The Needlecraft Shelf

Retro Crochet
Ashlee Elle
Rocky Nook
1010 B Street, Ste 350, San Rafael, CA 94901
https://rockynook.com
9781681987989, $22.95, PB, 112pp

https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Crochet-Vibrant-Vintage-Inspired-Looks/dp/1681= 987988

Synopsis: "Retro Crochet" by Ashlee Elle showcases colorful, fun outfits in= spired by the best looks from the 1970s, '80s, and '90s!

Styles from the 1970s through the late '90s are hot, and crocheting vintage= -inspired designs. That's why designer, model, and photographer Ashlee Elle=
has built up a passionate fan base through her Dream Crochet shop and Inst= agram where she shares her colorful, one-of-a-kind throwback outfits.

Now, with the publication of "Retro Crochet" Ashlee deftly guides the reade=
r in learning how to create their own fun pieces. A comprehensive instructi= onal guide and 'how to' manual, "Retro Crochet" features designs that will = even the most novice of crochet enthusiasts on a crafty journey from 1970s =
to the '90s. Bringing original and timeless crochet designs forward with a = fashionable modern twist, this thoroughly 'user friendly' guide will show h=
ow to create handmade accessories and clothing that'll make you stand out i=
n the crowd.

Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout, "Retro Crochet: Vibrant Vintage= -Inspired Looks from the 70s, 80s, and 90s" is unreservedly recommended for=
personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft instructional re= ference collections. It should be note for personal use that "Retro Crochet=
" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).

Editorial Note: Ashlee Elle is a crochet designer and creator, model, and p= hotographer. Her work has been featured in numerous publications including,=
Simply Crochet Magazine, WeCrochet, and CrochetNow. Her creative work stri= ves to push the boundaries within the fiber art world by introducing whimsi= cal photos to feature the designs as well as celebrating experimental one-o= f-kind creations. Her unique and original crochet patterns that can be foun=
d in her Etsy Shoppe: The Dream Crochet Shoppe. Ashlee Elle can be followed=
on Instagram @thedreamcrochet

No-Sew Knitting
Christine Boggis
GMC Publications
c/o The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946340, $27.99, PB, 152pp

https://www.amazon.com/No-Sew-Knitting-stylish-designs-seam-free/dp/1784946= 346

Synopsis: With the publication of "No-Sew Knitting: 20 stylish designs for = seam-free knits", needlecrafter Christine Boggis showcases 20 DIY projects = for clothing, accessories and homeware for both adults and children -- each=
of which do not require any sewing up.

Each individual project is difficulty rated, making it easy to select based=
on time and/or ability and there are a wide range of yarns and sizing opti= ons to choose from. Each technique is clearly explained with easy-to-follow=
illustrations. Alongside the patterns there are useful measurement diagram=
s and tips to help the reader. It is also packed with beautiful and helpful=
photographs.

Critique: A thoroughly 'user friendly' combination of instruction guide and=
'how to' manual, "No-Sew Knitting: 20 stylish designs for seam-free knits"=
is an ideal and popular addition to personal, professional, and community = library Needlecraft collections.

Editorial Note: Christine Boggis is the editor of Knitting magazine and aut= hor of JOMO Knits: 21 Projects to Celebrate the Joy of Missing Out. She wor= ked as a journalist in Sussex, Vienna and London before joining Knitting, w= here she writes about knitting all day long then rushes home to spend the e= vening -- knitting!

10,000 Knitted Hats
Jo Allport
GMC Publications
c/o The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946319, $29.99, Spiral Bound, 80pp

https://www.amazon.com/10-000-Knitted-Hats-combinations/dp/1784946311

Synopsis: "10,000 Knitted Hats: Discover your own unique design combination=
s" by knitting expert Jo Allport is an interactive knitting book that conta= ins photographs of different hat brims, bodies and crowns that can be combi= ned in a total of 10,626 ways to create unique hat patterns.

Once you've chosen your design, turn over the pages of this hardcover/spira=
l bound book for the correct written pattern for that combination of parts.=
You can then use the handy embellishments section to add any extra feature=
s to the basic design.

The hat brims, bodies and crowns use many stitches, some familiar and other=
s new. Find color work, both easy and more challenging, along with slipped-= stitch patterns, cables, lace and texture, all explained clearly in the han=
dy techniques section. Aimed at all ability levels, there is something for = everyone.

Critique: Impressively organized and presented for maximum 'user friendline= ss' in a special 'mix & match' format, it is no exaggeration for knitting e= xpert Jo Allport to claim that when you have "10,000 Knitted Hats: Discover=
your own unique design combinations" you will never need another knitted h=
at design book! As much fun to explore hat styles and fabrics as it inspiri=
ng to planning knitting projects with, "10,000 Knitted Hats: Discover your = own unique design combinations" is especially and unreservedly recommended = for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft instructional=
reference collections.

Editorial Note: From UK knitting magazines to big international yarn brands=
, you can find knitwear designs by Jo Allport (http://www.joallportdesigns.= com) in many places. She also teaches knitting face to face, online and via=
tutorials. A lover of all crafts and a prolific writer on the subject, she=
is a regular contributor to Knitting magazine and Let's Knit. Jo has been = designing knitwear for over 12 years, but this has not been her only career=
.. Starting in the oil industry and then moving into IT after that, she brin= gs many other disciplines to her work. Her love of working with people, att= ention to detail and, most of all, her creativity, have all led her to her = current passion, knitting. She can be followed on Instagram and find her de= signs on Ravelry.

Crocheted Houseplants
Emma Varnam
GMC Publications
c/o The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946418, $27.99, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Crocheted-Houseplants-Beautiful-flora-make/dp/178494= 6419

Synopsis: With the publication of "Crocheted Houseplants" by needlecraft ex= pert Emma Varnam is comprised of 25 stylish crocheting projects to revive y= our home or office decor and create a lush indoor garden. Flip through the = gallery pages, pick your favourite plants and then just get started. Everyt= hing you will need to know is included in "Crocheted Houseplants", from too=
ls and materials to explanations of the basic crochet stitches. You will al=
so find out how to pot up and display your fabulous, crocheted creations!

Critique: Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout with full color = photography, "Crocheted Houseplants" is an impressively 'user friendly' ins= tructional DIY guide that will enable even the most novice of crochet enthu= siasts to create unique and memorial 'house plant' themed creations. Except= ional, unusual, and fun, "Crocheted Houseplants" is especially recommended =
as a prized addition to personal, professional, and community library Needl= ecraft collections.

Editorial Note: Emma Varnam (https://emmavarnam.co.uk) likes to make items = that bring a smile. She has written a number of popular crochet books -- in= cluding Granny Squares Home, Crocheted Keyrings & Charms, Cute Crocheted An= imals and How to Crochet, all published by GMC Publications.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
s from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these=
reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, inte= rnet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested indivi= duals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo= rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat= ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
, and list price).

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

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