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Once again, Nicky Epstein has put together an outstanding collection of knitting patterns that is sure to please everyone from the novice to the experienced knitter. This book contains over sixty unique patterns, each clearly identified as to the skill level required. The instructions are easy to follow and the appendixes cover abbreviations, specialty stitches, and finishing techniques. Full color photos of each finished project and color charts of the more elaborate patterns show the detail and beauty of each piece. A list of resources for yarn and other supplies is also provided.

Reviewed by Diane C., South County Regional

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In our post-industrial, high-tech society, hand-knitting might appear to be a form of folk magic to the casual observer. As any serious knitter knows, this statement is not entirely untrue. Susan Lydon’s book, The Knitting Sutra: Craft as Spiritual Practice is the telling of her personal exploration for deeper awareness, in the context of which knitting project she was embroiled in at a given moment. Reading her descriptions of the challenges that go along with creating difficult garments may make a beginning craftsperson less critical of their own work, but this story is really about process rather than product. “Sutra” means song, and The Knitting Sutra is as gentle and melodic as the clicking of knitting needles, an intimate meditation on a genuine life in process.

Reviewed by Lydia L., Main Library

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A delightful book about the joys, heartaches, and stories of a group of women who quilt together. The plot revolves around a young couple who relocate from the city to Waterford, PA where Matt finds work. Small towns offer few accounting positions and Sarah is unable to find a job, so she agrees to work temporarily for one of Matt's clients. Mrs. Compson is a disagreeable, cranky old woman who lives alone in the family home. Sarah agrees to help clean the house in return for quilting lessons. As her quilt takes shape, she discovers her love of the art, and the secrets of the heart. A memorable book that will bring tears of joy and sadness to the reader.

Reviewed by Donna H., Matthews Branch

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The story of the Elm Creek Quilters continues in this second of a series by Jennifer Chiaverini. Matt, Sarah and Sylvia welcome quilters to Elm Creek Manor for a week of quilting and friendship. The group- Bonnie, Gwen, Summer, and Judy – meets to create a Round Robin quilt with each woman sewing one of the concentric circles, conveying friendship in each stitch as it is passed among the friends. As they stitch each has a quilting story, and all face family issues, but they gather to offer love and support when Sylvia suffers a stroke. True friends are the most precious gift and even in the darkest of times, love shows the way home. ______________________________

Reviewed by Donna H., Matthews Branch

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Benni is ecstatic when Emma Baldwin, a children’s author, returns to San Celina and agrees to display her crazy quilt at Fiesta Days. Emma was the topic of Benni’s last college paper but left the central California area suddenly before the paper was finished. Emma brings old memories for Benni as she remembers the love of her life whose life was cut short by an automobile accident. But Emma is not the only newcomer. Luke, an old friend of Benni’s new husband from the LAPD, is investigating a mysterious case and is found murdered. Could the answer to the murder lie somewhere in Benni’s past? The author adeptly uses Sunshine and Shadow for the light and dark in Benni’s life.

Reviewed by Natalie M., Morrison Regional

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For a concise and highly readable instructional guide, Myer’s The Joy of Knitting is jammed packed with tons of useful information for anyone interested in knitting, whether a beginner or an old pro. Myers answers nagging questions that some knitters may have not even gotten around to asking yet. Knitters’ concerns, like modifying patterns, the washing various fibers, and yarn types, are discussed in an entertaining and engaging manner. Simple knitting patterns for quick projects are included at the end of each chapter to illustrate and summarize the chapter’s topic. But the author goes beyond technique to discuss broader issues, such as reasons why people knit, preserving folk knitting traditions around the world, and how handcraftsmanship improves our 21st century lives.

Reviewed by Lydia L., Main Library

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Avid gardener and esteemed editor Katharine White published fourteen gardening-related articles in The New Yorker which were gathered together for this collection. These pieces mark the first time that flower and seed catalogs were examined for style and content and treated as literature. In addition to the catalogs, she discussed plant size and fragrance, wild flowers, gardening history, flower arranging, and lawns. She also provided enough book reviews and recommendations to create a daunting but informative reading list. White's conversational yet literate style freely mixes family history, personal opinion, and literary references into her delightfully readable essays. Onward and Upward in the Garden captures the pleasure, excitement, and anticipation of gardening. It will interest everybody who dreams about, works in, and enjoys the garden.

Reviewed by Charles D., Morrison Regional

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This is a story about four women from different walks of life becoming friends through a knitting club, through each one's troubles and tribulations. Lydia owned the yarn shop; Carol, who longed for a baby; Josephine, from high society, better than everyone else - or so she thought; and Alix, so very different from the rest. This heartwarming story will help you understand why our friendships are so special and how we are so bound together, no matter what background we come from. Definitely a page turner!

Reviewed by Emily C., Matthews, NC

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Shawls are a classic one-size-fits-all fiber project. Folk Shawls: 25 Knitting Patterns and Tales from Around the World by Cheryl Oberle, is a collection of gorgeous and inspiring designs. Clear instructions are presented in the first chapter. Subsequent sections include patterns from Ireland, Japan, Iceland, Spain, England, Russia, and more. The history and tradition embodied in each shawl are included. The Scottish Highland Triangle shawl is my favorite today, but my opinion changes each time I page through this resource. In my opinion, this is a great starting place for anyone wanting to try his or her hand at lace knitting. This Interweave Press book--my favorite publisher for fiber arts books--is part of their folk knitting collection.

Reviewed by Lydia T., Main Library

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The Yarn Girls' Guide to Beyond the Basics is just that: a terrific instructional guide for us fiber freaks who have finished knitting scarves for every member of our family and want a new challenge. The strength of this resource is its collection of very wearable sweater patterns that focus equally on texture, color, and technique. Included are sections on beyond basic techniques (increasing, decreasing, cabling, and color-work), finishing techniques, finishing touches, helpful hints, and a detailed appendix at the end of the book. Patterns helpfully refer back to the specific page numbers where techniques are mapped out. Special attention is given to instructions for necklines, cuffs and sleeves, virtually guaranteeing a polished look to your finished garment.

Reviewed by Lydia L. T., Main Library

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Put down your knitting needles and open Kate Jacobs’s debut novel to meet Georgia, Dakota and Anita, all of whom will welcome you to the yarn shop and to their weekly Friday Night Knitting Club meetings. The characters are as vivid and distinct as the skeins of yarn sold in Georgia’s shop, and Jacobs crafts a story that is so rich and so carefully woven the reader will instantly feel as if they are the ones helping Georgia rekindle her romance with James, as well as the ones cheering for Cat as she frees herself from a stifling marriage and those who support Lucie through her pregnancy. As you finish the final chapter, please resist the urge to pick up your knitting needles and, instead, head to your computer and check out the wonderful websites that accompany this novel.

Reviewed by Catherine H., Cornelius Branch

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This novel, the latest in the Circle of Quilters series, transports us back in time as we learn about the ancestors of the current Elm Creek Quilters. This story takes us on a journey to California during the roaring twenties with bride and groom, Elizabeth and Henry Nelson. They leave the comfort of their family homestead in Pennsylvania to strike out on their own, only to find loneliness and hardship. Swindled out of their life savings they are forced to begin working for others on the land they thought was theirs. We are transported back even further to the 1800s as we get to know Rosa Diaz and her ancestors. How Rosa, Elizabeth, Henry and the Jorgensen’s learn to live with each other is a moving tribute to the pioneer’s persevering spirit.

Reviewed by Sherry J., Sugar Creek

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With this, the third visit to Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street, I felt welcomed back with open arms. This novel will get new and old readers of this series caught up on the happenings on Blossom Street and its inhabitants. With a new knitting class starting, Lydia, owner of A Good Yarn, is excited to welcome the old faces and some newcomers. Alix rejoins the group to make a shawl for her future Grandmother-in-law and to forget about her wedding plans for a while. Colette joins the group to knit a baby blanket for her unborn child. Lydia is also going through family crises that the class will help her through. Even if you cannot knit join the group and get to know these women.

Reviewed by Sherry J., Sugar Creek

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When Mary Baxter's only child dies suddenly, she is completely lost. She feels like she can't do anything to ease her grief. When her mother suggests knitting, Mary thinks there is no way she could concentrate enough to learn how to knit. But, reluctantly she joins a knitting circle and starts learning. As Mary learns various knitting techniques, she also gets to know the members of the knitting circle. As she spends time with the other members Mary begins to realize that she is not the only person suffering. Finally Mary begins to open up to the group about her own loss and realizes that knitting helped save her from her grief. The Knitting Circle is a heart-warming book about the power of relationships.

Reviewed by Jessica B., Mint Hill Branch

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Is your inner crafter conflicting with your outer Goth? Do you often find that the craft store doesn’t carry enough shades of black yarn? Have you been wanting to make clothes for your babies, but can’t find patterns that feature skull and crossbones rather than duckies and kitties? Then this is the craft book for you! Full of unique patterns to knit, crochet, sew, and bead, Anticraft is the Goth antidote to perky, pastel, and homogenized crafting. Rigdon and Stewart include plenty of humorous extras—from recipes to quizzes—sure to make you laugh, despite your hatred for the rest of the human race.

Reviewed by Snow W., Mountain Island Branch

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This is a sweet, heartfelt story that revolves around five women that live in the small Tennessee town of Sweetgum, who take in a troubled teenager and teach her not only about books and knitting, but about life. Each character has their own unique story to tell, and it's interesting how at the beginning you think their lives are perfect because they live in a perfect little town where everybody knows everybody, but as the book goes on they all reveal their secrets which make you realize nobody's life is perfect, even in a small Southern town. The book is full of humorous moments, references to literary classics, and also some sad moments. I always say, a book is worth reading if you need a tissue box to get through it.

Reviewed by Amy H., Steele Creek Branch

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