"A comprehensive stitch-resource for knitters of all ages and levels of experience." Knitting is the new yoga. Schools hold "knit nights," while needle-clacking cowboys trade stitch secrets on Prairie Home Companion. In Boston, knitting superstar Stephanie Pearl-McPhee arrives to a frenzied crowd at a yarn store. Headlines like "Catherine Zeta-Jones Is Knitting Mad " herald a newfound celebrity passion for the hobby. The latest statistics from the Craft Yarn Council of America show that 38 million knitters and crocheters participate in this relaxing pastime. Knitting Stitches is a small-format, portable guide to more than 300 stitch patterns. From the most basic to the more intricate, these traditional and contemporary patterns are demonstrated in clear, colorful illustrations with concise step-by-step instructions. With the stitches grouped by kind cable, bobble and the various others -- locating a specific stitch and determining its degree of difficulty is fast and easy. This is the perfect reference for discovering the pleasure of creating just the right pattern and texture for a knitting project. The book also includes: Instruction charts and how to use them A wide variety of yarns, each photographed Gallery of stitches Glossary of symbols and abbreviations Knit and purl stitches Cable stitches Lace and bobble stitches Twist and other stitches Working with more than one color. This comprehensive and handsome guide will be welcomed in any serious knitter's knitting bag.