As in many books of knitting techniques, this starts from the beginning and covers the areas about which a beginner would need to know. I especially liked the way the swatches followed on, making it easy to compare the different techniques relative to one another. More advanced knitters are also catered for, as well as ambitious beginners, since this is a compedium. A wide range of techniques is covered, although it should be noted that each technique is allotted the same amount of space, meaning that the more complex ones can be oversimplified. For example, the section on Fair Isle, which I find quite complicated, only has the allotted two pages and very few photos to make the process clear. That criticism aside, this lives up to its name, and is excellent for an overview of what’s possible.

Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2012/04/200-knitting-tips-techniques-trade...

200 Knitting Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets is, as the title suggests, a book about knitting. The book is organized into sections dealing with different aspects of knitting - equipment, patterns, garment design, basic techniques, advanced techniques, knitting in the round, creative techniques, and assembly. Each section is further divided into short sections dealing with specific topics. Topics range from reading a pattern to choosing a garment shape for your body shape, from stitch patterns to hand dyeing yarn. Each topic includes descriptions, color illustrations, ideas to try, and tips to avoid or fix common mistakes. Please note that while the book does have some stitch patterns, it is not a pattern book.

The book has many positive aspects:

overview of a wide variety of knitting topics
topics addressing not just how to knit but why and what to knit for different needs
short independent sections addressing discrete topics that allow the book to be used as a reference
detailed table of contents and index
glossary and abbreviation list

The book targets both novice and experienced knitters. I am not sure where I would put myself in that range - not a novice but not experienced either. I found the descriptions of each section contained enough detail for me to incorporate the technique into my knitting. Other knitters may have a different reaction. Overall, an okay knitting reference book. ( )