Sunday, June 28, 2009

Knit One, Bead Too: Essential Techniques for Knitting with Beads by Judith Durant

Published 2009

Never have two distinct crafts paired as beautifully as knitting and beading. In Knit One, Bead Too Judith Durant introduces crafters to fun stitching techniques that perk up knitted items with beautiful beads. Now knitters will have fun embellishing their fiber crafts with pretty beads, and jewelry makers will enjoy the challenge of working with beads in a whole new way.

Knit One, Bead Too arms crafters with the skills to pair fibers and beads in unexpected ways. Five distinct knitting methods fully incorporate beads into knitted items rather than simply adding beads as fringe or appliqué. The results are intricate works of art that every knitter will be proud to wear.

Each of the five techniques - Bead Knitting, Beaded Knitting, Slipstitch Bead Knitting, Carry-along Bead Knitting, and Hooked Beading - is carefully described with in-depth text and step-by-step illustrations. Durant describes all the tips and tricks of knitting with each technique, including casting on and binding off, beading with various stitches, and correcting mistakes.

Each of the five technique sections includes three complete patterns that highlight that beading method. A Golden Purse shows off Beaded Knitting on an evening bag that sparkles and shimmers. A subtler project uses Slipstitch Bead Knitting to add elegance to a Magic Mohair Beret. Thirteen additional projects give crafters plenty of options to play with before striking out on their own. Once the techniques are mastered, knitters will want to add beads to all sorts of patterns!

Wacky Baby Knits: 20 Knitted Designs for the Fashion-Conscious Toddler by Alison Jenkins

Published 2009

From baby robot to l'il Elvis—a book of unusual and irresistible knitting patterns for baby gear.

Most baby knitting books are sweet and precious, filled with pompomed booties and pastel hats. Not this colorful and quirky collection. Wacky Baby Knits features unique projects that will have hipster parents and those with a sense of humor knitting away. What crafter could resist these adorable projects?

• Elvis, mohawk, and cupcake hats
• Monster booties
• Furry bear feet with matching mittens
• Robot suit and hat
• Tiny biker jacket with embroidered wings on the back

Knitted Wire Jewelry: Techniques. Projects. Inspiration by Samantha Lopez

Published 2009

Knitting takes on a whole new esthetic when coupled with wire to create beautiful pieces of jewelry. The lacy, delicate nature of the projects featured in Knitted Wire Jewelry is unlike those seen in other jewelry making books. You will be surprised by how the fine gauge and simple beauty of the pieces sets them apart. Learn from twenty-five projects that span a variety of techniques such as increases and decreases, incorporating different colors of wire, adding beads and more.

Knitting More Circles Around Socks: Two at a Time, Toe Up or Cuff Down by Antje Gillingham

Published 2009

Spin Dye Stitch: How to Create and Use Your Own Yarns by Jennifer Claydon

Published 2009

Spin Dye Stitch features everything the fiber artist needs to know to turn wool roving into beautiful one-of-a-kind handspun yarn and dyed fibers. Instead of a boring "how-to" book, author Jennifer Claydon shows you how to work with the fibers in a practical format, with clear step-by-step photos and beautiful projects featuring knitting, weaving, embroidery and needle felting.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Feminine Knits: 22 Timeless Designs by Lene Holme Samsoe

Published 2009

Fall in love with knitting all over again with this intriguing pattern collection that blends captivating designs with flattering, feminine silhouettes. Knitters will be eager to start and delighted to finish each project that includes skirts, jackets, tank tops, pullovers, and accessories. An excellent showcase of texture, lace, and unusual pattern construction, each project is inspired by current and vintage fashion and the mathematical aspect of design. Featuring projects for every season, skill level, time commitment, and occasion, each collection is full of elegant finishing and the kind of impeccable detail that makes transforms each piece into a classic. This manual, packed to the brim with timeless yet fashionable patterns, also features beautiful photographs that highlight the detail and feminine silhouettes of each finished piece.

Knit it Together: Patterns and Inspiration for Knitting Circles by Suzyn Jackson, Alvaro Gonzales

Published 2009

Tips on how to start or join a knitting circle, stories of group knitting past and present, and patterns designed to “knit together.”