The Best Knitting Books of 2023
Are you shopping for the best knitting book or the perfect gift for your favorite knitter?
You’re going to love this list of knitting books! They vary from beginner knitters, knitting patterns, knitting stitches, books dedicated to knitting socks or shawls, patterns from your favorite movies (Harry Potter, Star Wars, Disney, and others) and some of the knitting books on my wish list.
I love knitting books of all kinds! Each one is a treasure trove of ideas, inspiration, tips & tricks and lots of wisdom.
Each of these books have something for knitters of ALL skill levels! Enjoy!
Best Knitting Pattern Books
I thought I’d start off with some knitting pattern books to get your creative juices flowing!
- 272 pages + 63 knitting patterns
- Inspired my nature
- Tested & verified patterns + clear charts
Faerie Knitting: 14 Tales of Love and Magic
- 200 pages
- 14 original fairy tales + 14 knitting patterns
- Magical garments & accessories
52 Weeks of Socks: Beautiful patterns for year-round knitting
- 52 sock patterns by 46 designers
- For knitters of all skill levels
- Classic slippers for beginners to stunning stitch definition
- Each pattern uses different yarns & techniques
The Nordic Knitting Primer: A Step-by-Step Guide to Scandinavian Colorwork
- 196 pages.
- For knitters of all levels.
- Multicolor patterns with step-by-step photo illustrations & instructions.
- Slippers, mittens, sweaters & hats with beautiful Scandinavian details.
- 30 stunning patterns for shawls, wraps, and stoles
- Intricate, allover lace knitting designs
- Striking colorwork to captivating cables
- Creative combinations of varied techniques
- Shawl shapes and how specific shapes are achieved
Best Knitting for Beginners Books
If you’re new to knitting this is a good place to start! Even though I’ve been knitting for 10+ years, I still feel like I have so much to learn. Every knitter has a unique style and their own bag of tips & tricks. I love learning new knitting techniques and tips from different designers.
Patty Lyons’ Knitting Bag of Tricks
- 70+ hacks in Patty Lyons’ Knitting Bag of Tricks
- Patty helps you understand why the yarn/stitches/needles/tension are acting in a certain way and how to fix any issues
- Starts with the basics and explore the anatomy of a stitch and how this affects the look, feel and shape of the finished knitted fabrics.
Vogue Knitting The Learn-to-Knit Book
- 128 page knitting essentials guide to learning all about yarn, needles, patterns, and, of course, those two basic stitches: knitting and purling.
- Step-by-step photographs that teach how to cast on, bind off, and knit up a collection of stitches ranging from basic stockinette to basket weave, bobbles, cables, and more.
- Links to video instruction are included for a complete how-to experience.
Best Knitting Stitches Books
Learning new knitting stitches is one of my favorite things about knitting! I’m absolutely blown-away by all the ways in which we can combine knit and purl stitches. Here are a few of my favorite knitting stitches books below to get you motivated.
750 Knitting Stitches: The Ultimate Knit Stitch Bible
- Basics on how to get started knitting: choosing yarn and needles, read patterns, check gauge, increases and decreases, joining & changing colors, join pieces & finish projects and more
- Illustrated photo tutorials
- How to knit basic stitches, cables, lace and colorwork
400 Knitting Stitches: A Complete Dictionary of Essential Stitch Patterns
- A dictionary of 400 knitting stitches.
- A knitting guide that invites knitters to experiment with a variety of new stitch combinations.
- 8 stitch categories: knit-purl, crossed and cables, slipped, lacy, double, twisted, cast-off, and fancy stitches.
- Create your own one-of a-kind blanket design using a variety of stitches for all skill levels.
- Including knit and purl textures, cables, lace, and unique stitches.
- Sample yarn color combinations, a range of blanket sizes, edgings and inspirational blanket patterns.
- Knitting a blanket by making individual 12 x 12″ squares so you can work on the go year-round.
Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible: 260 Exquisite Patterns by Hitomi Shida
- Must-have for lace lovers!
- Original designs and variations on every imaginable classic stitch.
- Intricate patterns that form the basis for beautiful and unique knitted projects.
- The perfect book for an experienced knitter who’s looking for new knitting stitches to get spectacular results!
Knit Stitch: 50 Knit + Purl Patterns
- 50 unique beginner knit stitch designs.
- Chart diagrams and written instructions to knit both flat and in the round.
- Knitting stitches are organized by their row repeats.
- Knit and Purl knitting stitches only!
Vogue Knitting The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary
- More than 800 knitting stitches patterns.
- Including 100 that are brand new.
- Everything from beginner knit and purl stitches to colorwork.
- Comprehensive knitting stitch dictionary.
Knitting Patterns in Your Favorite Movies
Movies are one of my favorite sources of knitting inspiration. Movies are a wonderful inspiration for my creativity and knitting pattern designing.
Some of my other favorite sources are Gilmore Girls, Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit, Hugo, Narnia, The Golden Compass and Christmas movies. There isn’t a lot of knitting in most of these movies, they just spark my creativity to knit something warm & cozy.
Outlander Knitting: The Official Book of 20 Knits Inspired by the Hit Series
- Featuring rustic knits worn from the Scottish Highlands from the popular TV show Outlander.
- 192 pages & 20 knitting patterns.
- Capelet, boot socks, baby blanket, waistcoat and more.
Harry Potter: Knitting Magic: The Official Harry Potter Knitting Pattern Book
- The first official Harry Potter knitting book.
- A deluxe guide of 25+ authentic Harry Potter knits.
- Patterns written by Tanis Gray.
Knitting with Disney: 28 Official Patterns Inspired by Mickey Mouse, The Little Mermaid, and More!
- Disney craft book for Disney fans
- Bring the magic of Disney to your knitting needles
- First official book of knitting patterns inspired by classic Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Ariel in The Little Mermaid and more.
- Patterns written by Tanis Gray.
- The first official book of knitting patterns for the beloved TV show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
- Collection of 24 knitting projects including accessories, toys and patterns for replicas of five of Mister Rogers’ iconic sweaters.
Star Wars: Knitting the Galaxy: The Official Star Wars Knitting Pattern Book
- 208 pages & 28 projects based on George Lucas’s epic film saga, Star Wars.
- The ultimate guide to creating stunning projects inspired by Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Rey.
- Includes several patterns inspired by droids, ships, and aliens from a galaxy far, far away.
5 Best Seller Knitting Books on Amazon
There’s a reason why these are at the top of the list. I went through the top 100 recommended books and looked for the ones with the most and best reviews. If you’re debating between 2 or 10 books, I highly recommend reading the reviews to help you decide.
Vogue Knitting The Ultimate Knitting Book
- The ultimate knitting reference knitting guide revised & updated.
- Includes 1,600 color images and brand-new sections with techniques and designs!
- It features a library of cast-ons, bind-offs, increases & decreases, brioche, entrelac, double knitting, mosaic knitting and more.
- Chapters covering lace & cabling, correcting errors, finishing and garment care.
The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges
- 224 pages + 18 sweater knitting patterns.
- Standard sweater patterns in a variety of sizes and gauges.
- Includes a template from to develop your own designs.
- Easy-to-follow charted instructions for 18 sweaters with cardigan and neckline variations.
400 Knitting Stitches: A Complete Dictionary of Essential Stitch Patterns
- A dictionary of 400 knitting stitches.
- A knitting guide that invites knitters to experiment with a variety of new stitch combinations.
- 8 stitch categories: knit-purl, crossed and cables, slipped, lacy, double, twisted, cast-off, and fancy stitches.
Harry Potter: Knitting Magic: The Official Harry Potter Knitting Pattern Book
- The first official Harry Potter knitting book.
- A deluxe guide of 25+ authentic Harry Potter knits.
- Patterns written by Tanis Gray.
Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible: 260 Exquisite Patterns by Hitomi Shida
- Must-have for lace lovers!
- Original designs and variations on every imaginable classic stitch.
- Intricate patterns that form the basis for beautiful and unique knitted projects.
- The perfect book for an experienced knitter who’s looking for new knitting stitches to get spectacular results!
Click HERE to browse the Top 100 Amazon Best Sellers Knitting Books
Take Your Knitting to the Next Level
I don’t have any of the books below… but they’re all on my wish list! 😁
The Colorwork Bible: Techniques and Projects for Colorful Knitting
- 160 pages of colorwork inspiration by designer Jesie Ostermiller
- 6+ colorwork knitting techniques outlined, like stripes, Fair Isle motifs, mosaic knitting, intarsia and more.
- Master a variety of swatches and techniques before starting a full sized knitting project.
- Tips & tricks on successfully combining colors for the best possible results
- Beginner and advanced-level skills with a vibrant, modern palette and inspired projects.
AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary: 200 Modern Knitting Motifs
- Stranded colorwork with 200 new motifs.
- Non-traditional colorwork charts.
- Includes everything from geometric mountains, waves, and spirals to modern bikes, skulls, and sheep.
- Discover the perfect beginning and ending for every knitting project!
- Detailed instructions for each technique with step-by-step photography
- Create edges that are tighter, looser, stretchier, or lacier.
- This book has the cast-on and bind-off that will give your project the perfect edge.
The Knitter’s Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn
- 256 pages + knitting patterns.
- Become a yarn whisperer.
- Learn how to read a skein; the most common yarn types, preparations, spins & ply combinations.
- Learn which yarns feel like sandpaper and which one’s pill quickly before you invested your time, energy, and money in it.
The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt
- 736 pages of a treasured guide beloved by knitters everywhere.
- This classic book has been fully revised and updated.
- This is the definitive book on knitting techniques, with valuable information for everyone from beginners to experienced knitters.
- With clear, easy-to-follow instructions.
Bonus Recommendation
If you’re looking for a magazine that fills you up with ALL the warm & cozy feelings… this is it. Stampington & Company, Bella Grace, the cozy issue 2022.
I have 4 issues and I love getting them out when the weather starts turning cold and the days become short. I enjoy reading the stories of all the contributors, they’ve become dear friends, friends who share my love of all things cozy.
I love gifting magazines because it’s a gift that keeps giving throughout the year. (The other magazine I recommend is Magnolia Journal by Chip & Joanna Gaines, I love reading that one too.)