It is an absolute pleasure to review the book Knit, Hook, and Spin by Laurie Carlson. The timing is quite apropos, as a new school year is upon us! Teachers, parents, and kids may want to give this book a try.
Before we get into the nitty gritty, I should say that Chicago Press provided me with a copy of the book but all opinions are my own.
The reason I had an interest in this book is that I have been working with elementary-aged students. What impresses me so much about them (and one of the things that impressed me about my older students as well) is how wildly expressive they are. I love how my students dive in and create without fear. For them, creating is a game and it's a lot of fun! I couldn't agree more!
One thing that I lament a little is the fact that I can't teach them everything I want to share with them about different art forms. That is one of the reasons why I was so impressed with this book. It serves as a valuable resource that children can pick up on their own and learn about all kinds of fiber arts by reading and then trying.
Carlson divides the book into eight crafting sections, covering felting, knotting/braiding, spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet, dyeing, and recycled crafts. The introductory section is about all different kinds of fibers, and the final chapter serves as a call to action: Get Involved! These sections contain wealth of information and may help a dedicated crafter know what to do with their creations and new knowledge.
I like the look and feel of this book. The layout and fonts are inviting and fun. The black and white illustrations are clear. I love that there are no photos, because kids can follow the directions and come up with their own version of the projects. There is no pressure to make your project look glossy and professional. Kids should be exploring and having fun! A final thing I love about this book is that the projects are practical. From felted soap to crochet comfort dolls, children can make things that they can actually use! I love it!
The picture below will give you an idea of how the book looks and feels. I will link to a free download of the book page on October 1, 2016.
As always, thanks for reading the blog! Please leave your thoughts, ideas and questions in the comment section below. If you liked this post, please share this post with a friend through social media & trumpet the need for great books like this! Like my Facebook page for updates and more crafty sharing!
