This 191 page hardcover 1989 book is the 5th table leg of a quintet of important Elizabeth Zimmermann (EZ) hand-knitting books. Knitting Around (KnitAr) is graphics-intense, with both black and white photos and hand-written graphics peppered on almost every page. From pages 81-96, however, there are color photos with hand-drawn nature graphics surrounding these photos.KnitAr has a catchy subtitle: ‘Knitting Without A License’, which has 2 meanings: One is located on page XIV (read it to find out what it is!) and the other is mentioned in EZ’s other mirrored bookend (from the ‘quintet’) to this book, The Opinionated Knitter (TOK). Read my review of it here: https://www.amazon.com/Opinionated-Knitter-Elizabeth-Zimmermann/dp/0942018265/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 I replaced a beloved book that had been lent out and never returned. The seller’s description said it was in good condition: it in fact is like new. I am delighted.I had thumbed through "Knitting Without Tears" at my local yarn store and liked it a lot. So I ordered that book, and "Almanac" and "Workshop" from my local library. I've renewed them each twice - as well as the DVD of "Knitting Glossary". These books and the DVD have done more to help me with my knitting than any other book that I've used. I like making one of a kind items whether it's a quilt or an afghan or a sweater; so the EPS system works great for me. I can decide what I want to knit, what style, choose my yarn, do a swatch to get gauge and just start knitting. I usually have more than one project going at a time, so keeping a notebook and having the circular needles so they don't get lost - I don't lose my place either. As far as cutting the steek for the last sweater I made - no problem. Just be sure to sew it securely on your sewing machine like EZ says and snip away. It was GREAT not having any seams. I think I wove 18 sets of stitches at each underarm and I was done. If it still seems to intimidating to you knit a square in stockinette stitch that's maybe 8" square and try it out on that first. Also I really like the life stories of EZ - she is a very interesting lady, in fact when I'm watching the DVD I get tears in my eyes cuz she reminds me so much of my Grandma; she taught me to sew and my great Grandma taught me to knit and crochet.She does it again!Although I first learned to knit in the 70's, I re-learned a couple years ago after a 25 year sabatical. After numerous scarves and dishcloths, the search began for good knitting books. That's when I "found" Elizabeth Zimmermann. This is my favorite of all her books. It has knitting lessons, projects, and her autobiography (digressions, she calls them) which makes for a fascinating read. I love that she asks knitters to THINK, not just follow a pattern row-by-row. I am presently knitting the pi-r-square shawl - it's great that I can take it to work on anywhere, and don't have to bring the directions. She says "you can do this...or try this..." and lets me make the project my own while giving me the confidence to do it!I highly recommend this book, and would dearly love to see the original videos that were made for PBS to go with it. For those with extra cash, the book and videos would be an excellent choice to donate to your local library.While this book does contain several knitting patterns, this is a largely autobiographical book by Elizabeth Zimmermann. If you are familiar with her lively books and "deconstruction" knitting patterns, and find them charming, you will love this one. If you didn't like her other books, you'll dislike this one.The patterns are about learning to knit rather than following a pattern, and I think makes knitting less intimidating. The patterns cover socks, a fiar isle yoke sweater, dickeys and hats, the moebius jacket, the "Bog Jacket," the "pie are square" shawl, a Norwegian pullover, mittens, and my personal favorite, the Aran coat. Obviously, not a huge number of patterns, but I bought it mostly for Elizabeth's life story and her warm writing style.Very informative, and innovative at the time knitting techniques that we now take for granted for knitting in the round.What I enjoyed more, was the autobiography of Elizabeth Zimmerman's life. She was a woman ahead of her time. A talented artist, a free thinker. She grew up in a privaledged household, and had the opportunity to travel in even higher privledged circles. Yet this did not at all alter her down to earth character. I really enjoy her pragmatic philosphy, and her approach to knitting.The pictures of her art work, and of her life are facinating. The knitting diagrams of Elizabeth Zimmerman have at times left some detail to be desired, but her descriptions more than make up for it.This book is in great conditionArrived ahead of predicted delivery, in great condition. This is a fascinating mix of EZ's inimitable knitting instructions (actually, 'guides' might be more appropriate), and her famous 'digressions' which cover her life story, with beautiful examples of her artwork and family photos: all written in a warm and collaborative style. I love her approach to knitting and to writing in general, and have now made a complete mess of the spare room by dragging out all my yarn stash to sort into projects from this book! I would recommend this even to novice knitters, as although the instructions do sometimes take a bit of working out (part of my stash is in the 'what was I thinking but it'll do for trialling' pile), I think her approach to, and joy in, knitting is a great way to go. And some of her solutions to common knitting issues are really helpful. You may decide it's not your thang (some of the garments look oldfashioned now, but to me the Bog Jumper is a great example of what goes around etc) but I'm pretty sure that you'll try at least one idea of hers, and enjoy a great read in the process.I came across the name Elizabeth Zimmerman recently when I returned to an early craft love of mine, knitting. I was intrigued about the little snippets I'd read in articles. I love this book. I couldn't put it down once I opened it. I always knew knitters where clever funny gurus. Elizabeth is the Queen of that and what a fabulously interesting life. Colourful stories, beautiful patterns.Invaluable, quintessential EZI would love to have met EZ. her knitting tips and patterns are only half of the story. I read this book for pure pleasure. her pithy comments and fascinating life tales make me laugh out loud.after all these years still one of the best books to give you confidence to do your own designs