- Hardcover: 120 pages
- Publisher: Scribner (1 Jan 1971)
- ISBN-10: 0684106892
- ISBN-13: 978-0684106892
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 16.2 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,350,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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First Sentence
MOST people have an obsession; mine is knitting. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
MOST people have an obsession; mine is knitting. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I taught myself to knit from an ancient Good Housekeeping Needlecrafts book and for several years slavishly followed patterns from library books, magazines and free leaflets. It's a worthy and satisfying activity to follow a good pattern, and my children had the sweaters, mittens and socks to prove it.
KNITTING WITHOUT TEARS, borrowed from the library as usual in those frugal times, was my first hint that you could really "own" your knitting. I had no idea of Elizabeth Zimmermann's stature in the knitting world, her amazing public television broadcasts, her legendary knitting camps. Her writing style is so down-to-earth, she could be sitting in the next rocking chair glancing over at your knitting and offering pithy, helpful commentary just to you.
The premise of this book is that you can find your gauge, plan your knitting, do the math, and come up with the garment you visualized. Don't like seams? No problem -- knit a tube and cut your openings. CUT your knitting? I was too inexperienced to feel the fear and cheerfully cut my first steeks with Elizabeth's words propped against the teapot in front of me.
I've long since bought this book, more than once in fact. It's not the sort of knitting book we're used to -- its appeal is in the concepts and the clarity of text, not in pictures or modular layout. Nor is it a how-to book for brand new knitters. If you can knit and purl, keep a steady gauge, and follow basic directions, why not "kick it up a notch" with the thinking knitter's approach?
It's fitting that Elizabeth Zimmermann is lovingly known as EZ. If you adopt her easy-going attitude, you'll find it "EZ" to love your knitting.
KNITTING WITHOUT TEARS, borrowed from the library as usual in those frugal times, was my first hint that you could really "own" your knitting. I had no idea of Elizabeth Zimmermann's stature in the knitting world, her amazing public television broadcasts, her legendary knitting camps. Her writing style is so down-to-earth, she could be sitting in the next rocking chair glancing over at your knitting and offering pithy, helpful commentary just to you.
The premise of this book is that you can find your gauge, plan your knitting, do the math, and come up with the garment you visualized. Don't like seams? No problem -- knit a tube and cut your openings. CUT your knitting? I was too inexperienced to feel the fear and cheerfully cut my first steeks with Elizabeth's words propped against the teapot in front of me.
I've long since bought this book, more than once in fact. It's not the sort of knitting book we're used to -- its appeal is in the concepts and the clarity of text, not in pictures or modular layout. Nor is it a how-to book for brand new knitters. If you can knit and purl, keep a steady gauge, and follow basic directions, why not "kick it up a notch" with the thinking knitter's approach?
It's fitting that Elizabeth Zimmermann is lovingly known as EZ. If you adopt her easy-going attitude, you'll find it "EZ" to love your knitting.
61 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book finally gave me the courage to design my own sweater. I have been knitting for several years and never ventured into the untamed world of design...Elizabeth's wonderful instructions, comments, and faith gave me the okay to go ahead and have fun. I made a patterned yoke sweater that not only looks great, but fits as well. I can't say that happens too many times with patterns! If you are looking for a great reference and addition to your knitting shelf, this is it.
81 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What! One doesn't need a pattern to create a perfectly-fitted jumper? That's right. If you learn Mrs Zimmermann's method for diagramming knitting based on chest circumference and stitch gauge, you can knit nearly any style in any wool.
This book diverges from many knitting instruction books in that it EMPOWERS the knitter to think and work out ways to knit on her or his own. However, if you are a follower of patterns, preferring to use a map rather than "suggestions", this is still valuable reading. All sorts of little hints and techniques are given. I have used this book countless times to give to friends who ask "teach me to knit better." It works.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
lovely writer but bring the production the 21st century
I enjoy the writing very much - motherly, kind, funny. It's a little peek into the past and into someone's life and character. Read more
Published 5 months ago by marymary
Knitting without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions...
Very helpfull and easy to understand. Over all a very handy book. If your looking for ideas and inspiration look no further.
Published 5 months ago by M. Cluett
For the philosophers
A fine read for anyone with a spiritual leaning! Good if you like circular knitting and traditional patterns (which I am neutral about at present) and warms the cockles of the... Read more
Published 6 months ago by sue lake
Disappointed
Very confusing. The patterns arent written out in the usual way but are hidden in the rambling text. Not an easy book to work from.
Published 7 months ago by jjsomerset
Like having mum next to you all over again
This book is very chatty, if you love Ikea's pictograms & can't bear being told how to do something by a friendly expert then it might not be for you, but if you buy books to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by azza
Knit when you want to, stop looking for patterns
This book has two main uses, one to knit a range of garments to fit people of all sizes, but you can apply the same principles to knitting in a different wool, or a different size... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Frances S. Heales
Good reading but not for the visual learner!
I decided to buy this book because it is a knitting classic. I hoped that I could learn some useful tips. I am an intermediate knitter. Read more
Published 16 months ago by keila
Zimmerman's classic for advanced beginners and beyond
This is a classic book for knitters who have learned a little bit and want to move on to more complex projects. The style and content are both excellent and highly informative. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Kathryn_82
disappointed
After reading so many positive reviews I decided to buy this book. I am a total beginner as far as knitting is concerned, and this book was not at all what I'm looking for. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mrs. Sharon E. Pigott
Another excellent addition to your knitting collection
This book is worth having, if not for its knitting advice which IMO is well worth every penny, for its humour. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2010 by Wensleydale
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