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!

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?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.