PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Sachiyo Ishii was born and raised in Japan. She was a money broker on Wall Street and in London before discovering the joy of handicraft after her second son was born. She learned dressmaking and Waldorf doll making and has been designing and creating dolls and toys ever since. She teaches knitting, doll making, wet and dry felting, sewing, crochet and spinning, among other crafts. She has authored a number of best-selling titles for Search Press and her work regularly appears in knitting magazines. Sachiyo lives in Sussex, UK with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.knitssachi.com or find her on Instagram @knitsbysachi
LIBRARY JOURNAL STARRED REVIEW Ishii’s revised and updated edition of her 2016 book, Mini Knitted Ocean, opens with her story of growing up near the beach in Japan, where she developed an enduring fascination with sea creatures. Her book offers patterns for 20 marine animals, including anglerfish, clownfish, and blue tang, any of which will appeal to Finding Nemo fans. There are also projects for mermaids, whales, walruses, and much more. Ishii gives an overview of basic tools, techniques, and tips that make these patterns accessible to all levels of knitters. The embroidery instructions will help bring the animals to life. Readers will also learn best practices for stuffing and sewing these small projects (they range from one-and-a quarter inches to four-and-three-quarters inches), which are good for using up leftover yarn. The to-the-point patterns are presented step-by-step. VERDICT A whale of an addition to the world of amigurumi. Knitters who enjoy the ocean and the tiny creatures who live in it will appreciate these delightful projects.
