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I will be adding to this section on a regular basis, (eventually sorting the books into different categories). For now, here are the book reviews I originally wrote for my now defunct Southern Cross Knitting magazine. ~Sarah June 6th 2006
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A Collection of Small Knitting Projects Inspired by Historical Stitches from Britain, Ireland and Scotland Available from the Martaschmarta CafePress shop Marta Clark Poling is one of the first knitters to make use of CafePress's new print on demand self publishing service. The designs in this book are classically inspired, using travelling, texture and cabled stitches rather than colourwork. There are a 16 variations of 4 basic patterns, 4 hats, 4 kilt hose, 4 seaman's scarves and 4 modern style socks. Each pattern is accompanied by clear step by step instructions and charts, an adequate black and white photograph (a couple are slightly pixelated but perfectly functional) and the kilt hose and hat sections are followed by a section on knitting custom fit original items. All patterns in this book use aran weight yarns (US worsted weight) with a suggested gauge of 20sts to 10cm. |
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An Australian Afghan Available from Margaret Reid email:the_reids@sydney.net An Australian Afghan is the type of book that makes me treasure guild publications. In it you'll find instructions for 24 different blanket squares with an Australian theme made in 8 ply yarn. The instructions and charts are very clear throughout and the black and white charts can be easily enlarged on a photocopier if you prefer to work from a larger or coloured chart. The centre pages feature full colour photos of all the squares in the book. The instructions for each square also include several paragraphs about the individual designers and their choice of motif, which I find to be a nice addition. |
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Bullions & Beyond Available from Threads and More Bullions & Beyond is Prudence Mapstone's second self published book and it's tiny size might make you think that it couldn't possibly contain much important information. You'd be wrong! This little book contains information on the best yarn and hook choices for learning to work bullion stitch, how to best incorporate it into your freeform work, tips for working it in rows and rounds, as borders or organic shaped motifs. You'll learn how to substitute bullion stitches for another stitch in a pattern, make leaves, multicoloured shells, flowers and much more. Most importantly, you'll learn how to make your bullion stitches look like they were made by someone who's been doing them perfectly for years! As someone who's bullion stitches only ever looked like the dogs breakfast, I tried Prudence's technique 10 minutes after opening the book and my bullions have been perfect ever since. Illustrated with beautiful clear colour photographs throughout. A must-have for those who like the crochet bullion stitch. |
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Freeform Knitting and Crochet by Jenny Dowde AUD $39.95 Freeform knitting and crochet is technique of putting together patches of knitting (and crochet!) to make just about anything you can image. Jenny Dowde is well known in Australia for her freeform knitting and crochet work. She describes the process as “taking your yarn for a walk”, which describes it well. In her book, Jenny takes you through the process of creating a piece of freeform “scrumble” (the name for a piece of freeform knit/crochet) step by step. She begins with a chapter on colour, including online sources for helpful software that you can try for free, then goes onto choosing yarns, design and how to make your fragments of knitting and crochet. Following the basic instructions is a large chapter of projects that introduce some of the many different approaches that can be taken with freeform crochet and knitting. The projects are many and varied, from crocheted wire necklaces to bags, hats, jackets and a great deal more including several projects by Lynne Johnson which introduce her garter stitch blip knitting and shag pile knitting techniques. But that's not all! The latter half of the book covers making your own unique polyform buttons and closures, many ways of working decoration onto the surface of your work, and how to put your pieces together into a fully finished garment. Jenny's approach to freeform knitting and crochet is very different to that of Prudence Mapstone. Much of the information is unique to her book, making both volumes excellent additions to any freeformer's library. If you like to create one-of-a-kind pieces and have fun with your knitting then you'll find a lot to like in this book. |
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Freeform: Serendipitous Design Techniques for Knitting & Crochet Available from Threads and More This is the first of Prudence Mapstone's self published books and takes the reader through the whole process of creating a freeform garment. Freeform covers everything from choosing colours and yarns, making your freeform pieces (with row by row instructions for adding a multitude of different tiny shapes in both knitting and crochet) to joining pieces to make a garment and caring for the finished item. The instructions throughout are extremely clear and easy to follow. As with Pru's Bullions & Beyond, this book is also lavishly illustrated with full colour photographs throughout. |
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Handspun Revolution by Lexi Boeger US $40 + $12 postage to Australia/New Zealand If you like to hand spin your own yarns, you'll find this is not your average “learn to spin book”. The author describes Handspun Revolution as “a new look at an old craft". It presents hand spinning as a highly creative, artistic endeavor ”, which sums it up very well. You won't learn to spin with this book, but you will learn how to create spirally, flowered, beaded, sequined, bobbly, nubbly, shaggy and fuzzy one of a kind yarns that have never been seen in books on spinning novelty yarns until now. Handspun revolution not only covers how to spin 22 of Pluckyfluff's signature novelty yarns, but also covers choosing a wheel, materials, carding, and finishing. You'll find a lot of information packed into this deceptively small book. Freeformers and fibre artists will especially enjoy using the yarns they can create with the instructions in Handspun Revolution, but any hand spinner who has wanted to branch out into new styles of novelty yarns will find many valuable information and ideas. |
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Heirloom Knitting by Sharon Miller 30.00 Pounds Sterling or US$52.33 In Heirloom Knitting Sharon Miller covers every aspect of knitting Shetland style lace. From the history of Shetland lace, through to traditional and modernised construction of scarves, stoles, square, triangular and circular shawls, how to read charts, and all the technical details involved. As well as patterns and techniques, Heirloom Knitting also includes an extensive stitch dictionary of lace motifs and edgings. If you have never tried knitting lace before Heirloom Knitting can ease you into the technique with simple projects and clear instructions. If you're an experienced lace knitter it will challenge you with creating new designs and adapting traditional techniques and stitches to suit your personal style. If you enjoy knitting lace, or want to start, Heirloom Knitting is a must-have addition to your knitting library. |
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Kids Knit! Simple Steps to Nifty Projects Available from Amazon.com or your favourite bookshop Disclaimer: Since I am the author of this book I have written a description rather than a review. Kids Knit! is a "learn-to-knit" book intended for the 7-12 year old age group. New knitters are taken step by step through all the information they need to become confident knitters, from how to read a yarn label, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, all the way through to knitting i-cord and picking up stitches. The 20 projects in the book add new techniques as the knitter's skills progress. The book begins with learning to cast on, knit, cast off and measure gauge with a simple garter stitch washcloth and progresses through sewing seams with a simple headband, joining a new ball of yarn with a striped doll blanket (and doll), all the way to picking up stitches along the side of a piece of knitting (coaster and place mat set) and knitting icord (tote bag). |
© Sarah Bradberry. All rights reserved.
ABN: 73 548 786 649
