Category: Books

Knitting Block by Block by Nicky Epstein {Book Review}

Posted on December 2, 2014December 10, 2020 by Erin

Knitting Block by Block by Nicky Epstein is a must have for needle knitters of any skill level. If you enjoy learning new techniques and creating your own original designs from them, you’ll adore this book. It’s really an extremely well laid out block stitch dictionary that gives you the freedom to mix and match to your hearts desire. I believe one could grow in their knitting needle skills by whipping up one block at a time and in turn the end results could be a beautifully unique afghan of all those blocks!

This book features 150 block patterns that can be used to create a plethora of projects. Aside from the instructions for the numerous blocks there are also over ten patterns which include a bag, scarves, pullover, vest, afghan, shrug, sweater, a few toys, a tote bag, and several hats. There are many pages worth of different types of edgings and joining techniques which are essential in completing all sorts of projects.

The Chapters in this book are as follows;

Chapter 1. Basic Building Blocks
Chapter 2. Ornate Appliqué, Embroidery, and Cords
Chapter 3. Creative Colorwork
Chapter 4. Special Techniques
Chapter 5. Cables and Counterpanes
Chapter 6. Eclectic Styles

Do note aside from the chapters that are several other areas in this book that explains to readers the important of gauge, how to mix-and match blocks, abbreviations to know, handy techniques, & resources. I feel that the book is laid out quite well. In each of the chapters, the first few pages are filled with full color photos as well as the name of each block to be knit in that section. The block instructions and charts are easy to understand and follow.

If you are not a fan of seaming knitted projects this book may not appeal to you. Though I would say that it opens the door for many interesting pieces. In the back of the book there’s copy the pages, cut out the blocks, and try them out on the assembly diagrams in the instructions. It makes for some fun combinations! I really like all the texture and raised designs quite a bit. It’s shown me you can make truly amazing looking things when knitting! I’m looking forward to growing my skills starting with the more simple textures and moving up to dabbling in cables, exploring color work, and much more! I would highly recommend this book for any knitters collection!

About the Author: Beloved knitwear designer NICKY EPSTEIN is the bestselling author of numerous books, including Knitting on Top of the World, Knitting on the Edge, and Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch. Her designs have also been featured in Vogue Knitting magazine and many other knitting publications, on television, and at art exhibitions. She currently resides in New York City and travels extensively, teaching and lecturing.

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Disclosure: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. The opinions are my own or my immediate family members, based on our personal experience of the title.

Felting by Elvira López Del Prado Rivas {Book Review}

Posted on November 29, 2014December 10, 2020 by Erin

Felting by Elvira López Del Prado Rivas is an exciting book that teaches everything one would want to know about the craft. I with very little knowledge about felting before feel much more educated! I have not only been educated but inspired greatly to make my own interesting, creative, and unique things out of felt! Who knew such an age old technique from around 3500 B.C could be so be so exciting to learn about as well as take part in!

The book is put together very well being thoroughly detailed in the imagery of over 550-step-by-step photographs as well as in instructions and explanations. There are a total of five chapters which are: 1. Felt, 2. Material & Tools, 3. Processes, 4. Techniques, 5. Projects. Each of the chapters have several categories. At the end of the book there’s an Artist Gallery by International felt artist which features all sorts of interesting, inspiring, exciting, and amazing creations.

The twenty-eight original projects presented use both industrial felt and felted wool. You can learn whether using wet or dry felt to make flowers, balls, hats, purses, slippers, refrigerator magnets, dolls, finger puppets, jewelry, and more! There are so many projects I adore!

I took the opportunity to introduce my 3 and 6 year old to felt starting out with the felt sheets commonly found in craft stores and a few of the patterns in this book. These specific projects for younger kids include mostly cutting & gluing. Though note there are many more projects that have you creating felt yourself from wool!

As a knitter, I am quiet drawn to the patterns in this book that feature blocking and a few other techniques I’ve been eager to try but just hadn’t done so yet. This book is taking me out of my comfort zone and for that I am glad! It has taken my love for fiber crafting to yet another level! I highly recommend picking up a copy for home, school, or crafting group use!

Interested in Purchasing? Felting by Elvira Lopez Del Prado Rivas can be purchased on Amazon.com right now for $24.00! This book can also be bought off the Schiffer Publishing website!

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the book for review purposes from Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

Knockout Knits {Book Review}

Posted on October 23, 2014December 10, 2020 by Erin

Knockout Knits New Tricks for for Scarves, Hats, Jewelry, and Other Accessories by Laura Nelkin is a must have book for knitters no matter what their skill level.

Being fairly new to using needles, this book has been wonderful in growing my skills. Each project section starts out with something small and works its way up to something a little more elaborate like a shawl. This approach whether choosing to follow it or not is a great way to go to not be intimidated by a new stitch pattern or variation.

One of the things I love about the patterns in this book is that the author makes it personal. She shares her inspiration behind each of the different projects. Little touches like that can connect with knitters like myself in such a way and get you really excited about the project if aiming to start it.

All the skills and techniques needed to complete any project in this book is included! The full color illustrations and explanations I found to be extremely easy to follow. I really appreciate I don’t need to look elsewhere. This book truly does cover it all. There are cast ons, cast offs, notes on yarn & gauge, tips & tricks, and other resources.

There are 23 patterns total. All patterns are fashion accessories meaning there’s no blankets, pillows, or whatever else. Instead you’ll find are lace shawls, knitted bracelets, all sorts of hat styles, mitts, cowl, shawlettes, boot toppers, scarves, and a few other things. If you are aiming to start knitting with beads there are many patterns and excellent explanations for just that. All but one of the patterns is meant for ladies. That’s right there’s a hat just for guys thrown in there so we can justify our knitting obsession and a need for more yarn by knitting that special guy in our life something.

I opted to knit myself a pair of boot toppers from the pattern in this book and I was extremely happy with the results! I adjusted the pattern a bit to suit my boots and measurements with ease. Results equal extremely satisfied. These boot toppers knit up fast and used a minimal amount of yarn.

I totally learned something new as in wrapping stitches and cross-overs and didn’t feel intimidated in the least bit. That’s right, no frustration, no throwing the pattern book against the wall, and certainly not the fainest notion to knit the same old thing!

There are many projects that only requires a skein or two of yarn meaning you won’t break the bank. Chances are you’ve already got a skein or two laying around just waiting for a special project too. I’m quite eager to start knitting up a few more of these patterns soon.

Overall, I found the patterns in this book to be quite functional as well as fashionable. There’s a lot of patterns out there but I usually opt to spend time working on those that I can incorporate into my wardrobe on a daily basis with a few extras for special occasions. With most books I only have a few favorite patterns but with this book I love them all!

I highly recommend Knockout Knits to any and every knitter. It was like learning new skills from a dear friend and this new friend takes knits to a new level by adding pizzazz and a little sparkle. I honestly am all for sparkles.

All the patterns in the book are on Ravelry for you to favorite, add to library, and queue up.

Interested in Purchasing?

Knockout Knits: New Tricks for Scarves, Hats, Jewelry, and Other Accessories can be purchased in e-book or paperback copy from $11.99-$15.00. An excellent pattern book choice for knitters during the Holiday season!

Disclosure: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. The opinions are my own or my immediate family members, based on our personal experience of the title.

Basic Knitting and Crocheting for Today’s Woman: 14 Projects to Soothe the Mind & Body {Review}

Posted on October 8, 2014December 10, 2020 by Erin

Basic Knitting and Crocheting for Today’s Woman is book that can help take your mind off the stresses of life. This book was designed with personal peace and relaxation of not just the mind but of the body and soul as well. It’s based around the art of yoga and each of the designs and colors chosen for the projects represent a specific interpretation of colors. For example, green represents soothing, amber represents warmth, blue represents relaxation, and so forth. If you aren’t so much into yoga, I for one believe you can still enjoy the projects found within.

As you go through the book you’ll find acknowledgments, an introduction, a standard abbreviation key, and 14 knit and crochet patterns. I can do both fiber related crafts so I found this book a nice asset to add to my collection. There is no how to knit or how to crochet basics in this pattern book. Most of the patterns are quite easy to follow and feature basics skills that any intermediate to advanced beginner would know how to do. I don’t believe any one would get frustrated or find the patterns to hard to follow. I like that though simple in design there’s a few steps here and there that add a nice design element to many of the items.

The patterns that can be found in this book are a Soothing Knitted Yoga Wrap, Meditative Yoga Mat, Healing Crocheted Yoga Wrap, Happiness Bolster Pillow, Om Crocheted Table Runner, Lotus Blossom Throw with Matching Pillow, Warm Infinity Scarf & Matching Wrist Warmers, Om Scarf, Sophisticated Reversible Scallop Lace Scarf, Swirls of Energy Cowl, Abalone Shell Infinity Scarf, Baby Lotus Wrap, Louts Baby Blankie, and Aura Color Cover Up. These practical patterns can be made as is or you can add you own personal touch. The yarn used in all the patterns is Plymouth yarn. It’s a yarn I’ve never used but looks very nice in all the full color photos. I’m going to have to nab a few skeins.

I knit up the Warm Infinity Scarf pattern quite quickly over the span of a couple of days and am currently working on the matching wrist warmers. The scarf pattern went quickly and was quite enjoyable to work on. At first the pattern took a little bit to get used to but as I went on I sped up in my knitting. I think it really helps that in this book each thing to do is broken down step by step. Working patterns such as these will give you rest from your day to day but improve your knitting or crocheting skills as well! I know a few gals that would probably love if this set was gifted to them for a birthday of Christmas gift too.

If you are into yoga or know someone that is, this would be a good book to work up a few or all of the patterns to give as gifts or to expand your own or their skills as a knitter or crocheter. The patterns are practical, easy to read, and quite appealing.

“Basic Knitting and Crocheting for Today’s Woman” by Anita Closic is published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and the publisher’s retail price is $16.99. You can order directly from the publisher at 610-593-1777 or email info@schifferbooks.com. You can reach the author at the website for her yarn shop, www.agardenofyarn.com. Both the publisher and the yarn shop are in Pennsylvania.

Interested in Purchasing? Basic Knitting and Crocheting for Today’s Woman: 14 Projects to Soothe the Mind & Body can be purchased on Amazon.com for $13.99 as of this posting!

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample of the product for review purposes. The opinions are my own or my immediate family members, based on our personal experience with the product.

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