The Needlecraft Shelf

100 Essential Knitting Stitches
Susie Johns
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946661, $24.99, PB, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/100-Essential-Knitting-Stitches/dp/1784946664

Synopsis: With the publication of "100 Essential Knitting Stitches", needle= craft expert Suzie Johns has created a handy directory of 100 need-to-know = knitting stitches to refresh or expand on the reader's needlework skills.

Organized into five main sections, the 100 stitches lend themselves to a va= riety of different uses including: Simple stitches provide the foundation o=
f knitted fabrics; Colorwork designs brighten up your project; Textured sti= tches and lacy patterns add interest to your work; Delicate edges and trims=
finish things off nicely.

Each stitch is rated for difficulty and is laid out with a decorative stitc= hed sample and clear instructions and of special note is the opening sectio=
n covering essential knowledge on tools and materials and getting started.

Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout in full color, "100 Essential Kn= itting Stitches" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presenta= tion, making it especially useful for the novice beginner and of impressive=
value to even the more experienced knitter. "100 Essential Knitting Stitch= es" will prove to be of enduring usefulness and a prized pick for personal,=
professional, and community library Knitting instructional reference colle= ctions.

Editorial Note: Currently residing in London, England, Susie Johns is an ar= tist and designer who has written dozens of craft books, including Circus E= mbroidery, Knitted Woodland Creatures, How to Embroider, Fat Quarter: Bags =
& Purses and Fat Quarter: Vintage. Her patterns and designs appear regularl=
y in consumer craft magazines in the UK, such as Let's Knit, Sew and Let's = Get Crafting, and she has written numerous patterns for suppliers such as D= MC. She has also demonstrated various crafts on television.

Cute Crocheted Food
Emma Varnam
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946609, $26.99, PB, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Cute-Crocheted-Food-Crochet-Designs/dp/1784946605

Synopsis: With the publication of "Cute Crocheted Food: 24 Tasty Crochet De= signs", crocheting expert Emma Varnam show ow to make use of the Japanese a= migurumi technique to sculpt robust shapes with yarn, every piece of food b= ecomes a cute and whimsical character.

For health food fans there is an array of wholesome fruit and vegetables, w= hile those who like to indulge can recreate a variety of sweet treats and f= ast food snacks. Perfect for stimulating children's imaginary play, these l= ittle foodie friends will be at home in any play kitchen, cafe or restauran=
t.

"Cute Crocheted Food" features: 24 fun and quirky amigurumi food projects s= uitable for beginners to crochet; Playful and colorful illustration influen= ced by Japanese-style kawaii cuteness, Hello Kitty and bubble tea menus; Al=
l crochet techniques fully explained and illustrated with step-by-step draw= ings; Using up small amounts of leftover yarn.

Critique: With profusely and effectively illustrated step-by-step direction=
s for each project, "Cute Crocheted Food: 24 Tasty Crochet Designs" is idea=
l for crocheting small gifts and stocking fillers. Exceptionally well organ= ized and thoroughly 'user friendly' in presentation, "Cute Crocheted Food: =
24 Tasty Crochet Designs" is an especially recommended pick for personal, p= rofessional, and community library Needlecraft instructional reference coll= ections.

Editorial Note: Emma Varnam (https://emmavarnam.co.uk) has a special talent=
for creating unique characters in crochet that make people smile. As well =
as writing a number of popular crochet books, all published by GMC Publicat= ions - Crocheted Succulents, Crocheted Houseplants, Cute Crocheted Animals,=
Cute Crocheted Wild Animals, Cute Crocheted Woodland Creatures, How to Cro= chet, Granny Squares Home and Granny Squares Weekend - she has had a number=
of successful collaborations with the celebrated knitwear designer Debbie = Bliss. Emma regularly shares her design inspiration on her award-winning kn= itting and crochet blog.

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

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