Non-fiction books part 7

This is part seven in a series of non-fiction book reviews, based on the idea that the books I request tell you everything you need to know about me. Today we look at a new craft, take a little trip into my childhood and work on our mental health - with chickens(Quirky!) . All books are provided in electronic form by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Punch NeedleTattoo Designs: 18 Beginner-Friendly Projects and Over 25 Additional Patternswith Style - Punch Needle Embroidery Designs for Home Décor, Clothing, Pillows,Bags, and More Amy Buchanan

I've heard of punch needle embroidery, but didn't really know what it was. Since I have a fascination with all fibre craft, and tattoos as well, I thought this would be a good entry into learning about the craft.

It serves as a strong introduction, with information about how to begin and troubleshooting. The projects are varied, and give lots of choices. One of the strongest things about this book is that it is empowering. It gives techniques an ideas, but leaves the details in the hands of the fibre artist. So, did I try punch needling? It's a pretty low bar to entry - the punch needle tool is about 5 bucks, and I've already got an embroidery hoop and lots of yarn. I haven't tried it yet, but that's because I am quite busy with other crafts, but this book certainly tempted me, and I may yet try it.

Therapy Chickens: Let the Wisdom of the Flock Bring You Joy Tedra Hamel

This book is fabulous. Tendra owns backyard chickens and her affection for them is evident in both her words and her charming illustrations. This is not a self help book - there are gentle suggestions and observations. It would be a fun book to work through as daily meditations. I'd like to give a paper copy to my friend Anna, who also loves her backyard chickens, but this would be a fun gift for anyone who might benefit from a little bit more joy in their lives.

AsterixOmnibus, vol. 11 Albert Uderzo

When I was growing up my father worked next door to the Carringbush (Richmond) library. On occasion we would be at his office, so we would go and hang out in the library, waiting for him to finish work. The library had a display of Asterix and Tin-Tin comics, next to a carpeted step and my brother and I would sit there and read them. I always found the Asterix comics pretty silly. Still when I had the chance to request this from NetGalley (I'm not sure why, since this seems to have released in 2019) I took the opportunity to wander down memory lane. And yes, this book is still pretty silly. I will say that this is presumably being sold as a paper copy, it's pretty challenging to read on a tablet.

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Geogradiant MKAL Part 1 - that was unexpected (spoilers)

Stephen West released the first MKAL clue on Thursday night. I started knitting it without looking at spoilers. When I got up on Friday he had sent through an "alternative" clue one. I then went and had a look at the spoiler thread to try to work out what was going on. Which was that some people thought the pattern looked like a "German hate symbol". I knit on anyway, since I was half-way through. Then he took down the original clue, replacing it with a mitred square in garter stitch. The Ravelry forums and Instagram are a complete shit-show, even though Rav is being moderated. It's been a bit disheartening, having something that is usually quite light and fun weighed down with all this. I admire Stephen's quick and sensitive response to this drama. I also feel that anything can look like anything if you squint. To me this looks like a Celtic knot. I think mine is pretty, and I'll knit on through all crises.

Linky Wednesday - the one with the drama

The drama about the Stephen West MKAL continues, and I can't be bothered with it. It's meant to be a fun, interesting, communal knit and and that's not what this year has turned in to. Stephen has done his best in a difficult situation, but I'm just not feeling it. Meanwhile, Israel is at war, and we (as a country) are going to vote "no" on a referendum that asks for basic consideration for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders. So yeah, lots of turmoil here. It's very tiring. I'm knitting a sock and considering what happens next. Luckily the reading was dramatic in a good way. I'm reading a NetGalley review copy of Last Summer at the Lake House and it's great. Super dramatic family drama about three sisters who loose their father unexpectedly and then find out that the family has secrets. I 've nearly finished it and I don't know what I'm going to read next. I've got a bit of a break between review books, so maybe Sta

Mussleburgh musings

I made a Mussleburgh hat earlier in the year, and even though I thought I was following the directions exactly it did not come out quite right. It was a little bit loose. My head is 51 cm, my gauge was 7 stitches, so according to the pattern I knit the right size. It's also a little bit shorter than I would like it. Too long for a beanie, too short for a good turn-up. I couldn't work out why. I still wore it, but it was not quite right. When I decided to knit one for Elise I knew I wanted to make it longer, and tighter. After I finished Elise's (with 24 fewer stitches) I realised something about mine: Now, this is a knit tube. I know how to knit tubes. When I make sleeves or socks, they don't balloon out in the middle. So I decided to reblock it. The instructions actually specifically say to fold it inside each other after blocking, but I probably folded it and dried it on my head, because that's how I block my hats. Not this time: Now it's longer and thinner

What I made, by Sharon

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