Review of the Irisn Countrywomen's Association book of Crafts

ICA Book of Crafts

 Dublin City Public Libraries

I will admit that I have not been positive about the ICA before but I'm trying to be as positive as possible here. This is part of a series the ICA have recently published, most of which are cookbooks, this one is crafts though and it does have a few knitting patterns, none of which seem to have made it to Ravelry, yet.

The book is divided into 4 sections; Stitch and Sew; Make and Wear; Store and Keep and Celebrate and the range of skills is quite impressive. However I felt, looking through it, that it wasn't really for me, many of them felt too simple, maybe it's just my skillset.

The book starts with a short introduction to the ICA and how it has been involved with crafts, with an emphasis on how the ICA enabled women to create their own income. This did lead to women realising that they could have an independent income.

Stitch and Sew 
Entertainingly the first pattern is by a family friend. The Hairpin lace Stole that is a basic instruction on how to do this technique.  Aran weight yarn used.

Crochet Cushion cover is made using motifs which are then joined, which if you wanted could create a bigger project, like a bedspread.  The instructions are written out. No. 20 crochet cotton used.

Alsorts Patchwork Quilt very sparse instructions, quite general.

Chicken Scratching Embroidery Tea Cosy "you can check the internet for patterns"

Smocking gives basic stitches and how-tos but really doesn't enter into any depth, the created piece illustrated is beautiful.

Shadow Embroidery again a general description of how to do the technique.  No real depth.

Redwork Embroidery Cushion Cover basically using a stem stitch in red embroidery thread to create a pattern. An outline pattern is given but no notes on enlarging or anything like that.


Cross-Stitch Bookmark - using a piece of Aida and not using strips of Aida that are readily available, and glued with PVA to felt.  This made my inner Cross Stitcher twitch.

Rag Rug again quite general. Mentions a rag rugging tool but doesn't go into any specifics.

Make and Wear 
Child's Aran Jacket written in pieces, raglan sleeves.  This is written as I have seen many traditional patterns written with a pattern set between a set number of edge stitches.  Mentions Aran yarn

Crochet Hats starting from the top and working down in a shell like pattern.  DK weight yarn

Whirl Scarf using the astoundingly popular wide mesh-like yarn, this is the basic instructions on how to knit with it. The illustrations are poorly reproduced and look like multiple generation photocopies.

Upcycled Child's skirt and Cap using very general instructions that would require basic sewing skills, and honestly would be best done with a commercial pattern as a template to help.

Clones Lace Wild Rose Medallion Necklace uses no10 and no20 crochet cotton.  A Rose medallion with a crocheted chain.  Would also look good in Pink and Green threads.  Written instructions


Irish Crochet a crochet sequare and an abstract flower

Peyote Stitch Bracelet a basic how-to on Peyote Stitch with extra instructions on adding the fixings for a bracelet.

Beaded Ring Necklace how to use some fairly basic beading and how to make rings that connect.

Tissue Paper Pompom exactly what it says.

Donegal Tweed Necklace and Ring using fabric, beads and buttons to create a ring and necklace.

Felted Bead Necklace how to use needle felting and wet felting to create beads.

Button Rings - using buttons and beads to create rings.

Store and Keep 
Lumra Rug written directions in quite a general manner, using wool tops. Sounds something that would be quite doable but I would like some illustrations to help me, it is one of those crafts that is sadly under-represented online.

Leather Bag basic instructions on how-to create a bag.  Again suggests using the internet to find patterns and leather.

Covered File Box the quite good instructions are marred by a preamble that involves getting "hubbie and his tools" to work on it.  Why not learn how to use new tools?  Apart from that the instructions seem clear.

Hedgerow Basket no-nonsense how-to with willow weaving.  I was reading this wondering if I could use some of my lavender or grape vines to make this.  I found it inspirational.

Rushwork Coil Table Mat - using bull rushes, suggests shaking off mould before using which made me worry about the instructions, granted there is varnishing afterwards but mould needs to be treated carefully.  There's no real information about joining lengths of rushes.

Hand Stamped Tea Towel using potato stamping and a Cookie Biscuit cutter

Celebrate 
Lace Crochet Baby Bonnet and Bootees using no10 crochet cotton, this looks like the kind of heirloom project for a very special occasion like a baptism.

Iris Folding an interesting way of playing with paper, somewhat like quilting.

DIY circular disc Banner - sewn 5" paper circles,

Mr and Mrs Claus two stuffed toy figurines, lacks patterns or templates

Two little angels mostly knit figurines.

Carrickmacross Lace an embroidered lace piece, well illustrated.

Mini Wreath stuffed and plaited, interesting.

Christmas Table Runner and Place Mats again lacking patterns or outlines, this gives general outlines on how to create the runner and place mats.  Despite the lack of patterns the instructions are quite clear.

Hat Pin Cushion a lace adorned pin cushion.
 
DIY Ribbon Dispenser painted pasta jar with hole cut in lid... yes indeed.

Christmas Card Holder this design would also be useful as a mail holder for a family in a more plain fabric.

Knitted Easter Chick DK knitting yarn, with a stuffed head and embellishment. Cute egg cosy.

Homemade Blackboard Sign exactly that.  Painted blackboard, beading as framing glued on and then holes drilled for a cord through it.

Honestly my overriding feeling from it is that it needs more, more patterns, more information, could be so much better, sadly left me wanting.

I got this from Dublin City Public Libraries who offer me no inducement to writing these reviews other than the unlimited access I have to the book stock.

Kirstie Allsopp's Craft

 Impressions: It's a pretty book, nicely styled. The crafts require a lot of variety of skills, from very basic to more complex.
 There's one knitting project, bubble coasters designed by Suzie Johnson, worked in stocking stitch and then with an applied edging with tapered corners that are sewn afterwards (um, not my type of thing) but good practice for getting your seaming in garter stitch right.
There's also a quick piece on natural dyeing.
A lot of the projects aren't bad but some of the outlay could be a bit much to dip your toe in (rose oil in her perfume is quite expensive if you get the pure stuff). It's an interesting mixed bag for someone looking to try out crafts.

 Buy/Borrow: I borrowed this from the library and to be honest I won't be buying it, the only things I was interested in are already in my library in other books. The book does have a list of contributors and a suppliers list but lacks some suggested reading.

 Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries has copies.

Project Ideas

So I see the question regularly online, what's the best project to start doing a certain type of knitting. I think I'd get shot down regularly for my answer but it would be "whatever makes your heart sing"

Yes. Forget easy, forget what techniques you don't know how to do. If a project makes your heart sing you will work out what needs to be done to make it happen.

What is making you scared of a project?

You don't have the skills? If you know how to knit and purl you know most of knitting. You can use a swatch to try out some of the other issues, to work out if you're happy with the combination of stitch and yarn and needle. If it isn't working out there is nothing wrong with ripping it out and re-purposing it. If you don't get the result the first time you knit something you've still learned something from it. Maybe that you need more practice at it, making it again maybe. Maybe when you're done with the pattern it no longer sings to you and another one speaks out. It's a continuous forward journey this knitting.

I know that sometimes what looks complicated isn't. Sometimes the pattern that makes people gasp and wonder at your mad skillz is in fact pretty easy and the wonder is caused by clever manipulation of stitches. Stitch by stitch it builds. Stitch by stitch it comes together. It sometimes reminds me of Cross Stitch. You start, you stitch and stitch and there comes a moment when it moves from being a mess of stitches to a something. That often happens with a lace pattern too, it starts off being yarn overs and knit stitch togethers and then suddenly it becomes something.

Never feel you can't. You can. You just have to believe in you. Believe that it's possible. And you know if your heart isn't made to sing by jumpers/cardigans/sweaters/large projects then DON'T DO THEM. Always follow your heart with craft, particularly if it isn't your job, because then it will always be something that fills your heart, not something that brings it down. Never feel you should do something. If you really want to know what it's like to knit a particular kind of garment and you're not sure, make it baby sized and give it away as a gift. It won't take long and if it doesn't interest you it will be over soon. Some of my best projects have come from a moment where I've wondered how it was done and my curiosity got the better of me. Allowing a childlike glee loose is sometimes the best thing you can do with craft.