Using simple knitting techniques, she creates elegant sweater jackets in four dramatic silhouettes and three flexible sizes.

    make crocheting one of today's hottest hobbies. This VISUAL guide makes it easy to pick up a hook and a ball of yarn and get stitching, with clear, step-by-step presentations of techniques accompanied by detailed color photos that show readers exactly what to do. The book's more than 20 patterns-everything from blankets to mittens to a man's necktie-appeal to hip, modern crocheters.

    . . What is remarkable about this book is that a history of knitting can function so well as a survey of the changes in women's roles over time."--The New York Times Book ReviewAn historian and lifelong knitter, Anne Macdonald expertly guides readers on a revealing tour of the history of knitting in America. In No Idle Hands, Macdonald considers how the necessity--and the pleasure--of knitting has shaped women's lives.Here is the Colonial woman for whom idleness was a sin, and her Victorian counterpart, who enjoyed the pleasure of knitting while visiting with friends; the war wife eager to provide her man with warmth and comfort, and the modern woman busy creating fashionable handknits for herself and her family. Macdonald examines each phase of American history and gives us a clear and compelling look at life, then and now. And through it all, we see how knitting has played an important part in the way society has viewed women--and how women have viewed themselves.Assembled from articles in magazines, knitting brochures, newspaper clippings and other primary sources, and featuring reproductions of advertisements, illustrations, and photographs from each period, No Idle Hands capture the texture of women's domestic lives throughout history with great wit and insight."Colorful and revealing . . . vivid . . . This book will intrigue needlewomen and students of domestic history alike."--The Washington Post Book World

    The skills of the average sock knitter are increased through design exploration and advanced stitch manipulation, treating the sock as a knitted canvas where elements are strategically and intentionally placed. New designs of floral lace patterns, angular geometric shapes, and unusual cables are presented along with detailed instructions on modifications to suit needs and aesthetics. The incredible range of style and complexity in this guide runs from sweet and simple to delightfully imaginative.

    At sleep, at play, in the nursery, and on the go, adorable babies need adorable knits. And here are 40 gloriously unique projects that manage to be utterly charming, fabulous, and usable all at the same time. Baby sets and toys; stroller blankets, jackets, and mittens; and a pure and sweet layette are just the tip of the knitting frenzy that is Itty-Bitty Nursery. Picture cute garden mice on an amazing mobile and a knitted clothesline of miniature knitwear adorning the nursery. Coo at the baby sporting a striped hat called "Frenchie" or Mom with her Fruit Loops felted bag. Marvel at the amazing Cupcake Tea Set and the Three Pigs and a Wolf finger puppets, both perfect for the toddler at play. All of the projects are fresh, lively, and fun. With precisely illustrated instructions, there's something here for every level of knitter, from the greenest beginner to the most experienced craftsperson.

    Twelve chapters (one for each month) showcase the designs of today's leading modern quilters along with easy-to-follow guidelines, so you can reinvent their work in your own signature style. Best of all, with this book in hand, you'll have everything you need to start your own online quilting bee and enjoy collaborating with other fabric lovers around the world.

    Stephanie Pearl-McPhee unravels the mysteries of tangled yarn, confusing patterns, and stubbornly unfinished projects. Daring to question long-standing rules and encouraging crafters to knit in the way that works best for them, this illuminating, liberating, and hilarious look at the world of knitting is full of surprises and delightfully inspiring ideas."

    Included are innovative patterns and tips for knitting socks with customized fit--even for all ten toes. Safe and easy directions are given on dyeing yarn from pour-dyeing methods to dyeing with Kool-Aid. With photos and illustrations of finished examples, sock patterns such as newborn socks and magic genie toe socks, and advice on how to create one-of-a-kind projects, it will appeal to all levels of knitters and spinners.

    challenges designed to really get you to think about your life, your art, yourself. In this book, the authors showcase some of the best challenges from their site along with over 25 new challenges to get your creative juices flowing. And the layouts inspired by the Dares, created by the authors and their amazing contributing artists, are the perfect jumpstart to get you thinking about your scrapbooking in a whole new way.

    Projects range from casual cardigans and scarves to stylish wraps and sweaters. The book is divided into three moods: Farm Hands, the most casual design section; Ivy League, which focuses on more sophisticated knitwear, and Southern Comfort, which has slightly dressier garments ideal for holidays and special occasions.

    A stylish collection inspired by films like Amelie and Chocolat, Vintage Knits recalls an era of well-tailored designs with elegant finishing touches.

    And in the closet. And anywhere else you've stashed yarn. They're friendly little monsters, and they're ready to come out and play! Popular designer Rebecca Danger presents 20 patterns for the most adorable monsters ever to climb off a pair of knitting needles. All are shown in two colorways, and most are done in two yarn weights, to help you pick the perfect yarn to suit your monster's personality.

    The founder of her own popular line of food-inspired fashions, Twinkie Chan has whipped up a feast of head-turning scarves, mittens, hats, and more so that her many fans can learn to make her culinary creations at home.You'll find recipes for food-themed scarves that feature sushi, salad, gingerbread men, buttered toast, eggs and bacon, ice-cream cones, popcorn boxes, and more. You'll also learn how to make a pair of strawberry fingerless mittens, a chocolate cupcake hat complete with a cherry on top, and even a coconut-lemon cake tissue box cozy. Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies is divided into three chapters--Sweet Things, Fruits and Veggies, and Savory Stuff--and comes complete with an illustrated how-to section, lists of "ingredients" for each project, easy-to-follow, step-by-step directions, and full-color photos and illustrations. Beginning and experienced crafters alike will go wild for these quirky, colorful, wearable confections.

    Featuring a beautiful layout and magnificent photography, this keepsake volume features stitch pattern flowers, petal constructed flowers, cord flowers, and the extremely popular felted flowers. Some make fanciful pieces of jewelry; others can adorn handicrafts for a fabulous finishing touch. Epstein offers yarn suggestions and colors, and encourages crocheters to experiment with all the interesting choices in the market today to create breathtaking corsages and bouquets. Among the pretty garden blossoms: a calla lily, blue and purple pansies, a delicate and lacy white wedding boutonniere, complete with a pearl center; and a selection of floral corkscrews.A Selection of the Crafter’s Choice Book Club.

    With humor and insight, authors Vicki Stiefel and Lisa Souza illustrate how to become a laidback knitter--one who enjoys the process as much as the product. Join in and be inspired by the mix of people, patterns, and places in their knitting world; follow the steps they took; and discover the secrets that set them along this path. 10 Secrets contains a wealth of other valuable and fun information including profiles, websites and other resources the authors can't live without, information on fibers, spinning, and crochet, and much more!Additionally, an amazing collection of twenty-seven patterns--complete with instructions and charts--fills the book with elegant shawls, chic sweaters, and colorful scarves from a spectrum of designers, all beautifully photographed in full-color.This is a book that gives knitters permission to relax and have fun; to see that knitting can be as much about process as about the finished product, and know that the stitches they knit can express the inner joy they feel. The exciting patterns--aimed at knitters from beginners to experienced--complement the books exuberant purpose and style.