Book Review: Knit, Hook, and Spin by Laurie Carlson

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!

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Loom Knit Cowl Complete!

Hi, everyone & Happy Saturday!  I am pleased to announce that I have finished my loom knit cowl and I am very happy with the results!

It was a lot of fun working on this project, especially when people started asking me about the process when I was working on it in public.  I love sharing craft knowledge with others!

It took a while to figure out how to arrange the buttons, but I am happy with the outcome.  It looks interesting and it can be worn many different ways.  I think this is a great cowl to bring us from winter into spring!

If you would be interested in learning how to make a cowl like this or buying one from me, please let me know by leaving a comment or contacting me at artlikebread (at) gmail (dot) com.  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 & rock your loom knit cowl with pride! Like my Facebook page for updates and more crafty sharing!

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7 #Crochet & #Knit Argyle Patterns for #Argyle Day!

Happy Argyle Day!

Don't you just love random holidays?  I found out about this one (and many others) on a blog called Holidays & Observances. No idea where this one originated, but to me, a textile pattern with its own day is a cause for celebration!  

In honor of this happy day, I've rounded up 7 Free Crochet & Knit Argyle Pattens AND I have created a Pinterest Board devoted to Argyle Crafts!

Book Review: Fairy Tale Knits and The Twelve Knits of #Christmas by Fiona Goble

Still stumped about what to get your favorite knitter?  Look no more, my friend.  You can either dash out to your local bookstore, or get wireless delivery to your e-reader by Amazon! 

This is fun pair of books to open on Christmas Day! From the young but capable knitter to the family member or friend who knits for children, this is a beautiful pair of books available from Andrews McMeel Publishing.

Each title is available separately for $19.99 retail (and I've seen them at Books A Million.) Together they make a dynamite gift that can be enjoyed all year long!

The Twelve Knits of Christmas has a pattern for each of the whimsical characters found in the happy holiday song. The cool thing about this is that it gives exact yardages needed for each project. For example, the partridge uses only 12 yards of the main color yarn. Since they're small, they're quick projects. You could knit up a partridge and put it into the paper pear tree that is found in the back of the book!

In addition the book is colorful and exciting, so the child in your life will love looking at the pages and read (or sing) along to the words of the song.

For fun that knows no season, try Fairy Tale Knits , also by Fiona Goble, which features 20 characters from six different fairy tales. The designs are incredibly endearing. My personal favorite is the beast from Beauty and the Beast. He's not so very scary, but beastly indeed.

I think it would be fun to knit up each character from one tale and then create shadow box sets for them. These toys would not only be enjoyable to make, but also spark imagination in the lucky child who receives them.

Vital Stats

The Twelve Knits of Christmas by Fiona Goble

Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC

ISBN: 978-1-4494-1131-2

Price $19.99 U.S. and $22.99 Canada

Paperback, 8 3/10 by 10 3/5 inches, 64 pages

Fairy Tale Knits: 20 Enchanting Characters to Make by Fiona Goble

Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC

ISBN: 978-1-4494-1801-4

Price $19.99 U.S. and $22.99 Canada

Paperback, 8 3/10 by 10 3/5 inches, 80 pages

Disclosure: I received a review copy of each book, and the links are affiliate.

Technique Video: How to Loom Knit a Shawlette

The Michael's of Mexico, Fantasias Miguel, just posted this great instructional video about how to loom knit a shawlette! While the yarn does not match my personal taste, the technique could be applied to any yarn.
 This shawl would be gorgeous, for example, in Lion Brand Amazing.


I am glad they posted this, because I have a loom that is made for this specific technique and I was wondering how to use it! :D Bonus! It's in Spanish (but the visuals are great), so you can either read along, have a Spanish lesson, or just follow what the lady in the video is doing.  :D

The Principles of #Knitting Book Review

This is a book review about The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt. I received a review copy of the book.

Since this wonderful resource came out in February, it could be said that this review is long overdue. However, the simple fact is that this volume is incredibly relevant and will remain so for years to come.

This is the kind of book you buy for your knitting library and refer back to over and over again. It's perfect for seasoned knitters and newbies who want to increase their knowledge and skills.

The instructions are very clear and easy to follow. Hiatt also devotes a chapter to yarn! I loved reading all about the carding and spinning process. She goes into a great level of detail, even explaining the different terminology for particular types of fiber. Do you know the difference between a noil and a filament? I do. They're quite different, actually...

While I would not recommend this as a beginning knitting how-to book, and it's certainly not a page turner, it is definitely an essential reference for serious knitters.

Vital stats:
  The Principles of Knitting

  June Hemmons Hiatt
Hardcover

Touchstone/Simon & Schuster
ISBN 13: 978-1-4165-3517-1

ISBN 10:  1-4165-3517-9
$45.00

P.S.  It's also available digitally.  A bit cheaper and saves space, too! And, oh yeah. Those links are affiliate links.

Technique: Tubular #Knitting on 2 Straight Needles

My jaw was on the floor after seeing this video.  Very cool technique for knitting in a tube but using only 2 straight needles and a combination of knits and passes.  Thanks, Josune, for passing this along!

It's in Spanish, but the hand shots are very good, so give it a try even if you don't understand Spanish.

Cast On Baby Video

Where did this meme start?  Everyone started doing a "Call Me Maybe" video out of nowhere.  But you have to admit, the tune is pretty catchy.

I heard about this video in my Lion Brand Swaps group (Ravelry login required to view link) from my amazing co-mod Faded Lily who blogs here.

It's a "Call Me Maybe" video with a twist of yarn. Very cute.




I love that this video is intergenerational. :)

The Games #Ravellenics Mass Cast On ... NOW!

If you read this blog, you're probably into all things crafty.  And if you're into all things crafty, you just may have heard about the Ravelympics DOH! Ravellenic Games.  (Google it)

Source: Ravellenic Games 2012 Group on Ravelry.com (Free Login Required)

Here's a brief personal history of the Games Ravellenic~

• Remembered all the fun everyone was having with the Ravelympics in 2008, through listening to podcasts about it, mainly the Savvy Girls Podcast!
• Started a totally badass stitching team waaaay back in April, when the International Ravellenics Committee (IRC) got their group going again.  Name: Team Mexico Art Like Bread!!! (Ravelry.com free login required to view link)
• Gathered prizes both to stay in Mexico with a majority of the team, and to bring to the United States to be shipped all over the world for the fearlessly flying fingers of this wonderful team!
• Was all WHAAAT? about the crazy United States Olympic Committee (USOC) debacle, which thankfully, is completely behind us!
• Changed all my tags to reflect the beauty of the Ravellenics!
• Got all my projects and materials together to be ready for the big moment!
• Waited impatiently for this very moment!

#Ravellenics Social Media Link Up!

Ganchitos #Yarn Bombing Mexico City

We were inspired and ready to celebrate.

It was World Wide Knit in Public Day,

but we decided to crochet, too.

It was a beautiful day.

Please enjoy this video of urban knitting crocheting!
I loved spending this day with my friends. :)
Photos to come. 

How to Loom Knit Fingerless Gloves

It's exciting that Fantasias Miguel, the Michael's of Mexico, has started to carry yarn &; yarn crafting items.  Right now they have pretty much all novelty yarn, and honestly, none of it is anything I'd like to work with.  However, I do find their instructional videos just that- instructional.  I'm very interested in loom knitting. I don't know why. It's just cool.  I have also been discovering other kinds of cool yarn crafting here in Mexico as well.  As I learn them, I'll pass them on to you. :)

Ignore the yarn choice, and just focus on the technique in this video.  And hey, if novelty yarn floats your boat, then you'll be in heaven with this video!  :)

Slinky Sleeves #Knit Arm Warmers from Vogue Knitting

One of the members of my knitting group found an amazing store called Fil, which is in Colonia Roma, Mexico City, D.F.  I was glad to have found a Mexican yarn store dedicated to mostly natural fibers from Mexico and Latin America.  I may dedicate an entire post to the store later, but right now I wanted to share a finished object made from beautiful yarn I found there. 

The Yarn: Lanai by TM Imports.  It's 100% wool and to my eye it looks like an aran to bulky weight yarn.  It's a beautiful, variegated, single ply yarn with long color repeats between raspberry, wine, light denim, and olive.  I found the yarn to be beautiful to work with and it produced a very pleasing product.

What My (Famous) Stitching Group Made

I love sharing photos of the work of my wonderful stitching group! I adore all of them. Each one of us has a different forte when it comes to yarn crafting, so we love getting together and sharing what we do.

By the way, we are famous, as we were recently mentioned in the Holiday Collector's Issue of Vogue Knitting.  :)  (Yes, still excited!) 

Dvora is teaching her friend to knit. 
Hooray for new crafters!

I cast on some broomstick lace.

You can check on my progress on the "Il Pleut" Ravelry Project Page.

Are you impressed yet? Yes, that is about 8 active needles you see there.

David makes the most complex projects on the tiniest needles.  He makes the most beautiful knit amigurumi and is fascinated by crafts of all kinds.  

And he taught himself tatting.  I know. Totally cool.  (These are tatting shuttles, by the way.)

Jimena's fine handiwork has resulted in a beautiful sweater. 

Angeles is a whiz at free-form crochet.

 

I love my crafting friends!!

Welcome, Vogue Knitting Fans!

Way back in July, an editor at Vogue Knitting contacted me to inquire about the Stitch Group I run here in Mexico City.  She wanted to learn about the fiber scene here in Mexico, and I was all too happy to oblige.  It was definitely exciting to share the info and yarn connections I'd made over the past few years.  Mexico is full of inspiration, and once I found my favorite yarn sources, I wanted everyone to know about them! 

Martha's on the cover!!

Of course I hoped she might mention my name in the article (although just helping was exciting in and of itself), and I was elated to see my name and the website mentioned in the article.  My friends are mentioned as well.  I was even quoted!  

An online friend, Nancy Dardarian, who started the Ravelry Group that brought our Stitch Group together, was also quoted in the article, and Rebecca Klassen, who wrote the article, included her photo of naturally-dyed Oaxacan yarns.  

There is more to the article, like mentions of some of my favorite D.F. designers and craft events, but I want you all to read it yourselves!  It also talks about all different regions of Mexico.  I was really impressed with the reporting.  Rebecca Klassen wove together a great story that presents an authentic and fair picture of the rich tradition of fiber craft and the modern incarnations of this favorite hobby.  I'm very proud to be a part of the fiber scene in Mexico City.

Knitters and yarn-lovers alike should definitely check this issue out.  There are plenty of beautiful patterns, ideas, and yarn reviews.  It's truly a wonderful publication.  I bought a digital copy on the iPod, but you can also order a hard copy on the Vogue Knitting website.

Nationwide #Yarn Crawl Loopy Yarns, #Chicago, IL

I'm happy to kick off this yarn party with a booming yarn palace- Loopy Yarns of Chicago, IL! 

Loopy Yarns is a store that makes an effort to welcome customers and make them feel at home.  Located in Chicago's famous downtown "Loop", the store is beautiful, quaint, and inviting.  

Loopy Yarns is located in a beautiful red brick building at historic Dearborn Station.

We're here!

 After hearing about Loopy Yarns from my online activities (and knowing they host celebrity classes!), I was really excited about visiting this famous yarn store that has everything!  

You know I immediately zeroed in on the crocheted samples.  Check out this wire dress form!

Pretty! (And check out the little duck to the right. Hi, Duckie!)

I thought this was a neat technique- a felted bowl with synthetic fiber worked in. Great effect.

Mom found a project in the corner. 

Every luxury fiber I've heard of was there.  In all the pretty colors.  Look at all those luscious colors!

Downstairs at Loopy Yarns

In addition to all of the beautiful yarn available upstairs, there is a spacious and comfortable space downstairs boasting a large sale section (yes!), a classroom, a spinning corner, and comfy chairs in which to sit, relax, crochet, knit, and spin.   This is pretty close to paradise.

I wonder when Mom will take up spinning.  It's so her.  She's a textile addict.

I found this Linda Permann sample on a comfy chair downstairs.
I love it when I can identify designs!

 So what was the damage?

 All told, I did pretty well at Loopy Yarns.  I often get overwhelmed in US yarn stores because there is so much to buy but I never have projects in mind, so... I just picked up these few little things.

Yes, those are Addis.  And yes, they do rule!

I got a Barbara Walker stitching DVD for free! (Because I bought so much!)

And it all came in this fabulous tote bag, which was free (because I bought so much).

They keep in touch, too!  I joined the mailing list and I got a sweet birthday greeting and coupon that I can use when I go back.

This post was part of the Nationwide Yarn Crawl with Cami on Art, Like Bread.  I'm just doing it for fun!

Knitting Goes Digital? It's About Time!

I belong to a crafting group that meets once a month or so to sit around, gab, and shoot the stitch.  We're a mixture of students, mothers, teachers, and professionals.  A couple of us are expats.  One of the things that comes up time after time (especially among the expats in the group) is the marked dearth of knit and crochet books that are available digitally.

We are craft consumers.  We are the target audience.  We want those hot craft books the minute they come out.  Seriously, though, the titles are just not available to us locally, and buying online means a cost more than double the list price, and hoping that the book actually arrives.

So I just about did a backflip when I got the following video and email in my inbox.  STC Craft | Melanie Falick Books has released eight wonderful knitting titles in digital form.  Happy dance!




Check out this wonderful video which really highlights how special these books are.  It's inspirational!

I had the received a sample copy of Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, which downloaded quickly and perfectly onto my little netbook.  I anxiously devoured the digital pages, and found that although I am primarily a crocheter, this book has much to offer even me.

For one, I was enthused to realize that the author is none other than Joelle Hoverson, the owner of Purl Soho.  I'm about to admit to some serious craft geekery here, but I actually read the entire Purl Bee blog this summer.  Yeah.  I'm serious.  It just rocks, people. That's all that needs to be said.*

Click to see a quintessential Purl Bee posting. You'll bee in love.
Image property of Purl Bee and used with permission.

Last-Minute Knitted Gifts begins with some background information on the store, Purl, as the impetus for the book.  The author goes into choosing project colors and color theory.  I love color, and color theory is of paramount interest!  The author goes on to explain the color choices for a few of the projects in the book and why they are so striking.

Then it's on to the projects!  This book is a winner, and it has an avid following on Ravelry. :)   I don't know about you, but I always check Ravelry to see which patterns are available in the book and just what can be done with the patterns. 

If you are looking for a gift to knit in less than 2 hours, 2-4 hours, 4-6 hours, 6-8 hours, or 8+ hours, download this book immediately.  It's good stuff. As for me, I'm eyeing the under 2-hour gifts. That's mainly because those are the ones I feel I can finish, and also because I have lots of baby friends who would love a hand-knit something to keep them warm this winter! 

The final thing I wanted to point out about this book is that even though it was originally printed in 2004, it remains perfectly relevant with timeless designs and even a beautiful chevron scarf that even Missoni would envy.

photo copyright 2004 Anna Williams | used with permission of the publisher

*As an aside, reading the Purl Bee Blog and watching the entire season of She's Crafty on DVD got me

into this "I'm so excited for Christmas" kick.  I'm still on it.  Not exactly normal for me, but, hey, I'm going with it.

BTDubs, the publisher requested I put the book cover and video in this post.  

Definitely check out the video! There are also other videos on the site which 

are equally as inspiring. 

Blogoversary! What My Crafting Group Friends Made

She made this from a plastic bag mold and a few balls of yarn. How gorgeous is that?

She sews, too. Beautiful, brocade fabric from a traditional Mexican store.

Beading is really relaxing.  D did the purple bracelet, and the other one was a gift from a beading friend.

Such inspiring work!

So glad to have my friends to craft with!

A Year in Yarn

I took a great idea from The Student Knitter, and decided to document (at least some of, well, MOST of) my finished objects in a lovely collage.

BYE, 2010!!

 There are several items missing but this really does show how much I crochet!  I just don't stop.  I don't take pictures of everything.  I'm very happy to have such a wonderful hobby!