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Review: Cast On, Bind Off by Leslie Ann Bestor

This is the second post in my knitting book review series, last month I reviewed Lazy Sunday Socks by Jane Burns. I’ve decided to alternate between sock specific books and more general knitting books (which can often be applied to sock knitting). Today I’m looking at Cast On, Bind Off: 54 Step-by-Step Methods by Leslie Ann Bestor.

A photo of Cast On Bindo Off: 54 step-by-step methods on a wooden table. The subtitle is: Find the perfect start and finish for every knitting project. There are a series of cast on edges running vertically up the cover in a range of green and blue shades.
Cast On, Bind Off by Leslie Ann Bestor ©Rachel Gibbs

Most people when they learn to knit start with either the long tail cast on, or the cable cast on and the traditional chained bind off. These are simple and can be used for a variety of projects but sometimes there are better options out there. There are 33 cast ons and 21 bind offs in this book, separated into categories such as basic, stretchy, decorative and provisional. It also includes specialist cast ons, such as double-sided, most often used to start toe up socks, and möbius.

A photo an open spiral bound book, with stretchy cast ons as the heading on one side with a short paragraph of description and photos of different cast on methods with page numbers on the other
Stretchy Cast Ons ©Rachel Gibbs

I really like that each entry has a characteristics and “good for” section, to help you choose the most appropriate tool for the job. With so many to choose from it can be easy to become overwhelmed but this helps make decisions easy. It also gives alternative names where applicable as often things are known differently across the world, which can be useful if a pattern specifies a particular method that is unfamiliar.

There are clear photo tutorials for each method, showing what the finished cast on/bind off looks like, as well as every step in the process. While the position of the yarn and needles is always very clear, sometimes I wish there was a close up of how the stitches are supposed to look on the needle, so you know you’re doing it right. Being spiral bound means you don’t have to fight to keep the book open and can have it open on your lap while your knitting needles are in your hands.

The top of a stripy sock in 2x2 rib. The cast on has one strand grouping both stitches in each rib.
Double Start Cast On as seen on my Opal Sweet and Spicy socks ©Rachel Gibbs

My favourite cast on for 2×2 ribbing is the Double Start Cast On, I first learned this from a video Nancy Bush made years ago. This is included in the stretchy section (rightly so, this is why I like it for ribbing) and under “good for” is “tops of socks”, which is precisely how I use it, as without a stretchy cast on for top down socks it can be hard to get the sock over the heel.

I really like this book, I find it clear and easy to use. I think it’s perfect for any level of knitter: those who are just starting out and have only just realised there’s more than one cast on and those who have been knitting forever and appreciate having a reminder of things they know exist but can’t always remember how to do (yes, it includes Kitchener instructions), or want to learn new things.

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