Trafalgar Square Books is a small publisher located in North Pomfret, Vermont. They specialize in offering books about horses. However, they also publish a selection of books about dogs, nature and crafts, too.
I haven’t reviewed any of their equestrian books. Since this is a craft site, I stick to reviewing their books about craft topics — primarily knitting and crochet, but I’ve also reviewed one of their embroidery books, too.
Find Stylish, On-Trend European and Scandinavian-Style Craft Books From Trafalgar Square Books
If English is your preferred language, but you’re interested in reading European craft books that were first published in other languages, you’ll definitely want to check out what Trafalgar Square Books has been publishing — because many of their titles are ones that were first published in Europe.
In particular, they make many Scandinavian book titles available to a broader audience of English speakers. Lately, hygge and Scandinavian style have been hot trends here in the United States — especially in home decor. So if you want to knit cozy Scandinavian-style throws, blankets and other home decor items, you’ll definitely want to browse through Trafalgar Square Books’ library of publications. You’ll also find stunning patterns for Nordic-style sweaters, scarves, mittens, accessories and a broad range of other craft projects.
In general, I LOVE this publisher’s high-quality books, and I can’t get enough of them! I highly recommend the following titles for your consideration:
Trafalgar Square Knitting Books
1. Fair Isle Knitting: 22 Traditional Patterns from Where the Atlantic Meets the North Sea
You might want to read this beautiful hardcover Fair Isle knitting book if you’re hoping to find up-to-date Fair Isle knitting patterns; the patterns are the primary focus of this book, although it does also include some useful stranded color knitting tips, too. The book includes patterns for knitting women’s sweaters, children’s sweaters, tams, cowls, mittens, gloves, and project bags. Delightful photography and harmonious colorways give you a couple of additional motivations for wanting to own this lovely book.
Learn More About This Book:
- You can learn more by reading this book review of Fair Isle Knitting by Carina Olsson.
- You can shop for this book at Amazon by clicking or tapping HERE.
2. Vivian Hoxbro’s Knitting Handbook: 8 Schools of Modular Knitting
This book will free you from the constraints of bottom-up knitting. It’ll teach you how to knit in a variety of directions; you’ll learn how to do entrelac knitting; how to knit mitered squares; how to knit circle shapes; and how to knit shells, zigzags, staircases and other such configurations.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out our book review of Vivian Hoxbro’s Knitting Handbook.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
3. Handknits From Rauma, Norway: 30 New Takes on Traditional Scandinavian Designs
Author: Bente Presterud
I am enchanted and enthralled by the designs in this lovely new knitting pattern book by Bente Presterud!
Bente has an amazing talent for using historic knitting elements to create stunning garments that are simultaneously classic and on-trend right now. In this book, she showcases vintage and contemporary Norwegian knit design in an updated and compelling way.
In this book’s pages, you’ll find a variety of patterns for knitting pullover sweaters, cardigans, a dress, a knitted pants set, and a hooded cape-style poncho.
Many of these patterns utilize bulky yarn and simple silhouettes. Bulky yarn is not usually my thing, but this book has me rethinking that, because these designs are quite wearable.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out my book review of Handknits From Rauma, Norway.
- Click or tap here to shop for this book at Amazon.
4. Norwegian Sweaters & Jackets: 37 Stunning Scandinavian Patterns
Author: Kari Hestnes
This is one of the prettiest knitting books I have ever held in my hands. The patterns in this book are exquisite. Aside from the patterns, the book is overflowing with truly gorgeous nature photographs taken by the book’s author. If you enjoy pretty garments, armchair travel and nature photography, this book is one you will definitely want to check out.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out our book review of Norwegian Sweaters & Jackets.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
5. Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knits for Kids:Over 45 Distinctive Scandinavian Patterns
6.Selbu Mittens: Discover the Rich History of a Norwegian Knitting Tradition with Over 500 Charts and 35 Classic Patterns
This book is a truly impressive, comprehensive and exhaustive reference book on the topic of Selbu mittens. If you want to know anything and everything worth knowing about mitten designs from Selbu, Norway, this book is going to be your go-to resource.
This book’s authors interviewed countless people and sorted through everything relevant they could find in bunches of museum archives.
The result is this encyclopedic collection of mitten motif patterns and historic information on both the techniques and history of mitten knitting in Norway’s Selbu region.
But this isn’t a dull, dry history book. Hand knitters will enjoy the 35 ready-made mitten knitting patterns designed by some of Norway’s most talented knitters and designers. Knitting pattern designers will be delighted to get their hands on the 500+!!!! charted-out motif patterns for knitting stars, borders, flowers and other designs that this book includes. Beyond that, the historical information is fascinating (Did you know that the Norwegians used mittens as currency during the Great Depression era?), and the book also includes bunches of helpful technical information about how mittens are constructed.
I highly recommend this book to you if you’re a knitter, a knitting pattern designer, an aspiring knitting pattern designer, or a fashion historian. If you have any interest in knitting mittens, or in the history of knitting, or in Scandinavian history, this book is a book you’re likely to enjoy.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out my detailed book review of Selbu Mittens.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
7. The Field Guide to Knitted Birds by Arne & Carlos
Would you enjoy savoring a bit of silly humor along with your knitting?
If so, I think you’re going to be delighted by this fresh, witty, humorous and fun book called The Field Guide to Knitted Birds by Arne & Carlos. The birds are adorable projects, and they’ll help you use up all all your yarn scraps, not to mention any odds and ends of embroidery floss, feathers, beads and sequins you might happen to have hanging around.
Furthermore, this book will give you patterns and inspiration for knitting cute, fun projects that make excellent gifts and decorations — perhaps Christmas tree ornaments or perhaps items to dangle from a mobile.
Learn More About The Field Guide to Knitted Birds:
- Check out our detailed book review of The Field Guide to Knitted Birds.
- Click here to shop for this book at the publisher’s website.
8. Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Christmas Knits
Do you knit Christmas gifts or Christmas projects?
If crafting impressive holiday gifts is important to you, you’re likely to enjoy Jorid Linvik’s lovely compilation of Christmas knitting patterns.
This book includes two different types of patterns. The first is specifically Christmas-themed projects that incorporate obvious holiday motifs; these include stockings and advent calendar treat bags. The second is small, gift-worthy everyday items that are relatively quick to knit; these include hats, mittens and cowls.
The patterns for wearable projects have been graded to fit men, women and children. There are many wonderful gift ideas for people of all ages / genders. There are also patterns for home decor items included.
Learn More About This Book:
9. Lace Knitting: 40 Openwork Patterns, 30 Lovely Projects, Countless Ideas and Inspiration
This book includes some of the most spectacular lace knitting patterns I have ever seen including blankets, sweaters, accessories and more. If you want to knit lace projects suitable for women, children and babies, this book is likely to be of interest to you.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to view a detailed book review of this title.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
10. Cable Knits From Nordic Lands
The featured projects included in this book are wearable cable-knit garments and accessories including sweaters, vests, hats and many others. The author of this book is both an expert knitter and an expert teacher, and his expertise shines through in virtually every aspect of this book.
One of the things I appreciate most about this book: It is both a pattern book and a stitch dictionary, and it includes a section that’s devoted to showing you cable stitch patterns that you could incorporate into your own knit designs if you are inclined to do your own design work.
Learn More About This Book:
11. Traditional Danish Sweaters
Traditional Danish Sweaters is part stitch dictionary, part pattern book and part history book. The author of this book has given you a priceless gift. She has spent hours upon hours upon hours culling through materials from Danish museum archives. Then she collected the most important knowledge she gained from the experience and compiled it into this easy-to-use book. If you’re at all interested in knitting history, or you’d like to include traditional Danish design elements and motifs into your knitwear, this book is going to be of exceptional value to you.
- Click here to see my book review of Traditional Danish Sweaters.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
12. Socks From Around Norway
This lovely book is part knitting pattern book, part sock knitting instruction manual and part history book.
In it, the author, Nina Granlund Sæther, explores the history of sock knitting in Norway. She shares interesting details about historic socks that she has learned from perusing various museum archives and historical society materials.
Along with the history, she also shares 41 sock knitting patterns she has created by reinterpreting the antique Norwegian socks she discovered in museum archives. Her socks are suitable projects for contemporary knitters, and at the same time, they are clearly reminiscent of their vintage inspiration pieces. The results are patterns that are both classic and timely.
This book is really a treasure. If you’re interested in sock knitting, you’ll definitely want to check it out.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to read our detailed book review of this title.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
13. Maja’s Swedish Mittens
If you want to knit some new mittens, you have a tough choice ahead of you — because there are zillions of amazing mitten patterns available. If stranded colorwork knitting patterns are of interest to you (and even if they aren’t), Maja’s Swedish Mittens has a whole bunch of lovely choices to consider. Many, but not all, of the mittens in this book are stranded colorwork designs. There are also patterns for knitting plain mittens, lace mittens, cabled mittens, striped mittens and fingerless gloves.
- Click here to see my detailed book review of this title.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
14. The Big 3 Knitting Techniques
Get patterns for several classic garments and accessories: A slouchy hat, two vests, a cardigan sweater and mittens; then learn how to customize these basic patterns using a broad variety of different stitch patterns from 3 different knitting techniques:
- Stranded colorwork knitting (like Fair Isle)
- Slip stitch knitting
- Relief stitches / textured knitting
Learn More About The Big 3 Knitting Techniques Book:
- Click here to check out our detailed book review of this title.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
- Click here to shop for this book at the publisher’s website.
15. Arne & Carlos Favorite Designs
If you’re in search of knitting patterns you can use for making gifts for your loved ones, definitely check this book out. The book is heavy on patterns for small, gift-worthy items like embroidered slippers and unique dolls. You’ll also find patterns for stunning wearables like sweaters, mittens, a hat and a scarf.
One of the highlights of the book is the excellent selection of knitting patterns for ball-shaped Christmas ornaments adorned with fun Scandinavan design motifs — heart motifs, angels, squirrels, pigs and many others.
Most of the patterns in the book are for knitters, but there are a couple of spectacular crocheted blankets and a few other crochet projects you’ll probably want to make. There are also a few really cool embroidery projects too.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out our book review of this title
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.com.
16. Dogs on Sweaters: Knitting Patterns for 18 Different Dog Breeds
Is there a dog lover on your gift knitting list? Or maybe you’re a dog lover, yourself. If you’d be interested in finding fun, playful dog-themed knitting patterns, you absolutely need to check out Dogs on Sweaters by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne. This lovely hardcover book includes charted patterns for knitting 18 different dog breeds — plus you also get patterns for knitting customizable sweaters and other projects using these charts. There are projects suitable for men, women, babies, children — and even one cute dog sweater pattern, too.
The book includes an outstanding selection of baby projects including a lovely patchwork baby blanket plus baby booties and more. If you’re in need of cute baby patterns, definitely consider this book as a possibility.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to read my detailed book review of Dogs on Sweaters.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
17. Winter Knits From Scandinavia: 24 Patterns for Hats, Mittens and Socks
This is one of the loveliest knitting pattern books I have ever seen. The photography featured in the book is exquisite. It perfectly captures the Swedish landscape, along with some of the people, animals and knitting projects native to that landscape. (Cute lamb pictures, anyone?)
The projects included in the book are gorgeous Scandinavian style two-color stranded knitting patterns. This is basically the same type of technique as Fair Isle knitting. To make these projects, you work in stockinette stitch, with multiple color changes per row that form interesting pattern designs.
This author also occasionally adds details in other colors using duplicate stitch. For example, there’s a pair of eye-catching fox themed mittens included in the book where the fox is mostly orange and the background is white. You can add yellow eyes plus black details to the fox’s nose and eyes using duplicate stitch — how clever!
Design themes include animals, butterflies, florals, traditional Scandinavian motifs and others. There are designs suitable for women, men and children.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out our detailed book review of Winter Knits From Scandinavia.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.com.
18. Knit Yourself In: Inventive Patterns to Tell Your Story in the Danish “Hen Knitting” Tradition:
If you’ve ever wished you could design your own colorful knitted sweaters or other knitting projects, this is a book you’re definitely going to want to consider owning. The book is a knitter’s dream resource for learning how to put together different knitted motifs and colorways to create personalized, one-of-a-kind knitwear projects. The authors of the book have given you complete knitting patterns for sweaters, socks, mittens, pillows, a scarf and a hat. These designs can be knitted as-is, although the book’s authors encourage you to use these designs as a jumping-off point for putting together completed designs that are more customized to your own tastes. Their patterns give you the framework for getting started on your own knitwear design adventures.
It’s super easy to be creative when you’re given the right resources plus a great big push in the right direction — and if you’re already inclined to want to try your own designs, this book is likely to give you exactly the empowerment you need. The book makes it easy for you to play around with colors, shapes, motifs and ideas. If you’d like to express yourself through the medium of knitwear, the information in this book is definitely going to be of interest to you.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out a detailed book review of Knit Yourself In,
- click here to see project photos and more info available at the product page for the book at Amazon.
19. Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Socks
This book is an amazing collection of sock knitting patterns. You’ll find patterns to use for knitting socks for everyone you love. It can be extremely difficult to find clothes for premature babies — and this book includes a sock pattern for preemies, complete with 3 cute little variations that will each look different when you knit them. Then there’s a tiny, easy, beginner-level sock pattern that’s sized to fit babies. There are also sock patterns suitable for children and adults of both genders.
Learn More About Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Socks:
- Click here to find our detailed book review of this title
- Click here to shop for this book at the publisher’s website.
20. Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens
If you want to knit some mittens for yourself and everyone you know, this is the book for you. Mittens are the exclusive focus of this spectacular hardcover knitting pattern book. In this book, you’ll find lovely mitten knitting patterns for just about every personality type.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to get more details in our in-depth book review of this title.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
21. The Cable Knitter’s Guide: 50 Patterns, 25 Projects, Countless Tips and Ideas
If you’re interested in aran knitting or learning how to knit cables, this is the book for you. It’s part knitting stitch dictionary, part knitting technique book and part knitting pattern book. The book’s longer-than-average length and exceptional patterns make it an excellent buy, offering you high value in exchange for the money you spend. The book includes patterns for intricate throws, interesting cabled socks, classic sweaters, and much more.
One of the best things about the book: The author has created instructional videos teaching you how to knit each cable. There are QR codes printed right in the book that you can scan with your mobile phone. Scanning the QR codes will take you right to each video online. It’s a convenient way to see a demonstration of each pattern.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out my book review of The Cable Knitter’s Guide by Denise Samson.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.com.
22. Knitting for the Fun of It!
The knitting patterns in this book fall into several categories:
- Colorful
- Bohemian
- Sophisticated
Some of these designs manage to be all 3 of the above at once.
Although there are several solid-colored knitting projects included in the book, most of these patterns are daring and colorful without being over the edge. They’re exactly the pieces you want to reach for when you’re ensemble looks a little too blah — a colorful chevron scarf; a pair of stripey multicolored socks; mittens that incorporate several different colorwork patterns; and more. The book will even teach you how to dye your own yarns.
What really surprised me, though: how many easy patterns are in the book, considering their level of visual sophistication. Not all the patterns in the book are easy, but there are quite a few of them.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out our book review of Knitting for the Fun of It!
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
Trafalgar Square Crochet Books
23. Crochet for Every Day: 30 Gorgeous Patterns for Going Out and Staying In
Crochet for Every Day is a stylish pattern collection by May Britt Bjella Zamori. This book includes patterns for crocheting dresses, a pair of pants and matching hoodie, tops, tunics, sweaters, accessories, home decor projects, and more.
Learn More About Crochet for Every Day:
- If you want more details, check out my detailed book review of this title.
- Click here to shop for Crochet for Every Day at Amazon.com.
24. Classic Christmas Crochet
If you’d like to find crochet patterns you can use for making traditional Danish style Christmas ornaments that are also sophisticated and on-trend for Christmas 2024, check out Classic Christmas Crochet. This lovely book gives you Christmas patterns plus tips, international symbol crochet charts, and video guides. Instructions are included in the book for how to access the video guides.
Learn More About Classic Christmas Crochet:
- If you’d like to read my in-depth book review of Classic Christmas Crochet, you’ll find it HERE.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
25. Granny Squares: Over 25 Ways to Crochet the Classic Pattern
By Stephanie Gohr, Melanie Sturm and Barbara Wilder
Type of Book: Crochet pattern book
Why you’d want to own this book:
This book gives you international symbol crochet charts, patterns, instructions and inspiration for crocheting some of the loveliest, most creative granny square projects imaginable.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
- Click here to shop for this book at the publisher’s website
26. Mandalas and Doilies to Crochet
This delightful book is a must-have item if you’d be interested in crocheting colorful round projects like doilies, mandalas, earrings and others. One of this book’s main selling points is the inclusion of large, bold, clearly-labeled international symbol crochet charts that are printed in color. I love this book, and I think you’ll be pleased with it, too.
- Click or Tap HERE to check out my book review of Mandalas and Doilies to Crochet.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.com.
27. Crochet in Black and White
These are just a few of the Trafalgar Square craft books I’ve reviewed here at Knittingcrochetcrafts.com. I hope you found some fantastic new books to add to your craft library!
If you’d like to be alerted when I post new craft book reviews, I invite you to subscribe to my crafts newsletter! I also share news about other craft product reviews and new pattern releases in addition to book reviews.
Methodology I Used for Selecting the Books Included on This List
This book ONLY includes items I have personally held in my hands, looked at extensively and read from cover-to-cover. I have knitted and / or crocheted some projects from these books, but I haven’t knitted or crocheted all the projects in each title to comment on every last detail and nuance of each pattern.
Many people have opinions about what the “best” knitting, crochet and craft pattern books are.
Furthermore, these days, reviewers aren’t always even real people; nowadays, robots and artificial intelligence technologies get to have “opinions” and “write” book reviews, too.
I’m a real person, not a robot and not AI. And, in case you’re wondering why you might care about my opinion when it comes to knitting, crochet and craft books, I’ll explain about my background so you can decide whether my qualifications line up with your own expectations for what you look for in a craft pattern book reviewer.
About the Author of This Page: I’m Amy Solovay, hand knitter, crocheter and textile designer. It’s nice to “meet” you!
I learned to crochet as a child and learned to knit by hand as a teenager. I hold a degree in textile design from FIDM LA (The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles. I also hold a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics (with a studio art minor) from Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia.
After graduation from college, I worked in the textile industry for about a decade. I held assorted jobs, one of which was “knit designer” for a large Los Angeles-based fabric converter.
I have real opinions that are based on solid, real-world experience with knitting, crocheting and crafting. I’m knowledgeable about hand knitting, machine knitting and (to a lesser degree) loom knitting.
You need to understand this because it is now possible for automation technologies to crank out knitting and crochet books filled with patterns that don’t work out. I don’t want you to waste your precious time and your hard-earned money on knitting patterns that have floats that are too long, or stitches that are impossible to execute (and that’s just a short list of the possible problems with them.)
So that’s why I recommend considering the suggestions I’ve shared on this page rather than hitting the back button to try your luck with other search results.
More Ways to Find Excellent Knitting, Crochet and Craft Books
My book lists were getting really long and hard to navigate, so I’ve been working on adding topic-specific book lists to this site. These links will take you to the relevant pages:
Related Resources
- Crochet Books
- Best Crochet Books for Beginners
- Best Crochet Baby Pattern Books
- Best Crochet Motif Books
- Best Crochet Granny Square Pattern Books
Knitting Tools and Supplies
Posted By: Amy Solovay
About Your Book Reviewer — Amy Solovay is a freelance writer with a background in textile manufacturing. She learned to crochet as a small child and learned how to knit as a teenager. After earning two degrees, one of which is in textile design, she launched a career in the textile industry. She has worked as a textile print colorist, knit designer and director of design for various Los Angeles based fabric manufacturers. Later she transitioned to writing about crochet, knitting, crafts and other topics for major media outlets. She enjoys designing crochet and other craft patterns, and she invites you to make use of them.
This page was last updated on 10-4-2024.