Wee Woolly Toppers

by Woolly Wormhead

10 smart covers for small noggins
Published by Arbour House Publishing
ISBN 978-0-9556206-8-3
£6.50

This delightful book of 10 hats for babies is written with the author's usual attention to detail. Careful explanation of how to measure the head ensures a good fit and the patterns are clearly and concisely written. Each project is beautifully photographed on a willing young model, clearly showing the design details.

The designs are cleverly constructed, yet easy to knit. Even 'Porcupine' (right) knits up incredibly quickly. Each project takes one ball of either DK or Aran weight yarn making this book the perfect stash buster.

My personal favourites are Elfin (left) - using Noro Silk Garden and Buzzbee (cover photo) which looks equally good in pink for a baby girl.

Available from shop.knitonthenet.com at the introductory price of £5.00

Fair Isle Knitting Patterns

by Mary Macgregor

Reproducing the known work of Robert Williamson
Published by The Shetland Times Publishing
ISBN 978-1-904746-40-9
£11.99

This is a workbook of traditional Fair Isle knitting patterns, reproduced by the author Mary Macgregor from original stenciled patterns produced by Robert Williamson.

Mary has then cleverly organised the patterns into 'number families' which makes this book particularly useful, enabling the knitter to find a pattern repeat or a number of pattern repeats, which fit into the same total number of stitches equally. The key for this is very easy to follow and really adds an extra dimension to the book.

There are also a number of tartan charts in the book, which I'm very keen to try.

All in all, an inspiring book for any one wanting to create their own Fair Isle designs.

Available from www.shetland-books.co.uk