Cover Up with Nicky Epstein 

Fans of intarsia and fair isle will be pleasantly surprised by this collection of afghans. I typically knit in neither style and checked out the book mostly to see what all the fuss over Epstein was about. Most of these I'd never consider knitting, be it for the color-scheme or degree of complication, or both. The Zodiac afghan, however, does give pause – it's clearly charted, and could be adapted (along with a few other designs) for use on a smaller scale, like pillows. All the designs have full color charts and schematics, so if you're looking for clear instructions for your next mammoth project, this might be the book for you.

Favorite Socks . Another excellent collection put out by Interweave Press, Favorite Socks collects some of the most popular sock patterns from the magazine. There's a bit of something for everyone, and I've already picked out a couple of patterns, and knit the Embossed Leaves. My one complaint, as with many sock patterns is the lack of clear pictures of socks on actual feet. Too many of the patterns have a photograph of the sock on it's own, and as knitters will know, this almost never shows off the pattern to greatest effect. With this exception, the volume will be an excellent addition to any sock knitter's library.

Knitting America by Susan M. Strawn, Melanie Falick.  

More Coffee-table history than pattern book, Knitting America is a satisfyingly heavy, photo packed volume that should appeal to any yarn aficionado. Confined specifically to the Americas, the history traces chronologically the documented accounts of knitted clothing, from the original colonization, through to the present day. I'm more familiar with wartime knitting, so it was of interest to see the role of knitting in the colonial and revolutionary days. While I probably wouldn't knit any of the historical patterns provided, I'd still love to give this a place of honor in my reference collection.

Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan McGowan-Michael.  Fans of White Lies Designs will have already discovered this beautifully photographed pattern book. As the title suggests, all of the designs are either lingerie, or lingerie inspired. In the latter case this translates into some lovely shape emphasizing sweaters, vests, and corsets. There's a small selection of stockings as well, and I've already knit one of the Fishnet Knee Highs (following the publisher's errata) to great effect.

Son of Stitch 'n Bitch Edited by Debbie Stoller.  As a successor to the highly popular Stitch and Bitch series, Son of Stitch and Bitch disappoints. The premise is a good one, it just falls a bit flat for all the males in my life. Despite being designed by or consulted with men, most of the patterns here are still awfully flashy, and some of them are downright garish. While I find it cute, I don't know a single man who'd actually wear a sweater in bright 'Ernie' stripes, and while some of the other cabled alternatives are more tasteful, they're worked in colors and yarns that only the trendier hipster would find attractive. The hats and scarves are more in keeping with traditional guy schemes, and I like the dress sock pattern offered quite a lot. I just don't know anyone (myself included) who would wear the rest of the entries, which makes this pattern book a pass for me.

Couture Knits by Jean Moss.  One of many new knitting books acquired by the county library system, Couture Knits is the one most likely to appeal to the late twenty-something/professional knitter. Laid out with an emphasis on how each element works with the garment (stitches, shaping, color), Moss clearly presents a collection comprised mostly of cardigan sweaters with classic shapes but less traditional lines. There's also a helpful reference section at the back of the book if you're the sort of knitter who can be found without your laptop handy. Overall, for my own purposes, there's not much that would inspire me to buy this – not from any lack of features, but the plainness of the patterns therein. There's a garter lace cami that would go well with the items in Knitting Lingerie Style, but otherwise I doubt I'll be trying any of the patterns in this one.

Simple Knits with a Twist : Unique Projects for Creative Knitters, by Erika Knight.

I was rather disappointed after borrowing this from the library. While the illustrations are wonderfully clear, the projects just aren't all that spectacular. The author seems more preoccupied with using unusual materials to knit with than the end result. So you can knit a cushion out of strips of felt - what's the point, when so many people felt their knitted items anyway? With the exception of the armchair cover (which is impractical, but cool), none of the patterns themselves are unusual, just the variation in what they're made from. Slippers out of satin ribbon, a garter stitch purse from tulle, shopping bag from recycled shopping bags, the aforementioned cushion from felt, and a garden kneeler from kitchen twine.. The 'simplicity' the title speaks of is just another word for boring.

Knitting Fashions of the 1940s by Jane Waller.  Part history, part retro-fashion show, this book is a lovely coffee table addition to any knitter's library.  Waller arranges the patterns by type - Troops, Home Front, Glamour, etc, and offers a short explanation of each section before presenting the patterns.  Each pattern has a photo of the original garment, and one made by modern knitters with available yarns.  The only drawback is that sizing may be an issue for smaller knitters.  Most of the patterns are presented with only one size, the average being a 38-42" bust.  Since these are almost all knit at a very small gauge (on US 2s or 3s), sizing up is going to be much easier than sizing down.  I usually take a 32" bust pattern, and there's next to nothing that I could make for myself that would fit comfortably, unless I went down to the sort of needle sizes that cause eyestrain.  Larger busted gals should find plenty of shapely knits, though.

Yarnplay, Lisa Shobhana Mason.  One of a handful of books aimed at the intermediate knitter, Yarnplay is a surprisingly nice blend of theory and practice.  Mason's bright, easily adaptable patterns nicely offset the color theory more often accompanied by bland worksheets.  This is the sort of thing I want to see more of in pattern books - theory and practice side-by-side in eye-catching, innovative combinations.  I'm not sure I'd make any of the patterns myself, but I'd at least consider them.

Speed Knitting, Kris Percival, Randy Stratton. Another disappointingly basic pattern book, Speed Knitting promises quick to knit projects that are innovative as well as stylish - what it delivers are more large gauge basics easily found on any online learn-to-knit site. I'm past the point where I need instructions for a garter-stitch scarf, and I don't think I've used anything larger than size 13 needles since finishing one of Teva Durham's large-gauge vests. If you need quick-to-knit items, I'd suggest a good web search, or the appropriately named Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, which offers more than just presenty patterns.