At last – the book knitters and crocheters have been waiting for. It’s “One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet” by Leigh Radford and published by Interweave Press. It solves the problem of what to do with a single skein of yarn and answers the question: “What do I do with leftover yarn?” All of the projects in the book require just one skein of yarn, and six of the projects make use of whatever is leftover from other projects. This, my friends, is needlework heaven, indeed.

In the book’s introduction, Radford writes that she “was challenged and inspired by what I could do with a single skein.” For this book, she found plenty to do – from scarves, to leg warmers to gloves and even knitted cupcakes. I’m not sure why one would want to knit a cupcake, but mysterious, indeed, are the imaginations of those tangled up in yarn.

Those who seek instant gratification will love this book and want to take it everywhere. It’s the kind of book that offers so many good projects, you can’t do just one. The ones that grabbed my attention were the tank top knit in silk-wool blend yarn on No. 8 needles, fingerless mitts worked side to side instead of from the wrist up, a baby’s bolero knit in cotton and styled with a dear little eyelet motif on the back, an asymmetrical knit cardigan sized for toddlers to 10-year-olds, and an assortment of small, crocheted bags.

Most of the projects are easy enough for a beginner, but they also will appeal to veteran knitters and crocheters.

Those interested in household decor will find instructions for knitted and felted bowls, a tubular circle rug, mohair pillows and a bath mat.

Instructions for most of the projects are confined to one or two pages, making the book very user-friendly.

Another nice thing about the book is that just by looking at the ideas Radford came up with for using one skein will spark the reader’s imagination into devising her own one-skein designs.

To learn about the book, visit your local bookstores and libraries.

To celebrate the publication of “One Skein,” Interweave Press is starting a secret pal single-skein exchange. Knitters and crocheters can sign up by e-mail by May 1 and receive two skeins of yarn, one a month, in the mail during June and July from their assigned, anonymous secret pal. In return, they mail two skeins in two months to their assigned secret pal. In August they reveal their identities and give their secret pal a single knitted or crocheted item made with one skein of yarn. Visit www.oneskein.com/secretpal.asp to sign up and to obtain information.

Snippets

. Several columns ago, I reported that the March of Dimes Preemie Project had a surplus of baby caps and didn’t need more at this time. That information was inaccurate. Gene Staffiere, Northern Maine Division director of the March of Dimes, said caps are still needed. “We also have a need for clothing made of fabric. That’s where the big need is,” he said. Area seamstresses interested in sewing garments for premature babies should call Staffiere at 989-3376. Patterns for baby clothing are available at the March of Dimes office in Brewer, 12 Acme Road.

. The Bangor Sewing Guild will conduct a class, Setting Quilt Blocks on Point, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Hampden Municipal Center. The cost is $10 for members, $15 for others. Call 941-8815 for a list of supplies and to register.

. A prayer shawl knitting ministry meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Brewer. Call Lisa Chambers at 989-1308 for information.

. Enthralled by beading? Head south. Bead Expo, the 14th annual international bead show, takes place May 17-21 at the Charleston Area Convention Center in Charleston, S.C. Bead vendors from the United States, India, China, Tibet, Japan, Australia, Europe and South America will be part of the bead extravaganza.

Visit www.beadexpo.com for information about the expo.

Recent surveys conducted by Interweave Press, Craftrends and The Craft & Hobby Association revealed that beading and jewelry-making is the fourth most popular craft in the United States. Embroidery, crocheting and scrapbooking occupy the top three spots on the list, but even those crafters often buy beads to embellish the pieces they make.

But beading appears to be growing. According to the Interweave Press survey, “There are now about 1,800 independent bead supply stores in the United Sates, representing 41 percent growth since 1997, and growing at the rate of one or two a week around the country.”

Ardeana Hamlin may be reached at 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.