200 Knitting Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets: An Indispensable Reference of Technical Know-How and Troubleshooting Tips [Hardcover]

Betty Barnden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

BETTY BARNDEN is a freelance needlecraft designer. She 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, including Woman, Woman's Own, Woman's Weekly, Prima, Classic Stitches, Beautiful Stitches, Crafts Beautiful, Popular Crafts, Knitting, Sewing World, and Inspirations. Betty has also designed embroidery projects and kits for Coats Crafts UK and The Craft Collection.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312373732
• ISBN-13: 978-0312373733
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #750,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST-HAVE for knitters!, October 10, 2008

By 

Su-Q "hunbunsmommy" (Casper, Wyoming) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 200 Knitting Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets: An Indispensable Reference of Technical Know-How and Troubleshooting Tips (Hardcover)

When I first saw this book at my library, I thought 'oh, great, another book offering tips, just like all the others.' WRONG! I checked it out from the library, took it home, then went online same day to order my own copy.

This book is a MUST-HAVE for knitting libraries. I've had it only a few weeks, but I've referred to it more than any other book in my (extensive) knitting library, by far. And it has had a reference to everything I've been looking for.

It starts with the basics: yarns - weights, pics comparing how they knit up in size & look; needles - sizes, what they're made of & which does the best job with each type of yarn; other equipment - crochet, measuring tape, space markers, tapestry needle, gauge, row counters, circular. Then it goes on & walks you thru the steps of knitting, from patterns to flatter each body type, choosing yarn, adapting patterns, casting on, knitting the project, fixing mistakes, binding off, blocking, pressing, after care. It also has a glossary section; how-to's on: seams, pompoms, tassels, pockets, embroidering designs, intarsia, Fair Isle, beads, felting, hand-dyeing, fastenings, buttonholes, shaping, hems & ribbing.

It has great, helpful pictures, showing each step in performing, well, whatever it is you need to figure out how to do. Each tip or techniques is done with contrasting colors of yarn, needles, arrows, etc., and they're good close-up photos, not little tiny pics, or hand-drawn, or computer generated. The descriptions that go with the pictures, detailing the steps involved, are very clear, concise and user-friendly.

All in all, this is now my favorite reference book, the first one I grab when I have a problem or need to figure out how to do something. If you don't already have it, you're missing out on a great resource.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Instructional, October 5, 2008

By 

jann "islander wannabe" (Dayton, OH) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 200 Knitting Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets: An Indispensable Reference of Technical Know-How and Troubleshooting Tips (Hardcover)

I am really pleased with this book. It has detailed instructions and wonderful illustrations. It shows how to correct mistakes and even shows fair isle knitting. The patterns are modern and the instructions are easy to understand and follow. Great for the beginning knitter.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great knitting guide!, July 10, 2009

By 

D. Kupstas (Ocean Isle Beach, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 200 Knitting Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets: An Indispensable Reference of Technical Know-How and Troubleshooting Tips (Hardcover)

I originally found this book at the library and kept renewing it. I finally decided that I needed my own copy. It has wonderful colored pictures and easy instructions that help when you need help! I keep it right in my knitting bag for quick references. I even bought one for my friend who used to call asking me to look things up for her. If you knit, this is a must!