A couple of weeks ago I received a copy of Skill Set: Beginning Knitting, the new publication from my good friends Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner at Modern Daily Knitting.
Full of creativity and curiosity, this book is aimed at ‘innocent-as-a-newborn-baby’ knitters and has a tone that’s as warm and welcoming as it’s authors. Confused about what needles to use? What the heck is Worsted yarn? What one earth do I do with a skein? No need to stress because Ann and Kay gently guide you through everything you need to know. So whether you’ve tried knitting and abandoned it through frustration or never knitted a single stitch, everyone is instantly welcomed into the knitter’s world, led carefully by the ladies of MDK.
What’s really encouraging is that despite their 40 years combined knitting knowledge, in this book they’ve put themselves in the position of a newbie knitter. Each of the 9 lessons gently guides the reader through what they need to know, and when they need to know it. Starting as ever with Lesson 1, The Knit Stitch (via Supplies, Casting On and Casting Off) then progressing onto purl (Lesson 2), along the way pointing out how the two combine to form ribs and exactly how stitches are correctly oriented on the needles.
If this is enough of a challenge for you, then as MDK rightly point out, there are plenty of project options available to you in the form of scarves, cowls and blankets. But for those wanting to venture further and broaden their skills, increasing and decreasing are covered in Lesson 3, Basic Shaping.


Next comes Lesson 4, Knitting In The Round, and why you would want to – think sleeves, socks, hats, gloves and mittens just for starters – followed by fancy stuff like basic lace and cables in Lesson 5.
Basic Colourwork is covered in Lesson 6, from stripes – yes that is a form of simple colourwork – to the more advanced stranded techniques and intarsia. Lesson 7 guides you through Finishing; from sewing in ends and joining seams to blocking your work and Lesson 8 explains how to read a pattern, some common abbreviations and demystifies the barrage of information found on a yarn label.
There’s also advice on how to create your own knit kit essentials plus what to do in the event of a mistake and let’s face it, however many years you’ve been knitting, we all still make those. Lastly, Lesson 9 deals with Fixing Mistakes so whether it’s picking up a dropped stitch from one or four rows down, ripping back a few rows or unknitting a whole section it’s all clearly explained in Skill Set.


What’s more, alongside this cute wee book which is designed to slip easily into your handbag or project bag there’s also the Skill Set App. Available for both Apple and Android phones it contains videos for all the included techniques with the option for slow motion replay. How good is that?! It’s like having a miniature version of Ann or Kay in your pocket, and who wouldn’t want that?
This book is intended to build your crafting confidence and when you’ve done that, Ann and Kay would like you to pass it on, so the next knitter can use it to hone their knitting skills. I’m gifting this copy to my good friend Katie whose knitting is gradually coming along because I know she’ll refer to it – when she can’t get me on a WhatsApp call.
Skill Set isn’t available from my website but you will find it – alongside with lots of other goodies on the MDK website and also over in the Arnall-Culliford Knitwear Online Shop.
Ann and Kay, thanks for bringing even more MDK joy to our fibre world, this book is a gem. Still like the idea of having each of you in my pocket though…….
J x