Gifted: Lovely Little Things to Knit and Crochet [Paperback]

Mags Kandis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2010

There’s nothing quite like receiving a handmade gift, and your family and friends will love being on the receiving end of these handmade designs. Designer Mags Kandis inspires with this delightful collection of beautiful and colorful little projects for you to knit, crochet, and felt.

From wearable accessories such as hats, mittens, scarves, socks, and wraps to home decor including a tea cozy, pin cushion, needle case, and laptop cover, these 30+ pieces are sweet, lively and add a little joy to every household. Each project features creative embellishments and personal touches, including beading, buttons, needlefelting, appliqué, and embroidery. Mags also shares her recipes for easy food gifts and simple sewing projects such as sewn fabric gift bags and sachets to pair with fiber gifts. Directions for making these little add-ons that make a gift personal and extra-special are scattered throughout the book.

Gifted will inspire you to grab another ball of yarn and invest a little time and love to create something special for someone special.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you're a fan of gift knitting (and crochet, sewing and cooking) that's not too difficult or time-consuming but also doesn't look like it was just thrown together at the last second (though some of these projects certainly could be), Gifted is the book for you." — About.com Knitting

"...it is the ultimate reference guide for individuals hoping to add a special something to their Christmas gifts this year." — Craft Business(UK)

"Overall, this is a beautiful and creative book..." — About.com Crochet

"If you love to knit, and enjoy giving your hand-knit items as gifts, you'll adore this book...the majority of the patterns are very usable and/or wearable." — Craft Critique

"This book is the perfect companion for the Fall season, with its beautiful patterns and treats, to help you with all of your holiday crafting." — Petite Purls

"Not often do you find a book in which you want to knit everything...I encourage you to add Gifted to your collection; it’s great to have on your bedside table for that burst of inspiration." — Knit Circus

"Gifted is a book full of the charming, inviting accessory patterns that Mags Kandis is known for...None of the patterns are complicated or take much time, but the combination of stitch, yarn and color choices make them remarkable." — Knitty.com

"This beautifully done book might inspire you to knit up everything in it and keep knitted gifts on hand all the time." — Planet Purl

"This is an inspiring book by an experienced knitwear designer who really encourages crafters to develop her designs for themselves rather than replicate them exactly...This would make a lovely surprise gift." — Education Otherwise (UK)

"You'll find lots to like in Gifted...The only problem is that you might end up wanting to keep them all for yourself! And most of the projects are small – a boon when you're crafting in hot weather!" — Canadian Living

"Will inspire you to invest a little time and love creating something special for someone-- even if that someone special is you!" — Knitting Machine Monthly

"...mingles quick little projects to knit or crochet with fabulously useful gifts that will not only be appreciated, but treasured by the recipient...And Kandis makes it easy to personalize each project by offering suggestions but not limiting the crafter to specific embellishment patterns." — KnitPurlGurl

"This book is perfect for any knitter’s library that is filled with a unique combination of wearable handknits and knits for the home." — PeacefullyKnitting.com

"Gifted is a great book filled with lots of projects you can quickly make and give them to your friends and family as gifts. (Hence the title!) I love that there is such a great variety of projects in fantastic designs. From pretty earmuffs to a darling tea cozy, there's something you can make for everyone on your list!" — CraftZine

"Unlike most gift collections, Kandis includes different construction details and finishing techniques that urge knitters and crocheters to expand their horizons while creating items people will actually enjoy receiving." — Monsters and Critics

"...the patterns in this book are charming and straightforward...People who are fans of the 'One Skein Wonders' series will really enjoy this book" — MyCentralJersey.com

About the Author

Mags Kandis has spent the last 18 years perfecting her distinct style, both as creative director of Mission Falls and for ready-to-wear manufacturers. Her designs appear in publications including Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, Knitter’s, and the Interweave Style book series, including as the editor of Folk Style. Mags lives in the heart of Quinte, Ontario.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (July 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596681780
• ISBN-13: 978-1596681781
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am co-owner of the Mission Falls label and was creative director and chief designer for over 13 years.
Now I am a very fortunate creator of books, designer of things and maker of stuff.
I live and work in beautiful Prince Edward County on the shores of Lake Ontario-- the Canadian side.
I invite you to be involved in Gifted by joining my Facebook page!
When in FB search--- Gifted:Lovely things to Knit and Crochet.
See you there!!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a crocheter's review, July 24, 2010

By 

Patricia R. Andersen "redheaded booklover" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gifted: Lovely Little Things to Knit and Crochet (Paperback)

As always, keep in mind that "knit" comes before "crochet" in the title. And similar to frozen dinners promising "gravy and roast beef", there are more knit patterns than there are crochet patterns. How many more? There are a total of 20 more knit patterns that crochet patterns for a total amount of 34 patterns - 7 crochet, 27 knit. This is of interest to the crocheter because you have to figure out whether the 7 crochet patterns are worth buying.
The patterns for crochet are as follows: Granny Bag, Crochet Flower Brooch, Cheerful Earmuffs, Gilded Mesh Scarf, Colorful Crochet Flowers, Felted Yule Bling and Felted Trivet and Coasters. The Granny Bag is as you would expect it to be if you are a crocheter, the twist being it is felted and lined. The Cheerful Earmuffs are very cute if you're an earmuff wearer. The Gilded Mesh scarf is great looking. The crochet flowers were all right, but honestly, the Felted Yule Bling and the Felted Trivet and Coasters just left me cold. The most intriguing pattern, the one of the little felted hearts on the cover, is knitted.
Is it worth it for a crocheter to buy this book? Well, if you want to make really cool looking earmuffs, I'd say, yes, you should definitely buy this book. The mesh scarf is great and the fringe is a wonderful twist that I would never have considered. The crochet patterns are well written. But I have to admit I was really disappointed that the heart pattern was only in knit.
The knit patterns look great. The Weekend Socks look terrific, the arm cozies are lovely. Not Being a knitter, I can't say how well they are written, but I'd would presume they would be well written because of the crochet patterns.
What's the verdict? If you're a crocheter, you may want to check this book out in person to see how many patterns you would be likely to use. It does have some great ideas.The knit projects look fantastic and since there are 24 knit patterns, the knitters get more bang for their buck.

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not particularly PRACTICAL gits to knit @ Crochet, July 28, 2010

By 

Samiam (The great midwest) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gifted: Lovely Little Things to Knit and Crochet (Paperback)

I am sure that a lot of effort went into designing the projects that went into this book. Personally I was looking for a book that offered more options for things to knit and crochet that were a bit more practical. For instance: Egg covers - for covering an egg that is served in a little wooden holder? . . . Seriously? I don't have time to knit 'stuff' like that! Would have loved to see ideas that were FUNCTIONAL as well as attractive. I realize that this is personal preferences, but this is one book that I wish I had checked out at the library before I jumped in and bought it! I just don't see myself reaching for this knitting book the next time I want to make a gift for someone! If you are looking for a pattern for gift and want to make a hat, scarf or mittens check out: 60 Quick Knits: 20 Hats*20 Scarves*20 Mittens in Cascade 220. Now that is a great knitting book!

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars FELT, KNIT and crochet little doo-dads, August 7, 2010

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gifted: Lovely Little Things to Knit and Crochet (Paperback)

Ok, who will like this book and who will NOT?

1. Knitters who like to felt. There are small projects like little hearts to use as pincushions, egg cozies, and other doo-dads. Also felt medallions to embroider and ornament baby wear.

2. Felters who want to do little projects. I mean, little.

3. Anyone with kids who want to try small felting projects

4. People who like fiber-related Christmas or holiday fiddle-faddle

Who will not like it? Anyone who wants bigger stuff or thinks they could figure all this out on their own and not buy a book.

I liked the pincushion idea (the hearts are cute, they could be addictive.) The baby sweater is different and quite modern-retro. The egg cozies are nice--we eat boiled eggs and the little warmers are very pretty and stylish. Other than that however...well, not my kind of thing.