5 comments about Spin Control: Techniques for Spinning the Yarns You Want.

1. I was really looking forward to this book. I'm would have bought it sight unseen because of the publisher's pre-release hype, but I'm glad I didn't and first ordered it from my library.
   
   Let me be clear: This is a beautiful book. There is much material here for a new spinner, and I would certainly recommend it to any newbie. Great information about the properties of different fibers, and excellent instructions on basic spinning techniques, all presented very nicely. But for those who have been spinning for a long time, it only skims the surface of "techniques for spinning the yarns you want." That surface is fine, but there's nothing new here for those of us who've been spinning for years. I was just under the impression that there was a finally a new truly advanced book out (and I just love new books!).
   
   I'm glad I had the book for a few hours, but that's about it. So, 3 stars for me. For a beginner, maybe I'd even give it 5 stars.



2. I had looked forward with anticipation to this book and it was exactly what I thought it would be. The writing style is friendly and encouraging for anyone wanting to try a new technique. There are plenty of spinning techniques to try. Lots of great information about sampling and the part about predrafting is just right. Not drafting before you spin as much as improving the prep for a more enjoyable spinning experience.
   The photographs are lovely and helpful.
   This is a book for beginners to intermediate spinners looking for ways to improve their spinning.
   Beyond the intermediate stage there is lots of good reference material here. This book will be on the shelf next to my favorite spinning books that I go to again and again.



3. Given the positive review by Spin-off magazine, I expected to find information not covered by other sources. Good for beginners but nothing new for more experienced spinners seeking to improve their technique.



4. I'm kinda new at spinning and I also have a lot of questions about how I can improve the way I spin and improve the yarn I make. And this book is a large part of my improvement!



5. Like many spinners, I really looked forward to this book, and so far I have enjoyed the eye-candy, and read the text with interest.
   Fortunately, I'm not a newbie spinner, because some of the basic editing and proof-reading errors can only confuse the inexperienced, who will not recognise the errors as such at all.
   This is embarrassing for the publishing house concerned, as well as the author, and dooms the book to be one of those you read, then return to the local library or put up for resale on ebay.
   This is a pity as its written in a friendly and enjoyable style, and is thorough in setting out basic procedures, something we often forget about. The pictures are great, and I appreciated the section on sitting correctly at the wheel, as well as the illustrated detail on the great debate about woolen and worsted.
   The best feature of the book? The knitted samples from the different drafting and spinning techniques used, particularly as I am not an experienced knitter. This alone would have earned the book 5 stars if it wasn't for the sloppy and rushed editing. Read before you buy!

No comments about Get Spun: The Step-by-Step Guide to Spinning Art Yarns.

5 comments about Creating Your Perfect Quilting Space: Sewing-Room Makeovers for Any Space And Any Budget.

1. I love looking at how people organize their sewing rooms. This was a great resource book for me. It will make you want to reorganize your sewing space too! Lots of pictures and ideas.



2. I was anxious to receive this book because I had read the other reviews, and wanted to see for myself. I agree that the other Sewing Spaces BookDream Sewing Spaces: Design & Organization for Spaces Large & Small that I have is better. I wouldn't really recommend this one Creating Your Perfect Quilting Space: Sewing-Room Makeovers for Any Space And Any Budgetover that. I love books, and Sewing Places and Spaces books are among my favs. I'll keep this one, but if someone wants it I'll definitely give it away.



3. This is a fabulous book! The pictures alone are worth the cost of the book to me. I am going to reorganize my sewing room as soon as our contractor installs an egress window in it. (My sewing room is in our basement.) I can hardly wait to use the suggestions in this book to help me have a neater, more usable and attractive sewing room. I highly recommend this book for anyone who sews.



4. I really enjoyed this book. I got a lot of great ideas and I immediately put some of them into use. I do like that the author gave examples of different quilting room makeovers and added up the cost of each. They ranged from very inexpensive to expensive. By using the worksheets, I was able to pinpoint what I wanted and needed in my own area. I was able to do what I needed for around $200, but I bought new cabinets from Home Depot and put them together myself. If I had been able to find something similar at a yard sale, I am sure it would have been even cheaper. The reason I went to Home Depot is that I already had another piece from there and the cabinets were an exact match which now looks great.
   
   One of the best ideas I got was to make an ironing space higher than my regular ironing board. I got a board cut to my cabinet's top and covered it with padding and fabric. It really looks great and my husband even uses it, too.



5. Enjoyed the book and the pictures, which are worth a thousand words. The prices for doing these rooms, however, can be reduced with some thought and the thrift stores.

5 comments about Scarves and Shawls for Yarn Lovers: Knitting with Simple Patterns and Amazing Yarns.

1. The book is great. The pics are beautiful and instructions are easy to follow!



2. I am a novice knitter (knit, purl, knit, purl). Even I could understand the instructions given in this book. I am on my second scarf and am really enjoying the time spent doing these projects.



3. This is a great book, with interesting pattern and the instructions and information is so easy to follow. Inspiring!!



4. What a great book! This has everything necessary to knit wonderful scarves. The full-color photographs are marvelously clear. The directions are precise. The exact yarns used are listed. It is also spiral bound so it lies flat and stays open just where you want it.
   
   The book starts with simple knit scarves and moves to some more complicated stitches. Every new stitch is fully illustrated with photos in color. And, the explanations are not at the end of the book. They are right after the scarf directions. Just turn the page and see how the new stitch is made.
   
   The yarns are listed by weight, amount necessary, brand, and color. The listed yarns are wonderful but not necessary. You can substitute any yarn you want as long as it is a similar weight. I imagine she listed the exact yarns so that she would not be inundated with emails and phone calls because the yarns are fabulous.
   
   If you want a great book on scarves that are elegant and easy, this is the book for you. If you are a beginner, this is the best book you'll find on the market.



5. I was very disappointed in this book. I've made some of the scarves according to the directions with the recommended yarn, needles, and gauge, and the results have not been as indicated.

3 comments about Interweave Presents Crocheted Gifts: Irresistible Projects to Make & Give.

1. This is a wonderfully laid out Interweave book (as usual). It is a good book for people that do general crochet but I am looking for more avant garde crochet, not like grandma used to make! A good starter's book.



2. Mittens for the family, very pretty open cardi stitch, small shawl in chains. pendant crocheted on plastic ring, hairpin lace bowl in wire, baby hat and booties, willow hat with grannies, washcloths, lace shrug, neckwarmer, socks, flower choker in thread, hexagonal motif bag in hemp, small balls for baby, squared hat, felted, beaded bag, floral coasters, wrap or scarf, drawstring bag, granny square kid's blanket on cover, thread bracelets, lace wristers, robe for new mommy, chain scarf, motif as a rug in bulky yarn. Most of the projects are quick to make and several are quite interesting such as the Willow hat, small shawl, pendant on ring, baby hat, lace shrug, wrap or acarf and cover blanket. But some of the others might be just what I want so this is a useful book to purchase. the patterns are written out and also some are charted and the photos are good too. Book likes flat although spiral binding could have helped.Also some well known new designers here. very nice item.



3. This book has some really lovely crocheted pieces. As a knitter I am not normally that fond of crocheted fabric, but many of the pieces in this book appeal to me. I especially like the Willow hat, Sorbet scarf, and the Trinity shrug. Everything looks easy enough for a beginning to intermediate crocheter. I've read through some of the instructions and they seem very clear. I can't wait to start the Willow hat.

5 comments about Softies Kit: Instructions and Tools for Creating 15 Plush Pals.

1. I bought the family a sewing machine for Christmas, and am looking for books to help interest the kids in sewing. Do the projects in this book require a sewing machine?



2. When i bought the Softies Kit i thought that i would start a new hobbie of making softies. Much to my distaste the book did not easily describe how to make softies, and as an inexperienced beginner i struggled to understand how to begin, and didnt understand the instructions.
   
   The back of the book includes where you can buy materials to make softies.
   These resources are not that great frankly.



3. What a waste of money, I would totally return this if I could. There are some very cute patterns (all on the cover and back).Some of the patterns are so horribly ugly (read junk) that they look like they were created by a small child at summer camp. And all the patterns are on cards which makes it really easy to misplace.Most of all I want to stree these stuffies are REALLY REALLY tiny about 6 inches tall.
   From the cost of this you may think you are getting a "kit" you are not. You will get 2 small HORRIBLE pieces of super cheap felt which are totally see-through, 2 skiens of cross stitching floss, a pom pom lost in the first 5 seconds, a cheap needle and some batting in a plastic bag...some cards and a piece of paper with tiny patterns printed on them, the finished items (which you will need to buy a lot more stuff to complete)are so tiny they are hard to sew. Save your money and buy something else!



4. The front of the box contains a photo of 4 cute stuffed animals and it reads: "Instructions and tools for Creating 15 Plush Pals." This is not true. There are no materials included for creating any of the plush pals shown in the photo. There is a pattern and a needle and that's it.
   
   Turn the box over and on the back it lists "Other projects:" including the Party Cake. It turns out there is only enough material and thread to create the Party Cake. One cake; no cute animals as shown on the front.
   
   Also on the back it reads: "...this kit contains *everything needed* to begin making your own furry friends..." . This is patently not true.
   
   I recently saw this product sitting in its rightful place in the bargain/clearance bin at Joann's. Do not support products like Softies with misleading marketing.



5. Another definite to buy for craft-oriented teens (and moms) for easy instructions and patterns that are separately kept in back pocket to make for easy copy and cutting.

1 comments about A-Z of Silk Ribbon Flowers.

1. The designs are beautiful and the photography is excellent. There are designs for the beginner, intermediate and advance skill levels. Each project is shown in actual size with a few close-up shots.
   
   The instructions are clear and there is plenty of room to express your own creativity and still get beautiful results. My only complaint is that the templates in the book are all half size (or smaller) which mean you have to copy them at 200%. This makes it difficult to trace the designs.
   
   Overall this is an excellent book for technique and inspiration.

5 comments about Feltique: Techniques and Projects for Wet Felting, Needle Felting, Fulling, and Working with Commercial Felt.

1. This book has wonderful color photos on every page with close-ups and good directions about how to complete projects. I haven't tried any yet, but the directions look easy to follow and comprehensive. There are a variety of smaller as well as more ambitious projects. Most of the projects involve creating your own felt through using the hot water technique with wool tops, but there is at least one using pre-made, store bought felt.



2. This book has easy to follow instructions and great inspiration projects. A great book for ideas and possibilities of the felting process.



3. FELTIQUE: TECHNIQUES AND PROJECTS FOR WET FELTING, NEEDLE FELTING, FULLING, AND WORKING WITH COMMERCIAL FELT provides detailed how-to information on creating and using felt from leftover yarn, unwanted knitting projects and commercial squares alike, offering nearly fifty projects ranging from hats and necklaces to blankets and baby clothes. An organization by technique allows beginners access to different felting methods and allows advanced felters to move quickly to intermediate processes. Any crafts or needlework library needs this.



4. This is an excellent book to use to review different felting techniques. The project suggestions are well presented and are good for generating your own ideas.



5. I have a few felting books, and this one is my favorite. What's so wonderful about it is this--several fiber artists contributed to the book so the book doesn't follow one person's style. The projects are varied and interesting and unique to each artist. They're also fun and doable and utilitarian (some). Great book--contemporary and relevant and, again, fun!

5 comments about First Book of Modern Lace Knitting.

1. I asked the lace knitting group I belong to what would be a good book to start with learning lace knitting and many answered,FIRST BOOK OF MODERN LACE KNITTING by Marianne Kinzel.I looked it up on Amazone and found it right away and also found the, SECOND BOOK OF MODERM LACE KNITTING and had to purchase both. Very good books to have if you are just starting out with lace knitting. Iltcrft



2. This book is a "must-have" for anyone looking for lace that is a little more challenging. Many people will have to re-learn some of the knitting terms (pins vs. needles) but it is definitely worth the effort.



3. This book is full of beautiful patterns with the great detailing that make lace knitting so enjoyable. Some of the book is not written out line by line, the patterns are adaptable and flexible. If you are looking for a great resource book with patterns that will get your mind working, this is the book for you. If you're wanting straight patterns to follow then you might want to pass this one up for now. Definitely a great addition to any lace knitters library.



4. Interesting book - focus is on doilies, and tablecloth type stuff. A bit much for a beginner at lace.



5. This is a collection of exquisite knitted lace designs by Marianne Kinzel. The patterns are in very fine thread lace and mostly use knitting needle sizes around 2.00 mm or finer.
   
   The sizes of the pieces range from doilies to tablecloths and bedspreads and every lace knitter should have this book and Book 2 in her collection.

5 comments about Beaded Crazy Quilting.

1. I ordered the book after reviewing it from the library. The paperback book was in perfect condition, never opened even though it was supposed to be used. The book was on sale, which made it even better. I will definitely order other books that are supposed to be used. The book itself is outstanding, and a visual delight. The instructions are very clear and easy to do. *****



2. If you are interested in crazy quilts and beading, this book is a 'must'. Great ideas! After a quick read-through, I had a list of items to buy and add my own touches to designs! You probably will too!



3. I found some parts of this book great and others not so great. However, there was enough good to make it worth the price.



4. I really enjoyed this book. I just sarted a crazy quilt and it was the type of beading I was looking for after a long drab winter



5. I highly recommend this book for anyone, beginner to expert, as a way of embellishing quilt work. The instructions were clearly written and the illustrations complemented the written instructions in addition to being quite attractive. Wonderful book!