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What’s Your Favorite Pattern Book?

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What’s Your Favorite Pattern Book?

- Jess
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As a yarncrafter, I draw inspiration from so many sources: magazines, websites, Ravelry, retail items, etc. Books are an especially valuable resource because they often feature tips and techniques in addition to the fabulous patterns. Right now, my favorite pattern book is Teeny Tiny Mochimochi by Anna Hrachevoc.
Teeny Tiny Mochimochi
The book features so many adorable creatures, from mermaids to robots to airplanes! The patterns are written for fingering weight yarn and size 1 needles, so you end up with the cutest, tiniest projects. I used Sock-Ease and size 1 needles to make the Tiny Armadillo (pictured above), which is slightly more than an inch long, but you can really use any yarn that you like. My Tiny Cupcake and Tiny Lion were both knit with Martha Stewart Crafts Extra Soft Wool Blend and size 5 needles; you can see the difference the sizing makes! No matter how many projects I’m working on, I can always find a few minutes to whip up an adorable little knit for someone I love.

Now that I’ve shared my inspiration, I want to know your favorite pattern book of the moment. What do you love about it? What keeps you coming back to that particular book?

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18 Comments

  • I don’t think I have a favorite. I tend to crochet many different things. If we are going by numbers of patterns from a book, I guess Twinkie Chan’s book is my favorite. I’ve made 4 of her yummy scarves, some multiple times. But mostly I just stalk Ravelry, salivating over all the awesome things on there to make.

  • I’ve been going back and forth a lot lately with “More Last Minute Knitted Gifts” and “Wendy Knits Lace”. The colors and awesome photography motivate me to get creative ^__^

  • I think my 2 favorite books are “The Happy Hooker” by Debbie Stoller, and Crochet For Dummies. They both have a variety of patterns that I consider “core” patterns in my arsenal. Plus, they both have instructions and tips for new techniques, which means they will always be in my library!

  • Staples for me that I return to over and over are the Mason Dixon knitting books (especially the first one)- I love using Cotton-Ease for the baby kimono, bibs and burp cloths, they make awesome shower gifts that you know will be loved and well used.  Anything by Elizabeth Zimmermann.  I love the Mason Dixon and Zimmermann books not just for basic patterns, but for the conversational prose and humor, so fun to read.  They’re not just pattern books but feel like old friends.  :)  

    I also return to Ann Budd’s The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns and her other basic books (Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, and Getting Started Knitting Socks)- they are all fantastic for customizing sizing or adding your own details and design, and getting items that will have a better chance of fitting.  I can grab any yarn and find a pattern for the gauge I want.  Another favorite I return to is Louisa Harding’s Natural Knits for Babies and Moms- lots of worsted weight patterns for quick knits, again for my fave for kids Cotton-Ease, or the new Martha Stewart Extra Soft Wool Blend.  I also use Ravelry and download and use a fair amount of individual patterns or collections through there, from favorite designers. 

    • I think Knitter’s Almanac and The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns are my most consulted and re-read books. What would EZ do? What does Anne think about sizing a project? Those are two questions I ask knowing where I can find the anwser.

  • That book has the cutest little things Iv ever seen ! my next new favorite !

  • Vogue’s encyclopedia of crochet stitches….  

  •  When I first started Crocheting, perhaps because I’m a man, or maybe it was due to my appearance, a mélange of ZZTOP, Gandalf or Dumbledore I was informed that I wouldn’t like lace. That was just so wrong. As I looked through patterns I would see something I liked and it didn’t take long before I realized my taste matched near perfectly with the work of Kristen Omdahl. If I liked a pattern 9 times out of 10 this lady’s name was attached. It was uncanny! That story told; my favorite pattern book is her “Crochet So Fine.”    

  • My favorite book is always the most recent one I’ve purchased! So as of last week It was “Mom and Me Knits” by Stephanie Japel. Even though I don’t have a daughter I realy like the adult sized sweaters, especially “Surfer Tee” and “Artist’s Vest”. But, I think my new favorite will be “Noro Accessories”! I also adore anything and everything in the Mason-Dixon Knitting books, especially that bib, kimono, Ballband washcloth and Swifty!

  • My favorite or at least the one that is my “go to” for sweaters is Doris Chan’s “EVeryday Crochet”  I have made her sweaters in various yarns and all turn out beautifully. 

  • Anita, I agree. “Everyday Crochet” is my favorite too! The raglan style of making sweaters is so much easier than sewing pieces together, and her patterns are very easy to follow. My favorite yarns to use for her patterns are Vanna’s Choice and Caron Simply Soft (sorry Lion Brand!). I’m currently working on my second “Galena” vest, it’s my favorite pattern!

  • Definitely “Crochet that Fits” and “Positively Crochet”, both by Mary Jane Hall. The patterns are amazing, lots of excellent clothing patterns. Highly reccommend both.

  • Great topic – I desperately want to own the cute book you’re presently using ~  Teeny Tiny Mochimochi by Anna Hrachevoc.  I’ve seen so many great things made from her book. 

    My go-to book for socks is Ann Budd’s, Getting Started Knitting Socks.  She explains the process v well & the photography of the step-by-step instructions are what helped me knit my 1st pair!  I’ve since knit several more :)  I also love the “One Skein Wonders” books.

  • Although I love many of my books, my favorite is Susan B. Anderson’s Itty Bitty Toys.  The patterns are well-written and easy to follow, and the photography and other writing make it a book that is beautiful to enjoy even without knitting anything.  Even so, I’ve knitted more things from that book than any of my others.

    A close second is Weekend Knitting, edited by Melanie Falick.  That’s another book that is beautiful to read (although the patterns are wonderful, too.)  The photography and text about knitting, books, movies, relaxation, etc. make it a beautiful and enjoyable book.

  • My favorite book, expecially for beginning knitters is the Klutz book.  It comes with size 8 needles and enough yarn to make a few small projects.  There is a phone cozy, hats, purses, lots of little doable projects. 

  • the majority of patterns i use are from Crochet Today Magazine and LionBrand website.  I also like getting vintage patterns from Etsy. 

  • I LOVE Mason Dixon Knitting! But my new favorite is “itty-bitty hats” by Susan B. Anderson. Every time I get a baby shower invitation, I knit one of these hats.

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