Compendium of Knitting Techniques: 300 Tips, Techniques and Trade Secrets

NEW IN PAPERBACK Give a stylish finish to your knitted garments and accessories with this essential compendium of knitting know-how. Over 200 tips, fixes, and secrets are explained and illustrated with clear step-by-step photographs and diagrams. Discover how to read patterns and charts; choose colours and yarns; mix and match stitch patterns and deal with gauge variations; adapt designs for the perfect fit. All stitches are clearly demonstrated, from stockinette and ribbing to lace, Fair Isle, cables, and intarsia work. Explains all the techniques you'll need, in the order you'll need them, from casting on and joining in yarns to adding buttonholes, pockets and embellishments. "Try it" and "Fix it" panels suggest ways of practicing and developing new skills and avoiding or correcting common knitting errors.

Table of Contents:
Prelims Introduction Needles, Yarns and Other Equipment Patterns and Charts Design Knitting Techniques Working in the Round Fun with Colour Making Up Glossary, Abbreviations, Yarn Charts Index, Web Resources, Credits

About the Author :
Betty Barnden is a freelance needlecraft designer who studied furniture design at the Royal College of Art (where she made her first tubular knitted chairs). Betty has designed knitting patterns for companies such as Sirdar, Patons, Jaeger and King Cole. Her knitwear, embroidery and crochet designs have appeared in many magazines over the years, and she has also designed embroidery projects and kits. Betty regularly contributes to Sewing World magazine.

Review :
Journal for Weavers Spinners & Dyers:There are, in fact, 374 tips and techniques in this 160 page book that cover (almost!) everything a knitter might need to know.In the introduction, beginners are directed to the basic information about yarns, equipment etc. and more experienced knitters are guided towards the sections that deal with advanced techniques, adapting patterns, garment construction and so on. Throughout, all the techniques are clearly described and well-illustrated with colour photographs and clear diagrams.The eight chapters contain all the usual information that can be found in other similar publications, and rounds off with a useful glossary of kinitting terms, as well as an index and a fold-out list of common abbreviations. The basic techniques section not only illustrates both English and Continental methods, but also provides clear guidance for left-handers - something not often found in other knitting reference books. Some areas go beyond knitting per se, for example, the chapter on Creative Techniques includes basic information about hand-dyeing and felting.This would certainly be useful for any keen knitter who hasn't already got a reference book, and would be a super gift to encourage a novice knitter. Workshop On The Web: (Reviewed with Compendium of Crochet Techniques) Both these books offer a great deal of information (300 tips, techniques and trade secrets) in their respective subjects. They start with the basics (tools, yarns, tension) that you would expect in books of this kind, but also include interesting additions such as design and choosing the best look for your body shape. Both cover basic techniques which then lead onto ones that are more complicated and varied, so you could use this book from beginner to more advanced levels. Neither book has patterns or projects, and would be suitable for anyone wanting a comprehensive one-stop shop for achieving a great number of varied techniques and stitches. Both touch on dyeing and felting with interesting results, particularly the crocheted motifs, but you wouldn't want to buy the books for this reason alone. Useful books to have if you ever need to source a particular stitch or technique that you aren't familiar with. Machine Knitting Monthly: An indispensable compendium of technical know-how and troubleshooting tips that's new and affordable in paperback. If you're a long-standing reader, you'll remember that Betty Barnden was one of our machine-knitwear designers and we published many of her designs in MKM. In this essential compendium, she shows us how to give a stylish finish to our garments and accessories. She includes over 200 tips and gives away lots of trade secrets with clear step-by-step photographs and diagrams. Although the book has been written for hand knitters, machine knitters also use many of the techniques. The full-colour diagrams are much easier touse than those in many machine manuals. Beginners in machine knitting can learn how to read patterns and charts; choose colours and yarns; mix and match stitch patterns and deal with gauge variations; adapt designs for the perfect fit. It's also a useful guide if you need to teach youngsters how to hand knit and includes left-handed knitting methods. Whether you're a beginner knitter or an expert, you'll find lots of useful tips and tricks in the Compendium of Knitting Techniques by Betty Barnden. With 300 tips packed in this one book, you'll find ideas to help you improve every aspect of your knitting and make the most of your knitting time. Start with taking your own measurements and choosing the right size, correct mistakes as you go, and gather tips for every stage, up to and including making up and embellishing your knitting. The range of techniques discussed makes this a really valuable book, and the attention to detail is first class. For example, when talking about weaving in ends, Betty describes three different techniques: one for hiding your ends in seams, one for weaving in ends in rows and one for slippery yarns. Each is clearly illustrated so you can easily start using your new skills straight away.-Simply Knitting