I have a problem…

…and it involves heroin. No, wait. I meant books. Not heroin.

I work in a public library, which means I have access to a larger number of books than I will ever be able to read in my lifetime. When I was a kid, around 7 or 8, I briefly thought that maybe, just maybe, I might be able to read every single book in the entire world. Once I realized that I could only read one language…yeah. That died pretty quickly.

Working in a library means that I can delude myself into thinking that, hey, maybe I can at least read every book in the library. Okay, I don’t really think that. But I do have a problem (and herein lies the crux of this blog post) and that problem is that not only do I place requests for and bring home entirely too many books from the library (my library’s limit is 50 books per library card), but I check out craft books (mostly crochet) and never make a single project out of any of them! Although I am exaggerating just a bit (I’ve made a few things!), it’s true that I check out tons of craft books only to stare longingly at the perfectly lit photos of finished items.

And all that is to say that I would like to share with you a list of some of my current favorites in the world of crafting books.

Little Crochet by Linda Permann

This is a cute book that features cute pictures of cute kids wearing cute crocheted clothing. I’m telling you. It’s cute. My favorite pattern is for the hooded cape. What the heck?! I always wanted a hooded cape when I was a kid! And now I can make myself an inappropriately small cape. In all honesty, there are so many great patterns that are fantastic in their simplicity. I love it.

Stitch and Bitch: The Happy Hooker

Classy lady, classy title. It puts me in mind of ladies of the night, standing on street corners, hawking their wares in shimmery sequined tops, fishnets, and pumps a half size too big, all while attempting to finish a few apple-shaped pot holders for their kid’s holiday gift exchange at school.

I have completed a number of patterns from this book and they were each pretty darn awesome. I’ve crocheted a handful of the flower-edged scarves in various types of yarn. They’re a fantastic, semi-last minute gifts (if you have a few hours, that is).

Tasty Crochet: A Pantry Full of Patterns for 33 Yummy Treats by Rose Langlitz

Come on. It is food. That is crocheted. You can’t eat it. But I don’t really care about that. Because it is food. That is crocheted.

This is really one of those that I look at and think (or even say out loud to a friend who later asks me if I ever did it), “Hahahahaha. That’s so awesome! I’m going to make that!” and then I don’t ever make. I did, however, crochet the chocolate chip cookie (okay, easiest pattern in the book, probably, but it’s a CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE). The cookie is now a cat toy, but I can promise that my cats appreciate Rose Langlitz’s pattern.

Maybe someday I will crochet a few more items in each of these books, but for now I will simply stare and drool.

As usual.

– Amy –