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

The Knitter's Handbook

Inside...
I never go anywhere that I plan to knit without The Knitter's Handbook (fortunately it comes in a portable size and weight, unlike many other things I carry along daily). Too bad I can't get it loaded onto my BlackBerry, then I would have one less thing to keep track of! It also shows signs of constant use because I have those little post-it yellow tabs hanging out of some of the important (right now!) pages. This is the one book you can keep at your side no matter what and get your problem solved.

This handbooks is 100% essential skills and helpful hints, abbreviations, terms and of course stitch illustrations and instructions. I have found things in this book that I thought I knew how to do right and learn, hey! This is really the way I should be doing this!

Includes as well a chapter on Crochet, because sometimes knitters encounter the need to crochet, and we all don't do it often enough to remember how it's done.

The Book...
Contents: basics-bind-offs--buttons, buttonholes & zippers--cables--cast-ons--circular knitting--color--crochet--decreases--edges & borders--extras--grafts & seams--increases--lace--shaping--symbols & charts--index--quick access

complete feltmaking

Inside...
Gillian Harris' complete feltmaking/ easy techniques and 25 great projects begins with a marvelous and succinct account of what real handmade or hand rolled felt begins as and what catalyzes wool fleece to link each fiber of wool to move and link together to "full". Fulled or felted wool becomes dense, hardened and shrinks the wool giving us a fire retardant, water repellent, warm and insulating, soft and cozy, breathable protective, pliable, colorful, non-fraying medium with which to create fiber art.

This book is a how-to resource and Harris passes along the tips and tricks she has collected and also encourages the reader to experiment and discover different ways of doing things for yourself. A range of projects is included to instruct and inspire and launch the reader into feltmaking with original ideas.

Recently, felted items seem to be showing some popularity in my favorite clothing catalogs (slippers, moccasins, purses, hats, garments), so taking this book out for a spin may help you refine your creative vision for it just a little ahead of the current trend. Aside from trends, fulling or felting has an ancient history that Harris reviews so you can regard it as one of the all time classics in fiber material processes.

Projects included are marked with skill level ranging from beginner through advanced techniques. Includes 3-D projects.

The Yarn...
for Flat Felting:
Wool fleece--wool tops or roving - Fine Wool
merino wool tops
Merino, Blue Faced Leicester, Jacob, Shetland
Grades: Micron, Bradford Count, Blood Count
for Knitted Felting:
at least 70% wool and NOT superwash wool - it will not shrink if it is superwash
100% wool works best

sample project knitted felting "Flirty Flower" page 78
Yarn: 1 ball South West Trading Company Karaoke wool--50% silk/50% wool; approx 110 yd. (101m) per 50 g ball, 1 ball Noro Kureyon approx 110 yd. (101 m) per 50 g ball (100% wool)
Needles: 1 pair of US 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles
Shrinkage rate: approx. 25-30%

The Book...


Contents: introduction--history--wool fleece--equipment--SIMPLE FLAT FELT: petal play--paper chase--full bloom--ewe and me--heartfelt rug--3-D SHAPES: highly strung--dotty spotty--cute booties--tea time cozy--dapper flapper--KNITTED FELTING: flirty flower--icy stripes--carousel cushion--patchwork perfect--I love you--NEEDLE FELTING: tooth fairy pouch--heart to hearts--under cover--jingle bell--pouting trout--ADVANCED TECHNIQUES: cobweb cool--nuno felt shawl--blooming slippers--bowl over ball--field of poppies--templates--glossary--resources--acknowledgments

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.