Seamless Crochet by Kristin Omdahl, softback published by Interweave and available in the UK through Search Press. ISBN 978-1-59668-297-9, price 17.99 GBP available in the UK from www.searchprss.com
Not only is Kristin Omdahl a beautiful lady, she makes magic with her hands and a crochet hook. She is also a crocheter who believes that crochet is a modern art. This is crochet you would want to wear and want to be seen in. I’ll make no bones about it, I am simply in love with Kristin’s work – I don’t think she has ever produced a design I don’t like. Her book ‘Crochet So Fine’ is on my shelf and this one is joining it. I can knit with my eyes closed, in my sleep, standing on my head, but I have never crocheted a garment as such, just little bits, so the patterns look a bit complicated to me but I’m sure that’s how novice knitters feel when they look at a fair-isle chart. It cannot be beyond me to master this and I would jump through hoops to wear some of these. Chief on my list are the lacy Ninja Star shawlette, the front cover design Blissful Flower, Snowflake, the gorgeous mobius Star but I reckon I’ll try the chunky cowl Blue Skies first. There are lots of scarves, shawls and hats, a bag and plenty of ideas for the home, of which I love the Moroccan Tile blanket. Anyone who loves crochet cannot help but fall in love with this book. Top class photography and clear instructions. Highly recommended.
The Self Sufficiency Manual by Alison Candlin, softback published by Bloomsbury/Quantum Publishing/AC Black. ISBN 978-1-4081-5665-1, price 14.99 available from www.bloomsbury.com
If you have ever been tempted by The Good Life, here’s your chance to find out what it’s all about and go and live your dream. This book will help you establish a successful smallholding or realise the true potential of your existing garden plot. Used efficiently, this book claims that even a well-maintained tiny back yard can produce enough food to see you self-sufficient. I wholeheartedly agree with that as I have done it myself at one time. All the essentials are here for planning your small garden, no matter what the size. Planning, preparation and cultivation are dealt with in detail. Keeping animals and foraging too. This is a lovely book for anyone who wants to escape the rat race and really grow and rear their own food. I like it.
Spotlight on Neutrals by Pat Wys, softback published by Martingale Publishers. ISBN 978-1-6046-8050-8, price 16.99 GBP available from www.martingale-pub.com
I love all colours and it’s good to see someone embrace neutrals so wholeheartedly. These quilts are not banal or washed out, they are simply gorgeous. The neutrals allow the designs and the materials to work their individual magic. I love ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ snowflake quilt, ‘Summer Stitch In’ and ‘Going My Way?’ and ‘White Chocolate’ bed quilts, but whichever you choose to make of the 12 projects, which also include cushions, I’m sure you’ll be delighted. Excellent photographs and instructions. With today’s emphasis on neutrals in the home, this book should prove to be a great success. It deserves it.
21 Nov 2011 at 09:44
Karen Platt
Art, Search Press
No Comments
Compendium of Watercolour Techniques by Robin Berry, softback published by Search Press. ISBN 978-1-84448-771-4, price 12.99 available from www.searchpress.com
Watercolour can defeat you with its tricky ways, yet it is often the one medium as artists, that we wish to master. In this book you’ll find over 200 tips, techniques and trade secrets to help you master watercolour. From freeing your mind to knowing the paint and what it can do. This book explains equipment and techniques with some detailed step by steps. I like the section on expanding your palette and adding drama. It’s got all the basic principles for beginners but also tips on how to improve your work for improvers and intermediates. Techniques include pouring, spattering and texture and more. This book has all you need at any level to improve your work. It includes ideas on what to paint too. It makes you want to paint and I know I’ll be picking up my watercolour brushes and paints today.
21 Nov 2011 at 09:26
Karen Platt
Knitting, Search Press
No Comments
200 Fair Isle Designs by Mary Jane Mucklestone, softback published by Search Press. ISBN 978-1-84448-692-2, price 14.99 available from www.searchpress.com
Fair-isle has always been one of my favoured knitting techniques. From anyone who has struggled to design their own patterns, or who prefers to knit from ready made patterns, here are 200 designs from two-colour up. There are also ideas for mixing and matching patterns. Fair-isle is a skill and requires passing the yarn over the back of the knitting so that it dos not pull. This book also teaches you about yarns, casting on, circular knitting, holding the yarns, stranding and weaving and more. There is some basic design information. For each pattern, there is a black and white chart, the colours used, a colour variation and a suggested allover repeat pattern. Please note designs are worked from charts only and there are no written instructions. I think this book will prove very useful and will become a classic for traditional knitters.