6 Reasons Not to Buy Boye's "I Taught Myself Knitting" Book and Kit
Lazy construction
Although Boye is a leading brand in crochet and knitting supplies, they apparently didn't transfer their quality standards to this book. The kit comes with an instruction booklet, two sets of knitting needles, stitch markers, a gauge ruler, yarn needles, a stitch counter, and needle covers. One would think that this is all you need to make any project in the beginners guide to knitting, but you would be sorely mistaken. It obviously doesn't come with yarn, but that's to be expected. The real problem is that, although the kit includes a size 6 and size 8 knitting needles, these sizes can only be used on about 4 of the 15 project patterns listed in the book. Why would you supply needles that you can't use in any of the patterns in the included book? It makes no sense why they couldn't have researched patterns better.
Out-Dated
This version of "I Taught Myself Knitting" was copyrighted in 1988. Unfortunately, they are still using this version even though it shows some of Boye's discontinued knitting needle kits and pieces that were included in the original kit that have long since been taken out to reduce the price per unit. This seems like a lazy way of reprinting the same book, instead of just redoing those sections.
Awful 80s
Even though most people only think of Grandma-aged women knitting, it is actually a very popular hobby among women in their 20s and 30s. However, the patterns included in this book have the 80s written all over them. What beginner wants to knit for hours and hours just to produce a hideous 80s sweater that even your dog wouldn't wear in public? The patterns are hopelessly ugly. Even the simple scarf is horribly designed and you need to buy size 10 ½ knitting needles just to do it even though it is the first project listed for beginner's.
Lame Attempts to Salvage
Boye did however try to supplement their lack of updated patterns by adding three more patterns to the list for the recent version of the kit. It's obvious that they didn't change anything in the book to add these patterns because they are merely printed on the front and back inner covers. So lazy of them. The 'trick' is that they show the three new patterns on the front and back outside covers, making you think that you are getting more patterns like these. Instead you find that these are the only projects you'd even want to try because two are basic Afghans and the other is a basic scarf without nasty fringe. Only problem is that you don't have the right sized needles in your kit to do these projects. Go figure.
Poorly Illustrated
And as if this weren't enough, the major problem with the book is the diagrams. When you are learning a craft, words are just not enough; you actually need to see a picture to really understand. I already know how to crochet, which is similar to knitting, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to simply cast on a few stitches by looking at the text and illustrations provided in this book. I had to look up diagrams online just to be able to do this basic task. In most diagrams for crochet and knitting, the illustrator highlights the parts of the yarn that are being used and in which direction they will move over the fingers and stitching implement. However, this book does not do you this courtesy and assumes previous knowledge of holding and working with knitting needles to be able to follow them.
Discouraging
It isn't just enough to know you don't have all the materials you need to make any decent knitting projects, but that combined with the hardly understandable diagrams makes for a frustrating experience. If I were less motivated to learn the trade this book would have discouraged me from ever trying my hand at it again. So do yourself a favor and don't buy this kit unless you just want the supplies, because the book will definitely compel you to teach yourself knitting without it.
Published by C. Phillips
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13 Comments
Post a CommentI love how someone was passionate enough about the book to make up three names but then didn't bother to change her story for any of the comments.... but anyway.... I got this book to teach myself how to knit and wound up taking a class at the local craft shop. The book is simple enough and I didn't mind that it didn't come with all the proper tools (or yarn) but then I also went out and got bamboo needles because I prefer them.
I needed to take a class because I'm a hands on learner and I get frustrated easily by trying to copy the picture exactly (and it's more fun for me to watch then copy instead of read and attempt).
I kept the book because it does have some cool designs and it is a beginners book - if they included ALL the materials needed you would pay more, and would pass up the chance to pick up a new hobby. For some it works, for others it doesn't.
On another note - you only listed three reasons why you shouldn't buy this book. Not six.
I couldn't disagree more! This book was AWESOME! The patterns may be dated, but I doubt very many people want to start off with a sweater anyway! I was fifteen when I taught myself how to knit from this book, and now I'm eighteen and have mastered many techniques. However, sometimes, I have to refer back to the book for help! Also, the Fisherman's Afghan pattern is beautiful!
I have the Boye's I taught myself to crochet book and am having the same problems. I've never crocheted in my life but it looked like fun. Now I'm relying on youtube for this stuff. Boye just isn't detailed enough or thorough enough to teach somebody that has no experience whatsoever. That's unfortunate though becuase I am trying really hard at this. I would like to start making baby booties and Amigurumi.
I couldn't disagree more! I had never crocheted or knitted, but wanted to learn so I could knit like my granny and my great granny. I bought this book and taught myself using only this book, and it was one of the easiest things I have ever done in my life. I couldn't believe how straight forward and clear the instructions were. True, some of the patterns are dated; however, the Speedy Fisherman Afghan is absolutely gorgeous!!! I knitted this afghan as a gift for my granny, and she had someone offer her $250 for it! She didn't sell, of course...sentimental reasons. I have dozens of requests every year for the Fisherman Afghan so people may give them as gifts. I highly recommend this book for the instructions and that pattern. As for the needles...I knew I was going to need more than two sets of needles to continue my knitting journey to begin with, so it did not bother me to purchase more needles for the patterns. That just aided in preparing me for more advanced patterns when the time
I have this book, and I learned to knit from it. I also keep it handy when I'm knitting to use it as a reference. I think it's a great book.
i beg to differ sure it may not be the best but it helps you with the key concepts so yea becuz i taught myself with this book!
This is interesting. I have the original book called "I taught myself to Knit" book (not kniiting) and it's from the 70s. My mother had it. I bought the same one again in the 80s. It was WONDERFUL and MUCH more informative than this one. I moved and lost my copy and they don't have all the information in this one. I was disappointed in it. The other one had goofy 70's patterns. But some of them were quite salvageable. And some of these look salvageable if I could see the pictures. They are terrible with the black and white. The other book was color. They did take a step backwards. Gonna have to find my copy :-(
Ok, I bought this book and love it. I did not buy this book to teach me how to knit but to refresh my memory. My grandmother taught me how to knit when I was 7 or 8 and wanted to relearn. But I have a problem, I have lost this book due to a move and was in the middle of making my sister in law or my nephew a baby blanket using the baby's first blanket pattern. I was wondering if someone who has this book would be so kind in posting the directions or emailing them to me at mommy2domandlee@hotmail.com
I would greatly appreciate it. I really don't want to have to go and spend another $11.00 just to get the book. Because then I would be getting alot of stuff I do not need with the book, since it only comes in the kit.
Thank you.
i highly recommend you buy this book if you want to learn how to knit. it helped me a lot. i learned how to knit with this book. it's fun & easy.
I wanted to surprise my Granny and knit something for her before she passed away because she had knitted for me my entire life. I live in a city where I have no family, and none of my friends knew how to knit. I purchased this Boye book and couldn't have had an easier time teaching myself to knit. I loved the left-handed instructions, which I needed. It didn't bother me not having all of the needles for every pattern because I didn't want to make every pattern in the book. I did make the Fisherman's Afghan, which turned out absolutely beautiful! In fact, I had someone offer me $250 for it!!! It is much more impressive and beautiful in person than it is in the book. The book doesn't do it justice. Also, I made the baby's first blanket, which turned out precious! Anyway, I love the book and wouldn't take for it. My Granny had a fit over the afghan I made her and to this day is one of her most prized possessions.