50 Shades of Stitches

This book is a great reference book for any knitter. I found the unique patterns easy to follow. I believe that I will be using many of them for Christmas gifts in the future.
Marina Molo is able to describe the steps needed to create her patterns. This will be a book that I will place in my knitting library.

Margeau Chapeau: a new perspective on classic knit hats

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I have been a knitter for over 50 years. I enjoy knitting most items but am always looking for a challenge or a new pattern. Margeau Chapeau: A New Perspective on Classic Knit Hats is a great book for my needs. There are a variety of techniques such as brioche or fair isle, both of which I wanted to try. Plus there are patterns for the beginner to the intermediate level. This is a great book for those knitters who are like me and enjoy knitting new patterns or for those that enjoy knitting hats.

Each pattern is written out using knitting language that is familiar to even the beginner and the illustrations are beautiful. 

Book Review: Knitlandia

All those who know me know this book was made for me. I love the adventures that the author Clara Parkes goes on to explore the world of knitting.
Filled with her essays I was able to take part in each of her 17 journeys she went on in this book with her.
As an avid knitter I felt like I could see the rich colors, feel each fiber as she shared them with us. She let me go to Taos, Tacoma, Washington; the Hudson: The New York Sheep and Wool Festival and to Edinburgh. Some of these I will never see with my own eyes but I was able to see them with her.
If you like adventures, knitting or yarn I most highly recommend this book for you.

Book Review: Amish Knit Lit Circle

This is the third book in The Amish Knitting Circle series. I feel like these people have become a part of my life. In fact, this book centers around two of my favorite things to do, knitting and reading.

In this book, the circle has come to include English and Amish. Now the circle has come to include the discussion of books as the women knit for the homeless. Some of the books that they discuss include Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, a Christmas Carol, Anne of Green Gables, The Life of Our Lord, Emma, Black Beauty, Pilgrim's Progress and The Secret Garden. Each of these books have been favorites of mine so it was interesting to see the women's viewpoint and how each of these books touched their lives.

This series has fast become a favorite of mine.

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Book Review: Amish Knitting Circle

This is a wonderful book that encircles a group of Amish. It shares the hardships, questions, love, and the knitting that  surrounds the people in the town of Smicksburg. Granny sets up a knitting circle of 5 very different individuals. One has low self-esteem, one cannot have a  baby, one has eight  children and is dealing with medical issues, one has questions of a past love and one wishing she could escape her marriage.

The stories tell how faith in God can help each other through difficult times, no matter what they are. This book was a blessing and an eye-opener to Amish life. I highly recommend it.     

This book may be purchased at Amazon HERE
This book may be purchased at Barnes and Noble HERE

Book Review: Sunday Morning

I saw this book on Knit Picks' blog when it was published. I looked at the pattern pictures and fell in love with each of them. I then decided to review Sunday Morning on my podcast, Naturally, Kim's Knitting. I love this book and all the patterns are just the kind of things that I would pick out for a Sunday morning.

Included is a wrap that is so lovely and flowing, I envision myself wrapped in it while reading a book. There are also shells, tanks, and a lacy long sleeved, boat neck sweater. The hard decisions come next as I decide what I will make first and will I make it for myself or someone else.

I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys creating beautiful tops to wear on the lovely, cozy, Sundays.

The book can be purchased HERE!

Book Review: Knitting in the sun

This book is a great one to have for anyone that lives where there is a warm season. It is filled with fun patterns with a wide range of sizes. Each pattern has a paragraph to introduce it and to tell a little about the design. Then they have pattern notes which gives particular hints for each item along with a link to a website to go download and print a chart of the pattern.

The back of the book includes special knitting techniques, abbreviations, designers and yarn sources. All together there are 32 items to make which range from wraps to a beach chair.

I enjoyed looking at this book and now I am going to begin to plan my first project from it.

I purchased this book from Amazon.com and a review was not required.

Book Review: Drop-Dead Easy Knits

It is hard to imagine a knitting book with new ideas, but this is one. All the title, Drop-Dead Easy Knits, suggests, none of these patterns are very difficult. yet they are each beautiful. Included in this book by Gale Zucker, mary Lou Egan and Kirsten Kapur are cowls, scarves, hats, sweaters, wraps, mitts, socks and the list goes on. There are 29 patterns in all. Each has difficulty ratins of mindless, relaxed or attentive. There is also a list of abbreviations and instructions for each in the back plus sources for suggested yarns and a list of alternate yarns.

If there is one thing that I believe could make it better it would be to tell the weight of each yarn in the pattern. Otherwise, the directions are clear, the pictures are bright and the details can be seen clearly.

Overall, I give this book a high rating.

I was given this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The sisters of Sugarcreek - Cathy Liggett

I first chose this book to review because it had knitting on the cover. I am mad for all things yarn related. Then I noticed that it mentioned Sugarcreek in the title. This was the name of the church camp I attended when I was growing up. So it had two things going for it in the first place.

Then I began to read the story and the Sisters of Sugarcreek is set in a town which I visited when I was in our youth group. Oh my, I knew I had to love this book. And I did.

There are three women that the story centers around. Lydia Gruber, a young Amish woman, who just lost her husband and is unsure of what she will need to do in order to survive.

Then there is Jessica Holtz. Along with her son Charlie, her life has been turned upside down when her favorite aunt died and left her Rose's Knit One Quilt Too Cottage. She and her son move upstairs to the apartment and she runs the store, even through she doesn't know anything about knitting or quilting.

Finally there is Liz. Jessica's Aunt Rose was Liz's best friend. They also gave hope in the form of anonymous gifts as the Secret Stitches Society. Jessica and Liz want to keep the society going. Their first mission is to help Lydia. These three become friends and together learn how to place one foot in front of the other as they deal with grief and love.

Cathy Liggett developed characters that I could relate with and I could not wait to read each page to see what would happen with these ladies. I definitely enjoyed this book tremendously.

I was given this book by Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Knit the Sky

I have been a knitter for over four decades, so when I see a book with a knitting reference in the title, I smile.

The entire title is : Knit the Sky: A Playful Way of Knitting. It gives crafters a new way to look at life around them, through their knitting needles. There are a total of 32 creative crafts in this book which will stay with the knitter for a lifetime. There is a day-by-day scarf, made up of the colors of the sky, Or a unique growth chart for a baby which will be finished when they turn 18. It is such a beautiful and idea inspiring book.

Lea Redmond uses all of her creative skills to help others open their shells and knit away.

I loved this book and I am so glad that NetGalley and Storey Publishing gave it to me in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Coffee with C.C.

I went to the mailbox yesterday and I saw a beautiful pink envelope and I became so excited. It was my copy of Coffee With C.C. by C.C. Almon. I cam across C.C. via podcast where she and her daughter host Geeky Girls Knit. I loved their chemistry and I could tell both have talent. So when I found out that C.C. was publishing a book with her sock patterns along with a shawl, I had to be placed on the list to receive it. 

I picked it up yesterday and when I thumbed through it I was making a mental list of which socks to make first. I have decided to start at the beginning and just have fun. I will be sharing this adventure on my podcast "Naturally, Kim's Knitting."

Each of the sock designs and scarf are based on her love of coffee which can be told by the names...French Vanilla Cappuccino, Peppermint mocha, Espresso Macchiato, caramel latte, strawberries and cream, I love you more than pumpkin spice socks and the Coffee Date Shawl.

For any of my friends and followers who also happen to be knitters, check this book out and you will not be disappointed.

Craft Book Review: Susan B. Anderson's Kids' Knitting Workshop

This book has proven to me that there is still much to learn in the area of knitting, even for someone that has been doing for over 40 years.

This is such a well-illustrated book, with clearly written instruction, it should help any new knitter to learn this skill quickly.

The book is divided into easily digested chapters. To begin, she admits that the first information may seem boring but it is important to talk about the tools and materials that are needed to build confidence. Then she divides the rest of the book into lessons that are easy to follow along. She also places hints in each lesson, such as making a butterfly with the end yarn so the knitter does not get confused and knit with it. Each section also has projects for the knitter at whichever level they are at. There are some adorable bracelets or a cowl for beginners plus other patterns. Included in the intermediate knitter section are some cute headbands and a hat. Then in the advanced section, there is a cute fox pillow, toys and puppets.

Susan B. Anderson has written other knitting books like Itty-Bitty Hats, Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys. She also has a knitting blog and teaches classes on Craftsy and other areas.

I was going to give this book to a new knitter I am working with, but have decided to keep it as a guideline for future students.

I love this book. I was given this book by the author, artisonbooks and Workman Publishing, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Traditional Knitting

Oh my goodness. This book, Traditional Knitting by Michael Pearson, speaks to me on so many levels. The history lover of this book is in love as Pearson looks into the history of so many different patterns. My love of all things from Britain is satisfied as he travels to source of the patterns and talks with people about the tools and patterns that have been passed down through he generations. Finally, as I am a knitter who is always looking for ideas and patterns, this book was a fountain of useful information.

This book is highly recommended for any knitter or those that are interested in traditions passed through the generations.

I was given this book by NetGalley and the author in exchange for my honest review.