Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes


Elizabeth Zimmermann - 1970
     In Knitting Without Tears, you'll find elegant designs for: Color-pattern Norwegian ski sweaters Seamless patterned-yoke sweaters Hooded garter-stitch jackets for babies Watch caps, socks, slippers, mittens, and more! This classic and influential book is poised to inspire a whole new generation of knitters who have yet to discover the joys and comforts of knitting. As the lady herself once put it, "properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either."

Love at First Stitch: Demystifying Dressmaking


Tilly Walnes - 2014
    Written for novice stitchers by the author of the popular sewing blog "Tilly and the Buttons," Tilly Walnes demystifies dressmaking for the generations that have never been taught to sew. This book presents the core sewing basics in an informal style, with Walnes's friendly and encouraging voice cheering the reader on throughout. Instead of overwhelming the novice dressmaker with theory, this book is about learning by doing. Each chapter presents practical tips and inspiration to guide you through creating a made-to-measure garment from one of the seven versatile and adaptable patterns included with the book, which can then be personalised to suit your individual style. Peppered throughout the book are Walnes's top sewing tips, including everything from what to look out for when buying--or borrowing--your first sewing machine, through how to behave in a fabric shop to appear like an expert, to techniques for pressing perfection.

The Calligrapher's Bible: 100 Complete Alphabets and How to Draw Them


David Harris - 2003
    Each of its 100 sections shows a complete A-to-Z calligraphy alphabet, with lessons on correct pen strokes and advice on avoiding errors. Beginners will find sound basic instruction, while experienced calligraphers can extend their repertoire with letter styles that range from classic Roman to clean and elegant contemporary styles. In addition to analysis of each alphabet's features, the book's detailed instruction provides information on -- Tools and materials * Layout basics * Numerals and punctuation * Illumination and ornamentation * Tips for the left-handed calligrapher . . . and more. Readers will also find examples by master calligraphers from past eras. This book's spiral binding ensures that pages lay flat when opened, allowing calligraphers to study and copy each pen stroke with ease. The Calligrapher's Bible is printed in color and features more than 350 illustrations.

Colored Pencil Portraits: Step by Step


Ann Kullberg - 1999
    Sounds like quite a challenge. But with Ann Kullberg's help, it's not as difficult as you might think to create lifelike colored pencil portraits.Using her own beautiful portraiture for instruction and inspiration, Kullberg walks you through the process step by step--from basic information about materials and techniques to two demonstrations that show how complete portraits come together from beginning to end.You'll learn how to:choose the right tools and master basic techniquescompose a portrait--examples show right and wrong ways to do ituse light to create mood in your portraitscreate a range of rich, believable skin tonespaint the face--step-by-steps of eyes, mouth, nose and ears make it easypaint realistic-looking clothing--step-by-step demos show you how to paint denim, velvet and other fabricsYou'll also find Kullberg's secrets for making your portrait come alive, along with 17 mini-demos that make it easy to paint realistic features, hair and clothing. Inside is everything you need to get started, as well as advice and important information on painting portraits professionally!

Zentangle Basics: A Creative Art Form Where All You Need is Paper, Pencil & Pen


Suzanne McNeill - 2010
    Using only pen and paper, you will learn to make 24 basic Zentangles as well as inspiration for incorporating these designs into your art. Zentangles can be used to decorate wearables and home decor objects as well as cards, scrapbook pages and journals. Best of all, you can do this even if you have never drawn anything before.

Pigments of Your Imagination: Creating with Alcohol Inks


Cathy Taylor - 2014
    Mercurial, versatile, inexpensive, and wildly colorful, alcohol inks are one of the newest mediums to hit the art community. Pigments of Your Imagination is your essential guide for working with alcohol inks, from choosing which inks to use for each project to learning how to maximize your artistic potential with a wide variety of fascinating techniques. Using an assortment of materials and tools, learn how to work on a variety of surfaces, including paper, glass, metal, fabric, and plastic. Find inspiration for your own masterpieces in the step-by-step demos and guest artist gallery. From the beginning craftsperson to the professional artist, Pigments of Your Imagination offers a broad insight into the expansive world of alcohol inks. Explore the limits of your artistic ingenuity with alcohol inks. Jump start your creativity!

The Everything Soapmaking Book


Alicia Grosso - 2003
    and sell your creations (Everything®) Create beautiful, natural soaps without leaving home! Ever wonder what's really in your store-bought soap? Once you start making your own soap, you'll never have to wonder again! The Everything Soapmaking Book, 3rd Edition is a comprehensive guide to making all kinds of soap, whether you want to decorate your home or pamper your or your family's skin. Homemade soap is not only an easy project for any level craft lover, but it's beautiful, too! Completely revised and updated with information on natural and organic ingredients, this easy-to-use guide shows you how to: Choose the right soapmaking equipment Blend colors and aromatic scents Create all kinds of soap, from bath soap to facial cleanser Make soaps for holidays and special occasions You'll also learn how to beautifully package your soaps and sell them at farmers' markets, local retail outlets, and online craft sites. With these simple-to-follow recipes, stunning photographs, and expert tips and advice, you'll be a soapmaking expert in no time!

City Quilts: 12 Dramatic Projects Inspired by Urban Views


Cherri House - 2010
    In this book, you'll discover the secrets of minimalist design-how to find beauty in the basic elements of your environment. These projects deliver exciting, vivid results with solid color fabrics. City Quilts was named one of the Best Books of 2010 in the Fiber Crafts Category by Library Journal, and is a finalist in the 2010 Foreword Book of the Year Awards."

Bake!: Essential Techniques for Perfect Baking


Nick Malgieri - 2010
    After 30 years of teaching and writing eight cookbooks, Malgieri shares a collection of 20 essential techniques, with three to five variations thereof--outlining the easiest way to learn the essentials of baking.

Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop: Techniques and Projects for Weaving with Wire


Karen Karon - 2012
    In Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop, you'll find more than two dozen techniques for making today's most popular chain maille weaves—from simple chains to beaded wonders to intricate Dragonscale.Jewelry artist and author Karen Karon pairs in-depth, step-by-step instructions with color illustrations that show exactly where to place the next jump ring. You'll also get a thorough but flexible approach to techniques that prove weaving can be done in a multitude of ways and demonstrations on “speed weaving,” which is ideal for large projects. Designs progressively increase in complexity, so every jewelry maker—beginner or pro—will find inspiration and projects that suite their skill level.What's more to love? Every chapter provides a unique jewelry project and a plethora of design advice, visual inspiration, shortcuts, tips, and tricks, as well as guidance for attaching clasps and findings. It's no wonder that Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop is the ideal resource for innovation and originality in chain maille jewelry making.

Print Liberation: The Screen Printing Primer


Jamie Dillon - 2008
    Even if you're starting out in a scary basement or in the tiny bathroom in your cramped apartment with a $40 budget, Print Liberation will show you everything you need to know to get started. And if you're already in a rented studio with a few bucks to spend, this book can help you turn screen printing into your personal art or business.Seriously, this is a completely comprehensive how-to guide. You'll start by learning the history of the craft accompanied by graphic illustrations. Then, step-by-step photographs walk you through the ins and outs of all the main screen-printing techniques, including printing on dimensional surfaces, such as walls and goats (although the latter is not recommended). You'll even find advice about how to turn screen printing into a money-making venture, either by selling your work through galleries or by offering your services locally to make posters, T-shirts and anything else people might need.You can do it. Your imagination is your only limitation.

Jill Wiseman's Beautiful Beaded Ropes: 24 Wearable Jewelry Projects in Multiple Stitches


Jill Wiseman - 2012
    From dainty to heavy, and from simple to outrageously textured, these beautiful and wearable necklace, lariat, bangle, and bracelet projects (plus a few earrings!) utilize such popular stitch techniques as spiral rope, peyote, netting, herringbone, right angle weave, chevron, polygon weave, and oglala. Beginning and experienced beaders alike will love these high-quality projects from one of the most fun and innovative beaders on the scene today!

Steampunk Emporium: Creating Fantastical Jewelry, Devices and Oddments from Assorted Cogs, Gears and Curios


Jema 'Emilly Ladybird' Hewitt - 2011
    Join her as she records the adventures of intergalactic space pirates, undersea voyagers and Jurassic explorers -- all the while, dabbling in the details of which baubles best benefit the venturesome class.Discover within:20 beautiful and whimsical designs accompanied by detailed step-by-step images and meticulous instruction.Projects ranging from decadent jewelry, medals of great distinction, wine charms for imbibers and many devices of note.Superb instruction for a variety of jewelry, polymer clay and mixed media techniques you can use in all your adornment escapades.Let Steampunk Emporium outfit you for the unabashed adventure of a lifetime!

Cowl Girls: The Neck's Big Thing to Knit


Cathy Carron - 2010
    Among the more than 35 patterns provided here are a cozy neck wrap featuring a built-in iPod holder, a lacy drawstring hood, and a woven necklace sparkling with Swarovski crystals.

Water Paper Paint: Exploring Creativity with Watercolor and Mixed Media


Heather Smith Jones - 2011
    Unlike the typical watercolor textbooks, this unique, beautiful volume is a field book of inspiration, creative ideas, how to's, and projects, all from an artist's perspective. Each creative exercise features a technique, shows step-by-step photographs, and includes a clever idea for a gift or project that can be made from the painted samples.