Mary Thomas's knitting book.
The FIRST & in the opinion of many, the very best book of knitting techniques. An absolute must for every knitter, from a beginner to advanced. Ms Thomas explores knitting technique in exhaustive detail from how to wind a center pull ball, to Eastern, Western, & Combined knitting. Many ways are detailed for every knitting detail--casting on, decreasing, increasing, & etc. About the only techniques not documented in this book, are the more modern innovations--SSK for a left leaning decrease is absent for example. I believe this book was first publishing in 1939, so the illustrations are line drawings & are dated but the information is invaluable & timeless. A serious knitter would be hard pressed to only have 1 copy of this book. I currently have 3: in my knitting bag, downstairs, & upstairs. The small format lends itself to be tucked into a purse or knitting bag for knitting on the go.