starting and stopping

Posted on annePosted in book reviews/events

ooooh, i got a new book in the mail a couple of weeks back and i think it’s one you’re going to like—a delicious cornucopia of cast ons and bind offs by master knitter and teacher, leslie ann bestor.

cast on, bind off (story press) has an amazing array of starts and stops for virtually any type of knitted edge you are after. the concept alone is handy enough to make me buy one, but then the are are a number of additional features that make this a solid investment for any knitter.

i love the spiral binding that allows the book to lay flat while i’m working. i’m much more likely to use such a book when i need to look up and practice a technique, since i’ll be able to follow along more easily. it’s also small enough to pack along in a knitting tote, another plus

i love the way it’s organized too—techniques are divided into groups according to type and there is a reference page that tells you which bind off or cast on will work best for what type of project. love!

i can’t show you photos from inside the book as i usually would, but i will vouch for the way the material is presented; each technique has its own spread and introduction, with photo of right side and wrong side appearance, a list of appropriate applications, and tips for making it perfect. then follows a series of photographs with step by step instructions for executing the maneuver. where applicable, more than one set of instructions is included (as with the knitted cast on).

(BTW, my grandma’s cast on is not here, but that doesn’t surprise me; I’ve yet to see it included in ANY book on the subject)

there are several cast-ons i’ve been meaning to learn, but have been lazy about looking up and figuring out—now i have no excuse. i’m going to try for some practice on these in my next available free time. according to my calendar, that should be sometime in september, 2017.

seriously though, cast on, bind off is a great little book which i’ll be sure to keep handy. even if i don’t have time to practice and learn something new just for the heck of it this week, i know i will use it frequently.

and guess what? one of you can win a copy, too. if that sounds like a good deal, leave a comment at the end of this post by 9 pm EDST on saturday, july 28. you might also want to check out posts and book giveaways at the following stops on the blog tour:

7/9         Picnic Knits

7/9         Picnic Knits

7/10       Knit and Tonic

7/11       Zeneedle

7/12       Rambling Designs

7/13       Rambling Designs (pt. 2: Leslie Ann guest post)

7/14       Neo Knits

7/15       Knit & Nosh

7/16       Knitting at Large

7/17       Rebecca Danger

7/18       Lapdog Creations

7/19       Nutmeg Knitter

7/20       Yarnagogo

7/21       Weekend Knitter

7/22       knitgrrl

7/23       It’s a Purl, Man

7/24       Whip Up

7/25       Knitspot

7/26       Under the Humble Moon

7/27       Knitting Daily

7/28       Knitting School Dropout

7/29       Hugs for Your Head

7/30       The Knit Girllls

431 thoughts on “starting and stopping”

  2. I am guilty of stalking this book tour. I would like to learn different cast-ons, especially for socks. Thanks for a chance!

  4. Thanks, Anne…………looks like a great one. Maybe it will get me out of my knitted cast on rut!

  8. Oh I would love to add this to the reference library! Having only ever used the long tail cast on, regular bind-off and sewn bind-off, I can use the guidance for other techniques! Thanks for the chance!

  9. This book looks like a great resource for any knitter! Throwing my hat in the ring! 🙂

  10. This is just what I need…I still only know 2-3 cast ons and 2 bind offs. I could do so much more with a resource like this! Awesome!

  11. This would be a great addition to my house and my learning of this craft. I need to learn different cast-ons and cast-offs. Thanks for the chance to win it, Anne.

  13. Ooh, I first spotted this book the other day and it sounds like a really fabulous addition to any knitter’s library! I’d love to be the lucky person to give it a home. 🙂

  15. I’d love a copy! I so need to practice more cast ons, and my bind off is so tight (“it squeaks when it walks”) I have to use a needle two sizes bigger.

  17. This would be a great addition to my knitting reference library, which I am just starting to build. Thanks for the chance to win!

  22. This looks like a great book to have! I need all the help I can get! Thanks for the giveaway!

  25. Sounds super fun. I’d try something within the week of winning. Blogging about it may take me another week! =)

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’d love to win a copy.

  28. P.t. Barnum would have us think “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” We knitters know that both matter!

  35. I love good technique books and I am guilty of defaulting to the same cast-ons and cast-offs always. Just looking at the pictures in the table of contents in this book makes me realize I have a long way to go with prettification and purposefully choosing which ones to use.

  37. I’ve been meaning to buy that book for a while now – it looks like a good staple. Thanks too for a listing of other knitting blogs, some I’ve not heard of before. As always, good to hear from YOU too!

  39. I am always forgetting one of the less used cast ons or cast offs, and this looks like the perfect way to help me! Thanks for the chance!

  43. Hey there Anne 🙂 I haven’t seen a book I wanted that much in quite a while. 🙂 Crossing fingers. As always – thanks so much for offering up another nice book-to-win.

  44. I too, have been lazy about learning new cast on and bind off techniques– this would be good motivation for me!

  48. Just asking myself a question about this the other day but didn’t take the time to go look it up. How handy if it was in my knitting bag!

  56. I would love to win this book. I am totally in a rut with casting on and off! thanks, Anne!

  57. I know I would benefit from this book! I’m always looking for new ways of doing things in my knitting life.

  58. WANT! Pre-Ravelry, I had no idea there was more than one way to cast on/off.

    When you have time (heh), please have David film you doing your grandma’s cast-on.

  60. Great looking book…I could use help especially with bind-offs…what is best to use.

  62. The book looks great. If I don’t win it, it will definately be on my Christmas/birthday/no reason gift list!

  67. I’d LOVE a copy of this book! I was just thinking ‘Somebody should really collect all the cast ons and bind offs into one place so I’d have a resource!’

  72. Looks like a helpful book – my knowledge of cast-ons and bindoffs is pretty basic. I love that more and more books have the spiral binding!

  76. That sounds like a very useful book. I usually use the same (not the greatest) cast ons and bind offs for every project. Time to learn something new.

  78. Oooh, I’ve had my eye on this book! Thanks for the review and chance to win it!

  84. This looks like a very valuable resource! Thanks for the review and the chance to win a copy 🙂 I’d also love to see your grandma’s cast on …

  85. One can never have too many options for casting on and binding off.

    When are you going to show us Grandma’s cast on? Inquiring minds want to know.

  86. That looks like an awesome book that should be in every knitter’s library. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

  87. Oh looks like fun! I would love to win a copy of this book. I have always wanted to learn different casting off and bind on methods! I am seriously limited right now.:)

  89. This is a great book. I know a couple of people who want mine so getting another copy would be nice. So thank you for the chance to make a friend happy.

  97. I already wanted this book, but now that you have reviewed it, I really know that it would prove to be a helpful tool to have.

  116. I am so excited for this book, I love a challenge and changing things up. curious about your Grandmas cast on, I love stuff like that!!

  117. thank you for the chance to win. i would love to own this book. heads up according to Amazon.com there will be another book out claiming that there are 211cast on’s and bind off’s. the book will be out August 20, 2012.
    maybe your grandmothers cast on will be in it.

  119. I would love to win a copy of this book. I use the same COs and BOs most of the time. It would be great to have a reference book that I could turn to when starting and ending projects. Thanks for the giveaway.

  126. Love the idea of this book. I am always looking forward to learning new things. I decided at the beginning of the year that each thing I knit would have a new technique in it. I am having a ball. Would love to see how much more I can learn.

  130. What a wonderful resource. Thanks, again, for another great review, even if you couldn’t show us the inside. Sounds like a great book to buy, but I hope I win it! 🙂

  141. This is a book I really need! I know only a couple of cast-ons and bind-offs. I would adore knowing more and feeling really smart.

    (goodstuff on Rav)

  148. I would love to win this book. I will be purchasing it if I don’t, as a great resource.

  150. Would be wonderful to have such a great reference. Thanks for the chance to win one.

  152. This could well be the contemporary knitter’s newest joy! It would find a friendly home with me!

  154. I know one bind off – that’s all. Taught myself many years ago and this is the one I still use. I am thinking I could use a good update!

  157. Wow! I’d love to have a copy, I only know two cast-ons at the moment – a “regular” one and a circular (as in for a circle shawl).

  158. Thanks for the chance, Anne. I’m in the midst of a very long bit of tubular bind-off for a front facing that is not looking at all like the tubular bind-off I have already completed on the bottom edge of the same sweater. Perhaps I’ll choose another method from this book if I am lucky enough to be selected.

  172. I think I need this book since I rarely deviate from my one go to cast on and bind off. Thanks for doing this drawing.

  176. I keep seeing this book in different places! It looks like a great one to have!

  179. OO—oo I would LOVE to win this book–it’s been sitting in my Amazon cart for 2 weeks…and I haven’t pushed the “buy” button yet.

  180. Thank you Anne, for providing us with new resources. This looks to be a great one!

  181. Just spent some time learning a new cast on and would love to have great photos and clear instructions with them to follow. Looks neat!

  183. What a wonderful resource! And it hits my area of weakness, too! What a treat it would be.

  184. ooh! I’d love to add this to my reference library … thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

  185. This book looks fantastic (including the cover art!). I will definitely be adding this to my “must buy” list if I’m not the lucky winner. Thank you so much for your generous contests btw.

  186. I am still a relatively new knitter and know perhaps 2 types of cast on and 3 types of bind off. I feel that this book would be very useful to me as I try to knit more and more. 🙂

  188. I would love—– to win this book Im new to sock knitting and have terrible trouble casting off on toe up sock!!! thank you for the giveaway.

  190. This book it’s a great resource for a knitter, I would like to have it in my library! Thanks for this chanche 🙂

  192. Yes, I won the last book give away, but I am greedy enough to enter this one too! I’m headed to Amazon to order the book anyway!

  193. OOH, me me me! Most technique books I think “meh” but this one would get serious use in my house.

  195. Please put my name in the drawing for this book. Sometimes I need all the help I can get…lol!

  196. I’d love to learn more cast-ons and bind offs! I’ve never learned the “trickier ones” and would love to do so! Thanks for the chance!

  201. I would love the opportunity to win this book. I’m always wanting to learn new ways.

  206. What a wonderful reference book. I would love to learn something than other the old standby that I use now!

  207. I would love to be the recipient of this very important book. I am knitting a sweater, at the moment, and tried to cast-on additional stitches at the beginning of rows … without using a separate ball of yarn, to do so. HELP!

  208. Oh me please… The longer I’m a knitter, the more I find there is to learn!

  213. I have been knitting for over 50 years and always use the cable cast-on method. I think it would be about time for me to learn a few new ones!

  214. ooh thanks for the giveaway. i am definitely interested in this one and would love to learn more about different cast ons and cast offs.

  215. I had a fabulous class with Leslie Ann at Webs– learned so much– had fun– and actually use it all!!! I’d love to have this book and continue the adventure:)

  216. Even just from the little we can see on the cover, there seems to be intriguing cast-on and bind-off methods in that book! I’d love to give them a try… Oh, and thank you for making up for not being able to show photos from inside the book by describing the way the material is presented.

  220. Sounds like a great book, but I think I could also use a book on motivation to finish a project. 😉

  222. I’d really enjoy this book. I have tried a few different cast ons and bind offs with different amounts of success… This book sounds like it might help! It’s so great that you offer opportunities to win books!

  223. What an awesome book! No excuses not to do a cast on or bind off and a great addition to any knitters library!

  225. I have been casting on & binding off the same boring way my mom taught me 40+ yrs ago. JUST learned the long-tail and would LOVE to learn more! Looks like a great book! 🙂

  233. This is so interesting. I tend to do the same old cast on and bind off all the time, so this would be nice to have.

  234. Yep, I’m in a rut! I’ve been doing the same cast on and bind off for years. Now is a good time for a change. Thanks for the opportunity!

  235. Interesting book. I tend to fall back on the same cast on and off’s all the time. I only look up others when the pattern mentions them. It would be good to learn some more.

  237. Someone had this at Knit Night last night, Anne. And I knew I had to have it. Great info included.

  240. Sounds like a book that would get frequent use! What a great reference.
    Thanks for holding the giveaway,
    Betsy in the sunny & mild Seattle suburbs

  243. Would love to win a copy of this excellent reference book. Wha a great birthday gift it would be.

  244. This is where I still have a gap in my knitting knowledge – I know three ways to cast on and two ways to cast off. Fifty-four sounds astounding to me!

  245. That looks like a great book to have on hand! I’ve still only have one cast on, and two cast offs in my little pea brain 😛

  249. This would be such a great book to have on hand when your pattern says something like “finish with a stretchy cast-off” or some such directive!

  250. What a great concept for the book. I love learning new cast ons and bind-offs. This would be a great resource for any knitter. Thank you for the opportunity!!

  251. I find myself googling new cast ons every time I start a project. This book looks like what would let me step away from my computer. I’d love to have everything in one place.

  253. What a wonderful resource! I am another one who googles for new cast ons, or reminders of previously used ones.

  259. I know lots of cast ons and bind offs so why do I use the same ones almost every time…. memory… just memory!

    If I had a nifty little book to keep at hand and that could travel with me, it would be really cool… just sayin’…

  260. Oh ANNE…Thanks for the review….and I hope to win a copy of this book. It’s a GOTTA HAVE kind of book!! There are so many cast on methods I had no idea were out there!!!

  261. I completely agree with your review. This is a great book and very well organized. I’ve used it several times already since I got it last month — it’ll get many more uses in the future.

  264. This sounds like such an interesting book! I’d love to have a copy in my library, especially after the last few projects – I have spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out the best cast offs.

  269. What a great idea for a reference book! Thanks for the review and for giving this one book away to a reader.

  270. Truly, if there was ever a book that I NEEDED, it is this one. Mary in Cincinnati

  276. I love spiral bound knitting books – nice to have one already made that way and not have to stop at Kinko’s on the way home from the bookstore. 🙂

  279. The book sounds great…might be just what I need to cast on with something other than my usual longtail method.

  282. What a great idea for a book! I always wonder about trying a new cast on or cast off, but then I’m anxious to either start or finish, and don’t go looking. This book could definitely be the answer!

    P.S. Now we’re all curious: what’s your grandma’s cast-on?

  284. I’d love to have this book – I enjoy expanding my repretoire. But Ann, I want to know about your grnadmother’s cast-on now. Both a description and a little history if there is any.

  288. I’ve been eyeing this book since it first came out; the value is off the charts! It’s one book I really need…and want.

  298. I have casting on with the continental method for all my projects. I’d like to learn other methods of casting on with “Cast On Bind Off”!

  300. I actually need this book right now. I am finishing a baby blanket and looking for a clever bind-off. Thank you for offering the book.

  302. Sounds like something I need, as I still only do one cast-on (long-tail) and one bind-off (knit, slip stitch over). Booooring.

  303. Wow! This sounds like a book all knitters need in their library. What a perfectly lovely idea!

  304. I’m hearing lots of wonderful things about this book – thanks for the opportunity!

  305. Great resource book, would love to add it to my collection of knitting books. Thanks for the chance!!

  306. Would love to have this book as a reference! Thanks for the give away chance!

  308. It would be wonderful to have all that information at one’s fingertips. A great addition to some lucky knitters library!

  310. Wow! Lots of us are interested in this book. I’m wondering what your Grandma’s cast on is.

  312. That book sounds wonderful. When patterns call for different cast on or off I always fumble around trying to figure out which of the couple I know will work. This sounds like a wonderful reference!!

  318. Sounds like a book everyone needs in their knitting library. Thanks for the chance to win!!! I look forward to your blog everyday… and an opportunity to win something is just icing on the already delicious cake 🙂

  323. Oh. My. Goodness. What a knitting geek book! I would never have the patience to work through learning/writing them all, but I sure wouldn’t be above flipping through and learning what struck my fancy!

    I haven’t heard of your grandmother’s method?

  324. I do a lot of private knitting lessons. Having this book in my own personal library means I can help my students even more.

  326. I’ve been eyeballing this book ever since it came out. As a new knitter I always looked at cast ons and bind offs as a necessary evil. Now as a more accomplished knitter I definitely see how they are an important design element and can enhance a garment. It is possible to completely change a design from plain to fancy just with a different bind off or on. This book is definitely a must have!

  328. Oh nevermind, I got so excited I just went and purchased it on Amazon…I couldn’t wait to see if I won, so if I do, give it to someone else as I’ll already have one. 🙂

  329. I was just thinking about how much I need that book when I was casting on a new sweater last night!

  331. There are so many comments that know there is no chance to win – but this book is such a great reference to keep handy that it will be very popular. Thanks for offering the chance.

  332. I have now read a number of reviews of this book, and I don’t know how I have lived without it. The reviews have been uniformly positive, so I am thrilled with the chance to win a free copy. And if I’m not a winner, I’ll just have to buy it for myself. But, please pick me. That would be fun! Thanks for doing this.

  333. Looks like a great book to have as a reference. Would love to add it to my collection!

  336. This book fascinates me…I’ve always wanted to know how to get a particular cast on or bound off look. Thanks for the giveaway!

  339. Wow, I was just looking at this book as a present for myself. Awesome reference for a new knitter who is still figuring out how to make the cast on and bind off work for different projects.

  342. I’ve looked at this book online but not in person, it’s soooo appealing to me, especially after one of our contract knitters told me to leave out ‘long tail cast on’ from a pattern because she didn’t know what it was and obviously didn’t see the merit in a particular kind of cast on for a particular pattern….sigh. Despite no photos, I’m taking your word I’ll be asking our bookshop to get this for me. Unless I win of course, hehe!

  344. I think I will still always love my LTCO, although I admit it is not always appropriate.

  345. This book looks so interesting. And since I pretty much only know one cast on and off, I could really use this book.

  347. I’ve paged through this book and really like the way it is written. Something I would like to have as a reference for when the need arises. Hope you pick me!

  351. Thanks for reviewing this book. I’d love an extra copy for a friend with upcoming birthday…

  352. Short of taking a class with Anne this book would be a great addition to my library.

  354. This book looks like it would be an amazing addition to any knitter’s knitting bag. I’d love to have a copy.

  359. This would be a wonderful book to own. I always have to do computer search for different cast on’s–this would save some time and would be darned interesting too!
    Thanks!

  360. I would love to win a copy of this book! It looks like a great addition for my knitting library. I’m pretty limited on what I use for cast ons AND bind-offs.

  364. It is too bad that you have little time to practice these techniques. But that means there’s lots of content for the blog 🙂

  367. I always thought thee was only one way to cast off-my Mom’s way. It’s time for me to grow up and learn new techniques! 🎎

  370. I hope I win. I would love to know more than just the one long tail cast on that I only just recently learned to do all by myself 🙂

  372. This looks like a great addition to the reference shelf! Thanks for the review, Anne. I’ve been collecting cast-offs and bind-offs for several years, but a handy reference for all of them would be a welcome thing.

  374. Sounds like that would be a useful addition to my knitting library–well thought out and designed to be easy to use. My kind of book!

  377. Wow, there are a lot of comments on this post. I know the odds are really against me, but I’d love to win a copy of this book! I’ve read several reviews of it from the blog tour, and it sounds so helpful!

  378. Casting on – I know one way to do this. Taught myself in the 5th grade when I received a small knitting kit for Christmas. Big red wooden needles and some very bulky white yarn. I knit the little hat project but could not understand the bind off section for I just ran one loop into the other and tied it off with a knot. No one in the family was a knitter so no help there and in 1961 the internet did not exist. No help on a You tube video!!!

  383. We all can always learn something new. Would love this book to reference and use.

  385. Was just looking at this the other day in the bookstore. Love the way it’s organized, the comprehensiveness, and the spiral binding. Sometimes a physical book is still the best way to collect and use information!

  386. As a newish knitter, this would be an invaluable resource I’d love to add to my library! Thanks for the review.

  387. I love your book reviews, they’re very helpful. Thanks for the giveaway.

  388. This looks like an awesome book! I would love all the new ideas….seems like I do the same old thing all the time! Love it!

  389. I’ve been knitting for 48 years and still I find new things to learn. This book would help!

  390. You mean there’s more than one way to cast on?!?!? ;^) Love to expand my knowledge of such things by winning the book.

  391. I have heard so many great things about this book. I am going to have to go back to all the tour dates to read everything!

  393. Would love this as a reference- never know which is the best option for my project.

  394. Would love to have this in my knitting library – what a useful book.
    Thanks for offering it as a give-away!

  395. This would be a fantastic addition to my knitting library not to mention how useful it would be.

  398. I have knitting books falling off the shelves but am always on the lookout for another!

  399. Cast On – Bind Off = two important elements that can change a project from “ordinary” to “WOW!”.

  400. This such like such a handy reference to stuff in your knitting bag! Crossing my fingers, and thanks for the giveaway contest.

  401. This book looks awesome! One can never have too many ways to start a piece of knitting!

  404. Sounds like a great resource, and your recommendation is enough for me! Thanks for the opportunity to win one!

  405. Another one for the reference library if I don’t win this copy! I can’t wait to get my hands on this!

  406. Oh my! I would love to win this book, as I just love reference books about knitting.

  407. I am also a fan of knitting books with spiral binding for knitters – much easier to learn a new technique. Would be a nice addition to the knitting library

  408. Oooh! I hope I win. Just bought a pattern online with a cast on I’ve never heard of and no directions how to do it. How frustrating as I am anxious to start the shawl. Of course, many other projects to work on until I figure it out.

  409. Thank you for introducing us to this book and for the giveaway Anne! It’s always great to learn new ways to cast on and bind off. And I’m forever looking up a particular cast on or bind off online that I’ve forgotten how to do, so it would be very useful to have a comprehensive reference to hand.

  410. This sounds like a great book, I need to pick one up. When are you gong to write one with some of your secrets?

  411. I saw this book at my library and I knew I wanted to add it to my own library.
    I hope I win!

  412. Looks like a very necessary addition to my knitting book collection! Thanks for offering this.

  417. I’ve seen this book advertised in emails I get but never gave it a thought until your blog post. Now I think it would be a great addition to my reference books. Thanks for the post.

  418. I’ve looked at this book so many times! I should just bite the bullet and get it… or win it! Thanks for the give away! fingers crossed! <3

  422. This looks so helpful, especially because it explains why one method might work better for certain projects than for others. I’d love to have a copy!

  423. Just back from a trip with no internet access, so I got a lot of knitting done.
    This book looks awesome. I love compilations of techniques, especially ones with the feature that explains why one would choose each kind. Sounds like fun to practice with.

  424. Looks like a wonderful book – but when do we get to learn Anne’s grandma’s cast on?!

  425. The cast on book sounds wonderful. There’s seems to be no end of what can still be published about knitting, crochet and fiber. How wonderful that is.

  426. Thanks for the list of blogs to check out! So inspiring to see what kinds of creative things people are up to – and the book sounds wonderful.

  429. I don’t know if I’m too late but I would absolutely LOVE to have a chance at winning this book! Very, very handy! Thank you!

  430. I would LOVE to get this book. In fact, its on my Amazon WishList. :::fingers crossed:::

  431. This looks like an awesome reference! I can’t wait to see it. I’d hope to win one, of course. If not, I know I’ll be buying it soon.

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