Books As Gifts

Only 28 days (yikes!) until that BIG HOLIDAY. Here are some books I think would make great gifts for most Crafters/Artists (most of these are on my wish list):

Kristin Knits by Kristin Nicholas.
Ah! Color for knitters! Noted knitwear designer and color connoisseur Kristin Nicholas encourages knitters to conquer their color inhibitions, learn a little basic color theory, and create personally satisfying fiber palettes. Kristin has created 25 designs for hats, mittens, scarves, socks, and sweaters in sumptious Nashua Handknits Julia Yarn. This book is eye candy I can't wait to own!


Heirloom Buttons to Make: A gallery of decorative fabric, needle-lace, crochet, and ribbon and braid closures you can create by Nancy Nehring. The subtitle says it all here. To quote one Amazon customer review : "If you knit, crochet, or sew and like to give your garments a little extra, this book will give you lots of new ideas."


Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave by Ann Budd (Editor), Anne Merrow (Editor). These 25 sock patterns are taken from various issues of Interweave Press magazines such as "Interweave Knits" and "Piecework" and "Spin-Off." Many of the original issues of Interweave Knits have gone out of print and Favorite Socks ensures these patterns are accessible for a new generation of knitters. Besides providing many classic patterns, this collection also includes a helpful tutorial on knitting socks on two circular needles, and instructions for both toe-up and top-down knitted socks.. However, I think this sock knitting book is not for the novice sock knitter---but aimed at more veteran sock knitters--if you have never knit socks, or never used 4 double pointed knitting needles you may want to watch a video or take a class to learn to knit a basic sock.


Crochet Jewelry: 40 Beautiful and Unique Designs by Waejong Kim and Anna Pulvermakher. The 40 crochet projects range from easy to complicated. The instructions at the beginning of the book are quite thorough and cover some unusual techniques not usually found in a crochet book such as hairpin crochet and cable techniques. "Featured projects include multicolored bead and crochet necklaces, lacy spider web chokers, delicate yarn and wire bracelets, lively cherry earrings, mohair flower pins, and pretty cocktail rings embellished with beads and stones." I am an avid bead crocheter, so I am quite intrigued by this book of unusual crochet jewelry.

I have just started working in a bookstore again! so I will be blogging about the store and more crafty books soon--now back to knitting those holiday gifts.....