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Freeform Knitting and Crochet - Jenny Dowde Shows how to use freeform knitting and crochet, making up shapes as you go along, using beads and other embellishments too. Includes how to make clay buttons and closures, appliqué, working with wire and directions for garments and bags. US shoppers click here: Freeform Knitting and Crochet 
Scarf StyleScarves and wraps with wonderful twists by Pam Allen and 30 other contemporary designers. Ideas range from extremely simple to very, very complex - with magnificant results. Scarves with sleeves, a beautifully fitting wrap, capelets with or without sleeves, lace and ruffle scarves in all shapes, intarsia, cables, ribs, entrelac, and even one or two infinitely adaptable traditional shapes. Oh yes, and one amazing multidirectional, multicoloured, multitextured creation using 47 shades of Paternayan Persian yarn... A 12-page design notebook at the back introduces ideas for inventing your own scarf. Phew! US shoppers 
Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns - Ann BuddDead simple square bodies for each of the six main sleeve variations, with either crew or v-necks, in five different gauges and up to 54" chest. If you want to add a touch of style though, such as shaping to the body (how revolutionary ;/ ) or a wider neck line, you have to know how to do it yourself. US shoppers 
1000 Great Knitting Motifsby Luise Roberts. All in colour charts, a library of, yes, rather a lot of knitting motifs. Geometrical, allover repeats, borders, pictures, ethnic, contemporary, themed, for kids. Luise encourages knitters to look at the motifs not only as fairisle or intarsia motifs, but for use as textured or beaded patterning. Big ringbinding and clear charts make this easy to work from. US shoppers click here: 1000 Great Knitting Motifs One Thousand (quite small) Sweaters 
I *love* this book: One Thousand Sweaters by Amanda Griffiths and Jane Crowfoot. It is a *strange* pattern book, but it has definite allure. It's quite different from, say, Ann Budd's Book of Patterns, where you choose your guage and knit away. Amanda and Jane present superbly styled body shapes, sleeve shapes and neck treatments in separate sections. You choose your desired body shape, which has a certain kind of sleeve (set-in or raglan) and neckline (round, scoop, square, v-neck, square v-neck or 'keyhole'). Then you choose the sleeve treatment from a selection, and do the same with the neckline treatment. For instance, for one of the squared v-neck bodies you could choose a neckline treatment from overlapping band, rib, collar, hood or roll-over, with explanations of how to adapt the pattern for different kinds of rib, cable, moss stitch, fairisle etc. There are also options for pockets and belts. How does it work with the tension, I hear you cry: well, it's all 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch using fine DK yarn. Somehow this works for ringing the changes, even if the finished guage is not 22 X 30. The examples are knitted in Rowan and Jaeger yarns. There are 31 body types to choose from, shown knitted up as just the body on a dummy with no sleeves or neck treatment - odd, but it works. Most of these are shaped and some come with options for shorter and longer lengths. There are also a wrap cardigan and a bolero. Stitch patterns range through plain stocking stitch to textured ribs, fairisle, lace, cables and intarsia. The sleeves (15 in all) are also presented knitted up but not attached to the body, and there are varying length options for most of them. The necklines (28) are shown attached to the body. The sweaters coming out of this collection are really fresh and exciting, due, I think, to the attention to detail in shaping the bodies and very carefully designed sleeves and necklines. The only possible drawback is that the sizing only goes up to fit a 38" bust (40" finished size). There are 3 'oversized' sweaters (actual size 45" or 49") which are really dreary shapes- all only with square sleeves which are not usable for any of the other sweaters. However, I suspect a tension of 20sts per 10cm might bring the finished size up to around 42" for an XL sizing without doing any damage to the way the pieces fit together. US shoppers click here: One Thousand Sweaters 
The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes & Gauges
Ann BuddThis book delivers exactly what it promises. Ideal for those who want to design a look of their own, but would like a basic pattern (very basic) or a basic template to follow. Knit hats, mittens, socks and sweaters in any size, any yarn and with any texture or colour pattern. US shoppers click here: The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns Ann Budd 
The Sweater Workshop: Knit Creative, Seam-Free Sweaters on Your Own with Any Yarn:
Jacqueline Fee (new edition)Takes you through the entire process of making a sweater. Fantastically clear and simple instructions. Peek at the amazon.com link below to see inside the book and to read the reviews. US shoppers click here: The Sweater Workshop: Knit Creative, Seam-Free Sweaters on Your Own with Any Yarn: Jacqueline Fee 
Styles - Sally Melville
This is the book you need when the stash grows too expansive (and expensive) to ignore any longer. Sally Melville quides you through sorting out your stash according to colour, then explains the technical and creative processes for combining different yarns and colours in your own unique design. US shoppers click here: Styles - Sally Melville 
Designing Knitware - Deborah Newton
This book offers a systematic approach to designing knitware, including detailed explanations of shaping and fitting, and using texture, colour and cut-and-sew, along with schematics. Patterns are given for 16 garments which can be adapted as you require. An excellent book for those interested in the design process of structured knitware. US shoppers click here: Designing Knitware - Deborah Newton 
Sweater Design in Plain English - Maggie Righetti
A creative, inspiring sweater design book that is very good for designing sweaters that fit real shapes. Plenty of technical detail enables knitters also to adapt other patterns for their own requirements. US shoppers click here: Sweater Design in Plain English - Maggie Righetti 
Knitting Without Tears; Basic Techniques and Easy-To-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes - Elizabeth Zimmermann
This is the classic sweater design book which empowered a whole generation of knitters to free themselves from other people's designs. Well worth reading for the anecdotes, the love EZ has of her craft and the myriad of hints and tips for taking ownership of your knitting. US shoppers click here: Knitting Without Tears; Basic Techniques and Easy-To-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes - Elizabeth Zimmermann |