Knitting from the Top is a super book from Barbara Walker, the author of several well known collections of knitting patterns. Here she covers the art of knitting garments from the top down. Not just raglan sweaters either - saddle shoulder, peasant style cut-out drop shoulder and fitted sleeve sweaters are also included. She covers as well the way to knit a variety of styles of trousers, skirts, capes, ponchos and more.

This book is not for the complete beginner. You will need to know how to knit and be prepared to use circular needles throughout. Ms Walker does not use steek techniques in the making of cardigans from the neck down but discusses in detail how to make raglan cardigans in one piece which does create a very neat finish. You will need to know how to make your gauge swatch and how to measure the person for whom you are knitting accurately, and you will probably need a calculator or to be good at basic arithmetic. The patterns covered do not give you a row by row recipe, but provide generic instructions from which you make a garment or item in the size YOU want.

There are two pages I particularly love. One is the description, with photos, of how to do ten different kinds of double increases. It's on Page 20, in the chapter covering the making of a basic raglan sweater. And Ms Walker doesn't just cover the basic sweater, she includes instructions for you to make several different neckline styles. The other page I love is the description - in 800 words with no illustrations - of how to do the traditional open edge cast on which creates a row of live stitches which you can pick up and knit in the opposite direction. This description is so clear that provided the instructions are followed absolutely to the letter, there is no need for any line drawings - and none are provided. There are, however, two clear photographs and the only other photographs in the book illustrate the double increases described in the book, and the picking up of stitches along an edge.

This book was published in the 1970s. There are no colour photos or illustrations of finished garments and the four black and white photos are used for technical purposes. However it's still a wonderfully written, clear treatise on the art of knitting sweaters and other garments from the top down and every knitter should have it on her (or his) bookshelf. You can buy it here" at Amazon.com if you would like your own copy.