What materials do I need to do the Basics correspondence course?

I have limited supplies and want to make sure I am ready when my class packet arrives.

Thanks much,
Lois in TX

All you really need is worsted weight yarn (a light color, please) and appropriate sized needles, generally 7-9 for worsted weight. Reference books are a good idea as well but not necessary at this point. If you develop an addiction to knitting you will probably want to develop a knitting library.

Arenda

Thank you! I'll pick up some yarn as I don't have any light color worsted weight. And, I have a few books already and the needles.

If you could only buy five knitting reference books, what would you recommend?

Lois in TX

When you pick up the yarn, try to get 100% wool. I know that in many parts of the country, the climate does not lend itself to working with wool but most other fibers present problems to beginning knitters. Cotton and linen are inelastic. Acrylic is very difficult to block. Learning to manage tension is easier with wool as well.

As for reference books, Montse Stanley's Handbook of Knitting and Vogue Knitting are very good. Vickie Square's Knitter's Companion is portable and has good illustrations. The problem with any reference book is that for many techniques the name is not consistent so finding information can be confusing. That is why I like to know what reference works knitters have as they work through the lessons.

Arenda

I have the Vogue Knitting book, The Harmony Guides Knitting Techniques Vol. 1, The Knitting Stitch Bible by Maria Parry-Jones, and three Elizabeth Zimmermann books. Do you think those will be enough?

I'll look for the others you recommended at my knitting shop.

Thank you for the good advice,

Lois in TX

Those are all excellent books. You will be fine for the Basics course. If you plan to go on to the Masters program you may want to get the Stanley book.

Arenda

Hello Arenda,

I did a search on Amazon.com for the Montse Stanley "Handbook of Knitting" book and found that there are at least 4 different versions on sale with "Handbook" in the title.
They each seem to have different subtitles as well.
I am really baffled at which "Handbook of Knitting" book is the right edition.

Can you clarify exactly which edition/year is the correct Stanley book?

If it matters I do intend to proceed onward after BBB to the Master's classes.

Thanks so much,
Theresa

I just checked Amazon. The title is Knitter's Handbook. There are several editions out but they are all basically the same. It is a very useful book to have, particularly for those going through the Masters Program.

Arenda