Knitting on the Edge: Ribs, Ruffles, Lace, Fringes, Floral, Points & Picots: The Essential Collection of 350 Decorative Borders

by Nicky Epstein

Compiled by an acclaimed knitwear designer and teacher, this collection of 350 knitted edgings, borders, and trims runs the gamut of styles and offers something for all tastes. A wealth of individual project ideas are featured for ribbed edges, ruffles, lace, fringes, flora, and garters. Color photographs accompany each of the designs, which rely upon readily available yarns and which come complete with line-by-line stitching instructions. Decorate cuffs, finish hems, and customize your own unique sweater. Develop distinctive styles and patterns using ideas such as the feather lace ruffle, bel epoque, garter stitch weave, sea scallop edge, sugar drop and much more.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Reference, Crafts, How To, Fashion

160 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2004

About the author

Nicky Epstein is a knitting designer and author of numerous books on knitting. She is known for her creative combinations of knitting stitches, and for the colorful patterns often found in her sweaters, especially involving applique of separately knitted motifs.[1] In 2005, she was given a prestigious award by the National NeedleArts Association. In 2006, her work was featured in a retrospective fashion show at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. Since the (winter) Holiday 2005 issue, Epstein has written a regular column in Vogue Knitting called simply "Nicky Epstein".

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nicky Epstein. I bought this book after I found that many designs I wanted to try on ravelry.com were from her. This book did NOT disappoint. I usually go for free patterns instead of buying pattern books, because I'm poor and I don't like buying 5 patterns and a lot of pictures or stories, I'm a quantity girl not a story girl when it comes to crafts. But this book is quality and just filled with wonderful knitting. Every page has a pattern with a picture, usually 2 edges per page. I've been able to understand the instructions so far, and for a self-taught knitter, that's saying something. Highly recommend, but probably not for beginners. I'm not so sure on that point, being self taught, the first knitting thing I ever did was fair isle/intarsia, so maybe just jump at it and you'll still be good. :)

[Rachel Jennetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I’ve been reviewing a lot of craft books lately, but I really do love both the worlds! This book is not only clear, but also challenging and fantastic for edges for any pattern.

I’d suggest this to more advanced knitters but also people who draft patterns! I really want to start so this book is giving me great ideas!

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

With beautiful photographs, this book is a great resource for knitters who design their own patterns. The book is a great catalogue of possible edgings. The follow up book, Knitting Over The Edge: Unique Ribs, Cords, Appliques, Color, Eclectic- The Second Essential Collection of Decorative Borders, is even better.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is an amazing array of patterns in this book, 350 designs to be exact! Once again, Nicky Epstein has pieced together a fabulous collection of knitting patterns you oh and awe over, as well as practical ones that you are just dying to knit onto the edge of a sweater. I enjoyed looking through this book and will probably come back to it for inspiration.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...

[Ronnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicky Epstein has the most creative knitting mind of all time! This book is THE definitive reference book for all advanced knitters- you can open it up and turn a bland sweater into a knock-out! I wish there were more of her original designs for whole projects (not just borders and edges) available, because her design eye stands alone!

[dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've gotten this from the library a few times, but i just broke down and ordered it. I love the creative edges. They make an otherwise simple piece look detailed and difficult. I've used the edges on scarfs and blankets.

This is probably the more useful knitting reference I've used.

[Vicky H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has so many samples and intricate designs. There is a photo of a finished pattern and the pattern itself. It's great to use for templates when coming up with your own knitting patterns!

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my project not an edge to some other project.

Okay I know this book was designed to point out all the different little ribs, ruffles, lace, fringes, Flora, points & picots that can be used to embellish projects. However, this book is my project.

It is already been pointed out that there are numerous errors and how to correct numerous errors. Yet part of the fun is finding them myself. I have the time and material and find this book quite intriguing. I have bought many other books just for the subject as pieces of the book and here I have the complete book. This is also useful for people that are really professional or deep into her avocation.

I think you will have hours of pure fun. Do not let me catch you watching TV and doing mindless knitting.

[Emmalee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping that his book would be more about techniques to make a nicer looking edge at the last row of your knitting. Instead it's more about different patterns and things you could try at the "edge" of a pattern.

[Knitology]

With so many general knitting and pattern books recently available, it's no surprise that the ever-enlarging market would expand to include more specialized guides. But what may be surprising is the fact that a book on a specialty topic like edgings could turn out to be as useful and lush as this one. Knitwear designer Epstein offers a reference book with instructions for 350 different edgings, everything from ruffles to laces and fringes to floras. The instructions are easy to follow, but it is the amazingly crisp photographs of the different edgings executed in colorful yarns and set against pure white backgrounds that will get knitters' hearts pounding. This book is so inviting and so easy to use (simple triangle symbols explain from which direction the patterns are knit) that knitters may find themselves edging projects already in progress.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knitting on the Edge is a comprehensive and indispensable reference guide to 350 types of edgings and decorative borders. Featuring styles that will work for any yarn and any size needle allows knitters to customize their designs into one-of-a-kind creations.

This is an amazing collection of edgings and borders that range from very simple to complex. A section in front shows a border in different weights of yarn - invaluable to the less prolific knitter. These borders/edgings will make even the simplest sweater look like a piece of art. A great reference book for knitters.

[Ann Johnson Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting the first glance through, but I don't return to this book for information or inspiration often. If I have a spare $100 laying around to burn I might pick up the rest of her books, but not until I've bought every other knitting book I ever wanted. That said, it still sits on my shelf, a survivor of the last couple of book purges.

[BookMouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice reference book if you are adventurous and want ideas for your own patterns or update someone else's pattern. I'm just not that kind of knitter, so this book sits of my shelf, and I enjoy looking through it every so often, but doubt I'll ever get around to actually using it.

[Ps House · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use this books as a pattern resource on a regular basis. A nice section on selecting yarns, great pictures of the patterns and easy instructions. I love using this as a jumping-off point for project ideas.

[Winifred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas for edgings in this book as well as a few patterns for garments. I wouldn't buy the book for the few times I'd use it. Well worth borrowing from the library to get some inspiration for adding creative touches to fairly plain designs.

[Lori Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved all the patterns, but this is really for a more experienced knitter.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful ideas for incorporating intricate patterns into knitting.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished a baby blanket and needed a better edging than was given in the pattern. Enter this book and it has been inspiring on many projects since then.

[Alicia]

Yeah right, it's going to be a while before I'm ready for this book. I want to remember it though.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot of stitch patterns I "have to have", but some very good ideas, and a good place to look if you want to knit fringe.

[notgettingenough · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first knitting books I bought and utterly inspirational.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty to look at, inspiring to browse, but I've never actually used any of these patterns.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I'd had this one before finishing my daughter's first dress. Some cute things although I was hoping for more cables...

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection of edgings, both in the same direction as the body and sideways.
Cable codes were unusual to me.

Make sure to check errata.

[Martine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not used this yet but will keep as a future derference if needed

[Siberia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reference for edging patterns.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this book out of the library along with Knitting OVER the Edge, by the same author. I tend to be a conservative person, so the patterns in this one were much more suted to my tastes.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of different patterns are given for ways to add intrest to your knitting - asides from the usual rib edgings.

A book I must add to my reference collection

[M2t2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also had to buy this one! I've only knit 5 projects, but for two of them I already had the urge to do something different with the edge.

[RB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reference patterns!