Make these felt booties – they are very very cute!
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babies
Amy Butler’s Little Stitches
Like all Amy Butler’s patterns, this book is full of gorgeous designs, with detailed instructions. Not for the absolute beginner sewer, although some projects might fall under that category. There are some challenging projects to stretch your sewing skills.
Amy has included hand drawn illustrations this time around – which is lovely, I do find the designy patterns underneath the photos and illustrations and text a little busy and distracting though. The photos and styling as usual is outstanding, however the projects are very text heavy with project instructions often running on from each other without clear definition between one and the next.
The projects themselves are for the most part pretty cool. Some gorgeous practical stuff, I think this is Amy’s strength – household practical designs. A crib set with pockets, a wrap blanket with hood, a baby kimono and slippers. I love the everything bag – a tool kit for mums – really all women need one of these. And I wish I had had the change tabletop with pockets when my babies were babies.
Some of the more whimsical projects are more successful than others, I really love the cuddle kitty toy and the imagination book and the cheeky monkey laundry bag – very very cute. I thought the sleepy snail with the spiral ruffle, and the baby butterfly hat just a bit too fussy though.
Overall though a terrific book with a range of patterns to suit most new mothers who like to sew.
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Natural Knits for Babies & Toddlers
By Tina Barrett published by Guild of Master Craftsman (October 7, 2008)
Most knitters will be familiar with wool, acrylic, cotton and alpaca. But have you ever tried knitting with corn, or soy, or bamboo, or hemp? When knitter and designer Tina Barrett became pregnant and started to think about the world into which her baby would be born, she decided to clothe her little one in soft, natural, organic and sustainable fibres.
Her gorgeous book Natural knits for babies & toddlers includes patterns for clothing for sizes from premmie babies to 3 years old. My favourites are the hemp swing dress and trousers and the corn fibre lace pyjamas. There is also a chapter for accessories, the best of which are the soy silk nappy liner and bamboo breast pads. And I doubt if you will be able to go past the sheep face comfort blankie, or the moo hat and mittens.
Besides being full of great projects and how-tos, it is well written and gorgeously photographed. A fantastic book for any knitting parent (or grandparent, auntie, uncle or any knitter that knows anyone with kids), and that likes to use yarns that are eco friendly.
About the author: Kate is a busy mother of four and has far too many craft projects on the go at any one time. These could include, but are not limited to, crochet, sewing, dyeing, paper making, spinning, felting and bookbinding. Kate has challenges in the areas of finishing things, saying no and craft supplies storage. She also has a very very patient and tolerant husband.
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The Fishing Line is a hanging mobile that can either be stretched out long in a line or hung as a brace of fish. from flying star toys.
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For more kids craft, creative ideas and activities go to the Action Pack website
