A New Slant on Knit and Crochet

If you are tired of the same patterns over and over, try something with a new slant.

Here's one for crocheters.



This is called "New Slant Afghan". http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32019.html

Maybe you'd like to wander around in circles:



This one is called "Spiraling into Fall". http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32007.html

If you prefer needles to hooks, here's a pattern that will shift your focus a little:




This is a slip stitch sampler. http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32155.html

Lion Brand Yarn has many patterns that will inspire you. If you are in Jackson County, Indiana, come in and see our knit and crochet books. We have a large selection of everything from mittens to large afghans. We have delicate lace patterns through tightly-worked Tunisian crochet.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Little Aran and Celtic Knits for Kids: 25 Designs for Babies and Young Children by Martin Storey

If you are a passable knitter and have little ones to keep warm, you will enjoy Little Aran and Celtic Knits for Kids: 25 Designs for Babies and Young Children by Martin Storey.

Most of the patterns are sweaters and jackets with cabling, Celtic knot designs, or little animals knitted into the piece. Some have hoods, some are slip-overs, and some are button-down. There are also socks, blocks, and an alphabet blanket.

It's currently in the New Book section.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Four New Books for Yarnies

 

The New Crochet: A Beginner's Guide with 38 Modern Projects by Marion Madel is laid out in lesson form with projects to help a beginning crocheter learn new stitches and techniques. Some of the projects include a scarf, hat, sweater, purse, legwarmers, shawl, and decorative flowers.

50 Knitted Gifts for Year-round Giving: Designs for Every Season and Occasion Featuring Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted is presented by the editors of Sixth&Spring Books. This book is for knitters. There are projects for each holiday from a chocolate Easter bunny hat to spiderweb boot toppers. Lots of cute and useful ideas in this book.

Slouchy Beanies and Headwraps by Lisa Gentry has 10 patterns for some popular slouchy hats and 3 cute headwraps. If you know someone who got a new coat and needs a new hat to go with it, this book has patterns that will make you the popular crafter in your family/neighborhood.

Crochet Love: 27 Sweet & Simple Zakka-Inspired Projects by Jenny Doh shows how to work up small projects like finger puppets and fish mobiles, lacy trim for knee-high stockings and egg rattles for babies, a crowns for the little ones and crocheted rings. 

There's something of interest to almost any knitter or crocheter. Come and pick up the craft book that sounds the best to you.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Two New Books

Knitters, we have a new book for you entitled Warm Mittens and Socks: Dozens of Playful Patterns and Skillful Stitches to Knit, Crochet, and Embroider by Eva Trotzig.



I glanced through the book and found something that will make almost anybody happy. Warm hands and feet sound pretty good this winter.

Crocheters, this one's just for you. Crochet Red: Crocheting for Women's Heart Health by Laura Zander has 30 patterns for sweaters, hats, cowls, jackets, and other assorted goodies. Each pattern is shown in red, but can be worked in the color of your choice.



You can currently find both of these books in the New Book section.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

New Knitting and Crochet Books

This is a most amazing book! When I picked up Knitting in Circles by Nicky Epstein, I was thinking socks. This is WAY better! The book is structured like an encyclopedia of sample patterns. The circles start with plainer stitches and go on up to Fair Isle and intarsia. To my taste, the prettiest ones were plain circles with i-cord in Celtic-like patterns. You must check out this book if you like to knit.



Knitting Architecture by Tanis Gray is full of new styles to knit with patterns and charts. I am no knitter, but these patterns were very tempting to try. Included are sweaters and shawls, bags and hats, dresses and - of course - socks.



Another Tanis Gray book, Cozy Knits: 50 Fast and Easy Projects from Top Designers, has patterns mostly for hats, scarves, mittens, and fingerless gloves. The designs are pretty and would make excellent gifts with the added benefit of being small enough to work up quickly.

And now for the crochet fanatics among us.



Doris Chan has a new book called Crochet Lace Innovations: 20 Dazzling Designs in Broomstick, Hairpin, Tunisian, and Exploded Lace. The techniques are different than the usual crochet pattern. When you get bored from doing the same thing, you might want to try out a different type of crochet. The designs in this book are more openwork and decorative. My coworkers and I thought the patterns were absolutely gorgeous. If only I had more time...



The Big Book of Crochet Afghans by Annie's Crochet has the usual ripples and motifs. Some are scrap afghans and some are more planned. There was one truly unique pattern which had beige blocks with a crocheted Oreo cookie in the middle of each one. If you know a cookie fresser, you should pick up this book and crochet this tempting afghan.



Crochet Pink: 26 Patterns to Crochet for Comfort, Gratitude, and Charity by Janet Rehfeldt shows every pattern done in shades of pink. The projects are all small enough to do in a reasonably short time and would be a blessing to anyone you gave them to. Shawls, scarves, hats, fingerless mittens, slippers, and face cloths are among the designs in the book.

We have many new options. Please come in and check them out.

Happy crafting this holiday season.

Kathi Linz

Raking in the New Books

Now in the New Book section, we have Crochet-opedia: The Only Crochet Reference You'll Ever Need by Julia Oparka. It does, in fact, have every procedure I could think of using including buttonholes, loop stitches, toys, and sweaters without skipping the usual motifs and pattern stitches.

Knitters, do not despair. I know of at least three or four good books that should hit the shelves soon.

In case you would like to take a break from pattern books, here are a couple of crafts books that might pique your interest.



How to Start a Creative Business: The Jargon-Free Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs by Doug Richard is also in the New Book section for the next couple of months as is Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids: 175 Projects for Kids of All Ages to Create, Build, Design, Explore, and Share.



Come in and check them out.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Request for Spare Yarn

Zionsville, IN- The Kappa Theta chapter of Zionsville, Indiana has been very busy during November over the past three years collecting warm winter gear for homeless veterans. It started with only one collection site and has grown to five sites in only three years. Last year a library volunteer who works at a collection site offered to have her knitting group donate hand knitted hats for the veterans. Their goal was 100 hats and they exceeded it with 107 hat and 3 scarves. Kappa Theta is also concerned about the growing number of homeless service women, and are brainstorming ways to meet this new challenge.

If you have any yarn that you are not going to be using full rolls or partial we would love to take them offer your hands. Just bring them to Fall Conference on September 29. The yarn will be given to the knitting group to help our veterans and others in need.

If you live near this area (Zionsville), please consider giving your spare yarn to someone in the Kappa Theta chapter.  If you live in Jackson County, Indiana, please donate your spare yarn to Julia at the library by September 28.  She will see that it gets to the people who will use it for homeless vets.

Thanks and happy crafting,

Kathi

August Projects by Our Group

Here are some of the projects that are keeping our knitters and crocheters busy and happy.

Please feel free to join us with whatever you are working on at the moment.  If you are new to the yarn arts, we have willing and capable teachers in the Thursday night Knit and Crochet Night group.  They meet on the second and fourth Thursdays every month at 6:30 pm.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Recent work by the Knitters and Crocheters

Basket weave pattern

Loom knitting

As you can see, we have yarn crafters of all kinds.  Please feel free to join us at the library on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 6:30.  The group meets in the meeting room the the left of the stairs.

Happy crafting,

Kathi