Summer is here and the roses in front of the cottage are blooming. I'll be headed for Montana soon, so we are changing the hours to fit the staff in town. Tuesday will be our 'late' day: open until 7 PM. We'll be open until 5 PM on all other days. Still open 7 days per week.

Lost and Found If any of these sound familiar, please claim them:

* Large black shawl with fringe. Tag: "made in China."

* EGA Group Correspondence Course for 17th Century Style Sample by Ilse Altherr in a blue folio.

* Cross-stitch chart: "All Things Beautiful Sampler."

* Prescription sun bi-focal sunglasses in hard Anne Klein case.

* Bag of needlepoint threads including some green (V222) Very Velvet

Stitchionary 2: Cables from Vogue Knitting, $29.95

* Cables, cables, and more cables! Beautiful and creative cable designs for the very advanced, inspired, and adventurous knitter. - Phyllis

* Now this is what knitting is about! Wonderful, intricate cables with clear instructions and charts. Patterns range from really easy to Gordian-knot intricacy. - Elizabeth

Hooked Bags: 20 Easy Crochet Projects by Margaret Hubert, $19.95

* Wonderfully easy, practical, beautiful handbags & pouches, lined and unlined. Stitches are very well illustrated and easy to understand. For crocheters from beginning to seasoned. - Phyllis

* I wish all pattern books had a spiral binding in them! These bags are cool and some have beautiful stitches in them that turn out to be quite simple. The stitches used in the book are explained in the back with plenty of photographs to make things clear. The Drawstring Petal Pouch and Festive Folded Square were intriguing...crochet origami! - Elizabeth

Wendy Knits: "My Never-ending Adventures in Yarn" by Wendy Johnson, $14.00

* Memories of the author's adventures in knitting from beginning knitter to knitting designer. You may feel as though you are sitting in her living room by the fireplace, chatting and sharing patterns from socks to lace shawls, cellphone covers to fingerless gloves. This book has something for all knitting levels. - Phyllis

* Wendy is obsessed with knitting - she has her own blog (www.wendyknits.net) and has designed patterns for knitty.com and knitting magazines. This, her first book, is a nice combination of patterns and ruminations on the art of knitting. The pictures are all black & white, but the patterns are clear and range from simple to moderately challenging. Then there are all the stories...which are quite entertaining! Wendy's a good designer and writer - a refreshing combination. While this isn't really a "how-to" book, it's a good addition to any collection. - Heather

...And So To Bed by Lucinda Guy, $22.95

* Nightwear: robes, nightcaps, socks to keep your little one's toes toasty; toys to cuddle with, blankets to cuddle under. Fun book with charming illustrations. - Phyllis

* Here's another book of adorable knit patterns for children from Lucinda Guy. Like her last book, the illustrations are charming. Also like her last book, the patterns are not for the fainthearted! However, they are well-written & charted, and the challenge is part of the fun, right? I'm particularly entranced by Belle the Ballerina Bunny and her adorable tutu and tanktop - too cute! - Heather

Inspired Cable Knits by Fiona Ellis, $35.00

* Okay, so cables look far too challenging for you to try. Not any more! This book will, well, inspire you to take needles in hand and go for it! Patterns are easy to understand and clearly written with plenty of space between the lines. The author intersperses "mindful knitting" encouragements all along the way. Each chapter was inspired by something different: sweaters, yoga bag, and a pillow that mimics windswept sand ripples. - Phyllis

* All right, who hid this one from me? Admittedly, I'm addicted to cables. I love knitting them. However, I've also been knitting less than a year now, so cables are not for the massively experienced knitter! They just need a little patience and a lot of trust in the pattern to come out as promised. Fiona's instructions at the beginning on the basic steps of cable-making are nice and clear, as are her charts (huzzah!). She clearly marks the repeats out, which helps a lot. I love Gathering Intentions with its cable-that-turns-into-I-cord - or is that the other way round? - and Celtic Icon (of course) with its seamless hood...and just about everything else in here! - Elizabeth

Greetings from Knit Cafe by Suzan Mischer, $24.95

* This is a beautifully photographed book, with patterns ranging from practical cardigans and pullovers to special-occasion items such as the floor-length silk lace Red Carpet Gown. Suzan's shop is on Melrose Avenue up in L.A., and the patterns in her book are advertised as "California-style projects". Accordingly, there are patterns for bikinis and yoga mats...but also children's sweaters and a sensible ladies' polo sweater. The book includes the first yarmulke pattern I've come across. - Heather

Sexy Little Knits by Ashley Paige, $21.95

* This is one of those books where the title says it all. These items are knit or crocheted...they're sexy...and, above all, they're very, very little! There are five bikini patterns in here, along with various tanktops, halters, and dresses. If you've got the body and the attitude, go for it! This may be the first knitting book that will inspire your boyfriend/husband to buy yarn for you! - Heather

Knitting Nature: 39 Designs Inspired by Patterns from Nature by Norah Gaughan, $29.95

* This is one of the most beautiful books to come out this year, and would make a great gift for an experienced knitter. The patterns are intermediate to advanced: there are lots of charts, lots of cables, lots of lace... They're mostly for sweaters, but there are a couple shawl patterns, a skirt or two, and some mittens, too. If you're ready for a challenge, check this one out. - Heather

* This is a fascinating book just to look at the patterns the designer has come up with and read how she thought of them. On the whole it seems most of the patterns are pretty intricate all over, but I noticed one or two that looked very basic except for a pattern in the yoke-area (Phyllo Yoked Pullover) or an all-over knit-and-purl pattern that makes a very interesting diamond fabric (span class="italic">Diamond Tunic). Some hats are quite fascinating...and I hadn't even conceived of someone knitting fractals before! (If I were built like that model, I would wear it, too!) - Elizabeth

Interweave Knits, Summer 2006

* More great patterns from Interweave Knits! This season's designer profile is on Wenlan Chia, founder of the Twinkle fashion line. The featured article is on knitted lace, and is subtitled "Part I", so there's more lace to come in the fall or winter. - Heather

PieceWork, May/Jun 2006

* I always love looking at the pictures in this magazine because the sheer artistry of the stitchers always amazes me. The tapestries featured in the article on the Sisters of the Order of St Benedict are incredible in detail, as is the wedding veil made of bobbin lace. And I didn't know that the Victorians had perforated paper or that they did so much with it. - Elizabeth

Remember, in anticipation of heavy traffic in Pacific Beach on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, we will be closed. Otherwise, we are open every day until July 3rd and 4th. See you soon!

Sincerely,

Liz Walters
Needlecraft Cottage