Have you ever considered knitting your own dishcloths? No?  Me neither… that is, until I started reading Simple Knitting.  This gorgeous book, tagged as ‘a how-to-knit workshop with 20 desirable projects’ is an exercise in tactile seduction.  Illustrated throughout in subtle muted tones and featuring natural materials such as bamboo, silk and cotton, its modern, minimalist aesthetic is instantly attractive.

The book is split into two main sections.  The first covers the basics of knitting; from choosing your yarn and needles to the knitty-gritty (sorry) of making those first stitches. There’s also a helpful glossary of abbreviations and a clear explanation of how to read knitting patterns and charts, all written in Erika Knight’s reassuringly calm and encouraging tone. The section is rounded off with a useful library of stitches and textures including a variety of cables and ribs.

The patterns section of the book comprises twenty projects, primarily home décor items and accessories.  Beginning with a simple scarf and progressing to a v-neck pocketed cardigan, taking in mittens, cushion covers and socks on the way, the patterns progress in difficulty through the book. Each begins with an experience level rating, a ‘what you’ll learn’ summary and a list of the stitches used, as well as the usual yarn and needle requirements.

And even fairly experienced knitters can learn something from this book, be it socks on 4 double-pin needles, beginning steps in intarsia or short-row shaping. Never claiming to be encyclopaedic or definitive, Ms Knight says she simply teaches the methods she herself finds most effective.  This emphasis on education extends the life and usefulness of the book – even when you’re not knitting the projects, you can refer to it over again for the cast-on method, invisible seaming or stitch library. That said, I defy you to look through this book and fail to find at least one must-knit project!

I might lack the patience to produce the huge colour-block throw but I’ve already bookmarked the knitted notebook covers, socks and intarsia pincushion for near-future knitting. That is, of course, once I’ve finished my dishcloth.

Simple Knitting by Erika Knight, Quadrille Publishing, £16.99

Say a big hallo to Mhairi of Much Too Fun!

Why did you start in business/crafting?
I had been inspired by visiting other craft fairs and shops and have a lot of crafty, creative friends. I’m a graphic designer by day and have always enjoyed creating things in my spare time. A couple of years ago my house was broken into and all my precious jewellery was stolen so I began making my own vintage inspired charm jewellery. It went really well and I soon began selling the items at fairs and online. Earlier this year my friend Sarah and I had a wee night out and stumbled across the idea for Bonnie Bling and we’ve been working away at it ever since.

How did you come up with your crafty name?
A friend and I were at the Sonar music festival a couple of years ago and were having much too fun!! So when I set up my online shop I thought it would be a great name to use as the main aim of what we do is to bring a smile to your face.
For the Bonnie Bling jewellery range we wanted something catchy and fun with a little bit of Scotland thrown in, we really like it.

Is your glass half full or half empty?
Always half full and striving to fill it to the top.

What is your favourite thing that costs nothing?
My cats are pretty fun, and the fruit and veggies I grow in my garden always impress me.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Design books and mags are an essential for me.
I love finding out what other crafters are getting up to and working on collaborative projects (we have a couple in the pipeline just now.)
Due to the amazing response we’ve had to our jewellery line, we have a lot of people shouting random Scottish words at us so we’re not too short on ideas for Bonnie Bling!

Top 5 desert-island essentials?
1. An eternally charged Iphone
2. Mascara
3. An umberella- it’s multifunctional
4. I think that seen as I have my iphone with me a lot of other things can be left at home!

What is the ugliest most pitiful thing you’ve ever made?
A clay dinosaur I made when in primary 3 stands out in my memory! It had a tail that had to be re-attached every 10 minutes to keep me happy.

What have you made that you’re most proud of?
I went to a silversmithing class last year and have just completed my first solid silver necklace and matching ring. I wanted something a bit different so it is just one long chain that you can leave hanging loose or can wrap round your neck. At one end is a lovely silver frog and at the other is the Dragonfly he’s trying to catch for his tea!

Favourite biscuit?
Classic

What crafts do you still want to learn?
Would love to get some screenprinting on the go sometime, and some dressmaking would be pretty handy.

What is your idea of a perfect day?
I quite like the unexpected things that can happen when you have no plans but the perfect start to the day would be a long lie, then a breakfast of tea and toast while getting some time to read the newspaper. In general hanging out with my husband and cats helps me to recharge my batteries when I’ve had mega busy weeks, nice to have some downtime. If I can manage to squeeze in a wee glass of red wine in the evening that’s always a nice treat :-)

What do you do in your day-to-day life, other than being a mafioso?
By day I am a graphic designer and run my own web design business called Mucky Puddle. I think, now that I officially have two companies, I get to be called an entrepreneur, look out Lord Sugar!

What is your favourite crafting tool?
My A2 wooden drawing board that used to belong to my Grandpa. I can pop my laptop on it to prevent hot-leg syndrome, draw and paint on it, and can spread out all my charms and bling so I can see what I’m doing when I’m in a crafting frenzy. Perfect!

What are your plans for the future?
We really want to keep sourcing amazing vintage charms for Much Too Fun. With Bonnie Bling, the plan is to release a new range every season eventually moving into regional words and phrases for different areas of the country. There are so many amazing words out there that people need to hear!

Big thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway to win a copy of In The Loop. We’ve asked the Random Number Generator to pick a winner and it came up with 7.

So, congratulations to Miranda! We’ll be in touch shortly to arrange delivery of your prize.

Commiserations if you didn’t win this time but more giveaways are coming soon – and more knitting book reviews too! – so keep reading.

This Saturday, Asking For Trouble, Frayed At The Edges, Julia Smith Ceramics, Lucy Jackson Designs, Pumpkinsputnik and The Rainbow Effect join Rosie of Rosie’s Retro Styling for a mini mafia market in her back garden from 1pm as part of Bungo in the Back Lanes. Use the map here to plan your visit.

The mafia have lots of goodies to treat your dad this Sunday.

A good size for a nip or three:
Swallow cup by Julia Smith

Just in case he rocks out a little too much:
iphone/ipod cover by Rhubarb Crumble

Gone over to the dark side has he:
Knitted Yoda puppet by Ding Dong Designs

Is your dad a handsome fellow?:
Bonnie Bling Blether Keyring at Much Too Fun

There’s nothing better than a good strong cuppa:
Weak Tea, Weak Mind Mug by Misofunky

Money too tight to mention? Why not bake him a coffee cake using merulapie’s recipe?