Mary Thomas's Book of Knitting Patterns

This is a wonderful little book, at first it could look plain and daunting to beginners but you may find that you understand more than you think you do as it explains many things that are so interesting in such an accessible way. You do really need to read it all if only to be sure not to miss anything. I love it so much that I have ordered the reprint of her other book and one of the reviewers for that comments that the information contained would have been padded out with pictures had it been done today. Someone else commented that they didn't buy this because it didn't have colour pictures but it doesn't need them because it contains lots of real information and isn't really giving you a pattern to blindly follow which is where pictures can come in handy I find. This gem gives you proper explanations that enable you to know what you are doing for yourself and experiment bravely and creatively. My favourite piece is for a pair of socks in twisted rib - no heel turning required, I am about to have a go as I have started to knit lovely thick socks to an Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern and they were so easy that I want to add to my sock repertoire. I am not a hugely experienced knitter but this book gives me the information to experiment with. It isn't as hard as I thought to step away from using standard patterns. And they really don't make books quite like this any more, so pleased that it's still in print.

Sadly this fell me expectations based on my memories of Mary Thomas' book from many years ago. I suspect the problem is that presentation of this sort of material has improved dramatically over the years.But despite the problems of presentation I am confident that I will make good use of the substance.

excellent text, already known to me as a useful reference, this individual book in very good condition, as described, delivery prompt

Really pleased with text and pictures describing the stitches.

Mary Thomas wrote (during the war) two books, the 'Patterns' is the second. Both are excellent, but the second will need the first to help use it. An amazingly thoroughly well-illustrated pair of books.