no detail out
Review: Collaboratively written by Barbara Breiter and Gail Diven, and now an updated and expanded second edition, The Complete Idiot's Guide To Knitting And Crocheting Illustrated is a simply superb introduction specifically designed for the novice seeking to create and complete practical and beautiful knitting and crocheting projects. Black and white diagrams explicitly portray step-by-step instructions, which are written in a completely "user friendly", down-to-earth style which leave no detail out. Tips on what to avoid, easy ways to check one's gauge and keep the pattern in line, and so much more pack this first-rate, highly recommended needlecraft guide to knitting and crocheting.
Rating:
Summary: Great for learning to knit/crochet! A real bargain!
Review: I am a new knitter and a fairly inexperienced crocheter. I was looking for a book to help me learn both skills, and this one delivered. It is quite a bargain for those looking for books that cover both knitting and crocheting.
I love that it has specific tips and problem-solvers spread throughout the text. It helped me learn what I was doing wrong. It shows illustrations of all new techniques being described and photos of what different stitch patterns should look like which is really helpful for a beginner. It has a glossary and an abbreviations list. It includes a resource list for websites, magazines and yarn companies.
I love this book and would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn to knit and/or crochet. I think that if you have this book and a pattern book for beginners you'll be able to create some great items!
Rating: 
Summary: A book I can always fall back on...
Review: I am a self-taught knitter, and I must say, that when I am in a bind, I can always find help from this book. I also like that it has both knitting and crocheting. The tips inside are also very helpful. If you are just learning to knit, I must say this is a great reference for you!
Rating: 
Summary: An OK resource, but look elsewhere for better help
Review: I bought this book about two months ago because I wanted to learn how to knit and crochet. But, I haven't found this book to be the all in one resource that I had hoped. The pictures are too small to really help me understand what is going on, the descriptions are sometimes to vague. For example, after you complete a row in knitting you are supposed to turn your work. The book tells me to turn my work but never tells me what turning means. I had to get another book to help me out. I still can't do a purl stitch correctly despite several hours of practice.I think the section on crochet is a little better but I still had several issues. The drawings were too small and the directions didn't go into enough detail. I've spent the past two evenings trying to follow the granny square example that is in the book. All I've managed to do is make an ugly round knot. For instructions that have almost 20 items, there are only three pictures which just show completed sections but don't actually show what the square should look like while in progress. Also, the section about working around the post just has a small desciption with no pictures to explain to me what the heck I'm supposed to do! There are two projects in the crochet section. The first is an afghan blanket. But, this project requires you to use two skills (weaving in ends and changing yarn) that aren't explained until later in the book. The other project is a placemat which I have no interest in making. I bought a crochet manual from Michaels for six bucks that answered a lot of the questions this book gave me and went into a lot more detail. This is an OK resource but I'd say get at least one or two others as well.
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Summary: All you need to learn how to crochet
Review: I love this book and refer to it often. I used it exclusively to learn how to crochet. People can't believe that I learned from a book, as this is usually a skill passed on from person to person. I read the basic information on yarns and supplies, then skipped the knitting section and went straight to the crochet. It is very easy and even entertaining to read! The illustrations and explanations are very detailed and clear. I crochet left-handed and had no trouble thanks to the extra instructions for lefties. Since learning my new skill I've been crocheting every spare moment and have made a baby blanket, hat and booties, a adult's shawl, and even a teddy bear. I look forward to turning back to the front section to learn to knit soon. This book plus lots of free patterns available on the internet are all you need to knit and crochet your day away.
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Summary: We have a winner!
Review: I originally bought this book in the hopes of learning to crochet. I figured I would never be able to learn how to knit. It always seemed so complicated. Well, I stand corrected. I just finished the section on knitting and low and behold I looked down and THERE REALLY WAS A PATTERN FORMING ON MY NEEDLE. I have learned how to knit! So for all of those of you out there who have went to stores and bought these "be knitting by nightfall" books before and have not been able to unravel the art of knitting....this book is for you. The authors not only give you detailed instructions and pictures, but they also provide tips for enjoying knitting, improving your kitting posture and possible pitfalls you will encounter. I also found the little stories that were included a refreshing break from the instuctions. I haven't actually started the section on crochet yet, but I am confident with the help of this book I will do fine.
Rating: 
Summary: Not worth buying.
Review: I purchased this book when I decided to learn how to knit. I already knew some basics in crochet so I thought it would be nice to have a reference for both.I was sadly mistaken and now regret spending money on this guide. I suppose I should have known better. Crocheting and knitting are such multi-faceted and versatile crafts that there is no way one book under 300 pages can address BOTH adequately. I found the book frustrating because it would spend many pages talking about things that were quite easy. (like yarn and the different types.) But when it actually comes to the stitches, I thought it did a poor job. Especially explaining the Purl stitch. With the description and the illustration, it was hard to actually see what they are trying to do. I breifly glanced at the crochet section but realized that even with my rather sparse knowledge of crochet, I knew almost everything that the book had to offer. (Which was not much.) If you do want to geta good guide for knitting, I suggest the Dummies Guide to Knitting. If you want a good guide to crocheting, I suggest Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia for crochet. They cost more, but are well worth it. If you are still set on getting this guide, I suggest you get it from the library first or at least browse through the pages at your local book store before you take the plunge.
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Summary: A helpful companion
Review: I taught myself to knit - and knit only - off of a pamphlet in a store. I could start, I could do the basic knit stitch, then I could make the world's longest scarf, because I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to stop! This book helped a great deal, with simple instructions and ways to fix all those mistakes you make in the beginning. There aren't a LOT of illustrations, but the ones they have were very helpful. I can't imagine true photographs would be better - hello? yarn is fuzzy! It blends together in a photo, but in a drawing can be more distinctive. The special sections which help prevent snarls and give helpful pointers are great, and make it easy to follow. Also fun are the suggestions of dialogue heavy movies (so you can watch your hands more as you knit) and various "famous" knitters and how their styles have influenced the knitting world. There's a bibliography at the back (I'm looking at it right now - 8 books on knitting, 7 on crocheting) as well as a glossary, and perhaps most importantly - how to fix mistakes without ripping out and starting over!!! The overall format is easy to read, and very approachable! To quote the owner of a frequently visited yarn store - you'll never need another book on knitting!
Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: I thought it was quite indepth, and I have recommended it to many other new crocheters. I had 25 years of crochet experience under my belt when I bought the book, so I can understand how some newbies from the other reviews may not find it detailed enough, such as turning the work. Turning the work, to me, is self explanitory. when you get to the end of a road, there is no other option but to turn. I think the autors were thinking the same, that turning your work is so obvious and self explanitory that they didn't need to expound. I think the mediocre reviews come from very inexperienced crafters who don't understand that its not difficult. i have found in my teaching crochet, that new crafters go into this thinking that it must be difficult in order to create beautiful designs. They end up creating problems and road blocks for them selfs because they expect it to be difficult. i have had students that approach crochet with this mindset, and in the end, they end up getting frustrated very early and very easy. I thought the book was very good, and I will continue to recommend it to new crafters that I teach.
Rating:
Summary: Do not expect this to be your only knitting guide
Review: I tried to teach myself to knit using only this book- don't try it, it doesn't work. I ended up buying some cheap, simple books with big pictures to show me how to follow the instructions in the "Complete" guide. The previous reviewer who said that the authors sometimes omit crucial information is absolutely right-simply telling you to "turn your work" doesn't make much sense if you're a brand new knitter and you can barely cast on. This doesn't mean that this is a bad book by any means, but it definately does NOT live up to the purpose of Complete Idiots Guide series- you must have some previous experience or outside help to learn to knit.
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