The Knitgrrl Guide to Professional Knitwear Design


Shannon Okey - 2010
    Written by an industry insider, the Guide takes a comprehensive, unflinching look behind the scenes that no knit or crochet designer can afford to be without. Includes 30+ interviews with top designers, editors and professionals who tell it like it is so you can hit the ground running, a guide to responsible social media use, information on distribution, printing, online publishing and much, much more.

Sweater Design in Plain English


Maggie Righetti - 1990
    In clear, straightforward terms, Maggie Righettie shares her knitting know-how and good fashion sense so that, no matter what your knitting level, you can overcome the fear of failure, avoid costly mistakes, adapt already-existing patterns, and plan and create sweaters that really fit and look terrific-sweaters that will be worn for many years to come. Topics and techniques include:-Understanding the nature of yarn and pattern stitches-Choosing the most flattering color and design for the wearer-Taking accurate body measurements-Estimating the amount of yarn you'll need-How to tell whether or not a sweater will look good on you-before you start to knit-How to alter printed patterns so they really fit-How to understand the mathematics of gauge and pattern design-Plus start-to-finish instructions for thirteen classic sweatersEach technique is illustrated with clear diagrams, sketches, or photographs. Complete with conversion charts and a personal-measurements record-keeping section, Sweater Design in Plain English takes the guesswork out of every creative knitting effort.

Lace Style


Pam Allen - 2007
    The gorgeous Lace Style eBook takes a fresh approach to a classic theme by combining solid techniques with 20+ contemporary, lace projects.Following the success of Scarf Style and Wrap Style—with more than 100,000 copies sold - we've selected a stunning collection of quick knits that take a modern twist on a traditional pattern. Accomplished designers including Veronik Avery, Norah Gaughan, Annie Modesitt, Shirley Paden and Michele Rose Orne will inspire with patterns ranging from scarves, shawls, hats, sweaters, dresses, and more.Revel in ways to use lace as all-over patterns, trims and edgings, and inserts. Innovative designs include a lace pattern typically used for baby wear boldly translated into a striking woman's scalloped jacket, a delicate lace edging used to accent a featherlight lingerie dress, a chic skirt made lacy with intentionally dropped stitches, a wide-brim garden hat with a decidedly vintage feel, a sophisticated bracelet knitted from fine silver wire, and much more.Each pattern has detailed step-by-step instructions and lavish lifestyle photographs with plenty of detail shots to keep readers inspired. A special design chapter demystifies the elements of knitted lace, and details several ways to achieve lacy effects. It also provides key pointers on how to incorporate lace motifs into other patterns and tips to ensure success.Whether you're an experienced knitter looking for inspiration or a beginner trying lace knitting for the first time, the Lace Style eBook has everything you need to knit lace with confidence and convenience.TABLE OF CONTENTS:The Projects Just Right Wrap- Mari Lynn Patrick The Point About Cuffs- Vicki Square Lily of the Valley Shawl- Nancy Bush Floral Lace Anklets- Evelyn A. Clark Lace-Edged Corset- Michele Rose Orne Featherlight Lingerie Dress- Mari Lynn Patrick Little Silk Shrug- Pam Allen The Essential Tank Top- Laura Zukaite Tailored Scallops- Pam Allen Ooh La Lace Dress and Stole- Shirley Paden Retro Redux Shrug- Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark Katherine Hepburn Cardigan- Kathy Zimmerman Long Long Lacy Gloves- Lois S. Young Peek-a-Book Cloche- Mona Schmidt Show-Off Ruffle Skirt- Kat Coyle Leg Cozies- Lisa Daehlin Lacy Waves Top- Norah Gaughan Greta Garbo Garden Hat- Annie Modesitt Never Wimpy Wimple- Priscilla Gibson-Roberts Sterling and Crystal Cuff- Annie Modesitt Shetland Shawl Turned Vest- Veronik Avery

Fitted Knits: 25 Designs for the Fashionable Knitter


Stefanie Japel - 2007
    It features a comprehensive section covering the skills necessary to create a well-fitted garment, removing the guesswork from customising patterns.

Twenty-Odd Ducks: Why, Every Punctuation Mark Counts!


Lynne Truss - 2008
    Now, Truss and Timmons put hyphens, parentheses, quotation marks, periods, and more in the spotlight, showing how which marks you choose and where you put them can cause hilarious mix-ups.

A Gathering of Lace


Meg Swansen - 2000
    The lavish full-color illustrations and easy-to-follow instruction charts will make these traditional patterns an exciting addition to a lace knitter's repertoire. From beginner to advanced, the 34 projects contained include designs for sweaters, vests, shawls, scarves, gloves, and socks. With beautiful photographs of these unique patterns, this knitting book is perfect for those who love to knit lace and those who would love to learn.

Russian Gypsy Fortune Telling Cards


Svetlana A. Touchkoff - 1991
    This stunning Russian lacquer-style package of twenty-five full-color cards and accompanying book combines the beauty of Russian lacquer box art with the fun of an age-old gypsy system for revealing your path in life.

Oil Painting Secrets From a Master


Linda Cateura - 1984
    This is such a book. For more than two years, Linda Cateura has pursued teacher / artist David A. Leffel, notebook in hand, as he critiqued the work of students. Linda Cateura's succinct notes capture his insights, philosophy, painting hints, and general comments.Leffel's classic, painterly, twentieth-century old master style, much in the manner of Rembrandt or Chardin, affords ample illustration of the ideas expressed - through his many paintings, details, demonstrations, and diagrams, almost all in color.No matter what your level of ability, there is something here to apply to your own work, ideas that will cause you to rething your own ways of painting, hints to save you effort, or solutions to persistent painting problems.

Knitting from the Center Out: An Introduction to Revolutionary Knitting with 28 Modern Projects


Daniel Yuhas - 2012
    The book features 28 mesmerizing projects, ranging from baby blankets and lace shawls to sweaters and stuffed toys, and also includes tutorials for the minimal skills required for center-out knitting, such as special cast-ons, increases, and decreases. Throughout the book are enlightening explanations of the underlying math and the architecture of the flat and dimensional shapes. Clear instructions and beautiful photography and illustrations assure that knitters of all levels and inclinations—whether they are technique junkies or not—will want to have this book. Praise for Knitting From the Center Out: “Though he delivers almost thirty projects in this premiere volume, Yuhas is just warming up. We'll be hearing more from him: Someday we'll look back and say, this is the book that launched a thousand cone hats.” —Vogue Knitting “It’s not often I find myself wanting to knit a whole bunch of projects from the same book, but there are plenty of things here that would be fun to explore in the knitting and that I’d enjoy wearing and using as well. I’d knit all the toys for my daughter.” —About.com “Odd. Even geeky. Yet there’s no question that Portland-based revolutionary knitter Yuhas is onto something. His premise is simple: start knitting at the middle/center of the item, which he categorizes into five shapes: tubes, cones, circles, domes, and ruffles. What’s so odd? His mathematical sidebars (on Fibonacci, for instance) and a few titles in his recommended reading: Michael S. Schneider’s A Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe (1994), for one.” —Booklist Starred Review “His passion for the topic is apparent, and adventurous knitters will appreciate the opportunity to learn something new here.” —Library Journal “Clear instructions and beautiful photography ensure that knitters of all levels and inclinations—technique junkies or not—will want this book.” —Modern Day Moms “We love the sorting hat . . . You can be the Gryffindor of your dreams. . . . He has figured out the science . . . and we can all benefit from that.” —Knitcircus podcast “So I commend Yuhas for writing a ‘revolutionary,’ original book with lots of good new ideas that will give new and experienced knitters alike lots of challenges and pleasure. The book retails for about $28, which comes out to $1 per pattern; well worth the price. This is a Melanie Falick Book from STC Craft. I have to say, Melanie picked another winner with this one.” —MyCentralJersey.com “The best part about this book was the section ‘Tutorials.’ Hey, if you are like me and get stuck on a pattern for days, it is nice to have step by step instructions + pictures.” —Sweetly Made (Just for You) “I would everyone to check it out. I like this guy [author Daniel Yuhas]. I like his voice. I felt a kinship.” —Knit Knit Cafe “The patterns are killer, lovely and unusual all in one. The Half-Moon Mittens, Heel-Up Socks and Tree of Life Afghan are must knits for me. The Leaf-Yoke Sweater is so spectacular that I show the pattern to every knitter that comes to my house saying, ‘Let’s knit this!’” —Knitty.com “I was sent an advanced copy of the book Knitting from the Center Out by Daniel Yuhas and can I just say Holy Wowza! (Yeah, sometimes being a craft blogger has its perks!) This book is pretty awesome.” —Smashed Peas and Carrots blog “This book should be required reading, just to expand your own knitting repertoire. The more you know and understand knitting, the e

Hoist on My Own Petard: Or: How Writing 10% Happier Threw My Own Advice Right Back in My Face


Dan Harris - 2015
    I was kind of like a dog that soils the rug, and the universe kept shoving my face into it. In 2014, Dan Harris published his memoir 10% Happier. The book—which describes his reluctant embrace of meditation after a drug problem, an on-air freak-out, and an unplanned "spiritual" journey—became an instant bestseller and Dan, to his own surprise, became a public evangelist for mindfulness. Hoist on My Own Petard is the story of what happens to Dan Harris after the runaway success of his memoir and the lessons he had to (re)learn in the process.

How to Make Sewing Patterns


Donald H. McCunn - 1975
    Simple and easy step-by-step instructions with clear understandable line drawings.

Colour & Light in Watercolour


Jean Haines - 2010
    As soon as you open the book you will want to pick up a brush and start painting — and whatever your ability, Jean encourages you to simply ‘have a go’ and enjoy the freedom and happiness that painting can bring.Jean’s subjects include animals, landscapes, people and flowers, and there are many examples of Jean’s work throughout the book to both delight and inspire you. Jean takes a highly practical approach to her teaching, and there are numerous short exercises and demonstrations as well as longer projects that guide you through a painting from beginning to end. Wherever you are on your painting journey, Jean will open your eyes to the color and light that surrounds you and show you how to incorporate it into your paintings.

Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines: Patterns, Stories, Pictures, True Confessions, Tricky Bits, Whole New Worlds, and Familiar Ones, Too


Kay Gardiner - 2008
    Building on the success of their website and blog, authors Gardiner and Shayne wind their way through patterns for adults, children and homes.

A Day in the Life of the Brain: The Neuroscience of Consciousness from Dawn Till Dusk


Susan A. Greenfield - 2016
    But how do our physical brains actually give rise to this rich and varied experience of consciousness? In this ground-breaking book, internationally acclaimed neuroscientist Susan Greenfield brings together a series of astonishing new, empirically based insights into consciousness as she traces a single day in the life of your brain. From waking to walking the dog, working to dreaming, Greenfield explores how our daily experiences are translated into a tangle of cells, molecules and chemical blips, thereby probing the enduring mystery of how our brains create our individual selves.

Dog Man: An Uncommon Life on a Faraway Mountain


Martha Sherrill - 2008
    In a mountain village, we meet Morie Sawataishi, a fierce individualist who has chosen to break the law by keeping an Akita dog hidden in a shed on his property. During the war, the magnificent and intensely loyal Japanese hunting dogs are donated to help the war effort, eaten, or used to make fur vests for the military. By the time of the Japanese surrender in 1945, there are only sixteen Akitas left in the country. The survival of the breed becomes Morie's passion and life, almost a spiritual calling. Devoted to the dogs, Morie is forever changed. His life becomes radically unconventional-almost preposterous-in ultra-ambitious, conformist Japan. For the dogs, Morie passes up promotions, bigger houses, and prestigious engineering jobs in Tokyo. Instead, he raises a family with his young wife, Kitako-a sheltered urban sophisticate-in Japan's remote and forbidding snow country. Their village is isolated, but interesting characters are always dropping by-dog buddies, in-laws from Tokyo, and a barefoot hunter who lives in the wild. Due in part to Morie's perseverance and passion, the Akita breed strengthens and becomes wildly popular, sometimes selling for millions of yen. Yet Morie won't sell his spectacular dogs. He only likes to give them away. Morie and Kitako remain in the snow country today, living in the traditional Japanese cottage they designed together more than thirty years ago-with tatami mats, an overhanging roof, a deep bathtub, and no central heat. At ninety-four years old, Morie still raises and trains the Akita dogs that have come to symbolize his life. In beautiful prose that is a joy to read, Martha Sherrill opens up the world of the Dog Man and his wife, providing a profound look at what it is to be an individualist in a culture that reveres conformity-and what it means to live life in one's own way, while expertly revealing Japan and Japanese culture as we've never seen it before.