Some knitters are discouraged by the thought of baggy hemp sweaters and droopy cotton socks when they consider vegetable fibers, but this authoritative, fun, and light-hearted guide promises that, while wool has no equal when it comes to elasticity and warmth, the right tricks and techniques produce non-wool fashions that fit well, wear well, and hang beautifully. Knitters are taught to knit swatches to study the behavior of a yarn, to choose an appropriate pattern, and to master techniques for reinforcing stitches and inserting knit-ins of springier yarn to keep cotton, silk, and other fibers from sagging. Key information about durability, weight, pilling, and special handling is provided for acrylic, bamboo, cotton, hemp, Ingeo, linen, lycra, nylon, polyester, rayon, silk, soy, Tencel, and viscose yarns, and a chapter of helpful tips advises on needles to use (and avoid), how to start new balls and weave in ends, how to work intarsia and Fair Isle patterns, smart ways to control the cost of materials, and the right methods for washing, drying, and blocking the finished pieces.

    Everything you need to know from set-up to finished product in order to create distinctive yarns for use in knitting, weaving, crocheting, needlepoint, embroidery, and macrame. Author's preface. 33 illustrations, 10 black-and-white photographs. Bibliography. Sources of Supply.

    The result was Knit Cafe, a sleek yet homey neighborhood yarn store in one of the most famous neighborhoods in the world. This fabulous shop—and its unique spirit—are celebrated in Greetings from Knit Cafe, now available in an updated paperback edition.  Colorful and chic, the book offers 30 of Knit Cafe’s most dazzling patterns for "California-style" projects ranging from hiking socks to a bikini to a "red carpet" gown. It also features stories about how the celebrated store came to be and how its eclectic clientele came to shape it. Even a few favorite recipes from regular customers are included. Knitters nationwide will enjoy Knit Cafe’s California spirit and join its eclectic circle of devotees.

    Men aren’t being intentionally cruel; they’re just not comfortable in knitwear made with bright colors, itchy yarn, or flashy designs. So what’s a knitter to do? Understand the male psyche, says knitting instructor Bruce Weinstein. In Knits Men Wan he presents ten hilarious essays, each based on a rule that helps women knit for men successfully. “Men Are Babies” explains why guys need to wear soft fabrics. “Men Hate Fittings” describes how to create a sweater based on one that’s in his wardrobe. Following each essay is a timeless master pattern, from socks, hats, and scarves to an array of sweaters, all in a range of sizes and most written for multiple gauges. With this book in hand, women finally have the secret to knitting garments that men will appreciate and actually wear.

    Whether you are an absolute beginner or looking for fresh ideas, The Crochet Bible is for you! Getting back to basics is simple, with clear instructions, diagrams and photographs on how to crochet. Once you've got to grips with your hooks, you'll be spoilt for choice with versatile and tempting crochet moves such as picots, fur stitch and Solomon's knots. Becoming clever with your crochet means that shaping, decorative details and working with beads are just a few of the tricks that even experienced crochet fans will love. These creative crochet techniques will stretch your skills, showing you how to crochet stunning patterns, textures, colour effects and shapes for endless variation and possibilities. Over 35 alternative stitch patterns make this an indispensable library, which you can browse for even more ways to develop your own style. More than 30 original, bright and beautiful projects let you put your crochet techniques into action, resulting in home accents, clothes and accessories, from classic baby clothes to contemporary cushions and throws, allowing you to learn a new technique and crochet a project straight away. The Crochet Bible will inspire you to keep learning, experimenting and creating!

    As a working mother of two, Martini wanted a challenge that would make her feel in charge. So she decided to make the Holy Grail of sweaters—her own Mary Tudor, whose mind-numbingly gorgeous pattern is so complicated to knit that its mere mention can hush a roomful of experienced knitters. Created by reclusive designer Alice Starmore, the Mary Tudor can be found only in a rare, out-of-print book of Fair Isle–style patterns, Tudor Roses, and requires a discontinued, irreplaceable yarn. The sweater, Martini explains, "is a knitter’s Mount Everest, our curse, and our compulsion. I want one more than I can begin to tell you." And so she took on the challenge: one year, two needles, and countless knits and purls to conquer Mary Tudor while also taking care of her two kids, two cats, two jobs, and (thankfully) one husband—without unraveling in the process. Along the way, Adrienne investigates the tangled origins of the coveted pattern, inquires into the nature of artistic creation, and details her quest to buy supplies on the knitting black market. As she tries not to pull out her hair along with rows gone wrong, Martini gets guidance from some knitterati, who offer invaluable inspiration as she conquers her fear of Fair Isle. A wooly Julie and Julia, this epic yarn celebrates the profound joys of creating—and aspiring to—remarkable achievements.

    Learn, for instance, about Isis, the mother goddess of Egypt, and knit a red stole that grants power to its wearer. Other stories and projects include Athene and a scarf called a smoke ring, Penelope and a warm beautiful sweater, and more. Wonderful for beginners as well as the more advanced knitter, this one-of-a-kind approach to knitting will teach readers not only how to master the craft, but will also entertain, inspire, and inform.

    With its sleek design and edgy tone, Super Crafty is the ultimate hipster’s craft guide, with a wide array of accessible projects suitable for all skill levels. The book offers dozens of projects for the home (Easy Etched Glass), wardrobe (One-Afternoon Skirt), body (Flirty Floral Pasties), family pet (Greta’s Tail Warmer), and more. Organized by genre, each chapter uses a rating system to indicate difficulty, cost of materials, and age-appropriateness. "101" sections offer basic instruction in sewing, working with vinyl, jewelry making, and other crafts. A resource guide helps locate supplies, tools, and further inspiration. The authors also contribute thoughtful pieces on the underlying aspects of craft, from activism to therapy, as well as lighthearted vignettes on crafting disasters and favorite art supplies.

    These 30 beautiful red-themed projects help raise awareness of the number-one killer of women today: heart disease. The patterns are all donated by top designers, including Debbie Stoller, Nicky Epstein, Debbie Bliss, Norah Gaughan, Deborah Newton, Melissa Morgan-Oakes, Iris Schreier, Jared Flood, and Ysolda Teague. In addition, the book offers important medical information, a Heart Healthy Resources and Action Plan, and powerful stories from survivors of this deadly ailment.

    Each animal is assembled using several basic crochet stitches even beginners can easily master and the results, from a winsome little lamb to a wide-eyed lemur, make for delightful yarn friends.

    I took a 2 week introduction to the fundamentals of fine woodworking at Boston’s North Bennet Street School. From there, I spent 3 years working at woodworking specialty retail stores, went to North Bennet full time for 2 more years, and set up shop as a custom furniture maker, which lasted for just over 7 years. Woodworking, on many levels, is an ongoing process of reduction and refinement: Big trees into big boards, into smaller boards, into smaller pieces. Grinding cutting tools, and then honing, and polishing the edges. Rough shaping, scraping and filing of wood, followed by coarse sanding, and on into finer grits. And, the progression of learning the rough basics, and the ongoing refining what you know, and what you can do. The purpose of this book is to provide a coarse introduction to getting into the hobby. I assume that you’ll seek out other sources of information as the need arises. Woodworking as a craft spans thousands of years, and I couldn’t hope to cover all that ground. Books have been published on the topic for centuries. Taunton Press started printing Fine Wood Working 40 years ago, and many other magazines have since come and gone, or showed up and stayed. And the internet, bless its tainted soul, has been ranting and raving at an exponential rate about just about anything for over 20 years. Information overload is a real risk, especially on the internet, and I can’t stress enough that it’s something to be careful of. But in the end, any real learning that occurs will happen at the bench, as you feel for yourself how your tools are working. You’ll understand more as you see how the project comes together. You’ll get better at visualizing objects, and processes, in three dimensions, as you make the things with your own hands. The printed word can only convey so much, and it doesn’t hold a candle to what your own two hands will tell you. Here Is A Preview Of What You'll Learn... Tools and Getting Set Up Materials Working With Wood Sanding and Finishing Hand Held Power Tools Joinery Design Suggested First Projects BONUS OFFER 16,000 Plans and Projects Much, much more! Take Action and Download Your Copy Today! ACCESS the #1 Woodworking Resource Online With Purchase Archive of 16,000 Woodworking Plans and Projects With Step-by-Step Instructions

    Featuring six themed chapters – rustic, traditional, contemporary, monochrome, Scandinavian and kids – there’s something for everyone: you can select your favourite Christmas style or mix and match throughout your home. With over 30 simple, stylish projects requiring only half yards of fabric, this book will have you feeling festive in no time. Featuring Debbie’s unique brand of friendly guidance, and packed with easy-to-follow photography, this book is ideal for beginners as well as providing inspiration to more experienced sewers.

    In this book, Sunshine Cobb covers all the foundational skills, with lessons for constructing both simple and complex forms from clay. Ceramic artists will also find a variety of next-level techniques and tips: designing templates and replicating pieces, lidded vessels, using molds, a variety of decorative techniques, and other avenues of exploration are all inside.Artist features and inspirational galleries include work from today's top working artists, such as Bryan Hopkins, Lindsay Oesterritter, Liz Zlot Summerfield, Bandana Pottery, Shoko Teruyama, Courtney Martin, Sam Chung, Deborah Schwartzkopf, and many more.  Take your hand building skills—and your artwork—to the next level with Mastering Hand Building. The Mastering Ceramics series is for artists who never stop learning. With compelling projects, expert insight, step-by-step photos, and galleries of work from today’s top artists, these books are the perfect studio companions. Also available from the series: Mastering the Potter's Wheel and Mastering Kilns and Firing.

    Everything you need to know to design and knit your own shawls is provided, including detailed instructions for eight shawls.

    And then they wonder how that one storefront grew into an e-commerce business, and from there into a global movement to Knit the World Together. In Move the Needle, Shelley shares stories from her life to show that you can pursue your life's passions--both personal and professional--no matter how quirky or impossible they may seem to everyone around you.Whether you are an entrenched or aspiring entrepreneur, or have a passion that just won't let you go, Shelley shares lessons from her journey that reveal how to:- Put your passion first and make your creative side hustle your main gig - Recognize the true value of creativity and experimentation - Have hope against all odds - Surround yourself with supportive people - Cut ties with those who weigh you down - Believe in the power of your weird, impossible dream!In Move the Needle, Shelley invites you to embrace your passion and hold space for your seemingly improbable (but totally possible) goals, dreams, and purpose.