Elizabeth Zimmerman is considered something of a canonical saint in the world of knitting, and I don't entirely disagree with this. The woman did amazing things, made knitting accessible to an entire generation of knitters, invented extraordinarily clever patterns, demystified many knitting techniques, and was a wonderful writer and - by all accounts - a very nice woman, to boot.

But.

And you knew there was a "but" coming, right?

Zimmerman specializes in what she calls "pithy" knitting patterns.  Which for modern knitters at least, are simply far too pithy to decode.  I have had success with Zimmerman's knitting patterns only when I have looked up supporting documentation online and on Ravelry.  (For pity's sake, there's an entire flourishing online cottage industry in decoding and expanding upon her Baby Surprise Jacket pattern alone.)

Knitting Without Tears is chock full of useful information; information that's almost impossible to find when you need it.  The index is laughably weak, and the chapter divisions are useless when you want to locate a particular technique.  You might think that your best bet is to buy a slew of Post-It Note stick-on tabs, and use those to mark the clever techniques.  Except that there are so many of them!  Where to begin?  Soon your copy would be festooned with Post-It Notes, and that's nearly as useless as no Post-It Notes at all.

But I can't fault it too badly for this, because the techniques, they are crazy useful.  For example - I just thumbed the book open randomly, to page 27 as it turns out, which has her instructions for a completely invisible increase.  (You knit into the back of the stitch on the row below the one you're knitting.  Sounds a little complicated, but it will make sense when you're doing it.  I've used this increase, and it is indeed completely invisible.)

Zimmerman also knew how to turn a phrase.  Her writing alone - clear, economical, yet evocative - is justification for owning her books.  

 "Climb up on a chair, take some of the plies in one hand, and some in the other, and pull gently.  The ball will spin giddily, and the wool will unwind. […] If you inhabit a stately mansion with an imposing staircase, you can do many yards at a time.  The top of a tall building would be better still, but you would be at the mercy of the winds and practical jokers."

Knitting Without Tears includes instructions (I hesitate to use the word "pattern" for a Zimmerman garment) for a number of items.  Perhaps most commonly knit (and seen on knitters) are the seamless sweaters, including the yoke, saddle shoulder, and very popular hybrid.  The Tomten jacket is also popular, although I believe the instructions for this are found elsewhere (and in a more verbose style, which will make it far easier to knit).  

This is an excellent knitter's coffee table book, something to pick up and skim from time to time.  Every time I do this I run across something that would really have helped me about a month ago.  I think "Damn!" and swear to remember it for next time, but I never do.  Maybe you will have better luck!