Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Giveaway: The Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques

by 63 Comments

the knitter's book of finishing techniques

Congratulations to knittingdancer!

We could all use a little help when it comes to finishing our knitting projects well. Of course the knitting itself matters a lot, but finishing can really make or break a project. If your buttonholes are a little wonky or you don’t pick up stitches evenly for your edging, you project is just not going to look that great.

The Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman aims to help knitters finish as well as they start, with tips on things you would think of as finishing, like bind offs, picking up stitches and seaming. But it also includes tips on casting on stitches, increasing, decreasing, using selvedge stitches, making buttonholes, even things like how to store finished sweaters.

It’s a really great and concise guide to a lot of issues that perplex knitters.

If you’d like a chance to win a copy of this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, June 21. If you want, tell me the area of finishing with which you have the most trouble. For me, lately, it’s grafting; I always seem to do it backward!

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Next Pattern:

Comments

  3. Storing finished items is something I would like to know more about – picking up stitches is something I am still freaked out by. Thank you for the opportunity.

  4. I have problems picking up button bands, never seem to get the stitch count they ask for

  6. I am usually not happy with the way my seaming works out. So I usually knit things that don’t have a lot of seaming.

  9. Finishing can sometimes make all the difference between an OK and great project. I would love to know how to cast on so there is some give and also how to finish an edge so it doesn’t curl.

  12. Oh, I would love to learn more finishing techniques! I’m still learning so much in the knitting world!

  13. I don’t know what it is about grafting and seaming. Maybe I’m thinking too left-handed. I don’t so much have works left on needles so much as bags of fully knitted parts hiding until…one day.

  14. This book on Knitting Finishing Techniques would be SO helpful! I’ve tried looking them up on the Internet but nothing quite beats the convenience of being able to have a book on your lap while following the direction to learn how to seam correctly. I can’t seem to seam without it having gaps or being too tight.

  16. I would like to learn other techniques for all finishing of garments. Thank you for the giveaway chance.

  17. I am still a relatively new knitter – – so I would love this book – it looks like a great reference!! Thanks for the opportunity!!

  21. I hate seams. I can graft pretty well, and really I like it but seaming! I have an almost done sweater that has been waiting for ages. Maybe I’ll do it tonight!

  22. I have a sweater that’s all knitted up and has been marinating for 3 years. I need to finish it, don’t you think?

  24. I’ve stuck to drop shoulder sweaters because I’m put off by setting in sleeves. I’d also like some more options on casting on and off, for more or less stretch as the project requires. Thanks for all the great giveaways.

  26. My main problem right now is sewing in set in sleeves without them looking very bulky!
    Thanks for making this wonderful offer!

  30. Well, I’ll probably have to learn how to BEGIN before I can learn how to FINISH, but I’m slowly getting there!!!

  31. This book is a great resource. I choose to knit most of my projects in one piece to avoid seaming.

  36. My finishing technique I have the most difficulty with is just weaving in the ends. I should probably leave a longer tail to weave in.

  37. Holy Smokes….Where do I begin??…perhaps on page 1! 🙂 I love knitting so much, but I have an amazing amount of unfinished projects piled up…perhaps this is the “thread” to tie it altogether. Heaven knows…I definitely need some serious directions in all areas!! 🙂

  39. I love knitting. Picking up stitches and kitchener stitch seem to be the two things that I could really use some help with.

  40. I could sure use this book! Buttonholes is one of the things I struggle with the most.

  42. I would love some help in this area! Thanks for the opportunity to get a copy of my own!

  46. I am a beginner in knitting. For me joining the sleeves and neckbands are a nightmare. I would love to have any advice to face this demon of mine thanks

  47. I’d like to be able to block something so that it will hold its shape better, for a longer time. It seems like my edges will fold back sometimes and that things just don’t end up the right shape. Also, I’d like to know more about finishing items made with yarn that shows mistakes… linen shows all my errors on seaming so much more… and what do you do with the ugly puddle that alpaca becomes when it is wet?

  48. They day the devil is in the details. I glorious project can be ruined by a bad end.
    I wojld love to save my projects.

Have you read?

Book Review: Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit & Crochet Blankets

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four. 

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *