Show and Tell is a fun feature of our magazine which showcases knitting or crochet-related products, as well as handcrafted products for children. A limited number of products are reviewed personally by Brandy or Allegra for each issue, to ensure that each product is evaluated with the utmost time and care. If you are interested in having your product reviewed, send it to us! We'd love to check it out.

Make These Toys: 101 Clever Creations Using Everyday Items

By Heather Swain
Perigee Trade
US $13.95

A fun book, not necessarily fiber related, about creating toys using everyday materials, such as cereal boxes, clothes hangers, drinking straws and toilet paper rolls. Creating does not have to cost a lot of money, or come in a box. Sometimes the fun is the box itself! The author, Heather Swain, a former third-grade teacher, divides the projects based on materials used, such as Balloon Projects, Clothespins Projects. With 101 projects included in the book, you are set for many rainy days! A couple of my favorite projects include the Fairy Wings, which use clothes hangers and provides directions for those who can sew, and those who cannot. Another favorite of mine is the piano, which is made up of clothespins and jingle bells! How fun! I look forward to going through the book with my daughter this summer and see what we can create together.

Alphabet Glue

http://birdandlittlebird.typepad.com
US $4 (pdf download)

Alphabet Glue is the brainchild of blogger Annie Riechmann of BIrd and Little Bird. It is a new quarterly downloadable magazine for families who love books. It is an adorable magazine filled with wonderful ideas to inspire children (and adults alike) to open their minds to the creative and imaginative literary world. In this first edition (Spring 2011), you can find a great Spring reading list, materials to play "Librarian," directions on how to make your own books, and building your own story houses-inspired by your favorite storybook characters. As an avid reader myself, I think this new resource is a wonderful way to keep kids interested in reading and filling their minds with stories, those written and those we are living. The new issue is scheduled to come out this month (June 2011), so make sure to check out Annie's blog.

Techno

Blue Sky Alpacas

www.blueskyalpacas.com

Oh readers, are you in for such a treat! Blue Sky Alpacas has just come out with a brand new yarn: Techno. It is 68% baby alpaca, 10% extra fine merino, and 22% silk, which in my opinion equals yarn heaven. Techno is a featherweight dream: baby alpaca blown into a mesh tube of silk. This makes knitting a breeze and quick, with literally no splitting. I have been playing with this yarn for a few weeks now and it is a true pleasure to knit with. Not only is it so soft and smooth to work with, but check out the colors! Blue Sky Alpacas offers a modern take on the 1970's neon and natural, with seven groovy lounge colors, along with six natural granola-lovin' neutrals. The yarn is handwash only and perfect for those possible specie knits for your little ones (and big ones too!)

Knit this Doll!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Knitting Your Own Customizable Amigurumi Doll

By Nikki Moulton
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
US $19.99

This book is awesome. Absolutely awesome. Who wouldn't want to create their own knitted doll? The options are endless. In this book, you knit your way through many different options for feet, legs, torso, arms and hands, head, and other appendages, clothing, footwear and accessories.

With this book, you could design a punk rock Faun, who has stubble and eyebrow piercings. Or perhaps a cute girl with freckles, glasses, a fair isle sweater and a studded belt. Fantastic options.

Not only do I think this is an excellent book for teaching you how to knit toys, I think it's a great book for beginner knitters who might want to try fair isle or intarsia, or just plain knit a sweater, on a much smaller scale.

Reading through this book certainly gave me the confidence to try colorwork. Nikki Moulton has done a fantastic job in creating this book, not only the Basic Doll Patter and all of the options, but also with all of the suggestions for things such as what yarns to use for skin tons, what yarns might work best for fairy wings and tips on how to create highlights for your doll's hair. Such a fun book!

Make Your Own Toys

By Sue Havens
Potter Craft
US $14.99

This is a great little book about sewing soft toys. Sue Havens has done a great job putting this together. The book is divided into two parts: what you need to know to make soft toys: materials and tools, sewing language and techniques for toy sewing, such as embroidery and putting together limbs. The second part is devoted to patterns. There are such adorable patterns in this book, especially the Houndstooth Pup, Striped Monkey, Spaceman and Little Fish. Although the book suggests new fabric to be used, I think these projects would be equally fantastic using recycled materials.

JessaLu Box Bag

http://www.etsy.com

If you're looking for the perfect little project bag to carry around your small project, the Jessalu Box Bag is the perfect fit. The sweet little signature crystal and bee on each zipper pull is a wonderful little accent and makes it easier to open the bag. Handcrafted, and impeccably made, these bags are impressive.

The one I have has sweet little sheep on it, and as it turned out it looks super cute in my purse because it compliments the color. They also work great used as a lunch sack, makeup bag, or a very nice size bag for many notions and accessories. 

The Big Book of Knitted Monsters

By Rebecca Danger
Martingale & Company
US $18.99

The much anticipated first book by Rebecca Danger of her adorable and mischievous monsters is finally available! Rebecca is a top toy designer, on Ravelry and elsewhere and this book definitely shows you why. Her monsters are cute, fun and quite simple to put together. She definitely has a signature style-- Danger Monsters are very recognizable. The first section of this book of course includes the typical advice about yarn, some techniques, gauge, monster mouths (I love it!), etc. Rebecca has a very down-to-earth type of approach to all of this and includes some fantastic action shots to help the knitter. It's really hard to choose favorite projects from this book, but I'd have to say I really love Baldwin, the Bathroom Monster, Irving, the Icebox Monster and the Momma and Baby Monsters: Leila, Lydia, and Lucas. I look forward to seeing what Rebecca has in store for us in the future.

Teach Yourself VISUALLY: Crafting with Kids

By Jennifer Casa
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
US $21.99

We have been waiting very patiently for the release of this book. Jennifer Casa is a popular blogger, designer and now author of Crafting with Kids, part of the Teach Yourself VISUALLY series. Jennifer is such a creative and inspiring woman, anything she produces is going to be loved. She has put together a fantastic book, full of 75 projects to make with kids. These projects are great for getting kids to unplug their phones, gaming systems and iPods, and get them to reconnect with some one-on-one family time, something that is sometimes difficult to do in today's hectic world. Of course, being a part of the Teach Yourself VISUALLY series, the book is jam packed with wonderful step-by-step instructions for each of the projects. Jennifer starts off the book with a chapter about making your home a kid-friendly crafting haven. Materials needed, as well as organization, accessibility to materials and cleanup (only a mama would include this! Brilliant!) The rest of the book is devoted to wonderful projects, divided up by season, gifts and games. This is such an extensive resource that I cannot pick any favorites! You will have to check them all out yourself. Congratulations to Jennifer on a wonderful book, we look forward to seeing what you have to offer us in the future. For more of Jennifer's projects and inspiration, check out her website.