CAPSULE COMMENTS

November 20, 2007

"Knitting" Pretty

The following materials are available to Library patrons and may be checked out from the main library.

Want to start a knitting circle? This DVD can help. In addition to information about knitting circles and workshops, over three hours of comprehensive knitting instruction, information, and demonstration are included for beginning and advanced knitters alike. In Knitting Demos lessons are presented for projects on various levels of difficulty. Section two describes types of fiber, dyeing and spinning methods, knitting tools, and color theory. The Knitting Library contains a glossary of terms, abbreviations, and stitches, along with knitting patterns and tips. Part five, Music to Knit By, offers a selection of instrumental piano, flute, and inspirational music that provides a relaxing background for knitters to practice their craft. The final section, Resource Guide, contains information which will date quickly, a product index, information about knitting books and magazines, lists of yarn and craft stores, and details about various charities and events that involve knitting.

If you are looking for something a little more basic, try this VHS of knitting fundamentals. In a soft-spoken and non-threatening manner, knitter Bev Dillon takes the beginner through both Continental and American methods of knitting, as well as short rows, cables, lace knitting, several methods of increasing and decreasing, buttonholes, and those oh-so important hints for dealing with errors.

DIED IN THE WOOL: A Knitting Mystery, by Mary Kruger

How does a nice person like Ariadne Evans get tangled up in the murder of one of her long-time customers, Edith Perry?

Ariadne owns Ariadne’s Web, a knitting shop in Massachusetts. Edith, who is also her landlady, is about to raise Ariadne’s rent. Since Ariadne found a body in her closed shop and since Edith was strangled with a length of distinctive hand-crafted yarn sold in the shop, Ariadne has means, motive and opportunity.

Ariadne works with the town’s attractive new detective, Josh, to unravel clues and extricate herself from this snarled web.

KNITTING CIRCLE, by Ann Hood

How do you cope with losing a child? How do you deal with the emptiness…the sudden lack of mission? How does a marriage survive under the onslaught of this pain? Since she went through this herself, Hood knows and the knowledge shows in this cathartic tale of grief shared with a group of compassionate women who have all had their own portion of pain.

If it is sentimental, sometimes that’s what you need.