Category Archives: Needlework/Arts/Crafts

I was curious to try Scarfie yarn and when I found this book of fairly easy crochet patterns specifically designed to use it, I decided to give it a go. The patterns are all rated at least easy (with one noted as beginner.)

The patterns are: Hat and Wrist Warmers, Poncho (this is the beginner pattern), Afghan, Bobble Cowl, Shrug, Ruana, Cowl, Squares Scarf, Ripple Afghan, Scarf, and Diagonal Shawl. The designs work beautifully with the long striping of the yarn and are fun and contemporary looking as well.

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This is a crochet book with projects from five different Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales. They are: Hansel and Gretel, The Hare and the Hedgehog, Jack and the Beanstalk, Tom Thumb, and Rapunzel. The projects include some different and interesting items such as the cottage from Hansel and Gretel and the Beanstalk from Jack and the Beanstalk.

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I was very sad to read that the author of this book passed away before it was published. In both this book and her previous one, she showed great promise.

The projects in this book are based on circular patterns. For those of us of a “certain” age, we will recall that there were many doily patterns available that were based on circles. While the patterns are similar to those I knew as a child, the use of color and the purpose of the finished project make these designs a whole different breed of crochet. It’s wonderful to see the old made new again. The newer crocheters have taken the craft and the art to new heights. I’m thrilled that there are so many patterns, tools, and yarns now available.

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This is a fun crochet book with amigurumi figures from “The Nutcracker”. The book has great photographs and very good instructions for creating your own set of figures. I think these would be a fun set of dolls to have on hand for the grandchildren at Christmas time or even to create as ornaments for your tree (all you have to do is add a hoop at the top of each figure. I would suggest, for continuity, that you use the same color of Lily Sugar N Cream that is at the top of each particular figure.

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After wrapping Christmas presents for three children for many years, I had lost my technique for nicely wrapped presents and instead had learned a quick dash assembly line kind of wrapping. Now that I have more time, I wanted to re-learn my old skills and so I was happy to try this book out. Turns out, I not only picked up my old skills but learned a few new techniques as well.

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This is a lovely book of fairly easy to crochet baby hats and booties. It was originally published during 2014 in Italy by Graziana Materassi and has been translated and published here for the first time in 2015. The instructions follow US conventions for stitches and hook sizes. The rolled hat designs show a definite European flair and are perfect for a baby as they are not too close fitting.

I would suggest this book for an experienced beginner and above because of the lack of instructions and the size and type of yarn that is being used. Cotton can be a little tricky to work with because it has no give. You will also be working with a smaller hook than I suggest for a brand-new beginner. When I teach crochet, I like to start with a worsted weight and a size G/H hook so that the crocheter doesn’t have to struggle to see what goes where.

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I am blown away by the wonderful projects included in this book. I have a grandchild on the way and another one who is still a toddler and I was looking for a set of projects that I could accomplish fairly quickly while using up some of the extra skeins of yarn I have.

“One-Skein Wonders for Babies” is exactly the book I wanted and needed. I wasn’t aware of this series of books, but apparently this is the six edition in the series. I will certainly be purchasing the others (I see one is crochet, too!)

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Dover has done it again! They are fantastic at reprinting antique crafts patterns and other out of print but fascinating publications. In “A Decade of French Fashion, 1929-1938”, they have brought together a select group of fashions from various fashion magazines of the time period.

I am a needlework designer and I do some period piece designs. I look to Dover for inspiration and so that my designs accurately depict the styles of the proper period. I had been hoping for a set of designs that covered, essentially, the Great Depression, for a series that of cross stitch that I have in mind. This is the perfect book for me. It shows fashions just before the Crash hit through just before World War II.

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“Knit the Sky” is an interesting discussion of one woman’s thoughts about knitting and life. It is very different from what I was expecting; however, I had never heard of Lea Redmond before reading her book. Apparently, she is fairly well-known for some knitting challenges but, as I said, I had never heard of her.

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“Dinosaur Amigurumi” by Justyna Kacprzak is a easy to read and fairly easy to crochet set of dinosaurs. The pattern directions are well thought out and written. The dinosaurs themselves are quite cute and should be a hit with any dinosaur lover. As they are a little on the simple side (which is best for me as a crocheter), don’t look for a lot of detail and definition.

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