One day last week the library staff gathered to grumble about the weather. We compared notes on the length of the icicles hanging from our eaves and how many times we’ve been stuck in our own driveways. We griped about leaky roofs. We whined over scraping ice from our windshields several times in a day. I bemoaned that my short-legged dog keeps getting mired in drifts over his head and over the tops of my boots. We were feeling pretty sorry for ourselves.
All at once Demi exclaimed to Marj “I love your socks.” Marj raised her trousers a little and proudly showed off the warm-looking socks that she KNITTED HERSELF! I was so impressed. Many decades ago my left handed grandmother tried to teach right handed me to knit with very poor results. I am always amazed that anyone can knit, especially anything as complicated as the heel of a sock. Not only had she knitted her socks, she was carrying a darling little handbag that she also knitted and then felted.
Jean Holste is another quite accomplished knitter. Before Jean retired I asked for her advice on choosing a knitting magazine for the library. She suggested Creative Knitting. The first issue has arrived. It’s just full of good ideas.
If this winter seems interminably long, check out (pun intended!) some of these new books. They are sure to light a spark of creativity and imagination.
Pretty Little Presents – lots of suggestions for small homemade gifts such as honeymoon luggage tags for a new bride; magnetic bookmarks for a reader, a sleep mask for your favorite insomniac.
The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook by Erin Chase. If Curried Pumpkin soup doesn’t sound just right for your family, perhaps Pulled Pork Sandwiches or Mango Chicken might.
Tiles Gone Wild: New Directions in Mixed-Media Mosaics by Chrissie Grace. Contains some really big projects like mosaic tile tables, but also some little projects like picture frames and coasters.
Carry Me: 20 Boutique Bags to Sew by Yuka Koshizen. Laptop bags to zippered clutches, bags of all styles and degrees of complication.
One-Yard Wonders: Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric! By Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins. More bags and belts and jumpers and sundresses than you can imagine, and all from just one yard of fabric.
Paper Cuts: 35 Inventive Projects by Taylor Hagerty. I can’t give an explanation worthy of this book. This is waaay beyond paperdolls or snowflakes. This is art to be admired, not imitated.
Eco Books: Inventive Projects From the Recycling Bin by Terry Taylor. 40 innovative bookmaking projects using recycled and green materials. This is another of those that can be admired just as art-it isn’t necessary to duplicate a project to enjoy or appreciate this book.
Knitting in Plain English and Crocheting in Plain English, both books by Maggie Righetti. They promise to provide easy-to-follow, sensible solutions to problems and the only knitting (or crocheting) book you will ever need.
50 Sensational Crochet Afghans & Throws by Bobbie Matela. The projects in this book have the nicest names: Warm Weavings, Snuggle Up and Great Big Hug. Each pattern is rated by level of expertise required to complete the project.
Afghans & Throws by Luise Roberts. The patterns in this one seem a little more complex. Beaded Knitting, Crochet Appliqué Motif, and Knitted Lace are way beyond my skill set, but if you are looking for a challenge, cables and twists and cross-stitched afghans await you in this pretty little book.
We have what you need to get you through the winter @your library.
All at once Demi exclaimed to Marj “I love your socks.” Marj raised her trousers a little and proudly showed off the warm-looking socks that she KNITTED HERSELF! I was so impressed. Many decades ago my left handed grandmother tried to teach right handed me to knit with very poor results. I am always amazed that anyone can knit, especially anything as complicated as the heel of a sock. Not only had she knitted her socks, she was carrying a darling little handbag that she also knitted and then felted.
Jean Holste is another quite accomplished knitter. Before Jean retired I asked for her advice on choosing a knitting magazine for the library. She suggested Creative Knitting. The first issue has arrived. It’s just full of good ideas.
If this winter seems interminably long, check out (pun intended!) some of these new books. They are sure to light a spark of creativity and imagination.
Pretty Little Presents – lots of suggestions for small homemade gifts such as honeymoon luggage tags for a new bride; magnetic bookmarks for a reader, a sleep mask for your favorite insomniac.
The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook by Erin Chase. If Curried Pumpkin soup doesn’t sound just right for your family, perhaps Pulled Pork Sandwiches or Mango Chicken might.
Tiles Gone Wild: New Directions in Mixed-Media Mosaics by Chrissie Grace. Contains some really big projects like mosaic tile tables, but also some little projects like picture frames and coasters.
Carry Me: 20 Boutique Bags to Sew by Yuka Koshizen. Laptop bags to zippered clutches, bags of all styles and degrees of complication.
One-Yard Wonders: Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric! By Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins. More bags and belts and jumpers and sundresses than you can imagine, and all from just one yard of fabric.
Paper Cuts: 35 Inventive Projects by Taylor Hagerty. I can’t give an explanation worthy of this book. This is waaay beyond paperdolls or snowflakes. This is art to be admired, not imitated.
Eco Books: Inventive Projects From the Recycling Bin by Terry Taylor. 40 innovative bookmaking projects using recycled and green materials. This is another of those that can be admired just as art-it isn’t necessary to duplicate a project to enjoy or appreciate this book.
Knitting in Plain English and Crocheting in Plain English, both books by Maggie Righetti. They promise to provide easy-to-follow, sensible solutions to problems and the only knitting (or crocheting) book you will ever need.
50 Sensational Crochet Afghans & Throws by Bobbie Matela. The projects in this book have the nicest names: Warm Weavings, Snuggle Up and Great Big Hug. Each pattern is rated by level of expertise required to complete the project.
Afghans & Throws by Luise Roberts. The patterns in this one seem a little more complex. Beaded Knitting, Crochet Appliqué Motif, and Knitted Lace are way beyond my skill set, but if you are looking for a challenge, cables and twists and cross-stitched afghans await you in this pretty little book.
We have what you need to get you through the winter @your library.
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