Now, I ain’t one to sit around and bitch. That’s just not my style. Case in point:
The Walker Treasury Project. Yea, yea, the small black and white photos suck. But now, we can all work together and come up with a better solution. It’s teamwork darlins!
But now last night, I was knitting myself a dish towel. Something kitchy, somethin’ so ugly in color choices that only a mother could love ‘er. The stitch pattern that I picked out was from Barbara Walker’s Treasury of Knitting Patterns. It was a good pattern, but it was a 12 row repeat. And the gol’ dang book kept flippin’ flipping closed on me.
Luckily, the pattern was pretty basic and after 2 rows I kinda figured out what I was doin’.
But still, the frustration demanded I do something about it. Behold:
One of those things is not like the other!
What a perfect fix -and why havne’t I seen this before – I’d have done it long ago!
The details:
- Call up your local copy shop. Mine was in the library of my college. Ask them if they could take a soft cover book and make it spiral bound for you. If they say yes, you’re in luck!
- Take them your book. Have faith that they are not going to ruin it. That they are professionals. Know that when your book is returned to you, it will be way more useful to you than before.
- Walk away if you are weak. If you are strong (or curious, like I was) then watch as they chop the spine off the book. Gaze as they drill the holes along the spine (only a few pages at a time here). Look with wonderment as they spin a spiral through the holes – and make your book whole again!
- Pay. This cost me $3.60 – seriously. I do not know why I didn’t do this sooner.
Next up: My second treasury and my Knitter’s Handbook (which I never use because it never stays open!!!)
All Buttoned Up 
Clever!
That is awesome. Btw, I think the Walker Treasury Project is another great idea, and I’d love to contribute, when I, you know, actually finally get the book. I’m getting the feeling it’s probably sacrilege that I don’t already own it.
That is awesome! I looked into having that done once and it was really expensive, so I didn’t do it. I think it was at a local Staples.
I’ve often thought about it, but never gotten off my behind to do it. Now that I know it’s not even very expensive……
Wow!!! You are one smart cookie aren’t ya???
Super smart idea! I submitted my Knitter’s Handbook to this process last night and can’t thank you enough for the pain and agony it will save me!
hey, sean from WTP leaving you my e-mail! i just heard about the rebinding myself! awesome idea!
Dude, that is a hell of a great idea. I’m going to our Copy Service as soon as this cold lets up. Thank you!
What a FABULOUS tip! Thanks!
What a great idea! Kinko’s is seriously going to wonder what’s going on when all these knitting books start showing up at their shops.
That is so ingenious!
well, what do you hear about your Master’s programs?
This is one of the biggest reasons why I miss working at Kinkos! I used to do this to ALL my books there! In fact I took it a step further and laminated the covers to make them even sturdier – so my paper back got turned into a hardcover!
Hmm.. after knowing what the markup on this is – so I want to pay kinkos for doing the same to my most recent acquisition – the same book you had spiral bound?
what an awsome idea! Thanks I will check into this!
Oh my goodness, that is SUCH a good idea! I’m not sure I would be brave enough to watch though…
Wow, that’s a GREAT IDEA. I can see my spoilee is a smart cookie!
Be Careful! I picked up my Walker books yesterday, and Staples had drilled the holes and inserted the coil on the Right Side of the pages for 1 book. It’s usable but irreparably ruined. They refunded my money for the entire job, but what a heartbreak! Someone was asleep on the job. Next time when I give the books in, I will specify on the job order where to drill the holes and insert the coils. Hope this never happens to anyone else, or to me again.
You let them Cut. Your. Book? You obviously have nerves made of steel! Just thinking about it makes me cringe!
You are so cleaver, so obviously clear thinking and knitting-focused that I am adding you to my daily reading of “favorite blogs” short list, right up there with Yarn Harlot and The Rainey Sisters and Eunny Jang! Good company, yes?? Oh, and thank you! I love this…..
Great idea — I’ll be taking my 3 volumes to the local copy shop posthaste. Found you through the Rainey sisters. Added you to my bloglines. Thanks!