Provides knitting instructions for teens, including diagrammed instructions, solutions for common problems, and ideas for starting a knitting club.

Shows how to create a variety of cool knitting projects, offering ratings of project difficulty as well as instruction in different needlecraft techniques.

Offers a collection of activities for every month of the year, including a photography contest and a "Love Stinks Chocolate Fest" for February.

In this “wonderfully warm . . . laugh-out-loud funny” romantic comedy, a London career woman finds love and happiness at her family’s village knitting shop (Cressida McLaughlin, author of the Cornish Cream Tea series). When Dee Blackthorn’s brother breaks both wrists, he’s in need of a helping hand—or two—with the knitting shop he owns. Luckily, Dee has all the time in the world to help out—she’s just been unceremoniously fired from her demanding job amidst scandalous office rumors she’s certain her hot-shot nemesis, Ben, is behind . . . When Dee bumps into Becky, an old friend who is a new mum to a premature baby, Dee gets the brilliant idea to use her new role at her brother’s shop to enlist the knitting community to make tiny woolly hats to keep the little one warm. But when Dee’s good intentions backfire, she risks losing her friends and family. On top of that, Ben turns up, denying involvement in Dee’s sacking. It seems her office rival might just be the hero she needs right about now. “The book made me want to take up knitting and snuggle down with my loved ones.” —Rosie Blake, author of The Hygge Holiday “Relatable and vivid characters. . . . Clever, heartfelt, witty, romantic.” —Kirsty Greenwood, author of Big Sexy Love “Simply unputdownable.” —Claudia Carroll, author of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? “The feel-good book of the year.” —Vanessa Greene, author of The Vintage Teacup Club

Knitting has recently exploded in popularity. Professionals, punks, and feminists are embracing this ancient craft, an activity that was previously relegated to the realm of the traditional woman, the mother and homemaker. While knitting books featuring such hip projects as iPod cozies and yoga mat bags abound, few explore the subculture of knitting in any depth. Who are these people? Why knitting, why now? Wills takes the reader on a fascinating tour of this subculture, complete with lively anecdotes and revealing interviews. Those who are new to the craft will enjoy a fascinating introduction to the knitting community, while those who have been unable to put down their needles since knitting that first scarf will glean new ideas for their next blog session, online shopping spree, or knitting group get-together. Knitting has recently exploded in popularity. Professionals, punks, and feminists are embracing this ancient craft, an activity that was previously relegated to the realm of the traditional woman, the mother and homemaker. Books that cater to this new generation of knitters are flooding the market with patterns for such contemporary projects as iPod cozies, yoga mat bags, and laptop covers. The attitude of these publications is decidedly hip, featuring models sporting tattoos or piercings. Missing from the avalanche of knitting books, until now, is one that fully explores the subculture of knitting. Who are these people? Why knitting, why now? Intrepid journalist and avid knitter Kerry Wills set out to find out. She takes us on a fascinating tour through the history of knitting, exploring the lives of such women as the revolutionary Elizabeth Zimmermann, whose strong opinions and classic book, Knitting without Tears, popularized knitting in the 1970s, anticipating current trends. Wills visits knitting groups that meet at such places as a feminist vegetarian restaurant, churches, pubs, and senior centers. She describes political activists who knit tree cozies to protect the trees against developers, groups that knit afghans for Afghans, and knitters who make shawls for people with cancer. She also explores online knitting communities. Those who are new to the craft will come away feeling more connected to the history of knitting as well as to their place in today's universe of knitters, while those who have been unable to put down their needles since stitching that first scarf will glean new ideas for their next blog session, online shopping spree, or knitting group get-together.

Like other kids their age, highly capable adolescents experience developmental challenges. They’re forging identity, finding direction, exploring relationships, and learning to resolve conflicts. These are difficult tasks to do alone, no matter how smart one may be. The 70 guided discussions in this book are an affective curriculum for gifted teens. By “just talking” with caring peers and an attentive adult, kids gain self-awareness and self-esteem, learn to manage stress, build social skills and life skills, and discover they are not alone. Each session is self-contained and step-by-step; many include reproducible handouts. Introductory and background materials help even less-experienced group leaders feel prepared and secure in their role. For advising teachers, counselors, and youth workers in all kinds of school and group settings working with gifted kids in grades 6–12.

Updated, practical resource helps teachers, counselors, and youth leaders bring gifted students together to talk face-to-face about important issues in their lives. In our digital era, young people need a safe, supportive place to connect and “just talk” with peers as well as with an attentive adult, whether that is a general education teacher, gifted specialist, youth counselor, or another leader. With new conversation topics, additional discussion questions, and a revised introduction, this updated edition of Get Gifted Students Talking addresses the issues faced by gifted students in middle school and high school. Through guided group discussions, young people: strengthen their social-emotional development gain self-awareness build important verbal communication skills cope with difficult emotions and more The book’s guided conversations are proven ways to reach out to gifted teens and address their concerns and needs through face-to-face communication, and the discussions can be easily adapted and customized. Introductory and background materials prepare group leaders of all experience levels to feel confident as discussion facilitators. Digital content includes reproducible handouts from the book.

"Originally published in 2007 as The essential guide to talking with teens: ready-to-use discussions for school and youth groups"--T.p. verso.

Unique, practical resource helps teachers, counselors, and youth leaders bring students together to talk openly about important issues in their lives. In our digital era, young people need a safe, supportive place to connect and “just talk” with caring peers and an attentive adult. With more inclusive language, new discussion topics about social media, and a revised introduction, this updated edition of How (and Why) to Get Students Talking addresses the unique issues faced by today’s middle and high school students. Through guided group discussions, young people gain self-awareness, build important verbal communication skills, cope with difficult emotions, practice problem-solving, and more. The book’s guided conversations are proven ways to reach out to young people and address their social-emotional development, and the discussions can be easily adapted and customized. Introductory and background materials prepare group leaders of all experience levels to feel confident as discussion facilitators. Includes digital content with reproducible handouts from the book.

All young people need a safe, supportive place to "just talk" with caring peers and an attentive adult. Tested with thousands of teens in many kinds of schools (plus community centers, churches, and workshops), these guided discussions are proven ways to reach out to young people and address their social and emotional needs. Teens gain self-awareness and self-esteem, practice problem-solving and goal-setting, feel more in control of their lives, and learn they have much in common with each other--they are not alone. Each session is self-contained and step-by-step. Many include reproducible handouts. Introductory and background materials help even less-experienced group leaders feel prepared and secure in their role. For advising teachers, counselors, and youth workers in all kinds of school and group settings.