One Skein
by Leigh Radford    
Interweave Press (copyright 2006)
After a philosophical introduction in which she encourages her readers to experiment with yarn, Leigh Radford takes us on a delightful journey through varied projects accompanied by clear, bright pictures.  With the exception of 6 patterns using “stash yarns”, all projects use only one skein of yarn.  Since yardage of different weight yarns varies, there are projects as small as a baby’s hat and as large as a tank top.  The “stash” yarn projects make use of yarn odds and ends in items as varied as a circular rug, a pom-pom scarf and knitted cupcakes.  The actual yarns and amounts used for these stash patterns are given as well.
    Most of the patterns are for wearable accessories with a fair number being for home decorating.  Hats, scarves, leg warmers, mitts and gloves all find their place along side pillow, bags and felted bowls.  One chapter is specifically devoted to babies and small children.  And while the subtitle touts 30 projects, if one counts the variations (some of which are quite different from the original), there are actually 35 patterns included.
    The glossary is arranged rather oddly, but does contain information on felting, making pom-poms, embroidery and crochet as well as knitting.  While each of the other topics is self-contained, the knitting terms are interspersed alphabetically among them.
Reviewed by Candy Knerr
FOCUS:  quick projects
# OF PROJECTS:  35
SIZES INCLUDED (garments):  Size 30-36” bust (1 project), Newborn (1 project), 2-10 years (1 project)
FIBER CONTENT:  wool and wool blends, cotton, mohair, silk
YARN WEIGHTS:  laceweight to superbulky
SKILL LEVELS INCLUDED:  easy
SKILL LEVELS MARKED:  no