Nifty Knits for Kids: Fun Wearables for Kids on the Go by Catherine Ham, published by Lark Books (May 1, 2007)

Basic patterns in bold colours and practical designs. Best thing about these is that the designs have room for the child to grow - they are not fitted designs where the child will grow out of it before you have finished knitting it. Lots of square shoulders and long lines. School style v-necks and vests are my favourites in this book. Kids might find some of these patterns out of fashion and as my kids would say ‘daggy’ (Australian slang meaning pretty un-trendy) - but grandma’s will love them. The patterns are given in several sizes with fairly easy to follow simple instructions with illustrations too.

Bag Style: 20 Inspirational Handbags, Totes, and Carry-alls to Knit and Crochet (Style series) by Pam Allen and Ann Budd, published by Interweave Press (September 1, 2007).

Another top quality book by Interweave. As always a mix of designs - some you will love and some you will like - not many terrible patterns in here - probably the best range of patterns in a knitting and crochet bag pattern book I have laid my eyes on in a while. Excellent images, instructions and design tips from some talented designers. For images and table of contents go here to the interweave site.
Lots of practical and beautiful designs - interesting to knit with various levels of skill and difficulty allowed. There is lovely knitted and felted messenger bag - looks very sturdy, there is a great big shopping bag crocheted from raffia ribbon yarn (looks like it could even be made from plastic bag yarn), on the other end of the scale there is a quirky knitting needle bag, petite and sweet with knitting needles as as the handles.

Fashion DIY: 30 Ways to Craft Your Own Style by Carrie Blaydes and Nicole Smith, published by Sixth&Spring Books (May 1, 2007).

Apart from the strange choice of rather dull cover, this book is not as underwhelming as it first appears. There are some rather sweet and original designs - mostly these are in the area of decorating dull or plain clothes to snazzy them up a bit. Ideas like beading and appliquéing are worked through in rather a lovely fashion, and the illustrations and instructions are really very good. There is a headband that can become a kimono belt and a felted sweater bag but where this books really comes into its own is in the second half of the book. In this section the designs and alterations become a bit more bold - such as using pintucks to change the shape of an outfit, printing bold designs onto fabric to change the look of an outfit and the deconstruction of the blouses at the back are the best t-shirt mashup designs I have come across. I was also really inspired by the embossing designs section using paper doilies to make a stamp design and using bleach pens and dyeing to subtly make design changes to a plain piece.

The Altered Book Scrapbook by Susan Ure, published by Sterling/Chapelle (August 1, 2007).

For those of you who love working with paper, vintage ephemera, found materials, and photographs this books is for you. This book has several designers and artists who have interpreted various themes to make original and very different versions of an altered book. The projects are described in detail and are very achievable projects. As with much of this area of craft the style of design varies dramatically and not everyone has the same aesthetic sensibilities - I prefer a simple design approach and much of these designs are overwhelmingly busy with multiple layers and textures and colours all used together. But for those who love the crazy patchwork style or the shabby chic vintage look then you will really love this. There are plenty of techniques and ideas to get you going on this interesting crafting pastime.

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