Knitting Without Tears

Zimmermann writes as if talking to a friend, with humor and strong opinions. She begins with materials, recommending wool for its warmth and forgiving nature, and explains her preference for circular needles, which make it possible to knit sweaters without sewing seams. She discusses gauge, the number of stitches per inch, as the key to making anything fit, and introduces a simple method for calculating the number of stitches based on percentages of the body measurement.

The book then presents designs that teach techniques along the way: a seamless yoke sweater, raglan sweaters, cardigans, hats and mittens. Instead of line-by-line instructions, she explains the principles so that readers can adapt the designs to any size or yarn. There are tips on casting on, binding off, increasing and decreasing, picking up stitches and fixing mistakes. Some techniques are best learned with a little prior experience, but beginners will find her encouragement reassuring.

Witty, wise and empowering, a treasured knitting classic that has stayed in print for decades and still inspires new generations of knitters. About 128 pages in the Simon & Schuster paperback.