Compendium Of Knitting Techniques

by Betty Barnden

The basics of knitting are quick to master, but learning to create a stylish, professional finish usually takes much longer. This book contains over 200 professional fixes, insider tips, and secrets arranged by topic to enable any crafter to achieve a great fit and finish when knitting garments and accessories. You will also learn how to dye yarns easily in an ordinary kitchen to get the color combinations you want, and how to embellish garments with surface decoration and beads to express your own personality. unlike most other knitting books, 200 KNITTING TIPS, TECHNIQUES & TRADE SECRETS shows you how to adapt and design garments to suit your own size, shape, and preferences, and the book is packed with a wealth of informative and inspirational ideas. Wach topic, self-contained in a one- or two-page section, is fully explained and illustrated with specially commissioned step-by-step photographs and detailed artwork. For ease of use, every topic is cross-referenced to allow the reader to dip in and out for help and advice. Aimed at all knitters from beginners to the more experienced 200 KNITTING TIPS, TECHNIQUES & TRADE SECRETS contains a wealth of essential technical information and handy tips.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts

160 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2008

About the author

BETTY BARNDEN is the author of 200 Knitting Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets and is an experienced needlecraft designer. Betty has designed hundreds of knitting patterns for various companies and her knitwear, embroidery, and crochet designs have appeared in many magazines. She also designs embroidery projects and kits.

Reviews

[Min]

I am an intermediate knitter and like some of Betty Barnden's designs, so I took a chance and bought this book. I am underwhelmed. Two examples: She suggests adding nothing extra when dyeing with Kool-Aid, although other sources suggest adding either vinegar or salt. She limits herself to hand dyeing, so gives no instructions for dyeing in the washing machine. This is my preferred method and I've been doing it for about 50 years. When it comes to placing a central design on a sweater knitted in the round, she advises that intarsia will not work and suggests the use of duplicate stitch or knitting the sweater flat. What we circular knitters do is place the design in the center and use "lus" to carry the design -color -yarn back to the design, so it can be worked! There are some photos of some easy designs, such as a child's hat and a toy mouse, that I wish had been included in the book. Another disappointment.

[Nada]

Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com...

200 Knitting Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets is, as the title suggests, a book about knitting. The book is organized into sections dealing with different aspects of knitting - equipment, patterns, garment design, basic techniques, advanced techniques, knitting in the round, creative techniques, and assembly. Each section is further divided into short sections dealing with specific topics. Topics range from reading a pattern to choosing a garment shape for your body shape, from stitch patterns to hand dyeing yarn. Each topic includes descriptions, color illustrations, ideas to try, and tips to avoid or fix common mistakes. Please note that while the book does have some stitch patterns, it is not a pattern book.

The book has many positive aspects:

overview of a wide variety of knitting topics
topics addressing not just how to knit but why and what to knit for different needs
short independent sections addressing discrete topics that allow the book to be used as a reference
detailed table of contents and index
glossary and abbreviation list

The book targets both novice and experienced knitters. I am not sure where I would put myself in that range - not a novice but not experienced either. I found the descriptions of each section contained enough detail for me to incorporate the technique into my knitting. Other knitters may have a different reaction. Overall, an okay knitting reference book.

[Jessica]

I can't really figure out who this book is aimed at. There are basic knitting instructions in the beginning, but it gets to moderately advanced techniques towards the end. The thing is, most of the things are either pretty intuitive how to do them, and the ones that aren't don't seem to have enough illustrations to teach them.
I guess it would be a good reference for people who are kind of familiar with how to knit a lot of different ways and can use a reminder.
It does have helpful advice about sweaters and socks. And several ways to do things like seaming and cast-ons and such.
So not a bad book, but more average. That's why I gave it only 3 stars. After checking it out of the library I have no urge to buy it. There are better knitting references.

[Apryl Anderson]

After taking copious notes for my knitting research, I'm passing this one along to a novice knitter I know. She's trying to understand what she's making, rather than blindly following the directions and crying for help every time she gets in a tangle, so I hope it'll come to the rescue. I appreciate this book for giving clear written directions and visuals without too much handholding. It's really a launching pad for more advanced design. Also, it's not often that a knitting reference includes a summary of hand-dyeing. To me, this seems like just enough information to be dangerous, so I'm looking forward to having a go myself...

[Caitlin]

A good reference for beginning and experienced knitters. It not only provides instruction for a lot of techniques but also provides a very visual format for learning them.