Increase, Decrease: 99 Step-by-Step Methods; Find the Perfect Technique for Shaping Every Knitting Project

The media could not be loaded. INCREASE DECREASE is the comprehensive knitting reference on this subject that I've been waiting for! Judith Durant gets everything right: spiral binding (so that the instructions stay open and lay flat); large, clear step-by-step photos; step-by-step written instructions printed in easy-to-read type; photographs of swatches that show exactly what to expect from a particular increase or decrease; and compact size (small enough to carry in a knitting bag).The short "Special Circumstances" section, on shaping cable, lace, and color patterns to best effect, is by itself worth the price of the book. The only increase/decrease that I could think of that is NOT shown, is the "nupp" used in Estonian lace knitting (lily of the valley pattern), which requires two rows. (Every time I pick up my lily-of-the-valley shawl project, I wonder whether any motif is pretty enough to be worth all the grief of picking up multiple yarnover loops in a single decrease.)The photographs illustrate the techniques with the yarn held to the left in "continental" (pick) knitting style. This should not detract from the book's value for knitters who hold the yarn to the right in "English" (throw) knitting style. In either style, the yarn must be positioned on the needles in exactly the same way to get specific desired effects.Another book that deals with increases and decreases as they are used in shaping garments (and includes how-to instructions with small photos) is The Shape of Knitting: A Master Class in Increases, Decreases, and Other Forms of Shaping. However, THE SHAPE OF KNITTING is project-oriented. INCREASE DECREASE is the book that belongs on the knitter's reference shelf or in his/her knitting bag.Another terrific, comprehensive spiral-bound reference book, very similar in look and feel to INCREASE DECREASE, is Cast On, Bind Off: 54 Step-by-Step Methods, which deals with techniques for casting on and binding off.

This book is a valuable tool for any knitter. I am much more experienced as a crocheter than as a knitter. I got interested in knitting a few years ago while there was a boom of knitting shows on public television.I have a lot of fun with the process but really don't have anyone I can turn to to ask questions. Most of the yarn stores in my area have closed and there are only the generic large craft stores available. The employees there, while very nice, don't seem to have the advanced skills necessary to give me answers to the issues that I have encountered in knitting. I've tried taking some of the classes that they offer but they are extremely basic and still don't serve my purposes.I generally have to try to search the internet to get my answers and that takes a lot of time and the answers are always clearly set forth.One of the areas which has been most difficult for me has been in the area of increases and decreases. While the concept is similar to what I do in crochet, the application of how it is done is very different, and I now realize, can be done in different ways for different purposes. This book is such a valuable tool for me. I really needed to know how to accomplish increases and decreases so I could advance into making sweaters and other clothing and items which had more fit and form that simple scares, wraps, etc. The book has really been a godsend for me in this regard.I really like that the book is smaller as it means that it is easy to keep in my knitting bag at all times. I look at it quite often and know that I will have the answer to my questions on increase and decrease stitches in moments.For me, the pictures are perfect as they show a knitter using continental stitching. I had tried English style stitching and while I could do it, it didn't feel comfortable. Continental style is much closer to my crochet roots and makes knitting easier for me. I understand others frustration, though, as I experience it when illustrations are shown only in English style.I received a advance reader digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I've since purchased the actual book to carry along with me at all times.

This is the third knitting resource book I've gotten in similar sizes and formats, and I have to say I am very happy with them all. I love the basic one (which not only has a good index, but some basic tools like a ruler for checking gauges, and holes to check the size of one's needles), and the second one I got- which covers alternative ways to cast on and bind off- is exceedingly helpful.I expect this one will be similarly useful. Though I am not thus far a creative knitter, sometimes I have not been happy with the way a pattern's prescribed increases or decreases look, and this gives me so many alternatives!A previous reviewer did not like that all the pictures show someone knitting continental rather than English style. While this is true, for me it doesn't make a lot of difference; the photos focus on what the yarn and needles are doing, and are detailed and explicit enough to figure it out, whichever way one knits. (I mostly knit English style, but am trying to learn continental.)I am delighted with it!

I teach knitting and this book is really helpful to my teaching and my own knitting. Great pictures and written directions.