Itty-Bitty Toys: How to Knit Animals, Dolls, and Other Playthings for Kids by Susan B. Anderson

The handknit toys featured in this book are cute, classic, and are sturdily constructed. It's a winning recipe for both the knitter who makes one and the child who is the recipient. There are a wide variety of creations here, including a bunny, koala mama and baby, a monkey, nesting boxes, and more. The last section even includes some reversibles, like a cat that turns into a mouse and an egg that turns into a bluebird nest.

Men's Knits: 20 New Classics by Erika Knight

It's not always easy to find knitting patterns for men's garments that actually look like clothing your husband, brother, or other real-life man might wear. In contrast, these patterns are all wearable, designed for comfy fibers in masculine colors and without any frilly or fussy details. As a bonus, these patterns are very easy to follow and don't involve any advanced techniques.

All New Homespun Handknit: 25 Small Projects to Knit with Handspun Yarn by Amy Clarke Moore

Knitting with handspun yarn is a treat, but it's also quite different from knitting with machine-spun yarn. It's not necessarily consistent in texture and thickness and it often surprises you as it knits up. The patterns offered here are perfectly suited to handspun and are, as the title says, small, which is also perfect as you often only have a limited amount of handspun in any given colorway.

If the cold temperatures are keeping you indoors, why not try doing some fun crafts to beat the winter blues? The book Crafts to Make in the Winter has some cool ideas, or you can try the Apples 4 the Teacher website for further suggestions. So get those creative juices flowing - there's all kinds of awesome stuff you can make!

Eight workshops from the world's best quilt makers offers a unique opportunity to take classes without leaving home. The book Quiltmakers covers a wide range of quiltmaking skills like perfect piecing, applique, template making, adding straight and mitred borders and quilting. Each chapter gives a step-by-step instruction to the project.

Fairy Tale Knits: 32 Projects to Knit Happily Ever After by Alison Stewart-Guinee

Fairy tales are the source of so much pleasure, wonder, and imaginative play for children, and the patterns contained here are fanciful without sacrificing wearability. From the Snow Queen to Robin Hood to magic carpets, these projects explore classic fairy tale characters that are staples of playing dress-up. The garments are for the most part versatile enough for everyday wear as well, which will delight everyone who sees them.

Haiku Knits: 25 Serenely Beautiful Patterns Inspired by Japanese Design by Tanya Alpert

Alpert has filled this book with gorgeous garments that are elegant in their simplicity. She uses a wide variety of types of yarn for a beautiful range of textures and effects. All of the patterns are inspired by natural elements, from a flickering flame to ripened wheat to a hazy moon. The book is also put together expertly, with close-up photos that truly show off the beauty of each piece.

Time certainly is flying by and with the holidays so close, be sure to spend some time in our craft collection, specifically with the holiday craft books! Hunker down in the kitchen with some hot cocoa (piled high with marshmallows...yummy) and get out your favorite glue stick. There are so many different handmade items you can make, days will pass without you every leaving the house, which is not such a bad idea considering the shmucky weather we've been having. Happy Crafting!

Material Obsession: Modern Quilts with Traditional Roots by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke
I haven't made a quilt yet myself but have always admired the technique and art of those made by others. As the weather turns colder I find myself ready to tackle a project that will, in the making, drape fabrics over my lap and keep my hands occupied while watching movies and enjoying the company of my family.

If you like to listen to an audio book and quilt at the same time then Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek quilt novels is your answer. The series has 14 books and in all the books the story and the art of quilting are neatly stiched. You can learn more about the quilts discussed in those stories by going into Jennifer Chiaverini's web site at http://elmcreek.net. The Winding Ways quilt pattern is easily explained in Nancy Elliott MacDonald's book Winding Ways Quilts A practically Pinless Approach.

Welcome to December everyone and for that matter, welcome to National Tie Month! In honor of the gift that we all love to give fathers and grandfathers for most holidays of gift giving significance, let's celebrate the tie with joy and creativity. There is so much you can do with a tie, for example, you could put your picture on it, tie-dye it, paint it, iron on a patch or decal, attach festive jewels, or go crazy with some craft glue and glitter. Whatever you decide to do with your tie, have fun and know that the beloved tie will be even more well loved because you decorated it. Good luck!

Wondering what gifts to buy for this gift-giving season? Well, why not make your own gifts like some celebrants of Kwanzaa do. You could make ornaments, dolls, treasure boxes or candle out of old jewelry, marbles, yarn, string or other small pieces you already have around. Here are some craft books to help you along.

All new crafts for Kwanzaa by Kathy Ross; illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm

Chinese New Year crafts by Karen E. Bledsoe

'Tis the season for holiday decorating. Get some great ideas from our selection of holiday decorating books.

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting: Celebrating the Gift of Knitting with 24 Beautiful Patterns by Lorna Miser
This book of patterns by the founder of Lorna's Laces (drool-worthy fibers available locally at the Old Village Yarn Shoppe) includes patterns for socks, mittens, sweaters, stuffies, and even how to make your own decorative knitting needles. Interspersed with the patterns are brief stories explaining how Miser came up with the pattern and how it connects to her life.

Hey glue and glitter fans! Hope you have been having a festive holiday season. I know I have eaten way more food than I thought I could in the last couple of days, and I hope your tummies are full of yummy food too. While you are digesting, check out our fabulous Thanksgiving craft books. That way while you are waiting to be hungry for more pie and mashed potatoes and biscuits, make a turkey with some glue and feathers or paint your favorite holiday picture full of dinner, family, and friends. Have a great weekend!

Beat Ebenezer Scrooge (your budget) and The Grinch (the economy) at their own game! Have a fun, festive and fancy Christmas Holiday without spending a lot of cabootle! Plan now and make your holiday season spectacular and stress-free. Everything you need is here to help stimulate your creativity; we have books ranging from 300 Ways to make the best Christmas ever to Christmas comfort and joy : 501 crafts, decorating and food ideas to make your holiday unforgettable. Be the envy of your friends and family and spend pennies for presents by checking out websites like http://simplemom.net/ and http://www.allfreecrafts.com/ for the frugal conscious!

Feminine Knits: 22 Timeless Designs by Lene Holme Samsøe
Filled with mostly sweaters and jackets, this book offers delicate, girlie knits you can craft by hand. Many of the patterns feature lace and other decorative elements that give the garments something special. While feminine, most of the garments also appear sturdy enough for everyday wear.

Happy Belated Birthday to the Big C...as in Cookie Monster! November 2nd was his birthday so while the wishes are a bit late, let's carry on the celebration! Bake some chocolate chip cookies and decorate them to look like Cookie Monster, write a poem about how blue his fur is or how googly his eyes are, or if you are really crafty, knit your own fuzzy cookie monster. The options are endless, so explore your creative vein and have a cookie or two in Cookie Monster's honor while you are at it.

I'm old. I admit it. I remember WKNR (Keener 13) and I remember Swingin' Time with Robin Seymour and best of all, I remember Scott Morgan and the Rationals. The Rationals were IT, as far as garage bands went in Dee-troit City in the mid to late '60s. They did a cover of Otis Redding's Respect that landed on the Billboard top 100 long before Aretha Franklin ripped its head off. It's here on Think Rational!, a 2-CD retrospective of the whole Rationals oeuvre. I Need You is here, too, and Gloria and over 30 more examples of the kind of rockin' R&B Detroit was serving up while the Beatles ruled the rest of the world.

Kanzashi in Bloom: 20 Simple Fold-and-Sew Projects to Wear and Give
by Diane Gilleland

Kanzashi is a Japanese technique of folding and sewing fabric into beautiful shapes, like the flowers featured in this book. The flowers range in size from small enough to be used as earrings to some large enough to compose a bouquet or accent a wall hanging. This is a technique I'm anxious to practice.