Knitting - UK (2020-05)

knittingmag.com 23

REVIEWS

MENDING LIFE:
A HANDBOOK FOR
REPAIRING CLOTHES
AND HEARTS
Nina and Sonya Montenegro

Artist sisters Nina and Sonya
Montenegro combine
highly practical advice and
information on repairing fabrics
of all types with a philosophical
exploration of the meaning
of mending in this beautifully
illustrated book.
Mending Life looks into all
aspects of clothes repair, from
the environmental, mental and
social benefits to the nuts and
bolts of how you do it.
It covers everything from
sewing and embroidery to
darning and patching and
has all sorts of handy hints for
repairs of all sorts, from trouser
pockets and zips to holey
elbows and socks.
The sisters’ beautiful
illustrations and musings on
the power of mending give
the book a lovely calm vibe
that make it a wonderfully
relaxing read that is delightful
to dip into, at the same time as
it inspires you to get out your
own mending tools, sharpen
up your skills and save some
of your beloved clothes from
the bin.
£19.99, Sasquatch Books

WOOL JOURNEY:

SHETLAND

Amber Platzer Corcoran,

Jaime Jennings,

Malia Mae Joseph

and Stephen West

Back in 2013, yarn shop

owners Amber Platzer

Corcoran and Jaime Jennings

of Denver’s Fancy Tiger Crafts,

and Malia Mae Joseph and

Stephen West of Amsterdam’s

Stephen & Penelope, visited

Scotland’s Shetland Islands for

a wool and knitting pilgrimage.

This sweet, slim volume tells

the story of their travels and

what they learned about

the local sheep and knitting

traditions – and features the

designs that visit inspired.

There are five patterns:

beautiful lace shawl

Meadowsweet, Aith Fairisle

leg warmers, Sandness wrap,

Eshaness Fairisle hat and

Stephen West’s Hellik shawl,

which combines a whole range

of yarns to show off different

colours and fibres.

With beautiful photography

and plenty of insights into

the Shetlands, this is both

a pattern book and a fibre-

lover’s travel guide that will

inspire you to take your own

trip to the Shetlands.

£12.50, Pom Pom Press

SLOW TECH:

THE PERFECT

ANTIDOTE TO TODAY’S

DIGITAL WORLD

Peter Ginn

Motor manual publisher

Haynes’ latest lifestyle guide

takes a step away from the

fast-paced world of roads and

machinery and returns to the

traditional crafts of forging,

carving, weaving, moulding

and making fires.

Archaeologist and TV

presenter Peter Ginn’s

antidote to today’s device-

based lifestyle revives ancient

crafts in a modern setting

and promotes the wellbeing

that comes from making

something with your hands

and enjoying the great

outdoors.

It covers everything from

lighting a fire to building a

wattle and daub hut, creating

musical instruments and

tanning leather. Knitters may

be most interested in sections

on extracting and using

natural plant dyes and weaving

cloth, but there are plenty of

other things you might like

to try like baking fish in clay,

making cider, brewing beer,

beating copper and casting a

ring in clay.

£22.99, Haynes

MODERN CROCHET:

PAT T ER NS A ND

DESIGNS FOR THE

MINIMALIST MAKER

Teresa Carter

I’ve always fancied trying

out a bit of crochet, but

I’ve struggled to find many

patterns that really appeal

to me. They often seem a

bit too fussy, busy or just

plain colourful compared to

knitting. So this gorgeous

coffee table hardback is the

perfect collection for me.

The home and accessory

designs are pared back to

elegant basics that look

so clean and simple they

would work anywhere and

for anyone. The book has

clear photographic step-by-

step instructions that make

it accessible for even the

newest crocheter. Its designs

are simple and striking –

fascinating to make and

finished objects to be proud

of. Favourite designs include

the stunning Belladère Bobble

Pillow and beautiful Léogâne

Infinity Scarf. As well as being

makes in their own right,

designs from this book could

be used to adorn your knitting.

A beautiful read packed with

beautiful makes.

£22.99, Blue Star Press