I love the decorations, being surrounded by family, time of quiet reflection and busy (sometimes crazy) get-together with loved ones.And then of course there are the presents. I used to have a bit of a “love/hate” relationship with Christmas presents. I loved being able to give nice gifts, but always felt like we had to keep up with what everyone else was doing. The whole commercialization and keeping up with dollar amounts was getting to me.That’s when I decided to focus on more meaningful homemade gifts that didn’t cost much to make.They were very well received by family and friends. In this short book, I would like to share some of those ideas with you.You don’t need to be super crafty for many of these gift ideas. I’m including a wide variety of ideas and I’m sure just reading through the pages will give you more ideas of your own as well. You’ll be ready to make gifts for:* Handmade treasures for your kids or grand-kids* Meaningful gifts for close relatives and friends* Quick ideas for thoughtful gifts for teachers, mailmen etc.* Help your kids make gifts for grandparents, teacher and friends* Heartfelt gifts for neighbors, friends and more …

    Go for a swim with the mermaids and nymphs, go Nessie-spotting and dragon hunting and follow the fairies and unicorns on a walk through the forest. And there’s much more waiting for you at the end of the rainbow! Beginners as well as advanced crocheters can conjure up these adorable fantasy creatures with a flick of their hooks. All patterns are accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions as well as explanations of all stitches used, and are easily customizable, so it’s a small step to imagine your very own fantasy amigurumi!

    There are only a few books written on the subject and most of those focus on 'flat' needle felting on a surface. This book is about sculptural needle felting—creating 3-D animals and figures using the felting needle to sculpt wool.The book shows the techniques and describes how the felting needle works with wool fiber to create felt, while explaining the differences between this art form and other forms of felting. The reader will learn how to hold the needle, what sort of materials to use, and why.There are about 20 complete projects including various birds, bugs, four-legged animals, and people-each one unique and irresistible! Laurie also shows the reader ways to display their felted creations as mobiles, ornaments, or arranged in shadow boxes.

    Austentatious Crochet presents Austen fans with a unique opportunity to step into the scarf, skirt, or chemise of Elizabeth Bennett, Emma Woodhouse, and a host of other favorite Austen characters.The book features thirty-two original crochet projects inspired by Austen novels but fabulously brought up to date and wearable today. The designs focus on women's wear, such as dresses, sweaters, cardigans, and capelets, but also encompass accessories such as handbags, scarfs, and pillowcases and clothing for children.Introductions to each project include favorite bits of dialogue from the original novels. Fully illustrated with evocative photos, Regency-style illustrations, and step-by-step schematics, Austentatious Crochet is certain to please the devoted Austen lover as well as craft enthusiasts.

    With this book you will learn the basics of:- How to Choose Yarn and Needles- Casting On- The Most Popular Knitting Stitches- How to Start a New Ball of Yarn- Binding Off- Basic Color Knitting- How to Read a Knitting Pattern- Seaming and Finishing- Increases and Decreases- Knitting in the Round- PurlingThe book also includes a BONUS section that includes a beginners knitting dictionary and 10 videos to help you get started! Get started right now, on the incredibly fun hobby of knitting!

    Colorful and inviting, they are a staple of the home, without which a living room or bedroom just wouldn't feel complete. And whether you're making one for yourself, as a housewarming gift, or to welcome a new baby into the world, the process of creating a handmade afghan can be as rewarding as the finished product.Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans features 50 patterns for these cozy blankets, made with Berroco Comfort yarn--an affordable, ultra-soft acrylic/nylon blend--and designed by the Berroco team, headed by Norah Gaughan. The book includes something for everyone: The designs range from ultra-modern to traditional, from spare to embellished, and are inspired by sources as varied as Scottish tweeds, Japanese Ikat, and Delft pottery. Intended for knitters and crocheters of every skill level, this collection brings new life to the well-loved and versatile afghan.Also available from Norah Gaughan: Norah Gaughan's Knitted Cable Sourcebook, Comfort Knitting & Crochet: Babies & Toddlers, and Knitting Nature.

    All of the toys feature an irresistibly pear-shaped body, realistic colors, and lots of fun details—a soft, curly mane for the lion, trunk wrinkles for the elephant, and a banana snack for the monkey. With a primer on knitting basics to chapters on embroidering and stuffing your super cute safari softie, even a beginner can knit these cushy, cuddly creatures!

    Full-color reproductions of original pattern swatches, sweaters, and accessories from the Bohus workshop in Sweden, along with the history of the women who designed them.

    Use them to decorate clothes and accessories, give them as gifts---or use to decorate your gift wrap and greeting cards.Everyone of these cute little beasts is thoughtfully displayed in a directory at the front of the book. And each is cross-referenced to a complete pattern and/or chart at the back of the book, with information on stuffing, finishing, and yarn requirements.You'll also find a mixture of fun and fabulous ideas for using the creatures in a range of styles and settings: children's designs, quirky homewares, and elegant fashion and accessories.

    Can't find that amazing idea in your pile of sticky notes? Distracted by blog posts, social media, and email? Looking for an easy way to keep track of your research?This booklet (about 30 pages) introduces handy--and often free or inexpensive--computer-based tools to help you eliminate distractions, track your progress, organize your research, capture new ideas anywhere, streamline your writing process, and safeguard your hard work.Lessons in this booklet are based on a week-long class Gwen taught for the Romance Writers of America in June 2013.

    Instagram sensation Isabelle Kessedjian has created this adorable doll with her own very stylish wardrobe in crochet! Using Isabelle's easy patterns discover how to crochet your doll and then personalize her with your choice of hair, clothing and accessories for home and abroad.Each project is presented as a mini story to bring your crochet doll to life with a whole heap of extras to complete each scene, including: At the Beach with a bucket, paddling pool and air bed, Good Night! with bed linen, a pillow and cuddly teddy for sweet dreams! At the North Pole with a camera, penguin and a fish!The cute mini suitcase pattern is perfect for storing all your doll's belongings and doubles up as a bed too!Create the doll of your dreams for a little girl you love or the little girl inside!

    From the fish-shaped Japanese felted bag to the Persian carpet–inspired handbag, each bag is a product of its cultural history. Each pattern begins with a brief history describing the source behind these contemporary interpretations of folk designs. Folk stories also accompany many projects. Included are designs for bags for work or play, and bags of all shapes, colors, textures, and sizes. Using this collection, knitters can create bags for children, for market, for everyday, or for a special evening event.

    Sharing her groundbreaking technique for straight-knit socks, Alice Curtis provides step-by-step instructions for 20 original patterns that feature a variety of yarns and an array of motifs ranging from cables to argyle. The possibilities for creative variations are endless, and each pattern can easily be adapted to any size. Get inspired and use your straight needles to knit stylish masterpieces that will keep your feet cozy and warm.

    Beginners and seasoned knitters alike are promised that learning from mistakes improves the technique and inspires personal style and that sometimes the best solution is to let the mistake stand. This sturdy, spiral bound book explains the correct way to cast on and bind off, decipher charts, choose fibers, and more.

    From delicate camisoles to sophisticated jackets, these pieces marry the design details of the forties and fifties with the best of today's yarns and contemporary floral-inspired colors. Inside, readers will find clear, simple instructions and stunning full-color photos of to-die-for pieces including:*sleek crewnecks*lacy, feminine cardigans*textured twin sets*stunning striped sweaters*cabled mittens, Fair Isle gloves and more!As a gift for a friend or an indulgence for yourself, "Vintage Knits" is a must for every knitter's library.