best books 2009: knitting + crochet

I have reviewed a heap of books this past year – thank you to all the writers and publishers for sending these my way. Every year I like to do a little roundup of my favourite books for the year – perfect for gifts for your crafty family and friends. Here are my fave knitting and crochet books for 2009.

Knitted Toy Tales by Laura Long. David & Charles (October 16, 2009)

Knitted toy tales is a curious and enchanting book chock full of knitted creatures – funny faced dolls with sweet little outfits, lovable animals – frogs and pigs, owls and elephants, with delicious details like curly tails and fabric lined ears and funny googly eyes.

Haiku Knits: 25 Serenely Beautiful Patterns Inspired by Japanese Design by Tanya alpert. Watson-Guptill (October 20, 2009)

Haiku knits is an interesting and eclectic collection of knitwear designs with an aura of patience and calm, inspired by Japanese simplicity and the natural world.

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies by Hadley Fierlinger. Ten Speed Press (October 6, 2009)

Vintage knits for modern babies has a distinctive poetic aesthetic that I am drawn to, the designs have a vitality and depth that rocks gently back and forth between pragmatism and romanticism and the photographs are of a fantastic quality.

Men’s Knits: 20 New Classics by erika knight. Potter Craft (September 1, 2009).

One of the best (if not the best) knitting book for men’s sweaters I have seen in a while.

Tasty Crochet: A Pantry Full of Patterns for 33 Tasty Treats by Rose Langlitz. North Light Books (March 27, 2009)

I have been seeing tasty crochet foods all over the net for the past few years and am so happy that someone has finally put together a crochet play food pattern book.

Crochet Adorned: Reinvent Your Wardrobe with Crocheted Accents, Embellishments, and Trims by Linda Permann.

A gorgeous and original crochet book – there are some truly innovative designs and super cute uses for crochet in this book – I am loving it!

HatHeads: 1 Man + 2 Knitting Needles = 50 Fun Hat Designs by Trond Anfinnsen (aka knitkid on flickr), published by Watson-Guptill (July 28, 2009).

In 2006 Trond starting knitting hats for friends and family and his friend Klaus photographed them all wearing their hats and so began a joint knitting project that has culminated in a beautiful and inspiring book.

Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch by Betsy Greer published by Trumpeter (November 11, 2008).

A heartwarming and uplifting series of essays on knitting from craftivism activist Betsy Greer. Betsy writes a series of refreshing and inspiring essays, all about knitting, with topics ranging from craft as therapy, using craft to connect with others, craft for charity, and knitting and activism.

Boutique Knits: 20+ Must-Have Accessories by Laura Irwin. Interweave Press (November 1, 2008).

One of the most visually appealing knitting books I have seen in a while.

Weekend Knitting: 50 Unique Projects and Ideas by Melanie Falick. STC Craft (October 3, 2003) STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (March 1, 2009).

This book has been re released as a softcover, and I am really glad. There are eleventy billion knitting books on the crafting book market at the moment, and not all are created equal. Knitting Weekend has stood the test of time, and is as current and useful as it was when first published in 2003.