The very easy guide to lace knitting : step-by-step techniques, easy-to-follow stitch patterns, and projects to get you started by Lynne Watterson — Lace knitting can be intimidating. It looks intricate and time-consuming and that tiny little yarn can seem difficult to work with. All of these things can be true, but they don't have to be! This book is a great place to start (or continue, if you're already familiar) and includes instructions, tips, basic stitch patterns, and project patterns for easy lace knitting.

Vogue knitting knitopedia : the ultimate A to Z for knitters — Looking for information related to pretty much any aspect of knitting? Look no further, as this knitopedia has brief entries on just about everything, from Aran knitting to yak fiber, from bobbles to traveling stitches. This is one of those books that is both fun to flip through and useful when you need to look up something specific.

Best in show : knit your own dog by Sally Muir & Joanna Osborne — Looking for a low-maintenance pet with an extremely high cute factor? Look no further - this book has it covered. Whether you're looking for an Afghan Hound or an English Bull Terrier, a French Bulldog or a Siberian Husky, all of these breeds and many more are included. Even if you don't end up making any of these plush pets, the photos are fun to look at and may just satisfy your cute quotient.

Mastering color knitting : simple instructions for stranded, intarsia, and double knitting by Melissa Leapman — Colorwork techniques are among the most intimidating to many knitters. It's so easy to get your strands tangled, or for a carefully worked intarsia pattern to end up puckered or stretched. This book includes a lot of instructions as well as tips for making your colorwork come out looking like you hoped it would, and has twelve projects to try.

Wild color : the complete guide to making and using natural dyes by Jenny Dean — This guide not only provides instructions on how to dye your own yarn, it also includes an extensive, detailed list of plants you can use to make your own natural dyes. In addition, there is a handy chart for determining what dyeing method is best for which types of fiber, and each plant listing shows swatches of what colors you can expect to create with it. Many of these plants may already be growing in your garden!

Luxe knits: the accessories: couture adornments to knit & crochet by Laura Zukaite; photography by Cathrine Westergaard — Accessories can be so satisfying to knit — they're usually pretty quick to make and they can refresh your wardrobe without buying a bunch of new clothes. This book features a streamlined style with a focus on lightweight yarns and tonal dyes. The patterns range in complexity from beginner to advanced.

Stitch 'n bitch superstar knitting : go beyond the basics by Debbie Stoller ; with photography by Gabrielle Revere ; [illustrations by Adrienne Yan.] — Debbie Stoller is a bit of a knitting rock star, and when you see "Stitch 'n Bitch" in the title, you know there are going to be some hip, fun projects inside. This book has a ton of techniques that those who know the basics will be eager to learn. You can also use this book as a trouble-shooting guide: have difficulty getting your intarsia to lay flat? Problem solved. Puzzled by how to read lace charts? All set. And the projects are awesome! I'm not a sock-knitter, but the Skull Isle Socks might just make me a convert.

Sock yarn one-skein wonders by edited by Judith Durant — So often I find myself with just one skein of a gorgeous yarn. It can be hard to know what to do with it, and running short just shy of completing a project is not a place I want to be. I also love sock yarn, but I'm not a sock-knitter, so I love these projects that allow me to use that gorgeous fiber in other ways. I have added many of these items to my queue!

Design it, knit it : babies by Debbie Bliss — It can seem daunting to knit clothing, especially when that clothing is for a baby who may outgrow the item quickly. This book offers a wide variety of ideas for projects that will fit babies of all sizes. There is also information about choosing yarns that are soft enough for babies but also durable enough to handle repeated washing.

The yarn garden : 30+ knits using plant-based fibers by J. Marsha Michler — Many of us like to keep our lives filled with natural things as much as possible, and this book offers some perhaps not-as-well-known options for knitting with natural fibers. You'll find that just because it's natural, it's not limited to frumpy styles or subdued tones. You can also check out a few free patterns that didn't make it into the book.