Trafalgar Square Books: 15 Book Reviews of Their Knitting, Crochet and Craft Titles

Trafalgar Square Books

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.

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 — but some of them are better than others. I highly recommend the following titles for your consideration:

Trafalgar Square Knitting Books

1. Traditional Danish Sweaters

Traditional Danish Sweaters: 200 Stars and Other Classic Motifs From Historic Sweaters, published by Trafalgar Square Books
Traditional Danish Sweaters: 200 Stars and Other Classic Motifs From Historic Sweaters, published by Trafalgar Square Books

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.

2. Knit Yourself In: Inventive Patterns to Tell Your Story in the Danish “Hen Knitting” Tradition:

Knit Yourself In, a Knitting Pattern Book Published by Trafalgar Square Books
Knit Yourself In, a Knitting Pattern Book Published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

3. Dogs on Sweaters: Knitting Patterns for 18 Different Dog Breeds

Dogs on Sweaters: Knitting Patterns for 18 Different Dog Breeds by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, Published by Trafalgar Square Books
Dogs on Sweaters: Knitting Patterns for 18 Different Dog Breeds by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, Published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

4. The Cable Knitter’s Guide: 50 Patterns, 25 Projects, Countless Tips and Ideas

The Cable Knitter's Guide: 50 Patterns, 25 Projects, Countless Tips and Ideas by Denise Samson, Published by Trafalgar Square Books
The Cable Knitter’s Guide: 50 Patterns, 25 Projects, Countless Tips and Ideas by Denise Samson, Published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

5. Vivian Hoxbro’s Knitting Handbook: 8 Schools of Modular Knitting

Vivian Hoxbro's Knitting Handbook: 8 Schools of Modular Knitting
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:

6. Handknits From Rauma, Norway: 30 New Takes on Traditional Scandinavian Designs

Author: Bente Presterud


Handknits From Rauma, Norway -- a Knitting Pattern Book by Bente Presterud, Published by Trafalgar Square Books
Handknits From Rauma, Norway — a Knitting Pattern Book by Bente Presterud, Published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

7. The Field Guide to Knitted Birds by Arne & Carlos

Field Guide to Knitted Birds by Arne & Carlos, Published by Trafalgar Square Books.
Field Guide to Knitted Birds by Arne & Carlos, Published by Trafalgar Square Books.

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 items to dangle from a mobile or use for embellishing the outside of a gift box.

Learn More About The Field Guide to Knitted Birds:

8. Cable Knits From Nordic Lands

Cable Knits From Nordic Lands Published by Trafalgar Square Books
Cable Knits From Nordic Lands by Ivar Asplund, published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

9. Socks From Around Norway

Socks From Around Norway: Over 40 Traditional Knitting Patterns Inspired by Norwegian Folk-Art Collections, by Nina Granlund Sæther, published by Trafalgar Square Books
Socks From Around Norway: Over 40 Traditional Knitting Patterns Inspired by Norwegian Folk-Art Collections, by Nina Granlund Sæther, published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

10. The Big 3 Knitting Techniques

The Big 3 Knitting Techniques Book by Ann-Mari Nilsson, Published by Trafalgar Square Books
The Big 3 Knitting Techniques Book by Ann-Mari Nilsson, Published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

11. Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Socks

Jorid Linvik's Big Book of Knitted Socks, published by Trafalgar Square Books
Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Socks, published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

12. Fair Isle Knitting: 22 Traditional Patterns from Where the Atlantic Meets the North Sea

Fair Isle Knitting Book: 22 Traditional Patterns from Where the Atlantic Meets the North Sea by Carina Olsson, Published by Trafalgar Square Books
Fair Isle Knitting Book: 22 Traditional Patterns from Where the Atlantic Meets the North Sea by Carina Olsson, Published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

Trafalgar Square Crochet Books

13. Crochet for Every Day: 30 Gorgeous Patterns for Going Out and Staying In

Crochet for Every Day: 30 Gorgeous Patterns for Going Out and Staying In, by May Britt Bjella Zamori, Published by Trafalgar Square Books
Crochet for Every Day: 30 Gorgeous Patterns for Going Out and Staying In, by May Britt Bjella Zamori, Published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

14. Granny Squares: Over 25 Ways to Crochet the Classic Pattern

Granny Squares: Over 25 Creative Ways to Crochet the Classic Pattern by Stephanie Gohr, Melanie Sturm and Barbara Wilder, Published by Trafalgar Square Books
Granny Squares: Over 25 Creative Ways to Crochet the Classic Pattern by Stephanie Gohr, Melanie Sturm and Barbara Wilder, Published by Trafalgar Square Books

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:

15. 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 list ONLY includes items from Trafalgar Square Books that I have personally held in my hands, looked at extensively and read. 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

I'm excited about this book, Delicate Crochet by Sharon Hernes Silverman, because I contributed 2 patterns to it! I hope you'll check out the fingerless gloves and the beaded necklace I designed for this book. Thanks for taking a look at them!
I’m excited about this book, Delicate Crochet by Sharon Hernes Silverman, because I contributed 2 patterns to it! I hope you’ll check out the ruffled fingerless gloves and the beaded crochet necklace I designed for this book. Thanks for taking a look at them!

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 2-2-2026.