Musings by Knitwits - Cast On, Bind Off: 54 Step-by-step Methods by Leslie Anne Bestor

Once a month Christinabean and I like to bring a craft, knitting or cookbook to your attention. We both love to pick up a pair of knitting needles or some other type of needle, or putter about in the kitchen and we like to share the love when we find a book that will help.  This months selection is:

Published: May 30th, 2012

Publisher: Storey Publishing

Copy: Courtesy of Netgalley and publisher

Summary: Goodreads

Casting on and binding off are two basic skills every beginning knitter must master. While there are literally dozens of ways to get yarn on and off the needles, most knitters stick with the methods they learned as beginners, missing out on the opportunity to create edges that are more functional and long-lasting as well as decorative, adding distinctiveness to their finished knits.

In Cast On, Bind Off, master knitter Leslie Ann Bestor offers a one-of-a-kind reference to more than 50 different ways to begin and end a knitting project - from the charming bobbles of the picot approach to the tidy, refined edges of the tubular method. For each method, she provides detailed instructions with step-by-step color photography, advice about best uses, and tips for making the most of the technique's strengths and appropriateness. At-a-glance charts pinpoint the right cast on or bind off for various types of knitting and cast on/bind off pairs that work especially well together.

Today's knitters are branching out and exploring new knitting styles - from chunky cables to delicate lace - and all they are missing is the perfect cast on or bind off technique to create edges as beautiful, professional, and functional as the stitches that come between. Cast On, Bind Off is an indispensable tool for every knitting bag - a trusted reference that will ensure each project is polished and pleasing .... from start to finish.

I was absolutely thrilled when I saw this ARC available on Netgalley.  I have been knitting toe-up socks for some time now, and I have been frustrated at not being able to find a really nice cast-off edging with enough elasticity.  My problem is now solved.  Leslie Ann Bestor has managed to put together the quintessential guide for casting on and casting/binding off.  The instructions are straightforward and clear, the pictures are sharp and easy to see and the layout is simple and easily navigated.

Cast On, Bind Off may not contain every possible method of doing each, but it certainly has enough to satisfy the majority of knitters.  Me for certain.  My problem is that now I want to go and try each and every method to see what the differences are.  So many possibilities, so little time!   I highly recommend this wonderful book as a must-have addition to any knitters library - I'm off to pre-order it for myself.