The Touch of Yarn

Davey Hulse is an amazing knitter, who happens to be blind. He has written a wonderful knitting primer, a book designed for the sighted and the blind, that explains clearly the steps to learn knitting, and provides projects and patterns as well. Update 4/18/11: The book is now available in braille or large print from Davey directly: The Touch of Yarn From the Lion Brand site: This excellent beginning knitting book was written by a blind knitter and intended for both sighted and visually-impaired beginning knitters. The instructions are clear, friendly and straightforward; each chapter is followed by a project that allows you to implement what you have just learned. Concepts covered in the book includ e: Slip knot Cast on Knit Bind off Yarn Over Increase Elastic or Delayed Bind Off Knit Two Together (k2tog) Decrease Purl Purl Two Together (p2tog) Decrease Installing a Life Line Reverse Knitting (tinking) Repairing a Dropped Stitch (Knitting Back Up) Joining pieces together with: *Kitchener *Three Needle Bind Off *Mattress Stitch KFIB, M1 and modified M1 Increases SSK and SL1, K, PSSO Decreases Converting flat patterns to knitting in the round Picking up stitches Tutorials on needles, yarn and organization The author says: "I’ve spent almost a year writing what I believe is the most usable beginning knitting primer in the world. Why? Because I couldn’t find knitting lessons that were free of jargon. I couldn’t find a tutorial that broke every task into perfect detail and made me practice every step before I moved on. Because I couldn’t find a book that was easy to use and recapped things so I could find them quickly."I want your experience to be better than mine was from the first day you pick up your first set of knitting needles, those strange little pointy sticks. I don’t want you to be one of the sad and frustrated people that try with confusing or unclear instructions and wind up throwing the whole wad of needles, tangled yarn and, dare I say it, painfully awful knitting into a bag and giving it to a thrift store, like I almost did. There is no reason for it… now." "Although pictures are not included, they aren't really necessary, because the text instructions are clear and accurate. The directions for the m1 increase are without doubt the best I have ever come across." -- Deborah Mason, knitter and retired teacher This is the large-type downloadable version of the book. When you purchase it, you will receive a PDF copy that you can read in Adobe Acrobat. he book is also available in digital Braille Ready Format (BRF format) for use in common braille reading devices or braille printers.