First, for those who are not familiar with Joyce Williams, let me offer my humble opinion that she is one of the most inventive knitters alive today. Joyce has an amazing ability to solve little nagging problems that have been deemed "unsolvable" by the greater universe of knitters. This book is chock full of these solutions.

The first 30-plus pages of the book concern techniques - including a nice write up Joyce's great two needle circular method (no more double pointed needles when knitting socks!!!) This part of the book is worth the price all by itself.

The bulk of the book are Joyce's designs for a variety of garments, most of which are knit in the fair isle or stranding tradition. These are gorgeous garments. One blessing/caveat -- I was lucky enough to participate in a showing of these garments at Meg Swansen's Knitting Camp and they are very heavy and warm. It's also important to note that Joyce deliberately leaves out needle sizes and yarn amounts for these patterns. Why? Because most of the sizing is accomplished by changing needles and guage. Her instructions on this are clear but the presentation is likely to be disconcerting for knitters who are used to conventional "blind following" of patterns.

The final segment of the book is a terrific collection of charts for stranded or textured knitting. This is where the "Latvian" aspect figures into the art. All of these patterns are based on Latvian weaving patterns. The result is nice group of charts (and resulting knitting) that strongly resembles it's Nordic "cousins" but has its own sort of spice.

Bottom-line: An absolute keeper for the technique and charts alone. Not recommended for novices or beginners who are heavily reliant on patterns. A wonderful addition for thinking knitters who miss Elizabeth Zimmermann's works.

And was not disappointed. Joyce Williams is a real artist and genius. She's adapted Latvian weaving designs to knitting and...so much more. She has the most innovative techniques for using modules of knitting, I-cord and colors. This is one of the most unique books on knitting, and it's very inspirational. It was worth the wait.

Latvian Dreams contains so much information for the thinking knitter that the reviewer's job is difficult. Should I concentrate on the innovative techniques Joyce Williams has come up with--I-cord variations, built-in hems, buttonholes with facings, and on and on? Or should I focus on the pages and pages of charts she painstakingly created from the Latvian originals? But I cannot leave out the garments themselves--sweaters, jackets, socks, vests--knit in a number of weights and showing the reader many ways to use the charts. This book is filled to overflowing with exciting and empowering techniques and ways of seeing (really seeing) the possibilities of knitting.

For all these reasons I am very impressed with this book. But most importantly, Joyce is one of those authors who inspires knitters to create their own designs. She lets us see how she combined elements to make her vision come alive, and then she gives us the information we need to plunge in ourselves. This is exactly what I look for in a knitting book--the "you can do it too" teacher with spirit, technical know-how, and humor.

A practical and informative book. Ideal for keeping children busy and entertained. Excellent value.

Full of excellent ideas for children all environmentally friendly. Easy to follow and understand. Buy it now!!!!

If you think this is what you're looking for, trust me, it is. Just superb - lots of great, clean, perfect designs - clear instructions.

I bought this book several days ago and was not disappointed. There is so much to choose from. I haven't been able to decide what to do first. The illustrations are basic line drawings. They are ready to go for tracing right out of the book or scanning into your computer to reduce wear and tear on the book. The front of the book displays a whole bunch of embroidery stitches and the directions on how to do them. The majority of the book illustrates hundreds of flowers in many different patterns and the rest consists of creatures, quilt squares and many beautiful intricate medallion patterns. The only thing that will hold you back is your own imagination. I recommend this book highly.

Les commentaires de l'auteur sont plein d'enseignement. Les figures sont connues (voir Jayne)

Les commentaires de l'auteur sont plein d'enseignement. Les figures sont connues (voir Jayne)

Just as Martha's magazine is a joy of visual delights, this book get's the creative juices flowing. Divided into wreath making by types: wire wreaths, living wreaths, gathered wreaths etc. it is also written with a focus of wreaths presented by the 50 States with the bounties of each state proudly displayed in stunning wreath form. Maybe because it is fall and the beautiful changing leaves in Minnesota make me feel all homey, I am stirred to actual creation. Unlike some of Martha's projects when I say to myself, "yeah, sure...." I truly believe I can do these! This would make a wonderful birthday or Holiday gift to anyone who loves visual delight or poking in nature. "It's a good thing."

This book is the easiest I have ever read on wreath making! They have several gorgeous wreaths that are truly amazing! I recommend this book to anyone who loves wreaths, Martha, or easy crafts.

This is the best book I have found as far as Erector sets go. Very informative , full of pictures and charts to help you complete your set. It also gives values to help in your search of the parts you are missing. I can't say enough about this book . I own both Vol 1&2. I am very happy with them after about a 1 1/2 year search.

After eagarly awaiting the arrival of this book, I must say that I was not dissapointed at all. The information that is provided, is complete, detailed, and easy to understand. If you are trying to date an erector set, or discover what the contents should, this book is for you.

My thanks to Bill Bean for providing a reference manual that really does what it is supposed to.

Completely indispensable text for the weaver, curator, researcher, student, collector or just plain curious. Not a theoretical text; rather, the intent is to enable the reader to identify any basketry work produced by Native North Americans from the Arctic to the Southeast.

This book has scores of photos, including a preliminary section where baskets from each geographical region are reproduced in good color photos. Good but simple overview of the history of Native basketry, *great* overview of techniques with schematic drawings. Also has a thorough bibliography. A must-have reference book for any Native American or art-focused library.

I first learned of this book from a basket trader in Tucson who was explaining why I could never find any Pima baskets that matched a photograph in a booklet I had. He suspected the photographer used a brown filter to enhance the appearance. He pulled out a copy of "Indian Baskets" to show me the difference and told me if I was serious about baskets I needed to get this book. In it, I found along with beautiful photographs large enough to see in detail of many tribes' baskets: an encyclopedia of information including a list of tribes that still made baskets with descriptions of the designs each uses, detailed drawings and descriptions of the many different stitches used in baskets, a chart that can be used to find which tribes make baskets with your favorite stitches, and even a list of prices for baskets sold a few years ago. It was the book I longed to find on this topic. The one obvious omission was a list of sites where tribes sell baskets today, but fortunately that information is readily available from other sources.

Keisling (The Meltdown) lets his mordant wit run rampant through this voluminous, entertaining novel, set in the Cold War-preoccupied 1970s. This is the story of a 17-year-old high school drop-out and wannabe rock star who believes he's the reincarnation of Buddy Holly -- hence the book's title, taken from Holly's hit song. That story, however, is woven together with two others -- one concerning the development of Prometheus, a super computer capable of world destruction, and the other about a megalomaniacal but unimportant career army officer who misunderstands an order given long ago by a paranoid president. All of this is wonderfully written--there are some memorable characters and lots of satire, whimsy, and irony....At moments the book is reminiscent of John Barth's early work. --Jo Manning, Univ. of Miami

This book has it all--rock and roll, crazy generals trying to blow up the world with nuclear weapons, action, suspense, you name it. A real page-turner, the plot is more fun than a barrel full of monkeys.

This is a GREAT kit for girls of all ages! You can make creative and sparkly cards for anything! Also, people LOVE receiving sparkle cards. The kit includes colored paper, envelopes, a sparkle ribbon, glitter, rhinestones, and vellum. You can make everything from a birthday "wheel of fortune" (I made that one for my friend on her birthday and she loved it) to a pocketful of posies to even a sparkle purse! So go ahead and order your Sparkle Card Kit today! You'll be making cards like a pro in no time.

This book is great! If you need to make thank you notes, invitations, or any kind of letters, this is perfect. You get to make your own style of cards. I loved making my thank you notes all sparklly and creative. This is a great activity for any age of girls. I loved it!!!

This is a great book. The directions for the projects are explained clearly. I never thought I would enjoy working with tin until I read this book.

i am an art teacher and it helps me with my work.