Knitting Tips & Trade Secrets: Clever Solutions for Better Hand Knitting, Machine Knitting and Crocheting

by: Mary Galpin Barnes

Topics include: second purl, first knit stitch, first purl stitch, into the first two stitches, multicolor knitting, second knit, contrast yarn, stranded knitting, waste yarn, contrasting yarn, yarn markers, purl side, circular knitting, single crochet, circular needles, finished cord, knit stitches, hand needle, double crochet, second stitch, double rib, cable needle, tapestry needle, purl stitches, left needle

Book Description:

Editorial Reviews From Library Journal -- "Waste not, want not" appears to be the motto at Taunton Press as it continues to spin off material first published in Threads magazine. This is a compendium of techniques from readers that first appeared in Threads' "Tips" column. That said, the really meaty content, now indexed and gathered together in one well-illustrated volume, makes this a good choice for any knitting collection. Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.

A book of useful tricks, and a bootie pattern you will love -- I find that I refer to this book rather often. It's hard to classify the tips and secrets in here; this is mainly a compilation of good knitting information that just doesn't fit into a single subject. For example, there is a pattern for a baby bootie that doesn't slip. I must have made dozens of these and every time the grateful parent comes back and says "Wow! Those were the only baby socks that didn't fly off Junior's feet when he kicked." There's plenty of information on finishing, always a sore subject. These tips were gathered by Taunton Press, the publishers of Threads Magazine. Threads used to print articles about knitting, but in the mid-90's they switched the magazine to a (very excellent) all-sewing format. They preserved their knitting articles and these tips in a series of books on knitting, which was a great idea. These knitting articles were each unique and very useful. I have several of the Taunton books, but by far this is the one I use the most. This is a very handy reference for "stuff" you'd like to know about knitting. And I would give it 5 stars just for the bootie pattern alone!

A Wealth of Knitting Tidbits! -- I really like this little gem. I first sat down and read it straight through and have found myself referring to it often. Lots of tried and true hints and little shortcuts for all levels of knitters. I don't belong to a knitting circle, but I would assume having this little book loaded with "secrets" is a bit like being in one; hearing all sorts of bits and pieces of what works!

Reviews:

Useful info for hand knitters...but I was a little disappointed in the fact that I typed in the words "Machine Knit" in the search and this is the first book that came up. After receiving the book, most of the information is for hand knitters..the machine knitting information is very limited. Some helpful tips among many irrelevant ones. I learned some good tips from this book, but find I wish I had spent my money elsewhere. I look forward to matching the slants of my increases to the slants of my decreases, but do I really need to know 5 different ways to wind a ball of yarn? Or all and sundry's ideas for handy yarn containers (from diaper-wipe canisters to plastic baggies)? This is mostly a compendium of readers' helpful hints, and has no center of gravity to it. I probably won't use 90 percent of it.

Pretty good, but could be better -- I wanted to rate this 3 and a half stars. There could have been more tips for the price, and it did not need the machine knitting section--I'm sure there are enough tips (for machine knitters) out there to make a book on its own merits. The tips that are in it are pretty useful though, so while not a "buy now", it is certainly a "buy later". A useful tool for knitters. This book provides useful hints for knitters. It is far more than just a collection of ways to cast on and cast off but includes many submissions worked out by knitters themselves. Some of my favorites were a quick bootie pattern, hints for finishing garments, and suggestions on how to properly wind yarn into balls. ( I never knew I shouldn't wind too tight that I could inadvertently stretch the yarn). Its a book to pick up as a text to solve specific problems and also the kind of book that ends up next to the knitting chair or in the bathroom for reading snippets on knitting

Clever ways to solve knitting and crocheting problems -- Here is a compendium of clever and creative techniques for solving common hand knitting, machine knitting and crocheting problems. With hundreds of tips on everything from choosing yarn to assembling a garment and organizing needles to the perfect increase, knitters and crocheters will find many solutions to every problem. Selected from Threads magazine's popular Tips column, these useful hints will make knitting fun to do and easier to master. You'll learn to: cast on perfectly machine knit a tuck make an easy bobble manage yarn in multi-colored knitting correct an uneven crochet edge follow an intricate pattern soften an itchy sweater reinforce a shoulder seam knit a perfect buttonhole

Any technique that can make your hand knitting, machine knitting, or crocheting easier, or the results better, will also increase the pleasure and satisfaction you derive from your craft. In Knitting Tips & Trade Secrets you will find a wealth of information that can do just that. Here from the pages of Threads magazine, you will learn how to improve on the slip-slip-knit decrease; how to prevent a tangle of yarns when knitting more than one color in a row; how to ensure that your cardigan fronts or sleeves end up the same length; how to make an even join at the end of a round of single or double crochet; how to avoid a multitude of loose yarn ends on machine knitting; and much, much more. Whether you are a beginning or an experienced knitter or crocheter, whether you knit or crochet occasionally or regularly, you are sure to find within this collection tips that will enhance your projects. -- Mary Galpin Barnes, editor