Walker, author of Treasury of Knitting Patterns.Elizabeth Zimmerman once wrote, "So please bear with me, and put up with my opinionated, nay, sometimes cantankerous attitude. I feel strongly about knitting." Perhaps her passionate opinions, as well as her love of wool craft and her delightful style, hark back to her English upbringing or long residence in the Wisconsin woods; in any case, the "Busy Knitter," as she calls herself, is one of the most charming and informative, as well as "un"ventive (her word) knitter-authors anywhere. This book gives full scope to her tireless imagination through a year's worth of projects, fitted to the seasons, moods, and needs of knitters who would like to design their own work.The year begins with an Aran sweater and proceeds to February baby things, a March Shetland, April blanket, May mittens, and so on through the months, completing the zodiac with November moccasin socks and a December last-minute wishbone sweater. Projects are completed in the midst of canoe trips, fishing expeditions, travel, and snowstorms. The author continuously comments on the project, its history, other ancient and modern customs, and personal beliefs.Mrs. Zimmerman works step by step with the reader, suggesting alternative methods and ideas as she goes. Her patterns are "classic," historically suited to wool, thus remaining ever-fashionable as well as tasteful and attractive. The knitter may easily adapt the designs at will, creating new, individual projects. Mrs. Zimmerman's hints (such as how to measure gauge when working a pattern and tips for baby's items) help ease the way and will instruct even the most experienced knitter. This corrected edition of the Knitter's Almanac will provide at the very least a year's worth of knitting pleasure to intermediate and advanced knitters and may even help stimulate a knitting passion.

    Following instructions for basic casting on and stitch structure, a logical progression of patterns will lead you through: knit-purl, mosaic, slip stitch, twist-stitch patterns, cables, increase/decrease, and lace. When the 63rd square is finished, there will be very little you do not know about stitch-pattern techniques, and you will have a snug and beautiful afghan as a bonus.The book sections are set up as follows:INTRODUCTIONBEGINNER'S BASICSTHE LEARN-TO-KNIT AFGHANSECTION I - KNIT-PURL COMBINATIONS (SQUARES 1-8)SECTION II - MOSAIC PATTERNS (SQUARES 9-16)SECTION III - SLIP-STITCH PATTERNS (SQUARES 17-24)SECTION IV - TWIST-STITCH PATTERNS (SQUARES 25-32)SECTION V - CABLES (SQUARES 33-40)SECTION VI - INCREASE-AND-DECREASE PATTERNS (SQUARES 41-48)SECTION VII - LACE (SQUARES 49-56)SECTION VIII - SPECIAL TECHNIQUES (SQUARES 57-63)BLOCKING, FINISHING AND JOINING