The Ultimate Portable Knitting Compendium This is one of the more comprehensive knitting references I have seen. As an intermediate knitter myself, I was pleased to see that even a beginner with this in their possession, could really knit any pattern as all the basic techniques are covered. I appreciate that a good reference assumes nothing and starts at the very beginning with casting on. Usually overlooked by most references, this one has a whole chapter devoted to embellishments such as knitting with beads and sequins, and embroidery stitches. The color illustrations and photographs of what the finished technique looks like make a very usable guide.