Visually Inspiring Books

Appliqué, Embroidery, Needlepoint, Rug Making, Patchwork & Quilting, and Crochet & Knitting. by Better Homes and Gardens 1977-8. (Teens, Adult)
In 1977 and 1978, Better Homes and Gardens published several craft books. My mom got a set shortly after I was born. When I went to college, I took them with me and used them to become the clever crafter I am today. These books are both technically helpful and inspiring.

Queen Elizabeth I, Infamous Women, and Infamous Women Paper Dolls by Bellerophon Books. (Picture Book, Children, Teens, Adult)
This publisher, Bellerophon Books, puts out the best coloring books known to woman. I was raised on their paper doll coloring books. As an adult, I used them for costume design and inspiration. These books include historically accurate line drawings and educational information on a wide variety of people, places, and time periods. Where else could you find a paperdoll that proclaims "Never shall any man be my master!"

The Diary of Frida Kahlo; An Intimate Self-Portrait by Frida Kahlo 1995. (Adult)
With an introduction by Carlos Fuentes and commentaries by Sarah Lowe. This is an actual color copy of Frida's sketchbook. Anyone intrigued by Kahlo's work would enjoy flipping through this book.

Unexpected Journeys; The Art and Life of Remedios Varo by Janet A. Kaplan 1988.
This book is the most thorough and authoritative source on the art and life of the Spanish/ Mexican painter Remedios Varo, an artist like no other.

Websites for Knitters

Yarndex- A great place to go before substituting a yarn for a pattern, this website features profiles of over 3,000 yarns.

Ravelry - This website is knitting and crocheting community/ pattern index/ scrapbook/ yarn index/ organization tool. My participation in the Ravelry Beta testing is what inspired me to update my website and informed much of its design.

KnittingHelp- Video demonstrations and written explianation of every knitting technique I have needed to see so far.

Knitty- an online newsletter and excellent source for free knitting patterns.  

Books for Knitters

Confessions of a Knitting Heretic by Annie Modesitt.
Annie writes about knitting in a style that is both academically objective and intuitively subjective. She believes that knitting teachers and project instructions should describe the desired result of the individual knitter's stitches and celebrate the many different ways to achieve a shared result. As a knitter with a style of knitting that is completely my own, I appreciate her approach and enjoyed reading her self published work.