New Knit and Crochet Books

The library now owns two new yarn arts books, one for knit and one for crochet. Entrelac 2: New Techniques for Interlace Knitting by Rosemary Drysdale has an intriguing pattern on the cover. The piece is being knit in the round. This one new technique is shown as a purse, a hat, and a pin cushion cover. Also included are zigzag scarves, a cowl, poncho, baby booties,  a garter stitch openwork short-sleeved sweater top, and both pinwheel and cabled pillow covers. 

The first half of the book teaches you different techniques like zigzags, braids, coils, and four-, five- or six-pointed stars. There are openwork techniques, beaded work, and beautiful squares done in quarters.

If you like to knit, this book is well worth looking at.

Reversible Color Crochet: A New Technique by Laurinda Reddig shows you how to work with more than one color in the same row. The most difficult thing about it is keeping the yarns from tangling. Laurinda starts with two-color rows and then progresses up to four-color rows. The patterns are simple and the end result is beautiful. You don't have to cut the yarn and weave in a bunch of ends. The afghan is completely reversible.

If you crochet and want to try something a little different, come and check out this book.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Something A Little Different

The library recently acquired three new books on weaving.  While this blog is basically for knitting and crocheting, I thought maybe there were those of you who branch out on occasion to some of the other yarn arts.

If you have a table (or larger) loom, you might want to check out these two books:

Pattern Weaving: Basics for the Handloom by Rabbit Goody
and Simple Weaves: Over 30 Classic Patterns and Fresh New Styles by Birgitta Bengtsson Bjork and Tina Ignell

  


If you have an interest in inkle weaving - making bands and sashes - you might want to see this book, The Weaver's Inkle Pattern Directory by Anne Dixon.  This book goes beyond the basic patterns and shows how to do pick up weaving for fancier patterns.



Happy crafting,

Kathi

Knit and crochet Patterns

Linda Higginbotham suggested that we let you know about a website she discovered by a lady from the Netherlands.  http://www.jessica-tromp.nl/jessicaintroduction.htm

I scanned through it a bit.  The lady has thousands for patterns for knitting, crocheting, and knitting machine.  See if you might find something interesting to you.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Prayer Shawls

The topic came up in the last Knit Night that some people were working on prayer shawls.

The basic patterns and the prayer shawl ministry information are found at http://www.shawlministry.com/.

The library consortium has these titles available for those wanting more pattern ideas:
Knit Prayer Shawls: 15 Wraps to Share by Susan Sullivan
The Prayer Shawl Minstry: Reaching Those in Need (contains both knit and crochet patterns) and
The Prayer Shawl Companion: 38 Knitted Designs to Embrace, Inspire, and Celebrate Life by Janet Bristow.

Almost any pattern can be used in knit, crochet, or knitting loom. The basic size is about 20"-24" and from "fingertip to fingertip" or from "wrist to wrist" (generally between 5 and 6 feet long). Most patterns specify a nice soft yarn.

I've found both rectangular and triangular patterns.

If this doesn't give you enough to go on yet, put "prayer shawl patterns" into your search engine. You'll find more than enough to make in one lifetime.

Happy crafting,
Kathi

New Christmas patterns

There are tons of new patterns for the holidays, both crochet and knit, all over the internet. Lion Brands yarn company hosts free patterns from all sorts of people who come up with new things on a regular basis. Crochet Central and Knit Central, of course, keep adding new patterns as well.
Do you need an ornament, a wreath, a Christmas tree pattern? They're all online. Do you need a gift for someone's kitchen, bathroom, bedroom? All can be had easily. How about a gift for a man, a woman, a child, or their dog? No problem.
Type in "Christmas ornament free crochet pattern" or "Man's hat free crochet pattern" or dog sweater free crochet pattern", etc. You get the idea. And it works for "free knit pattern" too.
23 more days until Christmas. Only 9 days until Hanukkah. You get 24 days if you celebrate Kwanzaa.
Happy crafting.