The Penguin Knitting Book by James Norbury is a charming how-to-knit classic packed with delightfully vintage advice. Knitting fills a fascinating page in the human story. I know of no home-craft that enjoys the universal popularity of hand-knitting James Norbury's The Penguin Knitting Book, first published in 1957, is a how-to guide for the experienced knitter as well as the beginner.