Knitting from the North: Original Designs Inspired by Nordic and Fair Isle Knitting Traditions
Hilary Grant
Softcover, 144 pages. $24.95
Hilary Grant is a British designer, who studied textile design before she went to work for Alexander McQueen, then started her own knitwear label in 2011. This is her first book, a collection of modern interpretation of fair isle knitting.
Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift is used through out the book, which is not to be recommended to beginner knitters, but the resulting patterns are worthwile of your efforts. From small items such as hats and mitts to pullovers, the book is full of timeless, wearable knitwear.
The Natural World of Needle Felting: Learn how to make more than 20 adorable animals
Fi Oberon
Hardcover, 144 pages.
Needle felting has become one of the most popular fiber arts in Japan, possibly more popular than knitting, but I'd never thought of trying it myself - until I found this book. I love how the animals look realistic enough but still very adorable. The book not only shows you how to make the samples by youself, but also explains in details about other techniques and tools that the author find useful. Now that I learned a lot about felting, it is going to be a lot harder to throw away leftover yarn, scrap wool fabrics and felted sweaters.
