Contents:

Tubular Bind-Off Methods

• Preparation of a 1 x 1 rib
• Sewing the 1 x 1 rib
• Preparation of a 2 x 2 rib

 

Grafting: Stitches Top to Top

• Joining Stocking stitch
• Neatening tails from grafting
• Grafting diagram showing joggle
• Joining vertical stripes
• Joining uneven numbers of stitches
• Uneven number join diagram

 

Perfect Grafting: Stitches Top to Bottom

• Perfect graft diagram
• Preparation for a perfect graft
• Joining Stocking stitch
• Preparation for joining a ribbed fabric
• Joining a ribbed fabric
• Joining stripes
• Sewing-in the second stripe colour
• Removing the waste yarn
• Emergency shortening (without waste yarn)
• Emergency adjustments (with waste yarn)
• I-cord graft
• Sideways sock cuff (explanation)
• Sideways sock cuff (preparation)
• Joining the cuff
  

The Afterthought Pocket

• Grafting the lining to the garment
• Opening the fabric
• Finishing the pocket

 

The Magic Buttonhole

• Setting in the waste yarn
• Setting in waste yarn for the second side
• Sewing the buttonhole
• Checking the exterior
• Sewing the second side
• Removing the waste yarn
• Finishing

 

The Secrets of Contented Stitches

• The Contented Stitch
• Hills stitches and valley loops

Sublime finishing details for the connoisseur. Expert shoulder shapings and various joins, setting-in fitted sleeve heads with ease. Experience the exquisite joys of double bands: knitting up the stitches (right first time every time), equalizing the two sides, adding shaping to the corners of the bands, reversing for the inner layer and how these principles may be applied to neck and armband situations.

Contents:

Ship Shape Shoulders

• Short rows by Japanese and wrapped methods
• Grafting over a bound-off edge
• Three-needle bind-off for garter stitch
• Short rows within intarsia
• Afterthought shoulder shaping
• Examples of afterthought shoulders
  
  

Fitted Sleeve Heads

• Setting in a fitted sleeve head - example
• Phoney knitting
• Crossing the shoulder line
• Other uses of phoney knitting

Double Stocking Stitch Bands

• Why use double bands?
• Knit-up ratios
• Equalizing the numbers
• Knit-up ratios for garter stitch
• Sampling the bands
• Knitting-up the bands
• Equalizing the two sides
• What's special about the corner stitches
• Looking at the corner stitches
• Working a right-side row and RSI
• The second right-side row
• The third right-side row
• Turning rows
• Reversing the shaping and K2t
• Matching the second side
• Buttonhole placement
• Bind-off details
• Finishing the band - catch stitching
• Finishing the band - grafting
• Working a right-side row and LSI
• Reversing the shaping ans ssk
• Closing the lower band edge
• Reading your chart

Neck and Armbands

• Neckband Diagram and Sample
• Remedy for a missing stitch
• Neck with fully fashioned shapings
• Armhole modifications

While it may be perfectly reasonable to wish that the form and binding of this power-packed little book better reflected it's superlative content, there's nothing more to be wished for in its contents. I can't think of a single masterful finishing technique that is missing. I'm convinced that Lucy is some sort of publishing magician who is able to fit an encyclopedia's worth of techniques (including photos and drawings!) along with clear instructions as to how, when, and where to use them onto a mere 18 pages.

There are darning tips I've never even imagined, an exposition of mattress stitch that will change forever the way you think about sewing up, discussions and examples of blocking that get to the heart of the matter faster than anyone else has ever done, a ratio formula for knitting up cardigan button bands that set me on the right path with an actual stuck project, even some very helpful advice on ways to keep track of your stitches that won't send you 'round the bend. There is much, much more, too - I couldn't possibly begin to list it all here.

And when you remember that all this is covered thoroughly in 18 pages, well, you see what I mean about Lucy being a magician?

There is so much more than just finishing techniques in this great little book - in addition to Bind Offs, Borders, Bands & Finishes, and Buttonholes (and more!) Nancie Wiseman offers guidance for Cast Ons, Increases, Decreases, Seams, Picking Up Stitches, and everything from blocking to storing your creations. There are even two really well-thought-out worksheets - one for planning your sweater, the second for determining increase, decrease and buttonhole placement. My!

I just love this book -- I have learned something every time I opened it and think it is almost endlessly useful. This is the sort of reference book that you'll find yourself reading for sheer pleasure.