A great book for a first time stitcher
587689
I bought 5 books to learn embroidery and if I had to choose, this would be the one I would get if I could only choose one.  The illustrations are great and I totally understood how to make the stitches.  Fantastic book!
3162050
The instructions in this book were very straightforward.  Looking at some of the other comments, yes they are geared towards Kreinik thread, and yes it is embroidery done by hand.  I was looking for a by hand embroidery book, so that was a big plus.  For me there are two negatives, and the only reason I did not give this book a five star rating.  The first is the sample patterns provided.  I would describe them as country craft, which is fine if that is your style, it isn't mine.  Second I was looking for something with different textures of metal thread, which is not really what this book is about. Overall, its very clear in directions, so if you want to work by hand, and like the styles you'll love it.
3914453
This book really shows step by step stitches for new crichetters
690266
This is a good book to have in your colletion of references.  Has many stitches that a beginner can use.
4518167
Though this book is not exhaustive like other similar titles, I really like what is in the book.  The pictures are very clear; I think what I like most is that the pictures are in color.  It makes it far easier to see the stitches and how the resulting stitches will look once finished. It is a very good reference and addition to my library.
880699
Before buying this book I looked up what patterns come in it on Ravelry to see if there was anything I wanted to make. Several of the patterns appealed to me, (I so want this hat and this necklace) so I was happy to receive this book and get started making things.

The book came very fast, only taking 4 days to reach my house from wherever it shipped from. The pictures are beyond gorgeous, and each pattern is charted and written: a plus for me since I like to gravitate from one to the other when working.
In the first few chapters Laura explains some new knitting terms that she will be using in her patterns. I think of myself as an experienced knitter, but there were are few techniques she went over that I had never heard of before. Also, all of her projects incorporate these "new" techniques in varying ways, so this book would still be good for a beginner knitter. Some projects use all of them (like the shawl) where others use only one (like the hat).

The only downside that I could find is that there is no picture table of contents. In most knitting books I own, there is a page at the front where all the patterns are shown so you can just turn to the one you want to make without having to leaf through the whole book. But that is a minor setback. I still love the book and am planning on making both the necklace and the hat, as well as a few other things.

Read more at: http://www.kitty-ears.com/2014/09/knockout-knits-book-review.html
1305675
I love having this reference book by me as I stitch, I do find some of the instructions and diagrams are a bit lacking for somebody who is trying to self-teach themselves to embroider.  But over all, there are many beautiful stitches and I can't wait to try them all.  A very good guide.
3650729
This book is a combination stitch dictionary for textured, cable stitches and a pattern book.

The patterns include a very nice fringed skirt, where the cables end in fringe around the hem. There are standard men's and women's and kids' pullovers and a beautiful Aran afghan, by far my favorite of the designs. There is also a bag, pillow, hat, scarf, vest, poncho and afghan made of squares. I saw no jackets nor cardigans. The patterns are fairly basic, though a pillow in an all-over two-color cable was rather intricate-looking, but probably not terribly hard to knit.

You could adapt any of the patterns to use the other stitch designs in the stitch dictionary.

There is a front section of HOW-TO, for the newbie who has never cabled or done twisted stitches before. So I'd say this is a great book for new knitters who love cables and would like to know where to start. As you learn, you won't outgrow this book.
3368774
This is not a stitch guide for those who are new to the concept of stitch guides. The patterns are well explained and well laid out, but there isn't a lot of extra information. That said, there are some really great patterns in here.

Please note, there aren't any patterns for completed pieces. All the patterns are for the stitch patterns only, and you are expected to use them in your own creations. I wasn't looking for complete patterns, so I have been very satisfied with the book. I've used it to design a custom lace and cable cowl for my grandmother.
1363036
This book is excellent for the beginner and for your library when wanting to learn a new stitch. It also has a lot of tips woven in that I've not seen anywhere else and they are very helpful. Buy the book.
3563678
I agreed with other puttingup the review.  If you are not very experience with beadworking or peyote stitch yet you may want to try some easier project before starting with this book.  I haven't try any of it yet but the illustration is clear enough for me becuase I had been beading for years and I do some 3d beading project before so it was not that hard to get a hold of this.  Another book to start with possibly will be the Beaded Boxes.  It is a very well illustrated book.
2698357
I have a home-ec class level of sewing experience - this book is great for people looking to into sewing with little-to-no experience.
The book moved in a sensible order, with projects that you can complete with what you learn in the book,
286574
Happy to have found this book.  Has projects for me - I am not a super-duper knitting machine.  I enjoy making things but am more a basic knitter.  Lots of fun things to do from this book and I would attempt most of them!  Very happy with my purchase.  A more skilled knitter might find this more a beginner book.
3229578
I really enjoyed going through all the different cross stitch patterns in this book. I was looking for something out of the normal stitching area and this book did just that!
1111273
I love this book. It has the cross stitch idea that everyone thinks about but now can stitch. Pretty easy stitching so far
1993938
I got this book to go with The Craft and I'm glad I did. It's very helpful for beginners.
630788
I am new to sewing and found patterns had to read because I just didn't understand the terms and how to do a lot of different types of techniques. I checked out this book from the library and I have found it EXTREMELY helpful! This is a great reference book. Because I enjoy the book so much, I will be buying it. There are lots of pictures and clear illustrations. I would recommend this to anyone who is new to sewing and may not be able to afford to take sewing classes.