Simple knits for little cherubs

Inside....
Erika Knight's introduction to simple knits for little cherubs frames the patterns in this book perfectly with her description of the collection. Vintage. Retro feel. Nostalgic. Evocative as snapshots in a family album, treasured. Wow! And they are! for children aged two to five years, perfect silhouettes of classic sweaters, vests, fluffy bolero, mittens on a string and simple socks. Knight begins with an instruction guide on measuring! Oh so crucial before committing the time and yarn to a project made with hopes, dreams and wishes for the best childhood. Heirloom.

The Yarn...
Samples:
Short-sleeved sweater pg 26
Yarn: Fine yarn (4 ply) e.g. Jaeger Matchmaker 100 percent merino wool
Gauge: 28 stitches and 36 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) measured over stockinette stitch using US 3 (3.25mm) needles

the blanket pg 100
Yarn: Medium wieght yarn e.g. Rowan wool cotton (50% merino/50% cotton)
Gauge: 22 stitches and 30 rows to 4 inches (10cm) using US 6 needles (4mm)

The Book...
Contents: introduction -- yarns and colours -- equipment & tension -- sizing -- classic sweater -- short-sleeved sweater -- denim pinafore -- firl's games sweater -- fluffy bolero -- dressing gown -- scottie dog cardigan -- fairisle border cardigan -- boy's diamond pullover -- reinbdeer zipper cardigan --- stripy hat -- stripy muffler -- mittens on strings -- simple socks -- patched blanket -- velvet rabbit -- pyjama bag -- top dog -- erika's tips -- substituting yarns -- suppliers - acknowledgments

25 more bags to knit

Inside...
This is the first handbag pattern book that I purchased that included instructions on finishing with a full lining - and for that I prize it. Emma King divides 25 more bags into three sections--Anytime, Weekend, and Evening. Any skill level can find something fun to try and succeed with, incorporating techniques such as knitting with color, beads, sequins and embroidery. Don't spend hundreds on a status bag! Instead, make something authentic, gorgeous and unattainable to everyone who lives close to the outlets.

The Yarn...
Sample projects:
Fleur pg 10
Yarns: Rowan Summer Tweed 1 3/4 oz (50g) balls, Rowan All Seasons Cotton 1 3/4 oz (50g) balls, Rowan Kid Silk Haze 1oz (25g) balls
Gauge (Tension): 17 sts and 25 rows to 4 in (10cm) using US 7 (4.5 mm) needles measured over pattern
Frill Seeker pg 26 Yarns: Rowan Felted Tweed 1 3/4 oz (50g) balls, Rowan Kid Silk Haze 1 3/4 oz (50g) balls 3 colors
Gauge: 14sts and 20 rows to 4in (10cm) using US 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles measured over reverse stockinette stitch

The Book...
Contents: ANYTIME: Fleur--True Blue--Very Berry--Tangerine--Frill Seeker--Crimson and Clover--Flutter--Cinnamon--Purple Haze WEEKEND: Ludo--Daffodil--Waffle--Whirl--Daydreamer--Orchard--Blancmange--Sky EVENING: After Eight--Treasure--Gem--Dash--Soiree--Cherry Drop--Vintage--Caramel TECHNIQUES: Yarn Information--Abbreviations--Acknowledgments and Suppliers

Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers

Inside...
Sometimes flowers just have to be added...and when they are knitted flowers, this book is the go to. Nicky Epstein's "botanical yarn garden" appeals on so many levels. Jennifer Levy's larger than life photos of real and imaginary creations, knitted,felted and or beaded or any combination of those tempt any knitter to try the garden of wooly delights. Many of these blossoms can be made from skeins you may already have on hand, which makes them even more serendipitous. The Necklette found on page 18 - a floral scarf of Russi Sales Serpentine looks to be the precursor of Epstein's later Swarovski Crystal floral adornment found in Vogue Knitting's Silver Anniversary issue.

The Yarn...
Samples:
Rose Pillow: Lion Brand Lion Suede--GAUGE: 12 sts and 18 rows = 4 inches/10cm over St st using size 9 (5.5mm) needles
Stellata Thistle: 1 13/4oz50G ball (each approx 138yd/126M) of Alchemy Silk Purse (silk) in #82W Janbay Saphhire--1 ball #02W Deep Sea

The Book...
Contents: Stitch pattern flowers; American Beauty Rose, Rose Pillow, Twist Flower, Floral Clusters, Necklette, Butter cups, Bridal Gloves, Ruffle Rose, Rose Bag, Fringe Loop Stitch Flowers, Blossom, Basic Flower--Petal Constructed Flowers; Wallflower, Flower-trimmed cardigan, corkscrew flowers, pop daisy, mod podge flora, electra floral--Cord Flowers; les fleurs, felted cord flowers, cord bl--ooms, lazy daisy spiral, lazy daisy flat--Felted Stitch Pattern Flowers; Trumpet, sunflower, five-star flower, florals, moody blue, flower on shoes, felted rose bag--Felted Cut Flowers; felted trio, hat/Dahlia, three-petal flower angel rose--abbreviations and techniques--resources

Knitter's Bible

Inside...

This book is robust with resources for beginning and intermediate knitters - in a true handbook style including large photographs and very helpful illustrations of techniques and projects that work with them. The introductory chapter addresses yarn, needles, knit, purl, cast on, bind off, increase, decrease, ribs, and gauge (tension). The next section instructs on lace, fair isle, cables, embossed, short rows, twisted stitches, intarsia and circular knitting. Every aspect a beginner or intermediate knitter may need guidance on may be found in the following sections including projects, correcting mistakes, edgings, assembling garments and rleading knitting patterns. The stitch library is also a terrific resource to refer back to again and again.

The Book...

Twinkle's big city knits : thirty-one chunky-chic designs

Inside....
Twinkle's big city knits: thirty-one chunky-chic designs is the kind of book that features narrow choices for yarn selection but oh!!!! what yarn it is! Twinkle's soft chunky yarn and Twinkle Handknits Cruise. This book has fabulous photographs of the garments which highlight the shimmering colors and textures and also features large illustrations of instructional techniques.

This yarn is a dream to work with - so soft you need to be careful not to pull too hard. It knits up very quickly due to its size, and the book profiled here highlights quick projects using the entire palette available. When I was on the hunt to acquire this yarn this time last year, I had a tough time getting it to ship to me since it was not carried in my LYS. After all was said and done, I ended up with two shipments of identical orders. As I worked diligently away on some socks using SWTC ToFutsies and microscopic needles, my daughter was cranking away on size 15 needles. The luscious canary yellow (softer than it sounds in hue) soft chunky yarn was quickly becoming Twinkle's Hoodie and I wanted to be doing that instead. She churned out the gorgeous super sized seed-stitched results while I was stuck on the teeny tiny stitches at the total opposite of the spectrum. Use this book to be inspired to create your own soft chunky iterations too. The yarn is pricey but must-have. Double check measurements that correspond to S, M, L - they seem on the slighter side.

The author says the following about gauge: "For chunkies, there are fewer than three stichtes to an inch, so exact gauge is crucial. For accuracy, I suggest making a larger swatch and measuting from the middle. Make it match: If your gauge does not follow the example precisely, use a larger or smaller needle until it's right."

The Yarn.....
Sample yarn info from the Best Friend Cardigan found on pg. 18:
GAUGE: 9.5 sts and 14.5 rows = 6 inches (5 cm) in St st using size 19 needles
YARN: Twinkle Handknits Soft Chunky (100% merino wool - 83 yd/77 m per 200g ball)

Sample yarn info from the Biker Vest found on page 98:
GAUGE: 4 strands tog-11 sts and 18.5 rows = 5 inches (13cm) in Lace pattern on size 15 needles
9 sts - 4 inches (10cm) in garter stitch
YARN: Twinkle Handknits Cruise (70% silk, 30% cotton; 120 yd/112 m per 50 g skein) or any super bulky weight yarn

The Book...
Contents: Downtown: Groovy sweater (dress) -- Best friend cardigan -- Karate sweater -- Pilot hat and flying gloves -- Biker vest -- Chelsea sweater -- Balthazar vest -- Tuxedo jacket -- Resort: Seaside sweater -- St. Bart's mini -- Coco jacket -- Hamptons halter -- Twiggy tunic -- Feather scarf -- Convertible cardigan -- Night on the town: Incredible skirt -- Princess caplet -- Mini bolero -- Marilyn jacket -- Evening shell -- Mohair shrug -- Shop the town: Twinkle hoodie -- Aspen hat -- Skating sweater -- Rockefeller sweater -- Magic shawl -- Shopping tunic -- Diamond scarf.