I finally got a chance to use this with my first sweater. Highly recommended, especially the chapters on seaming and sewing in zippers. ( )

The most beautiful knit fabric will make an awful sweater if the finishing techniques are not right. There is so much information to help make that perfect project in this small book. Only 144 pages, but they are packed with information. The books starts with Nancie’s Finishing Secrets, 7 tips that only experience can teach.

There are variety of cast-on methods, seven in all, and five bind-off methods. Also, increases, decreases and selvages. There are even eleven seam stitches explained! There are nice diagrams, photographs, or both for each of the techniques.

Also covered is picking up stitches, borders, bands, finishes, which includes crochet edges, and so much more.

This is a hard cover book with a heavy spiral binding. It has a lay-flat design for easy use so you will never lose your place.

Two worksheets finish the book for planning the next project. This is a very nice reference book for hand knitters. ( )

lots of handy how-to information, including calculating stitches, button holes, increases and decreases. Author is biased toward flat knitting but on the whole is very knowledgeable about knitting finishing techniques.

I've learned a lot from this book and recommend it for novice knitters. Author explains items clearly.

I was really looking forward to this book, so this review reflects some disproportionate disappointment.

The book covers a lot of finishing techniques for garments. Unfortunately, I'm not currently interested in garments.

The book does not cover many cast on and cast off techniques, even relatively common ones like backwards loop cast on are not covered. I have not read it carefully to see what else I need to know that might not be covered.

In some places, the information covered in the book is inadequate. For example, the information on weaving in ends is short, specifically addresses how to weave ends into seams, lacks detail on how to do the weaving, and doesn't address problems of weaving in ends on pieces with both sides exposed or how to weave in ends on edges of items with both sides exposed. ( )

A must-have reference book. Not only does she explain every single cast on, cast off, increase, decrease, etc. you might ever want to know, but she also gives you the advantages and disadvantages of each one so that you can make informed knitting choices. ( )