September 2023 MBR The Needlecraft Shelf

The Needlecraft Shelf

Cute & Cuddly Crochet
Lauren Bergstrom
Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780760382905, $19.99, PB, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Cute-Cuddly-Crochet-huggable-amigurumi/dp/0760382905

Synopsis: With the publication of "Cute & Cuddly Crochet: Learn to make huggable amigurumi animals" author and artist Lauren Bergstrom provides 12 step-by-step projects for crocheting popular, trendy, huggable animals, such as a flamingo, a dinosaur, an elephant, an octopus, a red panda, a fox, a narwhal, and more.

While amigurumi animals are often very small, "Cute & Cuddly Crochet" features instructions and tips for crocheting larger plushie animals that are perfect for baby gifts, birthday gifts for kids, home decor, and more. While crocheting a larger animal may sound intimidating or like more work, it isn't! Included in the book are helpful hints for working with bulky yarn, as well as how to stuff the animals.

"Cute & Cuddly Crochet" also offers a guide for crochet basics, such as crochet techniques, stitches, how to do color changes, materials and where to source them, and much more. Accompanying the book are helpful videos from the author.

Critique: Featuring fully illustrated step-by-step instructions, "Cute & Cuddly Crochet" is an ideal DIY instructional resource for beginners to crocheting, crafters, makers, DIYers, teen artists, and more! Highly recommended for personal and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections, "Cute & Cuddly Crochet" is an ideal introduction to the fun craft of crocheting!

Editorial note #1: Lauren Bergstrom (https://www.ravelry.com/designers/lauren-bergstrom) was born and raised in South Africa and has been doodling and crocheting cute things for as long as she can remember. When she's not drawing or painting, she spends her time designing crochet patterns for little stuffed animals at www.mohumohu.com and making video games with her partner at Studio Any Percent. Lauren is also the author of "101 Super Cute Things to Draw" and "Amigurumi Animals", both from Walter Foster Publishing.

Editorial Note #2: The Art Makers series from Walter Foster Publishing is designed for beginning artists and arts-and-crafts enthusiasts who are interested in experiencing fun hands-on mediums, including polymer clay and embroidery. Also available from The Art Maker series are: "Empowered Embroidery", "Polymer Clay for Beginners", "Papier Mache", "Make Cute Stuff with Polymer Clay", and "Polymer Clay Jewelry".

Kaffe Fassett's Quilts by the Sea
Kaffe Fassett
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781641551946, $34.99, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Kaffe-Fassett-Quilts-Sea/dp/1641551941

Synopsis: This newly published edition of "Kaffe Fassett's Quilts by the Sea" is a landmark 25th book in Kaffe Fassett's highly successful patchwork and quilt series. For it, Kaffe Fassett has chosen the southern coast of England as the inspiration for his new collection of quilts where beachgoers have long enjoyed the rocky shores near Hastings in East Sussex for their wild beauty and classic architecture.

Featuring several miles of coastline, this seaside community has its roots in the fishing industry and was the site of the Norman Conquest's Battle of Hastings in 1066. Once a popular Victorian resort area, this gem of the southern coast is now experiencing a travel renaissance thanks to a thriving arts movement.

The gallery section of "Kaffe Fassett's Quilts by the Sea" showcases the 21 new designs, all brilliantly photographed on location by Debbie Patterson. The deep jewel tones of Kaffe's Maroon Frames are enhanced by the geometric lines of similarly toned beach huts. Kaffe's Vintage Stars has an old-world quality featuring earthy tones that are brilliantly set against the backdrop of a brick garden wall.

The stunning Colour Garden quilt, featured on the cover, feels perfectly at home draped over an old fishing boat overlooking the sea, while his confectionary Fruit Sorbet cushion showcases taffy-inspired pastels sure to inspire a cozy afternoon by the beach.

With both Kaffe's classic fabrics and his forward-thinking new designs to choose from, quilters will be thrilled with all "Kaffe Fassett's Quilts by the Sea" has to offer.

Critique: With the first half consisting of beautiful, full color, full page, captioned photos of elegant quilts showcasing their unique designs, and the second half featuring more distinctive and inspiring quilts with step-by-step DIY construction instructions, "Kaffe Fassett's Quilts by the Sea" will prove a unique and treasured addition to personal, professional, and community library Needcrafting collections.

Editorial Note: Kaffe Fassett (https://www.kaffefassett.com) is a name every dedicated quilter knows. His work has been commissioned by the British monarchy, American fashion designers, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. He has written numerous best-sellers including Kaffe Fassett's Quilts in Italy, Kaffe Fassett's Quilts in Morocco, and Kaffe Fassett's Quilts in the Cotswold's.

Knitted Christmas Stockings
Emilee Reynolds
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946685, $24.99, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Knitted-Christmas-Stockings-festive-designs/dp/1784946680

Synopsis: A special collection of 25 festive designs to make for family and friends, "Knitted Christmas Stockings" by knitting expert Emilee Reynolds showcases stockings to knit for the Christmas holiday in a variety of vibrant designs, each with something to suit all the family.

By following the fully illustrated step-by-step instructions, even the most novice of knitters can create that magical moment for friends and family with these truly special handmade gifts featuring minimal modern designs, jolly elves, classic nativity scenes and traditional festive themes. There is an available style to suit everyone. And why stop at one stocking, when you could make them for the whole family!

Critique: Each individual design showcased in "Knitted Christmas Stockings" can be personalized with the recipient's name. New knitters need not finding this to daunting because all the essential know-how you'll need to get started is found at the back of the book ranging from which materials to buy to basic stitches to learn. Each one of 25 stocking designs is presented by theme, to suit the whole family. With clear color knitting charts for each design, "Knitted Christmas Stockings" also includes full instructions on how to personalize your stockings with the name of the recipient, making it especially recommended for personal, professional, and community library needlecrafting collections.

Editorial Note: Taught to knit by her grandmother, Emilee Reynolds has been creating unique stockings for family and clients ever since. She began her blog, Sweetly Made (just for you), to share her passion for knitting. She sells patterns and stockings through her successful Etsy shop and Ravelry. Emilee's work has also featured in Let's Knit and Simply Knitting magazines. (https://www.sweetlymadejustforyou.com)

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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