Baby Booties to die for

Dionne    Book of the Month, Knitting and Crochet, What's New     baby booties, book of the month, caroline de hugo, made in france

Been quite a while since I had a fab new book to squeal about and now it seems I am spoilt for choice!  Made in France: Baby Booties was one of the new arrivals in store last month, and I love it.  I can even get past the fact that a ply is not given on any page or pattern.  There is a tension square in either stocking stitch or garter stitch and needle sizes are given.   Because of this I would be loathe to recommend the book for a beginner knitter, you would need a little confidence.

There are wonderful diagrams and instructions for techniques at the front and the 18 designs have the beautiful photography and clear instructions we have come to expect from the Made in France crowd.

It could just be because I am clucky but I love the Roman Sandals, little chubby feet in them … you just want to eat them.  I also love the Magic Moccasins, so simple, with 6 variations.  That is nearly one for every day of the week.

This dear little book full of delicious little people with smartly decorated feet can be yours for just $25.00 and is available now online or in store.

William Morris Fans Rejoice!

Dionne    Book of the Month, What's New     book of the month, michele hill, More William Morris Applique, William Morris in Applique

It is finally here.  We have had More William Morris Appliqué on order since August.  It finally arrived last week!  Yes, we know we are not a patchwork shop and despite the fact that we have all dabbled in patchwork at various points in our lives, we have no designs to move Victoria House Needlecraft in that direction.  (Utter madness with 4 fantastic patchwork shops within a 15km radius of our front door).  We are however, Morris fiends, in whatever form we can get our hands on it.   It would appear that Michele Hill may have surpassed even us with her own Morris obsession. 

Continuing on from where William Morris in Appliqué left off, Michele Hill has produced another visual feast for the non-stitching Morris fan.  For the stitcher, here is a wonderful book with beautiful quilts and accessories for the home.  There are 10 new projects featuring 55 designs inspired by Morris and a chosen room in the home.

For possibly the first time, Morris has been introduced to the baby’s room with a quilt inspired by some of Beatrix Potter’s best loved characters in Nursery Friends.  Summer Stroll, a single bed quilt cover is another design for the younger members of the family, making Morris’ elegant design asthetic accessible and relevant to every age group.

My personal favourite is Morning Glory.  Luckily, the timeless quality of Morris design and Michele’s interpretation means that when I finally get time to tackle it, it will still be contemporary.  Possibly when the munchkin goes to university!  Either that or have the book stuffed into my coffin for an afterlife project …

And finally,  the most important reason any book is featured in our Book of the Month list are the all important instructions.  Ease of use and understanding make this book an essential addition to every stitchers library, regardless of where your particular passions and talents currently lie.  We all know you have a stash of stuff to tackle one day, and this book has some aspirational projects, just waiting for that day.  Available online and in store now for $49.95.

Made in France: Blackwork; Our December Book of the Month

Dionne    Blackwork, Book of the Month, Embroidery and Crewel, What's New     Blackwork, book of the month, lucano, made in france

Made in France: Blackwork is truly a beautiful book, I bought it for the shop on the strength of the previous titles in this series Made in France and Made in France: Linen and Thread.  We had to wait a couple of months, I am not disappointed.  If ever there was a book that made needlework sexy, this is it.  This is beautiful.  Clear, crisp images in black and white.  Coco Chanel would swoon!  Where do I start?

Of course there are the homewares projects, embellishment of towels for every room of the house, an apron that is not twee, it is smart and crisp and elegant.  An afghan and a sampler have given me some fantastic ideas for a class next year.  Even your “too cool” teenager will be impressed with the personalisation of the canvas satchel for school stuff or a computer bag.

As for garments and embellishment, I have never been one for embroidered shirts but examples here are stylish.  I really love the flower motif on the pants waist band.   I now understand why it took off in Tudor England after the arrival of Katherine of Aragon.  Made in France: Blackwork also has an incredible reference catalogue of motifs to create interest, variety and shading in your work.

Oh yes, … this is a very sexy book indeed!  It can be yours for $34.95 online or instore now.

Learn to Crochet: Our November Book of the Month

Dionne    Book of the Month, Knitting and Crochet     crochet, crochet guidebook, learn to crochet

Cannot believe how fast this year has flown, this month has been especially quick.  I am horribly late with this posting but it does not diminish the regard we have for this months Book of the Month.  Learn to Crochet has sold out already this year and we have had to re-order.  With a range of projects covering chain, double crochet, treble, half treble and slip stitch, you can start from scratch and use the 20 easy projects to develop and build your skills.  At the end of your projects you have some fabulous homewares and wearable accessories. 

This book taps into a rising trend.  Crochet’s renaissance has been marked in our shop and across the fashion world this year.  This time last year we saw Granny hexagons as skirts on the catwalks of Europe, Jo Sharp has included a hexagon skirt in her new Knit 9 Get Cosy at Home: Warmth for Winter.  Patons have provided a great foundation book with their usual easy to follow instructions that are very well illustrated.  Here you have all you need to set off in a new craft direction and at a great price of $18.95, online and instore now.

Mother and Baby Animal Cross Stitch: Our October Book of the Month

Dionne    Book of the Month, Cross Stitch     book of the month, Cross Stitch

This beautiful book first came to our attention through a customer and we just had to include it as a stockline.  DMC have translated the artwork of Britain and Europe’s foremost wildlife artist, Pollyanna Pickering, into cross stitch designs you will love.  16 designs featuring mothers and babies from the Arctic Circle to the African Savannah.  Every design is presented with artwork and colour and symbol charts for counted cross stitch art you can reproduce or adapt. 

While entering it onto the site I was tempted to put it under the Baby Sampler category as well.  But managed to restrain myself.  This is a lovely book any cross stitcher will love to own.  Available now online or instore for $35.00.