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

New Books at the Library

The library bought a couple of new books on knitting and crochet.

Knit Red: Stitching for Women's Heart Health by Laura Zander is obviously for knitters.  Every pattern in the book uses red yarn.  Certainly you can choose whatever color of yarn you prefer, but this book's premise is to raise awareness of women's heart disease which kills more women than all types of cancer combined (according to the facts in this book). 

The patterns include lacy and bargello type shawls, sweaters, dresses, capes, fingerless gloves, ...well, you get the idea.  There are thirty patterns for any type of knitting that you prefer to do.

For our crocheters, we have Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques by Robyn Chachula. 

There are 29 patterns for afghans and pillows.  Some are all of a piece and some are done in motifs.  A couple of patterns are entrelac (diamonds) or something closely resembling entrelac (attached squares). 

These patterns are designed to use the styles you know in slightly different ways.  There is a wonderful round design made of single crochet worked over a second color carried along the edge.  At certain intervals, the carried color becomes the working color.  This way you get a design without having to break off the old color or sew sections together.

 If those directions were about as clear as mud, please come in and check out the book.  Page 78.  You'll see.

Happy crafting,

Kathi