Broken up into  sections this book covers the various aspects and reasoning behind . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday]]> I was recently sent a copy of  Craft Activism for review. I LOVE IT! This book rocks. The stories are engaging and interesting, and I learned some things about people I have come to know that I didn’t know!!

Broken up into  sections this book covers the various aspects and reasoning behind craft activism and the people who practice it.

First  up crafting a statement! From yarn bombing to quilting and knitting for a cause or to promote a message there are so many ways crafters can make a statement!

Then on to re-crafting the past. Crafters are keeping old ways alive, see how in this section!

This section features one of my favourite craft bloggers: Ellen Bloom

Next, there is crafting for a cause. Crafters are some of the most generous people I know! Supporting many different causes all around the world! See how some crafters are stepping up and helping others. Again another one of my favourite bloggers is featured in this section the venerable Norma!

The fourth section covers crafting to reduce, reuse, and recycle!! See the creative ways that crafters are using things that would be simply thrown out! There are some great new ideas in here that I want to try! I need to get to the hardware store!!

The last section covers community. I have to say nothing brings people of different nationalities, religions ideologies like craft. In my secret plan to make our own country better I dream of teaching everyone in congress to knit.. Then they might just get something productive done.. eh?

Enter the book Wendy Knits Lace :

You . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Wendy Knits Lace]]> I am not a big lace knitter. With 4 kids 2 cats and a dog I don’t have the quieter environment needed to focus on complicated lace patterns. So I tend to avoid it, or if I am making lace I choose simpler geometric patterns.

Enter the book Wendy Knits Lace :

You have seen that I have knit a couple of her Elizabeth’s cowls! They are wonderful!!! Easy, and the lace pattern is easily memorized. SO.. I have stuck my toes into the depths of lace in this book!

There are 20 lovely patterns in this book. From cowls to scarves and shawls, socks and some super cozy afghans and sweaters this book has it all and I feel confident that I could make any of them! That is a big deal for me!

For my loom knitters.. this book is worth a look, I can see that a few of the patterns could be done on the loom. First off Elizabeth’s Cowl could be done on the loom, the Lace Stripe Scarf  and Cranbourne Scarf could also be done on the loom.

There are a couple sock patterns that lend themselves pretty easily to the sock loom, and if you have an adjustable sock loom the Vintage Knee socks are doable as well.

So if you are a loom knitter who is looking for a bit more to make I do recommend you take a peek and see if anything interests you in here!

It’s a big one! I think this book covers just about everything a person could want to know about stitching fancy like!

Well least ways, I like it!

It looks like a good one. One I will definitely be picking up soon. I expect another nice $5 Amazon card . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: An EZ Surprise Book!]]> Well I was surprised to see a book review this morning for a new book out by Elizabeth Zimmerman, Knit One Knit All! Wild, especially since she passed away in 1999!

It looks like a good one. One I will definitely be picking up soon. I expect another nice $5 Amazon card from my Swagbucks winnings very soon! I love picking up books for less or for free this way!

This book looks like a typical EZ book! All knit all the time! I will give you my own review once I get it, but for now Clara Parkes wrote a great review of it at Knitter’s Review.. remember that site.. you know the place we went before there was Ravelry?

Bonus book.. this one isn’t out yet.. but I am already drooling! The next installment from Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin is due out next spring. Its called Alabama Studio Design But if you preorder *cough*  my birthday is tomorrow *cough* then you get it delivered on it’s release AND you get a nice free Alabama Chanin gift with it! I don’t know what that gift is but hey.. I’ll take it!!

With this . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: The Lampshade Lady’s Guide]]> I don’t know how they do it, but my kids always manage to mash, or otherwise ding dent and mangle our lampshades. I was quite glad when I was sent a copy of   The Lampshade Lady’s Guide to Lighting Up Your Life: 50 Custom Lampshades and Lamps by Judy Lake.

With this easy to follow and incredibly beautiful illustrated guide, I can give them a completely new style or at least work on replacing them!!

I just wish I had more time to make more of these funky and stylish lampshades Judy describes in her book.  With all the fabric pieces that I have collected lately I would finally give them a purpose!

Judy Lake has written  a craft book in the real original sense, a book about a craft that she has perfected to an art. The love for her art shows in every detail and on every page.

The book is easy to follow, features terrific photos, and best of all, it provides a treasure trove of fresh ideas. So if you are like me and in need of some new lampshades, or just want to restyle your current ones, which is a really easy way to update the look of a room, then this book is for you!

Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

  . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Stashbusting with One Ball Knits: Gifts]]> No matter how hard I try, I always seem to have one ball of yarn left over when a project is finished. So I have this modge podge collection of odd balls just waiting for either someone on Ravelry who is one ball short, or a book like One Ball Knits Gifts

This book is filled with 20 great little projects to take care of those odd skeins you have laying around.

The projects are quite inventive, like this bowl:

A little knitting, a little fabric stiffener and voila!

or this hat… LOVE IT!

And now I also know what I can do with that whack of I-cord I cranked out a while ago..

 Napkin rings!!!

Over all I didn’t see a project in this book that I wouldn’t knit! It’s definitely a keeper!!

Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher

When today’s book was offered to me I . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: The Sock Knitter’s Workshop!]]> So, I the not-a-sock-knitter am planning to start a pair of socks just for knitting while in lines at Disney.  I love knitting socks in line, it just looks so cool and people are always intrigued. Also they are a nice small project that is portable.

When today’s book was offered to me I thought ok, I’ll take a look.. well.. I did and I am in LOVE!!!!   The Sock Knitter’s Workshop by Ewa Jostes and Stephanie van der Linden is terrific! It’s like a buffet of techniques that you can mix and match to make socks!!!

Anyone who knows me as a knitter, knows I love interesting construction in knitting. So this book is right up my ally! There are like 13 different heels, 7 different toes, 5 cast on methods, toe up cuff down if it is a sock knitting technique that has been invented… it’s in here!

Of course there are also some really nice patterns..

Like this…

   and this….

and this..

  oooh those are crazy fun looking..

So many sock options so little time. hehe or well in my case I might have time in those lines!!

Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher

Let’s get started! Like the title . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday! NEW SOCK BOOKS!]]> Boy was I excited when I got home Monday after a LONG day.. to find three packages with 4 books in them on my doorstep! So with this and all the other new books I have picked up lately look forward to plenty of great Bookish Thursdays to come!

Let’s get started! Like the title says there are new sock books on the ranch! First up is a new volume by Wendy Johnson of the delightful Wendy Knits  blog.

If you have knit through every sock pattern in Wendy’s first book Socks from the Toe Up: Essential Techniques and Patterns from Wendy Knits, and are ready for more then  Toe-Up Socks for Every Body: Adventurous Lace, Cables, and Colorwork from Wendy Knits  is for you! Yeah.. you know who you are.. don’t make me point you out.. and no, I don’t mean Wendy.. though knitting for work is a great excuse.. (no dear I can’t cook tonight I have to get these socks done for the book!) Anyway.. I digress..

 Toe-Up Socks for Every Body is chock full of sock patterns.. 21 to be exact, and as the title indicates they are socks for all people.. little to big, young to old, funky to traditional. While heavy on patterns, this book is light on instruction.  Wendy leaves that up to her first book which is chock full of sock knitting instruction, tips and wisdom.  This makes the book a great companion volume to the first.

The two books together make a perfect set, and would make a great gift for a sock knitter or a knitter looking for some great portable projects!!

For my loom knitting friends.. with all the amazing and versatile sock looms that Decor Accents has out now I don’t see how you could go wrong with this book! If you have knit through all the patterns in the Loom Knitting Socks book you might want to give this book a look!

Disclaimer: A review copy of the book was provided by the publisher

A chicken poncho. A painting of a corn dog. A clock made out of an old . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Regretsy]]> What started as somewhat of a joke, has blossomed into the mother of all ‘White Elephant’ gift collections. In  Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF, author April Winchell shares her collection of the finest failures ever found on Etsy..

A chicken poncho. A painting of a corn dog. A clock made out of an old “mostly clean” cheese grater. All this and more await you in the pages of Regretsy, a collection of crafts gone wrong. Separated into categories such as Décor, Pet Humiliation, and Christmas, Regretsy showcases the worst of the worst. 

If you like snarky commentary, and bad crafts, then Regretsy is the book for you.

I have been drawn back into stitching lately, cross stitch, embroidery and the like and so I grabbed a copy of  A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: A Rainbow of Stitches]]> I recently earned a $5 Amazon card with my point earnings from SwagBucks and so I had to use it to get a book right?

I have been drawn back into stitching lately, cross stitch, embroidery and the like and so I grabbed a copy of  A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas.

This book is chock full of terrific stitch motifs. Pretty much all cross stitch and embroidery designs. They are all very nice! Many of the designs, especially the cross stitch, tend to be on the traditional side. But many of them are nice modern designs that I look forward to using in some various projects in the future.

So of course I started stitching…

This is just a little fun project using recycled materials (except for the embroidery floss) that I will share with you all tomorrow!

Don’t worry.. I also have at least two knitting projects going as well!

That is . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Imagine Lily Chin in Slow Motion!]]> I love love love Lily chin! I do! she is a creative, knowledgeable and accomplished knitter and crocheter! (is crocheter a word?) I have toyed with taking a class with her at Rhinebeck and at another venue, but there is one problem! She talks so very fast even I can’t keep up!

That is why I was so very excited when I heard from Potter Craft Publishing that she was coming out with two tip books. 

First there is Lily Chin’s Knitting Tips & Tricks: Shortcuts and Techniques Every Knitter Should Know

And they top it off with  Lily Chin’s Crochet Tips & Tricks: Shortcuts and Techniques Every Crocheter Should Know

It’s like putting Lily in slow motion, or better yet pause!!! I can have her tips handy, by throwing the book in my knitting bag, and taking her along! The books are the perfect size for that!

Each is jam packed full with her terrific ideas, shortcuts and tips! If you are a visual learner  like me there are plenty of diagrams and drawings to help you figure things out as well!

So grab a copy for yourself and take Lily along with you wherever you go!

Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was supplied by the publisher.

I love  Whenlen Chia’ a.k.a. Twinkle’s knitting patterns. If there is one of her patterns in a knitting mag, I am there.. case in point the last two issues of Vogue Knitting that didn’t last 5 minutes on the shelf because I was there to rescue them!

If . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: We knew Twinkl sewed but now…]]> She is sharing it with us!!

I love  Whenlen Chia’ a.k.a. Twinkle’s knitting patterns. If there is one of her patterns in a knitting mag, I am there.. case in point the last two issues of Vogue Knitting that didn’t last 5 minutes on the shelf because I was there to rescue them!

If you love her sense of style you probably also like her line of ready to wear clothing! Then on the other hand, if you are like me, you can’t even touch one of the lowest price pieces in her line with a ten foot pole.. sigh..

Well turn that frown upside down, because Twinkle has decided to share some of her patterns for sewing with us as well!!

 Twinkle Sews: 25 Handmade Fashions from the Runway to Your Wardrobe is a great book full of 25 sewing patterns by Whenlan. Super cool!!

The best thing is that there is a disc included with the patterns on pdf format! Oh do I wish my knitting pattern books came with that.. at least just a digital copy of the charts!!

A great book full of fun styles overall!!

Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher.

First up: Just the Right Words: Over 400 Messages and Motifs for Cardmakers and Crafters  This little book packs a punch! If you are looking  for a phrase, saying or something to write in . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Crafting Your Words]]> Today a little something different! I have a pair of books I picked up along the line that help with writing!!

First up: Just the Right Words: Over 400 Messages and Motifs for Cardmakers and Crafters  This little book packs a punch! If you are looking  for a phrase, saying or something to write in a greeting card this book has something for pretty much any occasion. You won’t find yourself at a loss for words with this little volume on your shelf!

Next up is No One Cares What You Had for Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog A couple years ago I joined the Blog 365 challenge, It certainly was a challenge!  It was hard sometimes to come up with ideas fro what to write about. So I picked up this book. It’s a great little book full of ideas to jump start your writing!

So if you are having a little ‘bloggers block’  you might want to pick yourself up a copy!

I don’t think that there is a design in this book that I wouldn’t like to knit!

The designer does some mixing yarns in some . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Haiku Knits]]> Nothing is simpler that Haiku. I love the short simple form of poetry. True to it’s namesake  by Tanya Alpert is full of simple, beautiful knit designs.

I don’t think that there is a design in this book that I wouldn’t like to knit!

The designer does some mixing yarns in some pieces to add to the interest of the simple designs.  This adds to the interest of the project and increases the possibilities when you are looking for yarn for the projects as well.

The directions are clear and diagrams are provided for all the patterns.

Even the most complicated pattern in the book is made easy with clear instructions and charts.

To add to the fun there are knitting Haiku sprinkled throughout the book!

If you are looking for simple, elegant and beautiful patterns this is the book you want!

Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided.

Don’t throw them out! Turn them into some great bags!!!

 Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags by Faith and Justina Blakeney is a . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Fun Upcycled Bags!]]> Got an umbrella with a broken handle? A pair of pants with a hole in the knee?  An old out of style suit? A bunch of plastic shopping bags?

Don’t throw them out! Turn them into some great bags!!!

 Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags by Faith and Justina Blakeney is a fun book full of great recycling and upcyling ideas to make bags out of just about anything!

The directions are clear and easy to follow. They have included a lot of great illustrations to help with constructing the bags!

Peppered throughout this book are bio’s of other bag designers who use interesting recycled materials to create designer bags!

Overall this is a terrific book. If you are interested in making neat unique bags you will love it!

Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

What sets this stitch dictionary apart is that it . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: 400 Knitting Stitches]]>  400 Knitting Stitches: A Complete Dictionary of Essential Stitch Patterns is the latest stitch dictionary offering by Potter Craft.  As any typical stitch dictionary it includes sections on Knit-Purl Stitches, Crossed Stitches and Cables, Lace Stitches, and your knitting basics as well.

What sets this stitch dictionary apart is that it also includes sections one Double Stitches, Slipped Stitches and Cast off Stitches which you don’t always see.

The other feature that sets this dictionary apart from others is that it includes a chart for every stitch. This makes it easy to follow for those, like me, who prefer a chart over written directions on occasion.

Over all this is an excellent stitch dictionary, and I would recommend it as a great go to book. The photos are clear, the directions concise and easy to follow. The charts are a great feature!

The only complaint I have is that it is missing what pretty much every stitch dictionary I have come across so far is also missing.. a good index that lists the stitches by name! When I am looking for a stitch pattern I would love to be able to flip to the back and look it up and hone right in on it and get going with my needles, rather than searching for the pattern I need! But since this feature is missing in most of them I will just browse.. on occasion I find something even better that way!

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was sent to the author from the publisher.

ok.. did I say I LOVE THIS BOOK? oops I guess I did. Today’s book is HatHeads: 1 Man + 2 Knitting Needles = 50 Fun Hat Designs  by Trond Anfinnsen, Aka the KNITKID (which is so much easier . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Hat Heads!]]> First let me say.. I love this book! Next let me say.. I LOVE THIS BOOK!

ok.. did I say I LOVE THIS BOOK?
oops I guess I did. Today’s book is HatHeads: 1 Man + 2 Knitting Needles = 50 Fun Hat Designs  by Trond Anfinnsen, Aka the KNITKID (which is so much easier to pronounce.)

This is a super fun volume, that one would not necessarily buy for the patterns.. but for the stories! Trond went all around and knit hats to give to the people in his town of Stavenger, Norway. Now these were not just random hats, they were specifically designed and knit for that person. in the end he designed, knit, and gave away over 200 hats.  An amazing feat! He chose his 50 favourite hats and stories for this book.

I read quite a few of them, I have not yet worked through them all. Every one left me with a smile! I was smiling from the moment I opened this book for quite some time after I put it down! it is DELIGHTFUL!

The patterns all stem from a basic hat pattern and are all interesting and unique in their own right. If you need a had for someone you can flip through the pages of the book, find a matching person and knit up their hat! It’s pretty cool!

Since then I have definitely followed her blog and chatted it . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Kanzashi is Blooming all Over my House!]]> First let me say, I ‘know’ the author of the book today..  Diane Gilleland, fondly known as Sister Diane. At least we have had an ongoing online friendship since she interviewed Isela and I a couple years ago for her podcast! (what fun!)

Since then I have definitely followed her blog and chatted it up with her here and there on Twitter and etc!

So I am especially excited to have a copy of her new book!! (since she has finally caught up with me ya know..)

Kanzashi in Bloom: 20 Simple Fold-and-Sew Projects to Wear and Give  is a stunningly beautiful book!!

These flowers look so beautiful and intricate!  They look difficult to make, but that is totally not the case!

A few folds, a few snips, and a few stitches throw in a little hot glue action and you have yourself a beautiful flower!

See:

Diane includes some very clear written directions for making the flowers and projects. Along with the written directions are terrific photos of each step, reminiscent of the Japanese craft book style!

All in all this is one book that I would highly recommend! It is certainly staying on my shelf! Sorry!! There are only two improvements I would make.. Make this craft less addicting!! Grr, can’t do it. Make the book spiral bound.. hmm.. I might be able to do that.. (they do that at Kinkos right?)

I did make a special flower to give away.

The stray Pinewood Derby wheel was in my button box! And being the mother of boys, naturally I had a little bit of checkered flag fabric hanging about.. so.. that is how this pin came to be.

If you would like to win it, for yourself, or for someone else, leave me a comment on this post telling what color flowers you would make !! I will draw a winner on Monday after noon!

Looks to be another great volume from Clara! Looking forward to it coming out this fall!

Feltique: Techniques and Projects for Wet Felting, Needle Felting, Fulling, and Working with Commercial Felt  by Nikola Davidson and Brookelynn Morris is chock full of beautiful craft projects for all kinds of felt. I like this because there are projects for me to use that commercial felt (namely those really cool necklaces on the cover! LOVE THEM!) and there are wet felting and needle felting ideas for my daughter.. she likes needle felting! There are also alot of recycled sweater projects. I love grabbing those thrift store sweaters!

The second book is just as fun! Felt Furnishings by Anne Kyyro Quinn has 25 accessories for your home!

If you like contemporary design and accessories, then this book is for you. All the designs are gorgeous! From pillows, to curtains and wall hangings and actual furniture pieces,   this book has it all! The directions are clear and easy, and precise! (you know I need that!)

Hmm� I might have to get some more felt!

Traditionally this means socks. They are great for travel, knitting small and portable, but not everyone is into socks! (I am a case in point!) For some a shawl is the favourite travel knitting project, but let�s face it they do get big, and they are usually made of wool, so they get hot as well!

So what to do?

Perhaps these books can give you some ideas!

First up is One Ball Knits Purses    by Fatema, Khadija and Hajera Habibur-Rahman.

I am very excited about this book because I have quite the collection of bag handles hanging about! Each one of them a different style, and some antique. This book has a bag for EVERY ONE of them!

With the one skein approach I can also clear out those odd balls of yarn I have languishing in my stash!

Then there are the bags that I just want to knit so I HAVE to get the handles! Like this one:

All in all this book is full of fast, easy, fun projects that are sure to appeal to all. I know I will be making at least 3 of these this summer! Join me?

Next up is The Best-Dressed Knitted Bear by Emma King. This book is full of adorable bears and cute little outfits for them to wear!

The book is categorized into three groups: simple, intermediate, and complex; each with two sizes of bear: small and large. This means there is a bear in there for any level of knitter!

The outfits are absolutely adorable! From pirates to graduates, princesses and fairies, there is sure to be a bear there for someone you love to knit for!

Not only are these bears great small projects for summer, but they would make great charity knits as well!

The last book of the day is  Knitted Babes by Clare Garland. I have been meaning to get this book for a while and I am glad I did! The characters that fill this book are adorable and fun! And it also give you a chance to do a little sewing to make their outfits! Mix and match and have a good time creating looks for them! What more could a girl want?

It is so natural that Lorna should have written a book about faith and knitting.. it is so very HER!� Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting is a book full of reflections on life and faith and knitting as experienced through Lorna�s eyes. Every pattern comes from a story from Lorna�s life. I have to say, every story is just so very beautiful. When I opened this book and started reading I simply could not put it down. Touching and poignant many of them left me with tears in my eyes.. a good thing.. and a smile on my face.

It�s a keeper!

When the book  Mother-Daughter Knits: 30 Designs to Flatter and Fit by Sally Melville and Caddy Melville Ledbetter arrived a few days ago I have to say I was most super delighted! It is AWSOME!!! Generally my rule of thumb for buying any knitting book or magazine is that I want to knit at least 3 patterns in it. This book far exceeds that!

In this book Sally Melville teams up with her daughter to bring some classic patterns that flatter and fit women of all ages, sizes and shapes, as well as some innovative, yet simple new designs. There is also a section on how to choose the right pattern for your personal shape, and customize it to fit you to a tee! 

Sprinkled in amongst the patterns and how to�s are some fun mother-daughter anecdotes,  that are touching and delightful.

There are so many must knits in this book for me..

Call me a geek girl.. but this one is quite Star Trek-y don�t you think? I love it!

Cute and simple and springy!

I like this one too!! very nice..

Those are some of my favourites there are many more.. and another item I can�t show you cause I want to secretly knit it up for my own daughter!!

This book will not disappoint!  And that�s not just the cold medicine talking!

Ok. There now, on to the book.

The Expectant Knitter: 30 Designs for Baby and Your Growing Family by Marie Connolly is chock full of great knits for baby, momma, big sister and brother and even doggie brothers!! I took this book to my knitting guild meeting and there were many oohs and aaahs over it.

Some of my favourites are the Baby Racer Sweater and Leggings.. naturally as the mom of 3 boys! my other two favs are the Shawl Sweater.. which is a great knit for before and after baby, and the Big Sister Sweater..

ADORABLE! I want one my size!

All in all this is a great book, lovely photos and clear instructions.. and hey there are even week by week pregnancy tips! My only wish is that she had included something  for Dad! The poor guy is left out..

. . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Knitting for Your Teddy Bear!]]> I love today’s book, for a very specific reason: It teaches you something! Yep.. and darn it all, it involves MATH! Yikes.. yep who knew I would like a book that teaches math!  Hey as a former teacher, home schooling mom, and sometimes knitting instructor yes this book appeals to me for that reason!

Knits for Bears to Wear: More than 20 Fun, Knit-to-Fit Fashions for All Teddies and Toys Including 18-Inch Dolls  by Amy O’Neill Houck, is a great little book! For anyone with a teddy bear collection, or with 18 inch dolls this book is a great find. Or, if you are like me and have a little guy who has a favourite stuffed dog who could use a sweater, this book is for you!

Like I said above this book teaches you something. Each pattern is customized for the size of your stuffed friend or doll by you! Yes. You! Amy provides a little “customizing sidebar’ for each of the projects. You knit up a swatch, pop in the measurements of your toy, and the gauge of your swatch and off you go to a custom fit item for your toy! So rather than blindly following a pattern you learn a bit about customizing! Done in a small way, you can then apply these nice skills to bigger projects down the road! Nothing wrong with that!

Over all the designs are adorable, so if you do choose to simply follow the patterns as written you can’t go wrong.

I might just get ambitious and try to make a matching hoodie for my little guy and his little stuffed doggie. We shall see.. I have a few projects in the works so it’ll have to wait till at least May..

And coming soon (out May 5th) is also The Best-Dressed Knitted Bear: Dozens of Patterns for Teddy Bears, Bear Costumes, and Accessories by Emma King, It looks good too, I’ll let ya know!