Spending much of the day in an environment that revolves around words and information means my bookcases are bulging and my wish-list overflowing. Books — instructional, informational, graphic novels, historical, painting, photo, biographical, art-related in any way — take up as much of my ‘work room’ as my materials. So it’s only a matter of time before new finds and favorite picks show up in blog posts…

FINDS on my bookshelf

Knitting Nature: 39 Designs Inspired by Patterns in Nature Even though I am in no way a big fan of following patterns, this is one book I’m smitten with and had to have at my side. My take on inspiration is, perhaps it will only serve as inspiration for a section of something I work on — in that case, it’s well worth having it than not!

365 Knitting Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar This was a gift, and a cherished one at that. Even though I ate, slept, and breathed knitting — a ball of yarn and knitting needles accompanied me everywhere, including restaurants, work, anywhere my purse went — the result was a calendar and, suprisingly, not an intervention! Don’t mind the repeteative looking panels, because knowing how to get achieve that certain variation is something you’ll want to know. While I hardly ever use the calendar function I do have a ton of pages sticky-noted for use in specific projects. If you really want something-a-day to do, go for the Origami or Kirigami day-by-day calendars. They’re great for that mid-day pick-me-up and make for decorative cubicles!

Stitch ‘N Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook is another good one. It’s pretty much the book that got me picking up knitting needles again, after burning out on straight knitting, purling and garter stitching scarves (maybe it can be referred to as vintage now?), the patterns are stylish, fun, irreverent (even though more recent finds I’ve fallen for, like this one, are even more so!) and still simple enough to not over-task a beginner. They have a page-a-day calendar as well.

FYI, I’m still searching for a nice yarn that’s calling out to me ‘bikini time’!