Some make our hearts and hands sing, some get the job done without much fanfare, and some cause nothing but frustration and disappointment. The gorgeous pair of socks that emerged from their first bath twice as long as when they went in. The delicate baby sweater that started pilling before it even came off the needles. The stunning colorwork scarf that you can't wear because the yarn feels like sandpaper against your neck. If only there were a way to read a skein and know how it would behave and what it wanted to become before you invested your time, energy, and money in it. Now there is! With The Knitter's Book of Yarn, you'll learn how to unleash your inner yarn whisperer.In these pages, Clara Parkes provides in-depth insight into a vast selection of yarns, giving you the inside stories behind the most common fiber types, preparations, spins, and ply combinations used by large-scale manufacturers and importers, medium-sized companies, boutique dye shops, community spinneries, and old-fashioned sheep farms. And, because we learn best by doing, Parkes went to some of the most creative and inquisitive design minds of the knitting world to provide a wide assortment of patterns created to highlight the qualities (and minimize the drawbacks) of specific types of yarns.The Knitter's Book of Yarn will teach you everything you need to know about yarn: How it's made, who makes it, how it gets to you, and what it longs to become. The next time you pick up a skein, you won't have to wonder what to do with it. You'll just know-the way any yarn whisperer would.

    Each project uses just one skein of yarn, many take just a few hours to complete, and plenty are suitable for beginners. Hats and caps, bootees and socks, mitts, dresses, tops and bottoms — plus blankets, bibs, soft toys, bottle cozies, diaper bags, and more — there’s something here for every baby! These original patterns were contributed by 54 designers around the world, and each one comes with complete instructions, charts, schematics, and beautiful photographs.

    With over 30 crochet patterns on the menu, there's something here to please every palette. In addition to snack items that can be stitched up in a flash, you'll find: patterns to plan a meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert; basic crochet techniques to get you started right away; and short "ingredients" lists to make finishing an item quick and easy. Whether they're play food for the kids or fun projects for you, you'll love increasing your daily fiber intake with Tasty Crochet!

    That awesome skirt in a fabric you adore. The blouse that fits perfectly. The one-of-a-kind dress you just knew would look cuter with a few extra details at the neck and hem. All made by you.    Creating fashionable, custom-fitted clothing is often much easier than you think, and in their first book, BurdaStyle—the largest community of aspiring fashion designers and style-savvy sewers—will show you how. Packed with easy-to-follow tutorials, five adaptable sewing patterns for a skirt, blouse, dress, coat, and bag, and fifteen step-by-step sewing projects, this book gives you the basic building blocks to begin sewing and the tools you need to move beyond the basics to designing and customizing your own wardrobe.    If you’ve never threaded a needle before, you’ll find essential information on setting up a studio, using your sewing machine and other tools, working with patterns, and getting the perfect fit. For experienced sewers, the book offer tips and tricks for mastering techniques, as well as tons of design inspiration from seventy-eight BurdaStyle members from all over the world. With its unique blend of fashion, creativity, and expert know-how, The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook is the ultimate guide to sewing with style.

    Alabama Stitch Book brings us a collection of projects and stories from her clothing and lifestyle company, Alabama Chanin, known for the cutting-edge twist it puts on tried-and-true sewing, quilting, and embroidery techniques, applied mostly by hand to recycled cotton jersey.This long-awaited book from Chanin begins with her story. After living in New York and Vienna for over 20 years, she began to transform cotton T-shirts into high fashion using the needlework skills she learned as a child in Florence, Alabama. When she moved home, Chanin hired local women (many of whom had worked in the state’s now defunct textile factories) to stitch her couture collections with her.What follows is a step-by-step guide to the stitching, stenciling, and beading techniques used in the 20 projects showcased in the book: T-shirts, skirts, and corsets that are sold at chic shops around the world, plus a journal cover, sampler quilt, and tablecloth, among others. Also included are a pullout stencil, perforated postcard for bead-embroidery, and reusable patterns. Throughout are Robert Rausch’s beautiful photographs set against the back roads, farms, and homesteads of the rural South.

    Includes meaningful ways to use your existing & future photos. Has creative ideas for preserving precious details of your life. Includes tips for finding inspiration in each day!

    Includes a wide variety of interesting stitches for all skill levels from beginner to advanced Helpful diagrams and easy-to-follow, excellent instructions and a clear photograph of each stitch.

    Featuring 250 texture-friendly designs for knitters of all skill levels, this handbook gives techniques for cable, ripple, knot, and twist stitches. The reference provides a multitude of new knitting patterns both for the home and to wear--such as a honeycomb afghan, medallion-rippled sweater, and twisted-arches scarf. Beautifully photographed swatches are displayed with the latest yarns and include easy-to-follow instructions and design tips. An all-in-one guide to creating textures and cables, this crafting resource is the perfect knitting companion.

    In this charming collection, acclaimed toymaker and popular blogger Hillary Lang presents a captivating gang of 24 huggable, lovable creatures to sew—from classics like Margot, a topsy-turvy doll, and the button-jointed teddy bear Bjorn Bjornson, to irresistible Evelyn, a wool felt inchworm decked out in mod glasses and a kerchief, and Koji, a fiercely cute spiked softie monster. There’s something for everyone here—from kids to grown-ups and from beginning sewers to advanced dollmakers. Each pattern includes clear illustrations and pattern templates to ensure perfect results.

    This book provides sewers with time estimates for each step of a crazy quilt patter; demonstrates how to break projects down into manageable pieces and suggests alternate uses for leftover fabrics; and teaches sewers how to make savvy fabric selections to coordinate with existing room or to add new flair.

    From choosing the right hooks and yarn and crocheting basic stitches to joining pieces together, this easy-to-follow guide will have you hooked in no time. Our hands-on workbook gets you crocheting fashionable, fun designs in a focused, step-by-step manner. You get a review of the basic stitches and stitch combinations, along with a concise appendix containing easy-to-follow instructions for working these stitches. You'll find plenty of tips on changing colors and adding shape to your projects. Plus, you get full-color photos of every project--from potholders to afghans, belts to table runners, skirts to vests, and much more. You'll also discover how to:Decipher crochet lingo Make a gauge swatch, read a pattern, and understand garment sizing Work with the most common stitches and stitch patterns Crochet in the round or with color Shape a design through increasing or decreasing stitches Use new techniques like felting and working with wire Crochet pictures and words using the filet crochet technique There are also quick-and-easy designs that are great for kids to make, as well as handy hints on caring for your finished items. Featuring more than 50 fantastic patterns perfect for beginners or those wanting to take their skills to the next level, Crochet Patterns For Dummies is your one-stop guide to crocheting success!

    • 26 one-of-a-kind projects, from artistic to folksy to whimsical• The variety of materials and embellishments is sure to inspire you to make every bird in the book • These little sweeties make delightful gifts…and the perfect pets!• Beginner-friendly projects work well with scraps, fat quarters, and upcycled fabrics This adorable book is all about the birds! From budgies to owls to peacocks, these projects will pique your curiousity and make your heart sing! Many talented designers bring you soft sculptures, quilts, ornaments, and more.The first in a series of titles called Design Collective, this book features designs by a group of clever and talented fabric artists from Canada and around the world who all share a love of cute little birds. Included are patterns for 26 hand-made projects to sew, stitch and quilt.contents:Susanne Woods INTRODUCTION Bari J. Ackerman LITTLE BIRD MOBILE Amy Adams FANCY PEACOCK Amy Adams STORK WITH A HEART MOBILE Heidi Allred OUR FLOCK EMBROIDERY Heidi Allred TWEET BIRDS APRON Abigail Brown BIRDHOUSE Eleanor Bruce FRED THE CARDINAL Eleanor Bruce EDWARD THE OWL (AND FRIENDS) Jamie Christina BIRD IN A CAGE Laura Clempson LITTLE ROUND BLUEBIRD Laura Clempson BLUEBIRD WALLETS Samantha Cotterill MILDRED THE DOVE WITH BAGUETTES Alicia Diane Durand BIRDS ON A WIRE QUILT Lisa Fell EMBROIDERED DOORKNOB ORNAMENT Nancy DeWeir Geaney MID-CENTURY SCRAP QUILT Melanie Hurlston PIKKU THE PENGUIN Robin Kingsley GARDEN OF BIRDS EMBROIDERY Kimberly Laws BIRD’S NEST JOURNAL Margaret Oomen BIRD IN A RAG NEST Anita Peluso LITTLE BIRDS QUILT Sharon Smith OWL WALLHANGING Jantze Tullett BUDGIE Noor van Krimpen WREATH WITH A BIRD Monika Wintermantel BIRD ON A BRANCH MAKEUP BAG Mika Yamamura CHEWY THE OWL ORNAMENT PATTERNS EMBROIDERY STITCHES

    Color photos accompany detailed step-by-step instructions for transforming the original square pattern into rectangles, triangles, and circles with eight wonderful designs. Featuring seven unique projects—including an afghan, a basket, a table runner, a hat, and a scarf—this creative manual illustrates how this perfect, two-round stitch offers versatility of color because of its unique, textured color overlap.

    Read on your PC, Mac, smart phone, tablet or Kindle device. LET ME SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE SOAPS! RECIPES INCLUDED! If you have ever wanted to learn how to make your own soaps in the comfort of your own home then the time is now to take action and get started. Maybe you just want to begin a new hobby or maybe you want to start a side business to make some extra money. I will show you my family secrets to becoming a successful soap maker. I will also show you how to get started and what materials you need to start making your very own soap from scratch. There are several different methods of creating great soap and I will show you how to master them and also give you lots of great tips along the way. I understand that you may be a total beginner and that is ok. Let me guide you through the process to creating some amazing handmade soap that you are proud of! ***I have even included lots of great recipes for you to try and get started with!*** Here Is A Preview Of What You'll Learn... What Makes Soap Work The Different Types Of Soap Soap Making Supplies Needed Different Methods Of Soap Making Fragrances And Fun Soap Recipes Making Glycerin Soap Making Your Own Molds Tips And Tricks Much, Much, More! Download your copy today! ---Take action today to start making your very own soap from scratch and download this book for a limited time discount. SAVE BIG!--- Check Out What Others Are Saying... “I have always thought about making soap as some of my old friends used to do it as a side business many years ago. I never thought to get into it until now because I wanted to take on a new hobby. I was given this book and was sure glad I read it. I am starting to develop a small passion for this stuff and might even start to sell some of my soaps for some extra income which would be nice. Get the book and get started because you will have a lot of fun with this like I am!” (Laura H – Gurnee, IL) “This is a very cool book that will get your started making some pretty neat looking soap. I wanted to start a hobby up with my daughters that we would both enjoy and I can say it has been a great experience.” (Judy A – Tulsa, OK) Tags: Soap Making, Soap Making For Beginners, Soap, Soap Making From Scratch, Soap Making Recipes, Soap Making Business, Soap Making Kindle Books, Soap Making Business, Soap Hobby

    Duerr demonstrates how to create complex and complimentary colors by using plants grown or resources found in the garden or collected from sidewalks and vacant lots. Simple and sustainable, her methods will work on fabrics, paper, shoes, lamp shades, wood beads, leather, and even hair. This is a book for any gardener, sewer, fabric lover, or do-it-yourselfer interested in adding safe and spectacular colors from everyday ingredients.