Crafts Recent Picks

March 2007

The underlined title links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

Getting started in punch needle edited by Becky Johnston.
"Punch needle embroidery, also called Russian punch needle embroidery or igolochkoy, employs a hollow needle to punch thread through a taut fabric, creating a short pile surface resembling that of a miniature hooked rug. Gail Bird's 1979 Russian Punchneedle Embroidery first brought this technique to the attention of American needleworkers, and her book is still in print today. This new book combines solid instruction in the technique with a series of practice blocks based on the Horse and Birds Album Quilt from the collection of the Shelburne Museum. Recommended generally for large public libraries." (Amazon)

Knitted toys by Zoe Mellor.
"This book covers everything from a cute chick and a stripy snake to colourful mice and a patchwork tortoise - 25 unique designs for adorable toys for newborns to teens. It includes a great range of 25 toys from a fairy doll to a shiny robot, with ideas for adding fabric and felt accents to produce truly unique creations. Projects are graded for complexity to cater for every level of knitter with step-by-step instructions on knitting and finishing techniques." (Amazon)

Mariner's medallion quilts by M'Liss Rae Hawley.
"Love mariner's compasses, but think they look complicated? They're not--not with this super-easy, no-math method from M'liss Rae Hawley. Start with no-fail, step-by-step instructions for a compass, then choose from four exciting projects. Complete photos, cutting instructions, and assembly diagrams, plus finishing and embellishing techniques and a big idea gallery help Mariner's Medallion Quilts steer quilters on a steady course." (Amazon)

Mimi Dietrich's Baltimore basics : album quilts from start to finish.
"Take a start-to-finish course on Baltimore Album quilts from a famed applique expert! Bestselling author Mimi Dietrich shares all of her best tricks - which she perfected while teaching hundreds of students - for creating these beloved quilts. You can get a complete primer for every stage of the process, from selecting fabrics and appliqueing blocks to choosing the best quilting designs; follow 12 step-by-step lessons for appliqueing baskets, wreaths, leaves, berries, and more; and, includes a dozen blocks plus ideas for a variety of setting options." (Amazon)

The yarn girls' guide to beyond basic knits by Julie Carles and Jordana Jacobs.
"The Yarn Girls are back with a follow-up third book packed with brand-new patterns that will wow experienced knitters while bringing new knitters to the next level." (Annotation)

No pattern knits by Pat Ashforth and Steve Plummer.
"Put the fun back in knitting and create beautiful and original clothing and accessories from simple geometric shapes. Forget about complicated increases and decreases or poring over a difficult pattern book. Learn just a few basic stitches and discover how you can effortlessly create sweaters, bags, hats, cushions, and scarves." (Book jacket)

Home screen printing workshop by Paul Thimou.

New encyclopedia of paper-folding designs

Appliqué lace patterns by Linda Pool.

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