CROCHETED GIFTS – New From Kim Werker

Interweave Press puts out another winner! This new book by Kim Werker, an always reliable designer, has some great gift ideas with good photography and Interweave’s clear instructions. There are schematics accompanying many patterns. Wish they with all the patterns.

In addition to the cool afghan on the cover, there are a couple of projects with which I’m IN LOVE. First is a unique Sea Star Pendant on page 23. It’s designed by Katie Himmelberg and is a really attractive piece of jewelry that can be worked up quickly. You could make it in every color you need for your wardrobe!

Then there’s the Mesh Trellis Cardigan by Karen Drouin on page 13. I GOTTA make this – however, I’m not a frilly type gal so I’ll eliminate the very attractive but impractible for me edging on the sleeves.

Another nifty garment is the Trinity Lace Shrug on page 43. Designed by Annie Modesitt, it’s PERFECT for those of us who need some camouflage for our upper arms without the added weight of a sweater in the summer. This little shrug will fit nicely in my wardrobe over some shells that I’ve avoided wearing for many seasons.

Other designs include items for baby, Dad, kitchen, bags, jewelry, etc. There are several caps that could be quite versatile. All in all, this is a nice collection of crocheted gifts that I think you’ll enjoy.

SPECS:

Crocheted Gifts, Irresistable Projects to Make and Give by Kim Werker.

Interweave Press, 2009

ISBN 9781596681071 119 Pages

List Price $21.95

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Human brains are pretty amazing, allowing us to think, feel, create, communicate, move and more. But humans aren’t the only animals with cool brains, as Crab Museum explains in the book The No-Brainer Brain Explainer (illustrated by Bruno Valasse).

This book, aimed at kids in grades 1-4, is colorful and silly but also educational about how brains actually work, with billions of neurons sending electrical and chemical signals around the body.

“Everything we think, feel and experience comes from an electrical relay race, with neurons passing chemical batons to each other,” the book says. “The constant chatter of billions of brain cells creates your entire world.”

The book compares the brains of mammals to those of crabs (the book is “written” by a crab after all) and notes that crabs have fewer neurons and of course are much smaller, but they have separate parts of their brains that control their eyes and their legs. Crabs are also capable of remembering things, using tools and solving puzzles.

Some animals’ brains allow them to know more about their world in different ways from humans, such as spiders being sensitive to vibrations in their webs and catfish having an amazing sense of taste, with taste sensors all over their bodies.

It notes that 95 percent of brain activity goes toward things we do unconsciously, like breathing, walking and catching a ball flying toward us. It also talks about dreams, memory, how our emotions try to predict the future, where brains came from and fun facts about brains. For example, did you know a sperm whale is believed to have the biggest brain of any creature that’s even lived? Their brains weigh 18 pounds, compared to just 2.5 pounds for humans.

Information on what creatures have the smallest brains, the toughest brains, the most brains and those who actually eat their own brains will delight kids (and maybe gross them out a little bit). They’ll also enjoy learning about the mycelium network of fungi, which is like a brain without a body, and slime molds, which are like a brain without a brain.

It ends talking about why human brains are so special because we’ve found ways to work together, communicate and build communities on a scale bigger than any other animal.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy this colorful, silly and informational book about brains!

About the book: 64 pages, hardcover. Published 2026 by Wide Eyed Editions. Suggested retail price $19.99.

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