I suppose I should sit down and try the various methods. For now it is just good to know they exist and that I can look them up when I need them. ( )

A fantastic, must-have addition for every knitter's library. The instructions are clear and easy to follow with high-quality, helpful pictures and the categories make finding what you need for each project simple.

Also, the binding lays flat, so its easy to use while you're knitting and is compact enough to keep in your knitting bag -- two nice touches that make a great resource amazing! ( )

Discover the perfect beginning and ending for every knitting project! This one-of-a-kind reference guide presents more than 50 ways to cast on and bind off, creating edges that are tighter, looser, stretchier, or lacier — whatever your project needs. Detailed instructions for each technique are combined with step-by-step photography so that you’ll be sure not to miss a stitch. No matter what you’re knitting, Leslie Ann Bestor has the cast on and bind off that will give your project the perfect edge. ( )

On the positive side, this is a very valuable book. The standard cast-ons and bind-offs are fine much of the time... but sometimes one needs or wants something different. This book offers a number of variants of each, for different purposes.

The production values are excellent, and the photos and directions helpful.

However- sometimes the photos and the directions were a bit sketchy for me. I tried and failed to do an extra-stretchy cast-on several times until I finally figured it out. To be fair, I did figure it out; it's just that the illustrations and text confused me some.

I do think this is a very valuable book for any knitters who are not always pleased with the result of the standard starts and finishes. ( )

Cast On, Bind Off 54 Step-by-Step Methods by Leslie Ann Bestor
Very detailed illustrated guide that shows many different ways to
cast on stitches to knit for various beginnings.
Shows how to make them and why you'd want to select the right one for
your project.
Cast On Methods: Basic, stretchy, Decorative, Double Sided, Multicolor,
Provisional, Tubular.
Bind off methods: Basic, Decorative, Stretchy and Sewn
This book would be the perfect gift for one who knits as it has
everything in it you'd ever need. ( )