[.uk] Hip to Knit: 18 Contemporary Projects for Today's ... (ISBN 1931499217)

A great place to start!:
This is a great place to start if you have basic knitting skills (can you make a scarf?) and want to bump it up to more complicated patterns. In addition to just being cool-looking, the patterns in the book aren't written in cryptic knitter-code, but written out (VERY WELL) in normal, regular, plain old English. I was scared to death to make a pair of mittens on double-pointed needles, but found the instructions to be so well-written that my first pair came out perfectly... and I don't think I ever had to go back and correct mistakes.They also emphasize the knitter's ability to improvize and make changes based on what he/she wants. They give guidelines for a certain size needles and type of yarn, but there are all sorts of helpful tips for what else might look cool, or how to use something else...All in all, this is a great book for the young and hip knitter... or someone who just wants to be.

Fun patterns, lots of info:
This book is full of great patterns. Best of all, they are clearly written in plain English instead of knitter code, which as a new knitter, I cannot yet decipher without consulting a legend. The patterns are classics that you'll actually want to wear for years to come... cute sweaters, tanks, hoodies, bags, etc. No dorky shrugs that you'll hate in two years. There also isn't one poncho among them, which is very refreshing. Not only are there a ton of great patterns, the author also includes a lot of instructional and reference info (how to do certain increases and decreases, how to make I-cord), etc, so you don't have to go consult another book to refresh your memory as to how to do something.

Excellent knitting book...:
I was really impressed with the patterns in this book. Ms. Swartz has really provided a good mix, not just the usual scarves and more scarves, that are the main feature in a lot of beginner's knitting books. The instructions are very concise, easy to follow and her attention to detail re: finishing, making corrections etc, is the best I've seen in any knitting book. These patterns are fun to make, with easy to follow instructions and yes, they are HIP to knit.

basic and fun, easily tweaked:
I bought this book as my second knitting resource. While it doesn't include "getting started" information like how to make a knit or purl stitch, I bought it because it presented mattress stitch differently than the first knitting book I owned. That was a couple of years ago, and my knit library has grown quite a bit -- but this book is one that I turn to again and again for really usable, functional patterns. I made my very first sweater from this book, and my husband learned to knit by making the ribbed stocking cap featured here. Right now I'm working on the classic vest, and I've advanced enough to be able add waist shaping and adjust sizing for my own shape. Tweaks like this are only really possible when the pattern is well-written to begin with, and Hip To Knit is a great source for patterns like that. The book includes scarves, bags, mittens on two needles or four, socks, and sweaters in several styles (cardigan and pullover; sleeveless, set-in sleeve and drop-shoulder style; plain stockinette, texture stitches, and a couple of simple cables). It's a great resource for people who learn by doing, because it introduces a variety of techniques and skills in clear English. Even if you don't exactly understand "knitterese," this is a book that will let you Trust Your Pattern -- do what the book tells you, and it will turn out right. How-to information is spotty, and I'd recommend an additional resource for that. That said, there are a number of useful sidebars on things like decorative decreases, thumb gussets in a mitten, and other advanced-beginner information that relates directly to the patterns. This book is a good buy, and worth having in your library if you're an advanced beginner or intermediate-level knitter.

Hip to Knit:
This is the greatest little book for beginning and even intermediate knitters. Excellent patterns and clear instructions, plus lots of detailed drawings. I checked it out of the library so many times, I finally decided to buy it. Highly recommended. A great gift.