The Bookworm's Picks

So many books to choose from, in fact an entire world of books that we can pick from, but what to review this week?!? 

Of all the crochet books I have, not counting stitch books of course, the one I cherish the most is Crochet Master Class co-authored by Jean Leinhauser & Rita Weiss.

Mandala pillow

First, I think a lot of people misunderstand the title, thinking that it's a book that will teach you the most complicated stitches, patterns, etc... but to me, the title simply means that I will be learning from people who belong in the Crochet Master's class. Just like there are master chefs, woodworkers, glass blowers, and so on.

Bruges lace shawl

The book has 18 beautiful projects detailing specific crochet techniques. The photography is exquisite, the bios of each particular master of it's class opens a window into that designer's world. The projects selected for the reader are well explained with line by line prompts.

Slip stitch dress

I wanted a book that would plainly show me the differences between each crochet technique, expand my knowledge, and help me learn to do more unique crochet forms, many of which are not well published. The book even provides you with these master's e-mails, websites, workshop information and more so that you can pursue the next steps if you feel you've mastered the basics provided.

Tartan blanket

Whoever thought that tartan could not be crocheted. One of the best designers shows you exactly how to do it. Or that Bruges lace only looks complicated but is a breeze to make. There is even a section covering Irish crochet, another beautiful technique that has very little coverage in today's printed books.

I would strongly recommend this book if you are a beginner crocheter trying to find which technique you like best, an intermediate crocheter who has been looking for a way to bridge the gap to become advanced and well-rounded, or an advanced crocheter who wants to test their skills and knowledge. 

The Bookworm's Picks

I said I would review a knitting and/or crochet books this week.

The knitting and crochet books I love best since I design patterns are stitch collections. I have many of both in my collection but a series I turn to time and time again for inspiration is this one; a crochet series by Linda P. Schapper.

She did a fantastic job of collecting a huge variety of stitches, motifs, borders and put them into 3 books. Each stitch, motif, border is photographed and the pattern is numbered. It is clearly written and also well graphed out. The photos are clear and you can get a really good sense of how the stitch, motif or border will behave when used. What I especially like is that she did not attempt to name any of these. They are simply numbered and that to me is just perfect. Because I'm visual and tactile, I'd rather let the form and feel influence my choice than a name.

For any crocheter who is looking to build a solid foundation library of reference books, these 3 should be at the top of their list. I don't know what I would do without this collection. These can be purchases on Amazon.

Other stitch collections I turn to are from Japan. The inventiveness and attention paid to details when Japanese designers come up with new stitches, motifs, borders is nothing short of amazing. There are several online sites where you can buy Japanese books and I would highly recommend a browse through some of the Etsy shops or eBay stores that carry them.






PS. This review is made freely and I have not received any compensation for it. I am just sharing what I love about books!

Bookworm's Picks

And for my first Bookworm's Picks....

 

I have 2 books I've been reading from. 

Yes I know, 2 books?! I usually have several books on the go. I can't just read 1 book at a time. I don't know if it's ADD or the fact that I am a Gemini and can't stick to 1 thing at a time... but either way, I read more than 1 book at a time!

  The first book I've been reading is called: 

Odd Girl Out; The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls by Rachel Simmons. This is the revised and updated 2011 edition.

Here is an excerpt from the first chapter in the book:

[ "What are some of the differences between the ways guys and girls are mean?"   From periods one through eight, I heard the same responses. Girls can turn on you for anything," said one. "Girls whisper," said another. "They glare at you." With growing certainty, they fired out answers:   "Girls are secretive."   "They destroy you from the inside."   "Girls are manipulative."   "There's an aspect of evil in girls that there isn't in boys."   "Girls target you where they know you're weakest."   "Girls do a lot behind each other's backs."   "Girls plan and premeditate."   "With guys you know where you stand."   "I feel a lot safer with guys."   In bold, matter-of-fact voices, girls described themselves to me as disloyal, untrustworthy, and sneaky. They claimed girls use intimacy to manipulate and overpower others. They said girls are fake, using each other to move up the social hierarchy. They described girls as unforgiving and crafty, lying in wait for a moment of revenge that will catch the unwitting target off guard and, with an almost savage eye-for-an-eye mentality, "make her feel the way I felt."   The girls' stories about their conflicts were casual and at times filled with self-hatred. In almost every group session I held, someone volunteered her wish to have been born a boy because boys can "fight and have it be over with." ]

This book was recommended by my best friend, a retired grade school teacher. Until I read this, I never realized that as a child, what I was the victim of was that exact behaviour from the girls in my class. The only difference is, I never got the chance to do the 'payback' aspect. Somehow though, I feel better. Now I know that it wasn't me, I was the victim or the proverbial punching bag.

For anyone whose been on the receiving end, you know exactly what I mean and you can take heart in knowing that you are not alone. 

I highly recommend this book for parents to read while raising a daughter. Society has conditioned us to raise our girls in a certain way. Maybe it's time we changed those attitudes and thought patterns and started calling our daughters on their behaviours beginning at an early age. And for those of us with teenage daughters, this book will help you understand the rebellion, the tears, screams and escapades.

The second book I've been reading is by a well-loved author; Anne McCaffrey entitled Changelings, Book 1 of the trilogy: The Twins of Petaybee.

Petaybee is a sentient planet, awakened by terraforming, it struggles to understand the changes occurring within and also struggles to understand all that is happening on her surface. Twins are born, protected by their sentient snow leopards, the children grow up discovering their environment, eluding capture as they were born with a very special skill; they change into seals when they enter water. An off-planet scientist sees them, determines to capture them for study which means the twins must disappear...

I'm really enjoying this book. There is quite a bit of humour in it. It is also packed with a mix of Inuit and native culture and south seas mythology. The added fact that a sentient planet is trying to grow to help it's settlers only makes it the more interesting. This is another winner as most of Ms. McCaffrey's books are and will more than likely end up on my favourites bookshelf.  

Next time I'll review one or 2 books related to knitting and/or crochet just to change lanes. 

What are you reading this week??!?  Share your favourite book or author in the Comments! I love hearing about new books and/or authors.