Fiber Crafts

Boeger (founder, Pluckyfluff.com), who creates and sells handspun luxury yarns as pop-culture objects, introduced readers to her quirky style of handspinning in her 2005 book, Handspun Revolution. In this richly illustrated coffee-table follow-up, she expands on her earlier ideas, also including 30 different techniques for spinning novelty yarns. These techniques range from the familiar (spinning thick 'n' thin yarn) to the bizarre (making yarn from shredded paper) and are accompanied by projects utilizing the yarns, a journal illustrating Boeger's creative process, and profiles of other yarn artisans. Experienced handspinners with a creative bent will find a wealth of ideas and inspiration in this book that blurs the line between craft and art. Recommended for academic textile collections and large public libraries.

Textiles appraiser Brick (Hanky-Panky Crazy Quilts) here presents a well-documented and generously illustrated history of a "crazy" form of quilting that was wildly popular in the 1880s and is today enjoying a resurgence of interest among quiltmakers. Crazy quilting combines irregular patchwork with exotic fabrics, embroidery stitches, and embellishments to create often idiosyncratic folk art quilts. Color photographs, vintage drawings, postcards, and advertisements bring the colorful world of the crazy quilt into focus while a practical "how-to" section teaches the prospective crazy quilter three different methods for constructing crazies. A fine, solid choice for public and academic library quilting collections.

Another stellar addition to the "Vogue® Knitting on the Go!" series, this collection of knitting patterns features knitted cables, those twisty, ropelike constructions that add texture and interest to knits. In it, series editor Malcolm collects 21 designs, including a richly cabled hood with scarf attached, self-striping mittens, a buttoned neck warmer, hats, wristlets, and a headband. Patterns lean toward the classic and will appeal mostly to intermediate or experienced knitters. Recommended for public libraries, especially those in colder climes, where cabled knits are most popular.

Callañaupa Alvarez is the founder of the Center for Traditional Textiles, a combination school, gallery, and museum in Cusco, Peru (also the beneficiary of all sales of this book). Here, she writes from the unique perspective of a textile expert who has retained the traditions and knowledge of her native country's art. Strikingly beautiful photos of traditional costumes combine with personal information on Andean weavers and the tradition that produced them. The armchair traveler, who might never otherwise visit Peru's remote weaving centers, will be amazed at the variety of designs that makes it possible for a knowledgeable observer to identify peoples' native villages by the style of their woven and knitted attire. An excellent choice for ethnic textile collections in academic and large public libraries.

Handspinning is the next logical step for weavers, knitters, or crocheters looking to expand the creative possibilities of their craft. Casey, who has 35 years of spinning experience and holds a Handweavers Guild of America Certificate of Excellence in Handspinning, here writes for the beginning handspinner, though she also includes many techniques that will interest the experienced spinner (e.g., how to make a nonslip leader, that is, the yarn used to begin the spinning process; and how to ply from a spindle using the "flowerpot plying" technique). Her clear explanations of the differences among various fiber types and the close-up photos elucidating processes like predrafting and using a niddy-noddy further enhance this excellent introduction to the craft, which is highly recommended for public libraries.

Weaving teacher and writer Dixon's practical guide to more than 600 different weaving patterns for four-shaft looms divides weaves into basic groups by structure (e.g., basic threadings, block drafts). Each weave is accompanied by warp threading and weaving drafts (the latter, explained in a handy extended flap), a tie-up grid, close-up photos of the weave, and color photos of the actual woven fabric. Beginning weavers will appreciate the sections on weaving basics and finishing techniques as well as the glossary of common weaving terms. Highly recommended for public libraries and textile collections in academic institutions; combine with a good general weaving book like Deborah Chandler's Learning To Weave, and you have a complete basic weaving collection. If you can buy only one book on handweaving this year, this is the one.

Knitting is cool. Crocheting is hot. But what about cross-stitching? Not so much—until now. In this cross-stitch primer, Holland-Daly, owner of the cross-stitch kit design company Monsterbubbles, takes the aspiring stitcher from learning the craft to experimenting with projects like a cross-stitched fly swatter and a framed hanging with a twist, reinvigorating a craft that, while fun for beginners, can over time get tiresome. Readers will learn how to cross-stitch on unusual materials like screens, make cross-stitch necklaces or patches for jeans, employ unusual threads and colors and found materials, stitch quotations and abstract concepts, and more. Highly recommended for public libraries.

Working a sampler is a time-tested way to master a craft. Here, Australian crochet instructor Kirkpatrick guides readers through the construction of five sampler afghans and the execution of five different crocheting techniques: traditional, motif, tapestry (Jacquard), afghan, and "on the double" (Crochenit). Instructions include photos, step-by-step directions appearing in written and symbol form, and line drawings of unusual stitches. Because U.S. crocheters may have some difficulty with the book's Australian terms (e.g., Tunisian instead of afghan crochet) and yarn specifications (e.g., eight-ply wool instead of double-knitting yarn), this book is not recommended for the beginning crocheter, but it definitely would be of interest to the intermediate crocheter looking for skill-building projects. Highly recommended for crochet collections in large public libraries.

This unprecedented book contains scholarly mathematical papers in tandem with fiber arts projects illustrating math concepts. Crafts represented include knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, embroidery, and sewing; the topics covered range from the mathematics of knitted cables to the graph theory of blackwork embroidery. Each paper features an overview of the craft, the mathematics entailed, ideas for teaching related mathematical concepts, and project directions. Although the instructions do not require an understanding of the mathematics involved, this book will only fully reveal its magic to those fiber artisans with a background in the subject. Of special interest to educators and needleworkers with a mathematical bent; recommended for academic and large public libraries.

Suddenly the lowly apron has morphed from a dowdy Fifties housewife's uniform into a hip fashion statement for the DIY generation. Aprons make ideal sewing projects for beginners because fit is not so great an issue and eye-catching print fabrics and embellishments do virtually all the work in making an apron a one-of-a-kind protective garment for crafters, gardeners, artists, and cooks. Mornu's (Cutting-Edge Decoupage) collection of 25 patterns for a variety of unique aprons (e.g., a practical artist's smock with deep pockets and a crisscross back; a frilly "Marie Antoinette" silk taffeta apron) includes clear step-by-step directions amply illustrated with color photos. A good choice for public library sewing collections.

When knitting for larger figures, it is folly to go by the label sizes found on ready-to-wear knitted garments. Well aware of this, Moreno and Singer have wisely based the patterns in their second knitted pattern compendium (after Big Girl Knits) on actual measurements. The 25 featured designs—e.g., cardigans, shawls, and bags—are, if anything, more attractive than those in the earlier book and focus on accenting rather than hiding women's curves. Each pattern is coupled with multiple color-photo shots, schematics, and step-by-step instructions; all patterns are graded for level of difficulty, with most falling into the "intermediate knitting skills" category. The section of detailed information on styles, yarns, and knitting techniques that flatter the larger-sized woman is especially useful. Public libraries will find this a no-brainer acquisition, especially if the first volume was popular with patrons.

Socks have traditionally been hand-knitted one at a time and with multiple needles, a method that can be frustrating and may even lead to "second-sock syndrome," a disinclination to knit a second sock once the novelty of completing the first one wears off. In recent years, however, several popular two-at-a-time techniques have emerged, and knitwear designer Morgan-Oakes here teaches one of them (requiring a 40" circular needle). Supplementing the teaching section are 17 patterns for socks in different yarn weights for men, women, and children. Readers going step by step through her sample socks for children should be able to adapt other sock patterns using this technique. Experienced sock knitters will lament the lack of designs for short-row heels and toe-up knitting, but most public libraries where there is interest in sock knitting will want to purchase.

Every once in a while you come upon a self-published book so fascinating you wonder why it wasn't picked up by a major craft-book publisher. This work on Selbu mittens, characterized by black patterning on a white background and part of a 150-year-old Norwegian knitting tradition, falls into that category. Shea researched much of this book while interning at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle. She recounts the history of Selbu knitting, then devotes the balance of the book to 31 patterns she reproduced from actual antique mittens and gloves held by the museum and part of a private collection. Knitters will appreciate the large, functional charts and clear photos of each design as well as the detailed instructions for completing each mitten or glove. Warmly recommended for large public libraries and ethnic textile collections.

Traditional felt making requires considerable equipment and work space as well as a hefty time commitment. But what if you're on a budget, short on time, and want to make things out of felt without having to make the felt yourself? Grab some old wool sweaters, says author White, felt them quickly in your washing machine, and—voilà—you have felt that can be crafted into anything from pincushions to the cupcakes on the book's cover. White, who has worked for many years in the children's apparel industry, designed these 30-odd projects made from repurposed sweaters. Each includes step-by-step photo instructions, and most require a minimum of materials plus beginning to intermediate sewing skills. Generally recommended for public libraries.

If any book deserves to be called "The Felt Maker's Bible," this is it. White, founder of Magpie Designs Felting Studio (www.magpiefelt.com), pours a rich draught of felt-making information into this manual, covering basic felt-making techniques as well as needle, nuno, cobweb, 3-D, and carved techniques and featuring 46 projects. But what makes this a title of lasting value for libraries is the depth of solid information it offers on the craft and its history, on various artists, and on related topics like setting up a felt-making studio, teaching felt making, and leading community felt-making projects. Highly recommended for large public and academic libraries.