Book Reviews

Fiber Femmes Book Review

Christmas Stockings - 18 Holiday Treasures to Knit

Articles by Sandra Bennett

Christmas Stockings-18 Holiday Treasures to Knit

by Elaine Lipson

Interweave Press, publisher

Nope, it's not too soon to think about Christmas and the making of stockings. This delightful little book includes not only patterns from well known designers, it includes instructions on designing your own stocking, an alphabet chart and basic patterns. Designers include Nancy Bush, Lynn Gates, Sasha Kagan, Nicky Epstein and many others. Designs range from Scandinavian, Celtic, Austrian, Sock Monkey, Gansey and Estonian. The Sock Monkey by Linda Ligon looks more utilitarian than beautiful but therein lies its charm. The photo shows the Sock Monkey stocking stuffed with a sock monkey which would delight anyone young or old. If you've someone in the family who wears very large boots, make two Sock Monkey stockings for a Christmas treat that keeps on giving throughout the winter months.

The Weaver's Tale

by Kate Sedley

HarperCollins, Publisher

Roger the Chapman has discarded the religious life and is now a peddler, traveling the 15th century English countryside. When he collapses in the Bristol port of western England, he finds refuge with the spinner, Margaret Walker, and her daughter, Lillis. Margaret is the daughter of a weaver, around whom the mystery is woven. There are chock-a-block references to weaving, spinning and the making of clothing. The book focuses on the sheer physical labor necessary to make cloth as well as the varying ways people dressed, from high born to low born.

The Weaver's Tale is a good read with attention paid to details. Fiber Femmes who know their stuff will be pleased at the author's accuracy.

***********

Contact Fiber Femmes for a review of your book or product.

______________________________________

Sandra is Shepherdess and Farmer at Thistle Cove Farm in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of southwest VA. She raises and breeds rare, hypoallergenic American Curly horses, Shetland, Romney, Merino and cross bred sheep. Appalachian Wool Works where Happy Sheep Make Beautiful Wool is Thistle Cove Farm's own line of specialty blended yarns and handcrafted woolens.

Sandra teaches in the areas of Agri-Tourism, -Education, -Tainment, -Culture and Rural Tourism Development. Her most popular workshops include How To Increase Farm Income and helps others increase farm income using non-traditional methods. For more information about farm products or her teaching schedule, please contact her at Thistle Cove Farm or thistlecovefarm.gmail or 276-988-4121. Sandra blogs at Thistle Cove Farm and is co-editor of Fiber Femmes.