Power Cables by Lily M Chin, softback published by Interweave in the USA. Available inthe UK, ISBN 978-1-59668-167-5, price 17.99 from www.searchpress.com

I remember Lily Chin as a rising star in the last wave of designer knitting in the late 80’s, early 90’s. Add to that my love of cables – all-consuming,  so I was eager to have this book. As a knitwear designer myself, texture is all important. This book has excellent instructions, many cable stitches – some of which would have been better left out perhaps. There are 15 original patterns, but not that original and is someone colour blind or is it me? I love the hoodie, the stoles (there are two amongst the 15 patterns) but the pink and green colourway, the blue and yellow bag-ouch. However, before you start thinking this sounds awful – go and buy it because it has the best knitting pattern I have ever seen – a five-way cabled shrug that I cannot wait to knit, in fact I am going to be knitting this design in one yarn or another for the rest of my life. You might think from its title that it has five cables, no – it can be worn in five ways – how cool is that? This book also gives you lots of cable stitches to play with all on your own.

Knit Kimono by Vicki Square, softback published by Interweave in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-931499-89-7, price 17.99 from www.searchpress.com

With its simple approach to garment making, this book shows you how to create a kimono from rectangles and just how varied the style can be. The book begins with a basic introduction on kimono, beautifully illustrated with line drawings. I do like the patterns, however, in most cases I feel the choice of yarn is too heavy to imitate that flowing, lightweight look of a kimono. Useful for styling and how to use a basic design and present it in numerous ways but I would want to change the yarn. These versatile designs should be achievable to a broad range of knitting skills.

Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands by Nilda Calanaupa Alvarez, softback published by Interweave in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-59668-055-5, price 14.99 from www.searchpress.com

Looking for stunning colour and ethnic textiles? look no further. This is a beautiful book from the founder and director of the Center for Traditional Textiles in Cusco, Peru. See fabulous colour reproductions of the textiles and find out how they were made. Whilst this book does not provide weaving patterns and no knitwear is included, it is an interesting book on Peruvian textiles, a good resource for designers.

Wrap Style by Pam Allen and Ann Budd, softback published by Interweave in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 1-931499-91-8, price 15.99 from www.searchpress.co.uk

I’m not big on ponchos or capelets, but thankfully this book has a good mix of designs. I like the lighter weight designs the best – the cashmere wrap (almost a blanket) and the lacy Shetland Triangle and Wrapped in Traditions design. I quite like the front cover design too. However, some of these designs are far too chunky and others look like cut off sweaters without arms. The designers have not gone for the obvious wrap, as in stole of shawl, but branched out into a whole new board game, and I like that – there are plenty of shawl knitting patterns elsewhere. I would not say that these designs are particularly feminine and with most knitting books – see before you buy to make sure you want to knit more than one.

Printmaking + Mixed Media by Dorit Elisha, softback published by Interweave in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-59668-095-1, price 16.99 from www.searchpress.com

This book is all about fresh ideas using printmaking and mixed media on fabric and paper. All the usual printing techniques are explored and there are lots of fun projects to try your hand at them. I like the monotype placemats and the ideas for sun printing. This is a book that will open the door for you to explore many interesting ideas.

Feminine Knits by Lene Holme Samsoe, softback published by Interweave in the USA> Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-59668-140-8, price 16.99 from www.searchpress.com

Originally having appeared in Danish, this book contains twenty two acceptable designs, however I would err on the side of caution in calling them ‘timeless’ as stated on the jacket cover and some of them appear rather dated to me.

I like several of the designs and some could be easily adapted. Mostly lacy and yes, quite feminine and attractive. I would say these are for knitters with some experience and not for the beginner. The instructions, diagrams and photos are clear and easy to follow. Very wearable.

Classic Knits by Marianne Isager, softback published by Interweave in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-59668-115-6, price 17.99 from www.searchpress.com

As with all Marianne’s work I find this book variable – there are some good designs, others so-so, some I would want to wear, others I would definitely not, some of the colourways are wonderful, yet on others I think she is colour-blind. A good mix of patterns, but I’m not sure that I would recommend this.

ColorWorks by Deb Menz, hardback, spiral bound, published by Interweave in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-931499-47-7, price 17.99 from www.searchpress.com

This is a book all crafters should have on their bookshelf. If you have ever struggled with colour, and let’s face it, most people do – let this book be your guide. It’s for all levels of crafters from beginner to experienced and will no doubt improve your work as colour is often the key that holds a piece together. I like the spiral bound format – it lays flat whilst you experiment. You can conquer your fear fo colour with this brilliant book.

How We Felt, Designs and techniques From Contemporary Felt Artists by Carol Huber Cypher, softback published by Interweave. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-59668-031-9, price 17.99 from www.searchpress.com

There are some wonderful projects and ideas in this book. It would have been better if the instructions incorporated more how-to photos. I love the boots and slippers, the bags and the African trade beads in the gallery are superb. The book includes some exciting techniques. However, like most, I am still wondering, having read the instructions, how to make these things.

Freestyle Machine Embroidery by Carol Shinn, softback published by Interweave in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-59668-042-5, price 19.99 from www.searchpress.com

This is a wondrous book with many examples of finished pieces that are breathtaking. Yet the actual instructions of how to do this kind of embroidery are limited to just twenty pages of the book. The remaining pages are a gallery with no instructions, a useful colour section on overlaying threads and a few techniques and tips. I would rather have seen more instructions on how to make a face in machine embroidery, how to make a ‘landscape’. I do think this book is worthwhile because it is inspiring and shows you what can be achieved, but I am not at all sure that it is the best instructional book on freestyle machine embroidery.