DomiKNITrix: Whip Your Knitting Into Shape

I put this book on my wish list way back when I very first learned how to knit because it had some techniques that I really wanted to learn/try (zippers and pockets). After a few years or so, I finally got around to purchasing this book and wish I had sooner. I still had not learned a lot of the techniques shown in this book. There is a section that breaks down the types of yarn, how to pick out yarn, and the various tools required to knit just about any project. Directions on how to knit continental and English (I did not know there were two styles), how to work with circular needles, how to work with double pointed needles (DPNs), all with pictures. Usually, if there is a reference to working with circular needles or DPNs, it is a brief mention that they exist, this book includes step by step directions and pictures. There is even a section on color working, again with directions and pictures. Then there are the traditional stitches that are in every almost every single knitting book I've read. The pictures and directions are fairly easy to follow, even though they are for right handed knitters and I knit left handed (just need to remember to mentally flip everything). Overall, the book feels like a private one on one class taught by the author, complete with positive encouragement.I still consider myself a novice at knitting, since I am mostly comfortable making flat things, like scarves and blankets. Some things that have baffled me in the past, are now starting to make some sense. Before each pattern there is a brief description of the project, followed by a list of techniques required to complete it. In case a technique needs to be looked up for any reason (learning, refreshing, etc.), page numbers on where to find the lesson on the technique is given. This book has already encouraged me to want to attempt my first garment. I plan on taking it slow, building up my confidence with a few of the smaller projects first and then step up, one project at a time, to my first sweater. I would recommend this book to all level of knitters, those that have never picked up a pair of needles and those that are more advanced, even if it is just for the patterns.

My New Year's resolution for 2006 was to finally learn how to knit after years of being haunted by my aunt's extraordinary skills. My cousin & I attended a class whose instructor, Scary-Mary, was a "knit-nazi", it was her way or the highway & we were all scared. Thanks to sheer tenacity & several rough nights of "stress knitting" in my sleep I stuck it out & did learn the basics to knitting.However if I was going to continue finding any enjoyment in life I took a pass on furthering my skills with Scary-Mary in her intermediate knitting class and went to the book shelves for help. Thanks to the likes of Debbie Stoller & her "Stich & Bitch" books I was able to relax and gain some confidence and enjoyment in my knitting.I recently came across Jennifer Stafford's book while looking for new patterns that break away from conventional standards. I not only found what I was looking for but I love reading her book! The tone is conversational in explaining the technicalities of knitting so my mind didn't wander. Since she had my complete attention I am actually getting the hang of advanced techniques (mirrored decreases, shaping, lace, working with color, DPN's, etc.)which I previously wrote off as too advanced for my blood.Stafford's message is that anything worth doing is worth doing well and by using an S&M theme for her book the tone is serious and may appear intimidating. Don't be put off, Stafford is merely thourough in her explanations but no "knit-nazi". This book is designed to encourage confidence and inspire creativity!

This book is so poorly edited....she uses yarn she bought 13 years ago in at least one design and hasn't bothered to make another version of the sweater, so gives a "guess" about what yarn the user should buy. A knitting "author" should at least be able to whip out another VEST to give her readers a guage.Many of the elaborate designs (like the skull) are not KNIT into the fabric, but must be applied with embroidery after the fact, meaning that the seemingly simple projects look deceptively simple, but are in fact time consuming. If I had know this was the technique, I would have skipped the book and just used my own graphs (can make them yourself easy with a copier) and applied embroidery to the products.The directions are very sketchy. For example, book doesn't tell you, if you chose to "knit in" the pattern (an option you have to refer to back of book to get directions to do - if you don't know how already, would be a really big flip-back and forth effort) exactly WHERE to start the design. Because placement would of course differ by size of the vest, this is useful - and omitted information.This book is useful if you need some basic designs that are "forward" and don't want to make them yourself. Otherwise, it's a rehash of some things the author has successfully made - multiple uses of the same vest with different pictures, for example, two of the same coat with different front treatments. She does unabashedly admits the user should just use whatever they think is best = in many cases, directions are just guidelines.An embarrassment for the editor - author has nice ideas but could have used some help to make this a more meaningful, useful book. If this was a cookbook, it would not have made it to the light of day. The catchy title alone is not a reason to buy this book. Wish I could get money back.

Whilst the traditional knitter may find the presentational style of this book a little "surprising", if you take the time to read it you will find that this is actually a top quality book about producing really beautiful and PROPERLEY FITTED knitwear. The range of patterns included is wide, and the author has explained each and every technique used so even the novice knitter will be able to "whip up" something to be proud of. All in all great fun, clear instructions, and a great change from saggy baggy sweaters! Plus the PVC-esque cover is very practical if you spill your cuppa on it.

A little disappointed with this. For all the branding and commentary (which is very fun) the actual designs are a bit....meh. If you took away the glammed-up models in the photos inside, the knits would not be out of place in Prima magazine. Still, it has three levels of difficulty which is really useful if you are trying to build up your skills.

i purchased this book along with a few other knitting books. i was totally blown away by it. i loved the authors sense of humour and originality. it was a joy to read, yes i am actually reading it not just looking at the pictures. i did find it difficult trying to understand the lifted increase, but there is a video on the authors website showing exactly how its done. rather than feeling daunted by the patterns, i feel inspired. as for the other books i bought, they are adequate but pail into insignificance next to domiknitrix

I have knitted a lot of garments from this book and absolutely love it! My friend borrowed it some months ago and I am so afraid like with other books that this would not be returned I had to get another one!

I purchased this book to get 1 pattern only to find it was not included in the book and was available on the author's website. The rest of the book is okay, but I am really glad I bought a second hand copy and didn't pay out for the full priced version. I will not be using any of the patterns and all the techniques I already know, so all in all a waste of my time and money! Still, I suppose I can give it to a new young knitter!!