Books We Love and You will Too

Title: Learn to Knit on Circle Looms (31 pages)

Publisher: American School of Needlework

Author: Denise Layman

Reviewed by : Lynne (toughkid@theriver.com)

Little did they know when they introduced the Knifty Knitter that it would become a sensation in the craft world. I began using and demonstrating the Knifty Knitter several years ago at the request of my manager (I work in a retail craft store) and little did I know that I would quickly develop a passion for knitting on looms.

I made every pattern in the Knifty Knitter pamphlets and waited not too patiently for a "real" pattern book to arrive. I waited. And waited. And waited! I'm happy to say that Denise Layman's "Learn to Knit on Circle Looms" was well worth the wait. Drawn to the variety of patterns and the range of yarns used, I was mentally making out my shopping list as I turned the pages. As a crafter, I buy a pattern book when I see 4 or 5 patterns I like. I was only halfway through this book when I knew I had to own it.

As a Knifty Knitter teacher, I have to look at a pattern book imagining I am reading it through the eyes of one of my students. Here again, I was impressed. The basic directions are simple and clear, made even easier by the photos that illustrate each step. They go beyond the basics, allowing a beginner to get a glimpse of all that looming can offer. Intermediate loomers will enjoy the variety of patterns and can benefit from the book as a reference.

A beautiful photo of what the finished project should look like accompanies each pattern in the book, and when necessary, the book includes diagrams to aid in understanding the pattern.

Everything I tell my students to look for is there - information on skill level recommendation, size and measurements, materials needed, and my favorite, an explanation of what stitches are used before the pattern even begins. These stitches are then highlighted again as they appear in the pattern.

"Learning to Knit on Circle Looms" should be on every loomer's bookshelf!

Title: Vogue Knitting On the Go! Bags Two (104 pages)

Publisher: Sixth&Spring Books

Editor: Trisha Malcolm

Reviewed by : Alison (editor@fortheloveofyarn.com)

Vogue Knitting has done it again with their “On the Go!” series.  This time it’s a book dedicated to designer handbags.  Who doesn’t love a good designer handbag? We all do but buying them means that we have less money to spend on yarn!  Well the good people at Vogue Knitting have put together a fantastic book offering more than twenty patterns that range from the classic to the hot and sexy – and everything in between. On the Go! Bags Two is a great book for the beginner knitter, who is looking to make something more than a scarf, to the experienced knitter looking to sink their teeth into something with pizzazz.  We love the use of belt buckles in the Central Park Clutch and the Cable Ready Cabled Tote send us over the moon with excitement.  However it was the In A Maze Optical Illusion Backpack that had our kids begging for us to sit down and knit “faster mommy” so they could have one too!