5 comments about Ocean Breezes: Knitted Scarves Inspired by the Sea.

1. if you want to do something different in a scarf, this book has it. Great book! Can't wait to start knitting one of the scarves



2. This is one of my favorite books for scarves. I turn to it all the time. It has all kinds of yarns and sizes ...best ever.



3. I bought this based on reviews here and was not disappointed. This is an excellent way to learn lace knitting without committing to a sweater. The pictures are gorgeous and really show how the pattern should look and the directions are quite clear. It's easy to substitute less expensive yarns for the luxury ones she suggests and, of course, with scarves, gauge is not as critical as it would be with a fitted garment. Very helpful, portable little book and I'm having great fun learning the patterns. Highly recommend.



4. I now know why I prefer crochet over knitting. I LOVE the look of knitted scarves but I don't have the ability to decipher the instructions of a knitted pattern. I can read the abbreviations and glossary section or the definition of the stitch pattern in the pattern itself. The combination of stitches is just a bit much for my mind to get around. And working from a chart has never been something I have been able to do, even in a crochet pattern.
   
   The front and back covers have a "built-in" bookmark for making the pattern you are working. With 25 beautiful patterns, there will be one for every person for which you need to create a scarf. There are brightly colored photos of the item and even a close-up or two so you can see the details. The instructions are clearly written if you read "knit"! The beginning of the book even has a chart that provides information about yarn weights and the recommended needles to use with each type of yarn.
   
   As an accomplished knitter, this would be a wonderful book for you to create lovely scarves as presents.



5. I just finished making my first scarf from this book. I made the sea scallop pattern, and the directions were very easy to follow. I consider myself an intermediate knitter, and I had no trouble following along. Much easier to understand than other books I have encountered. And the results were beautiful! I look forward to making more scarves from this book.

5 comments about Sensational Knitted Socks.

1. A very helpful book, particularly if you are a beginner like myself. My friends say it is very helpful to them also and they are not beginners! It is quite handy to carry around and use for reference. It would be even handier if these types of books were bound differently. Several of us took ours to a copy shop and had a ring binding put on. That way you can lay it flat while knitting and not lose your place. When I asked my more experienced knitty friends which book would be the most helpful for a beginner sock knitter, ALL of them recommended this book first.



2. Marvelous motivation! But I'd have to live two life times to try knitting all the patterns! Thanks, anyway!



3. I'm a new knitter, who has only been knitting for about four months, and also new to socks. I was given this book as a gift, and absolutely love it. Using the two circular needle method, I had no trouble at all creating the class sock, and am looking forward to trying other patterns in the book as well.
   
   Ms Schurch does a very good job of illustrating the basics of sock knitting, as well as challenging knitters to stretch their abilities a little at a time. Her patterns, all of which have instructions for three different methods (four DPNs, five DPNs or two circs) graduate from simple to complex, giving readers something challenging for all knitting levels. Her opening segments, which describe sock yarns, give all the basics of sock knitting, help one translate patterns, and include a great and simple sample sock to try, give even beginning knitters a place to start and a good feel for all of the patterns in the book.
   
   I did get turned around a little bit when first trying the sock on two circular needles, but re-examining the instructions quickly set me straight.
   
   I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone learning to knit socks, as well as experienced sock knitters who want to expand their horizons or try new methods.



4. This is a very nice book! Charlene Schurch outdid herself with this book :) This book along with her other book More Sensational Knitted Socks are the only 2 sock books you will ever need. The directions and patterns are top notch. This book is a must have for every sock knitter :)



5. I searched many titles and I am sorry that I ended up purchasing this one. I had to abandon my project as the explanations were just hopeless. If you know how to knit socks already, this book has a lot of beautiful patterns. But if you don't, unless you are way smarter than I am, you won't be able to learn from this. She just assumes that you understand things that a beginner just has no way to know.
   
   I unraveled the project I started based on this book, and I found a wonderful website with a free beginner pattern and detailed photographs that worked perfectly for me. So I wasted my $$ on this book.
   
   I am an intermediate knitter who just completed her first pair of socks, and while they turned out beautifully, that was no thanks to this book.

3 comments about Simply Needlefelt: 20 Easy and Elegant Designs.

1. Jayne Emerson, author of Simply Felt was trained at Loughborough College of Art before completing her Masters at Central St Martins in 1997. Since then her work has taken a wide-ranging path that has allowed her to express her creativity from craft through to couture. Her work encompasses embroidery, patchwork, fabric manipulation and needle felting and has sold to clients ranging from Chanel to Topshop. She is the author of five books Simply Felt (with Margaret Docherty), The Impatient Patchworker, The Impatient Embroiderer, New from Old and the forthcoming Simply Needlefelt
   What I enjoyed about this book is the way Jayne has taken needle felting and fabric manipulation to a new level. She takes ordinary uninteresting objects and turns them into works of art by using needle felting and fiber to create stunning wearable's and household items. From her short biography above, you can see her experience with couture design and her imaginative creativity offers us amazing new ideas. As pictured above, the book and some of the projects in the book that I thought you would find interesting. If you want to take your felting skills to a new level I suggest you purchase this book "simply needle felt"!
   Jane has included 20 easy-to-follow and fun to do projects for us to follow in this uniquely understandable book. She has taken silks and then felted into the silks creating gorgeous items to wear or to use in your home. Some of her projects are fabric jewelry, flowers, coasters, scarves, cushion covers, blankets, book covers and many other projects that will encourage you to create new and fascinating fiber art. She offers instruction on the use of felting machines or how to accomplish the same look by hand. Jayne has beautiful photography and templates to please everyone who uses her techniques. This book is good for the needle felter, fabric artist art quilter or mixed-media artist. Felters will delight in all the newfound techniques that Jayne brings to us. She does three-dimensional effects, appliqué, leaving am breaking and things she would never think can be done with fabric and needle felting.



2. I was a little disappointed with this book. The directions and projects are good but if you already own other books on the subject I'd try to check it out first before you buy it.



3. This book contained all the information I wanted to get started on felting. The language was very understandable, and the projects were great.

5 comments about Hemp Masters - Getting Knotty: Ancient Hippie Secrets for Knotting Hip Hemp Jewelry.

1. This book was very useful. It took me from knowing nothing about hemp knotting, and taught me how to create necklaces, anklets, and more! This book also explains how to add colored hemp to the creations you are making. The directions for the projects are all spelled out with pictures to help you along. I heartily recommend this book to beginners!



2. This book is great for jewelery makers who already have an idea of what they're doing.
   It comes with great pictures and semi easy instructions. But it would definitely be hard to understand if you've never made hemp jewelry before.
   But other than that its a great book, for a good price :).
   
   Hope this helps!
   
   
   Sarah



3. I make hemp jewelry and sell my pieces at arts 'n craft shows about 4 times a year. This is one of the first books I purchased for ideas and inspiration. It has a lot of different projects and a fun read. Whenever I have a customer that shows an interest in learning more about hemp jewelry making I recommend this book!



4. So I'm an absolute beginner to making hemp jewelry and purchased this book, as it was a top recommendation at several different sites. Overall, it's been very helpful in understanding the basics. However, it lacks a little in explanation. Several kinds of knots are explored in this book, but they are hard to follow as there isn't much for step-by-step instructions/diagrams on how to perform them. A lot more space seems to be spent on projects, which are nice, but leaves me a little confused as I'm lost fumbling around with how to make the knots correctly.
   
   Overall, a good buy, but definitely caters to those who have some experience already. Regardless, I would still recommend it, as it has a lot of great ideas that are a little out of the norm (i.e, several variations on how to begin/finish a piece, etc.).



5. I bought this book for my 14 year-old daughter so she could learn to make hemp jewelry for a trip to Costa Rica-the instructions were easy to follow and she made several pieces the first day she had the book. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning this craft. She left it with the family she stayed with so I will be getting another copy to replace it!

5 comments about Make Your Own Clothes: 20 Custom Fit Patterns to Sew.

1. I have been sewing for over fifty years and the idea of using software and creating your own custom pattern got me all jazzed up. So I bought this book and software and have to say I was a little more than disappointed. I had someone else do my measurements so I knew they were accurate. But the pattern that printed off for the simple slacks was the size of clown pants. It was a waste of my time, effort and fabric. Also the book instructions on how to use the software is very poor and almost non existent. Much more effort should have been placed on describing the tasks needed to successfully size and print your pattern off, as well as save and modify it. I am sorry I could not recommend this product.



2. when i looked at the "look in side" preview i was sold but when i got it i was very disappointed alot tof the pictures are misleading like the 2nd picture the one with the realy cute short sleve top and kaki pants, you would think they would have the pattern for the shirt sence it was so prodminate in the picture but it's not the pattern is of the pants :( i gave this tree stars only because i do like some of the patterns but wish it incuded more patterns of all the clothes depicted in the pictures.



3. My title says it all. Great for the directions but I wouldn't wear any of the clothes in this book. I was really disappointed. Maybe she could rewrite it using her sewing knowledge but let someone more in touch with fashion pick what she makes.



4. Crappy CD with bad interface. The talking help was impossible to understand, distorted, cut out a lot, which was too bad since the product is not intuitive. The pattern pieces in the layout were all on top of each other and I couldn't move them. I updated the software, reinstalled software and still it was a no go. Returned product.



5. This book has many patterns and helpful information. The instructions are well explained and it was very exciting to see that I could use the CD to make patterns that would custom fit the cloths that I wanted to make. The only thing that I did not like was that there was a "password" on the CD that you had to enter before you could use it. It took me a long time to find out what it wanted and finally after a few weeks I located the password inside the book. I have not made anything yet (due to lack of time) but I am hopeful that it will turn out.

5 comments about The Artful Ribbon: Beauties in Bloom.

1. Fast informative and to the point. A travel thru time with comprehensive and flawless instruction. THE RIBBON WORK BIBLE should be its name. Candace Kling does a masterful job of walking you thru the work of beautiful ribbon work. If you get no other book buy this one its 5* plus. I was totally enthralled by this book. I am experienced in ribbon work and it enhanced my knowledge. Having learned the art as an 11 year old it brought back great memories of me and My Grandmother making flowers of a bygone era.



2. I have not found too many things I could duplicate in this book. This kind of ribbon art is a little more complicated than I expected.
   It's still a nice book. A person more experienced with working ribbon would probably enjoy it more than I.



3. I hsve not tried any of the projects yet but the directions are incredibly clear and the book is also beautifully illustrated. This is new to me but with the great instruction and stunning pictures, can't wait to begin creating these blooms.



4. Great book that I would recommend to anyone wanting ideas to make flowers out of ribbon.



5. This is the first time I've tried ribbon work and had no difficulty following the directions. It was so easy to understand what to do, and how to do the flowers. Mine all came out lovely at the end!
   
   The illustrations are beautiful and inspiring and there are no set projects and directions as to which color/size of ribbon to use and how to put your finished flowers together, it will really work your imagination and creativity - I really like that aspect of the book! I also like her Ribbon Width formula (RW) better then if I was given a specific width of ribbon, because I can use any ribbon from my stash to make flowers out of.
   
   There's nothing to stand in the way of your imagination here, yet you'll get enough guidence as a beginner to know what to do, what supplies to buy and what they look like! The only thing I had to research on the internet is the type of ribbons and where to buy them from (she has a list of suppliers at the back of the book but they are all mailing addresses, no websites because the book came out in 1996). It took only a short time to find suppliers on the net who sell a variety of good quality ribbons like Soft Edge: silk, velvet, pleated and hand dyed ribbons and Wire Edge: rayons in variegated, ombre, organdy. But this was only a small inconvenience.
   I was sorry to see this book is out of print - buy a used copy like I did, you won't regret it!

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

1. This was a very useful book for me as a newer spinner. I love learning about all the different fibers, and this book had a great section on that. I would highly recommend it. Sheila



2. I am a new spinner and use a wheel. I found this Spin Control an interesting and informative book. I think it would be useful to any new spinner.



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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.

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

1. I'm a fairly new knitter and really liked this book. The projects are very do-able, don't take forever and results are nice. What I like most:
   1) there are a couple of versions of each pattern in different yarns
   2) the book has little "lessons" to reveal some of the mysteries of knitting
   3) supply lists include the number-skein system for weight/type of yarn for easy substitution
   4) the book has clear instructions that enabled me to FINALLY master the seed stitch!!
   
   I know my list seems simple to some, but those things are really important to me as a new knitter. It's nice to have a book other than Teach Yourself Visually to turn to for an actual project for success - and good seed stitch instructions.



2. If you have progressed from making the standard scarf, this book is for you. Shows you how to incorporate different yarns and colors. I highly recommend it.



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



4. 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.



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

5 comments about An Encyclopedia of Crazy Quilt Stitches and Motifs (4178).

1. Thanks to the positive reviews seen here, I ordered this book and have been very pleased with it. I do have a couple of other books showing crazy quilt stitches, but this one is by far the easiest to understand. The most helpful feature of this book is that it has very simple diagrams that are somewhat like dance step diagrams: showing the stitch numbered with 1-2-3 etc. and saying "come up at 1, go down at 2, come up at 3." As a result I was able to master several stitches that I had not been able to learn from other books. This may seem silly, but I have always had trouble with French knots--probably the most basic stitch there is. I learned from this book that my problem was that I was not holding the tension properly. That right there was worth the price of the book to me. My French knots look great now!
   
   Additionally, there is a small section on ribbon embroidery which covers several of the basic ribbon embroidery stitches in the same manner, which enabled me to embroider a basket of flowers very similar to the one in the lower left corner of the cover. Having previously managed a total of two uneven ribbon roses using another book on ribbon embroidery, I was extremely pleased with my results!
   
   Perhaps the second most helpful feature of this book is the demonstration of combining stitches. Illustrations and the photos offer a great many examples of how to combine two or three of the basic stitches to make completely different effects. I've used these examples to learn with, and they have helped to inspire me to expand on them with my own ideas.
   
   A truly advanced embroiderer would probably not benefit very much from this book, which I would say is intended for the beginning crazy quilter and beginning-to-intermediate embroiderer. In that regard perhaps the title is a little misleading. If you are really looking for a book that covers virtually every stitch known to man, you want Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches. But you will not find the diagrams in that book as easy to understand as the ones in this book. So if you want to learn basic embroidery stitches and how to combine them easily to great effect, this book is an excellent choice.



2. Everyone needs this book, it goes along with any quilt book...the instructions are easy to work out..I love it.



3. i bought this book as a gift for a friend. i have one of my own and enjoy it so much i knew she would like it also.



4. This is a wonderful soft covered book full of different kinds of embroidery stitches for those who love to hand sew. I bought the book for my daughter who loves my book and is always borrowing it. However, the book was supposed to be new. It had slightly worn edges and a bit of a tear on the spine. So I was disappointed as it's a birthday gift.



5. This book is great for beginner Crazy Quilters and embroiderers. Easy to follow diagrams and lots of ideas. Inspiring pictures. Good stitch refresher for everyone.

2 comments about Beginner's Guide to Needle Felting.

1. The book provides an insight into needle felting and the "how to's" are very clear and easy to follow.



2. This book is a must have book, "Beginner's Guide to Needle Felting" By: Susanna Wallis, was sent to me by Joan of Search Press and now I will be sending it out to one of you! There are so many fun projects (some are shown on the cover) in the use of needle felting. Although it states these projects are for beginners, I learned several new techniques with their easy to follow pictorial instructions. It is an excellent introduction to needle felting, in particularly if you are interested in dimensional technique to make objects. The materials you require are very minimal. You will need felting needles, Roving wool and foam. This book has great step-by-step instructions on needle felting. It explains all the materials that are required and takes you through all of the basic techniques.
   
   Learn to use raw wool to make felt balls, carding your wool to blend colors and using pipe cleaners to form an armature to shape to work. The illustrations in this book are stunning and the projects are fun and useful. Make and give unique gifts that show your creativity.