Eucalan No-Rinse Delicate Wash (Unscented, 3.3 oz)
A lanolin wool wash that does not need rinsing - soak hand-knits, squeeze and lay flat. About 20 hand washes per small bottle.
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For Him / Her / Kids
Knitting Without Tears — the classic that teaches knitters to trust themselves
Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmermann (Paperback)
Reviewed by the WhyToBuyThis team · Updated September 2026 · How we choose
Perfect for
- Improving knitters
- Sweater makers
- Under $25
- Knitting book lovers
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Price: $11.10
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- Great gift ideaChosen for real-world gifting
- Hand-pickedCurated, not scraped
- Honest reviewThe catch, not just the hype
Why this gift works
Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmermann was first published in 1971 and has stayed in print ever since; this is the 128-page Simon & Schuster paperback. It covers yarn, casting on, gauge and following a pattern, then moves to her projects: seamless yoke sweaters, Norwegian-style color patterns, a hooded baby jacket, caps, socks, slippers and mittens.
What sets it apart is the voice. Zimmermann writes like a friend at the kitchen table, pushing knitters toward circular, seamless construction and toward trusting their own judgment instead of the pattern. Many knitters count it among the books that changed how they knit.
Who is this gift for?
Great for
- A knitter ready to design their own sweater
- Someone who collects knitting books
Think twice if
- They need step-by-step photos
- They already own a copy
The catch
It is conversational rather than step-by-step, with black-and-white drawings instead of photos, and some readers find parts of it dated - it suits knitters building skills more than absolute beginners.
Skip for a brand-new knitter who needs photo-by-photo instructions, or someone who already owns it (many do).
Key specs
| Author | Elizabeth Zimmermann |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster (paperback) |
| Pages | 128 |
| First published | 1971 |
| This edition | Paperback, 1973 |
| Covers | Techniques, gauge, seamless sweaters, socks, mittens and more |
Worth knowing before you buy
- This is the 128-page paperback from Simon & Schuster.
- Illustrations are black-and-white drawings.
Why we like it
- A classic that has never gone out of print
- Teaches why, not just how
- Seamless sweater methods knitters still use
What to look for in a knitting book
- Skill level. Match the book to where they are: photo guides for beginners, technique books for improvers.
- Projects or techniques. Some books are pattern collections; classics like this teach methods that work for any pattern.
- Illustrations. Photos help beginners; experienced knitters often prefer clear drawings.
Questions people ask
It covers the basics, but it is best for knitters who have made a few things and want to understand construction rather than follow photos.
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