Knitting

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Giveaway: The Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques

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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!

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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?

Add a Little Lace to Your Knitting Patterns

If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.