Craft Gossip

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Book Review – MESS

by

Mess by Keri Smith.

ISBN 9780399536007 RRP $13.95

I was lucky enough to receive a Galley Proof for Keri’s new book MESS. My 2 year old grabbed the book and asked if she could draw in it. I had not even read the title and snapped back NO that’s mummy’s book.  She informed me it was a drawing book and proceeded to look for a pencil.

After reading the introduction I thought wow, what better way to MESS up this book than to let me 2 year old have a go.

What am I talking about?

You may be familiar with her best selling book “Wreck this Journal” where Keri provokes her readers to Wreck the journal by poking holes in pages, tearing things up and much much more.

Well MESS (the book) is pretty much the same thing, the book is filled with directions on how to MESS up the book with quirky challenges to inspire you to be creative. Not only by yourself but with others too with several pages being directed to Groups.

Edited to add:  Now that my children are older I can truly appreciate the importance of children learning that imperfection is okay. I have two children who like to get things right all the time. This book is something we have revisited to show them that mess is not only creative it is also an important step in life, that can be acceptable.

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Summer Headband Knitting Patterns

Some knitters have trouble coming up with projects they can both knit and wear when it’s warm outside. Especially if you’re not ready for garments (thought tank tops and summer tops are great first garment projects!) it might seem like there’s nothing to do when it’s hot outside.

One way to remedy this situation is by knitting headbands. Headbands are great any time of year to keep hair out of your face and make you look a little more pulled together without any effort. Wider headbands double as ear warmers when it gets colder, but skinnier ones are great throughout the year.

A couple of great examples are from designer Elly Donner, who has a set of headband knitting patterns on Ravelry you can buy individually or as an ebook. Homebody, shown here, is worked in garter stitch (the ties are crocheted but you could also use I-cord), while Slipstream uses slipped stitches and garter ridges, and Sounds of Spring has little cables. The patterns use DK weight yarn and are a great way to use a little leftover yarn from another project.

I also recently came across the lovely Plush Braided Headband by Yevgeniya Li. A free pattern on Ravelry, this wider design is covered in lush cables for a sleek and fancy look. It uses worsted weight yarn and you can customize the length for a perfect fit.

Celeste Knitwear’s Spikelet is a simple twisted headband with columns of eyelet lace to keep it from being too heavy. It’s worked flat and sewn together to make the twist, and uses DK weight yarn. It has three sizes available.

This skinny lace headband from Lusi Knits is another cute choice. It calls for fine weight cotton yarn, but you could use heavier yarn if you have it on hand to make a wider headband (or use any fine yarn you have available). It uses ties to customize the fit.

And if you want to go super basic but still really cute, try the easy ring headband from Lulu Pattern. The sample is knit pretty wide, but you could make a narrower version if you want, and the little ring turns it from a plain loop into a bow with very little extra work. It calls for worsted weight yarn but you could also use whatever weight you like for this one to change up the look and size.