'Sock and Glove' presents thirteen delightful softy projects that are quick to make - and certain to amuse and delight. Full of individuality and mischief, these stuffed creations are all pieced together from ordinary socks, gloves and mittens. Step-by-step illustrations and instructions make it easy to craft and dress a whole menagerie, including monkeys, elephants, piglets, bunnies, and even an insouciant fish.Endearing to adults and children alike, these whimsical creatures make perfect gifts and inspiring companions.
“A book about wool and sheep, the making of Scotland, England and farming, textile manufacture, folklore and, crucially, the essential craft of knitting.” —Janice Galloway, author of Jellyfish Over the course of a year, Esther Rutter—who grew up on a sheep farm in Suffolk, and learned to spin, weave and knit as a child—travels the length of the British Isles, to tell the story of wool’s long history here. She unearths fascinating histories of communities whose lives were shaped by wool, from the mill workers of the Border countries, to the English market towns built on profits of the wool trade, and the Highland communities cleared for sheep farming; and finds tradition and innovation intermingling in today’s knitwear industries. Along the way, she explores wool’s rich culture by knitting and crafting culturally significant garments from our history—among them gloves, a scarf, a baby blanket, socks and a fisherman’s jumper—reminding us of the value of craft and our intimate relationship with wool. This Golden Fleece is at once a meditation on the craft and history of knitting, and a fascinating exploration of wool’s influence on our landscape, history and culture. “Wondrous.” —BBC Countryfile “A yarn well told.” —The Irish Times “A compelling literary journey through the social history of wool in the British Isles.” —Karen Lloyd, author of The Gathering Tide “[Rutter’s] stops on her journey around Britain also knit together the past and the present, the social, historical and the personal, in an altogether engaging way.” —Books from Scotland
1,500 Great Gift Ideas, Lorraine Bodger's fifth list book, is packed with terrific gift suggestions from the logical to the whimsical, from the practical to the downright extravagant. It's organized for maximum efficiency and fun and divided into sensible categories like Old-Fashioned Gifts, Seasonal Gifts, Gifts for Looking and Feeling Attractive, Technogifts, Outdoorsy Gifts, Travel Gifts, Stash-and-Store Last-Minute Gifts, and many, many more. It's also loaded with extra sidebar features such as tips on wrapping, the art of the gift certificate, great gift-buying strategies, and getting the most from catalog shopping. With this handy guide, you'll never again be stumped at birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or other occasions. Instead, you'll be hearing the words every gift giver wants to hear: "I love this! It's perfect!"
An engaging, tender, love story, with believable characters involved in light-hearted humor, realistic life situations, including physical and mental challenges but with joy to savor.
With First World War casualties mounting, there was an appeal for volunteers to train as front-line medical staff. Many women heeded the call: some responding to a vocational or religious calling, others following a sweetheart to the front, and some carried away on the jingoistic patriotism that gripped the nation in 1914. Despite their training, these young women were ill-prepared for the anguished cries of the wounded and the stench of gangrene and trench foot awaiting them at the Somme. Isolated from friends and family, most discovered an inner strength, forging new and close relationships with each other and establishing a camaraderie that was to last through the war and beyond. Based on the previously unpublished true stories of its nurses and medical staff, this book is a heart-warming account of the joys and sorrows of life in an extraordinary Somme field hospital.
Sock yarn isn’t just for socks anymore! Veteran knitter Judith Durant presents 101 original projects that can be created from just a single skein of sock yarn, including adorable baby clothes, warm hats, beautiful scarves, and even a dog sweater. A quick and creative way to use up leftovers, many of these projects knit up in less than three hours. Adapted from designs contributed by yarn shops and crafters from throughout North America, knitters of all types will delight in these fun and stylish creations.
The author of Knitting in America offers more than 50 winter knitting projects—from classic holiday decorations to stylishly original gifts. For many people, the best part of the winter holidays is the anticipation: planning the perfect gifts, decorating the house, looking forward to seeing family and friends. Holidays can be particularly special for knitters, whose preparations often start months in advance and involve their own creations. In Handknit Holidays best-selling knitting author Melanie Falick presents an eclectic collection of more than 50 original gifts, decorations, and clothing pieces for Christmas, Hanukkah, and the winter solstice, providing year-round inspiration for knitters of all levels. Created by top knitwear designers, the projects include colorful ornaments; funky and classic Christmas stockings; a wire-and-bead menorah; sparkly ribbon scarves; a poncho and matching dog sweater; and a range of super-quick projects for that last-minute holiday rush, from a Santa hat, to elf caps, to flower pins. Rounding out the volume are a few grand projects—an Aran tree skirt, a patchwork afghan, a lace shawl—destined to become family heirlooms, plus features on such topics as the origin of the Christmas stocking, the meaning of the winter solstice, knitting for charities, strategies for finishing holiday knitting (on schedule!), and even a delicious recipe for festive crescent cookies. Beautifully photographed by Susan Pittard, Handknit Holidays is a creative celebration of the holiday season and a treasure for all knitters who seek to bring more of their own handwork—and artistry—into their daily lives and their holiday festivities.
