Mary Schiffmann--a founding member of the Lacy Knitters--was a tireless collector of lace patterns and a delightful storyteller about her life and craft. For this book, needle arts historian Nancy Nehring has lovingly collected Mary's knitting legacy and accounts of her life. Veteran lace knitter Pat Shannon has charted and knitted Mary's patterns with thoughtful appreciation.

Now featuring new instructions, new illustrations, and new information, The Principles of Knitting—beloved by knitters everywhere and one of the most requested out-of-print books for years—finally gets the revision that fans have been clamoring for! A treasured guide beloved by knitters everywhere, the classic book The Principles of Knitting is finally available again in a fully revised and updated edition. This is the definitive book on knitting techniques, with valuable information for everyone from beginners to experienced knitters. June Hiatt presents not only a thorough, thoughtful approach to the craft, but also a passion for carrying on the art of knitting to future generations. She has repeatedly tested the various techniques and presents them with clear, easy-to-follow instructions—as well as an explanation of what each one can contribute to your knitting. Informed by decades of experience and thousands of hours of practice, this comprehensive resource offers a variety of ways to approach every skill and technique and offers solutions that can help solve the most challenging aspects of any knitting project. The Principles of Knitting has been totally rewritten—new instructions, new illustrations, and new information. While the basics of knitting have not changed much, June’s understanding of the material has deepened over the last twenty-five years, and she’s eager to share what she has learned with the knitting world. In addition, the book has been reorganized to make it easier to use and has a gorgeous new design. Reading The Principles of Knitting is like having a knitting mentor by your side who can answer any knitting question you have in an honest, intelligent, informed manner.

With an emphasis on innovative designs that range from simple to complex, this collection of contemporary knitting projects includes garments and accessories for women. Featuring projects with a sense of style that will appeal to knitters of all ages, it includes designs for socks, hats, sweaters, dresses, and shrugs. A basic primer on knitting lace that is closely linked to the projects in the book includes information on how to knit lace, choosing yarn and needles, types of increases and decreases, reading charts, simple ways to achieve a lacy effect, ways to incorporate lace designs in knitting patterns, and information on blocking. Each pattern has detailed step-by-step instructions, lavish lifestyle photographs, and plenty of detail shots. Experienced knitters looking for inspiration and beginners trying lace knitting for the first time will find everything needed to knit lace with confidence.

New in Paper From evening gowns to sofa pillows, bags to scarves, beads add sophistication and glamour wherever they're applied. And using the tips and techniques in this full-color guide, you can easily select the right beads for your project, prepare the fabric, and develop and transfer your own creative patterns--whether starting from scratch or adding beads to ready-to-wear garments and accessories. Attractive photographs of glittering, colorful beaded items will inspire you to begin right away.

Buttons can add a distinctive touch to any garment. And Nancy Nehring's book provides a host of beautiful buttons you can easily learn to make, whether you sew or not. This beautifully photographed book features dozens of buttons, many inspired by vintage and antique designs. You'll find techniques for: delicate needle-lace buttons elegant frog closures Victorian crocheted buttons braid buttons fabric and ribbon buttons Detailed drawings and beautifully photographed, full-color photos will help you learn techniques for making the perfect button for any garment in any wardrobe.

Crafting today is a booming billion-dollar-a-year industry that attracts millions of people from all walks of life. Prima's new For Fun & Profit series offers all the information beginning crafters and those with an interest in crafting need to get started in turning a fun hobby into extra cash -- today! These books combine crafting basics with a wealth of simple business how-to information in a fun, easy-to-use format. Written by top crafts experts, these books show readers how to turn their passion into profit.