May 2023 MBR The Needlecraft Shelf

The Needlecraft Shelf

Knitted Menagerie
Sarah Keen
GMC Publications
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946166, $26.99, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Knitted-Menagerie-Sarah-Keen/dp/1784946168

Synopsis: With the publication of "Knitted Menagerie", Sarah Keen provides 30 easy-to-follow knitting patterns for an eclectic array of animals.

Within the pages of this bright and fun book, there are illustrated instructions for 30 adorable animals to knit, ranging from sealife to birds, insects to mammals. You'll find everyone's favorites, including a lion, an elephant, blue whale, meerkats and a llama.

The patterns vary in complexity, ensuring there's something for everyone. Complete beginners or more experienced knitters can be reassured by the comprehensive illustrated techniques section provided.

Critique: Packed from cover to cover with fun, instructive, and inspiring photography that shows each of the projects from different angles, "Knitted Menagerie" is a 'how to' manual that is certain to delight novice and experienced knitters -- as well as the lucky receiver of these gorgeous, knitted creatures. Simply stated, "Knitted Menagerie" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft/Knitting instructional reference collections.

Editorial Note: Sarah Keen (https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sarah-keen) lives in Ceredigion, Wales, UK, and works as a freelance pattern designer. Finding calculating rows and stitches challenging, but fascinating, she is experienced in designing knitted toys for children and also enjoys writing patterns for charity. This is Sarah's tenth book for GMC Publications.

100 Essential Embroidery Stitches
Susie Johns
GMC Publications
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946500, $24.99, PB, 136pp

https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Embroidery-Stitches-Susie-Johns/dp/1784946508

Synopsis: With the publication of "100 Essential Embroidery Stitches", needlecraft expert Susie Johns has created a handy directory of 100 need-to-know freestyle embroidery stitches to refresh or add to the embroidery skills of novice and experienced needlecrafters alike.

Embroidery is like 'painting' with thread and this combination of 'how to' manual and instructional guide, "100 Essential Embroidery Stitches" gives you all the techniques you will need to create your own works of art.

Whether you are new to embroidery and want to widen your repertoire or just need a comprehensive reference guide to look things up, you'll find everything you need to improve your embroidery skills and feel confident tackling a wide range of projects.

Critique: As a coffee-table style (8.5 x 0.25 x 10.75 inches, 1.25 pounds) paperback volume, "100 Essential Embroidery Stitches" is impressively 'user friendly' in both organization and presentation -- making it a prized and valued addition to personal, professional, and community library DIY Needlecraft/Embroidery instructional reference collections.

Editorial Note: Susie Johns is an artist and designer. She has written dozens of instructional books on a range of different topics. She studied Fine Art at Ravensbourne College, went on complete an MA at the prestigious Slade School in London, and later gained a post-graduate teaching qualification (PGCE) at the University of Greenwich. As well as teaching drawing and painting at a local community college, Susie has years of experience running life-drawing classes and leading workshops focussing on pen and ink, mixed media, artists' sketchbooks, drawing for health and wellbeing, and family art. She also teaches classes online on various platforms including YouTube.

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review