Slur a plea?

[geneva.livejournal.com]

My best friend was turning eighteen, so I made a couple things to give her along with the indulgences that turning eighteen implies, (scatch off tickets for gambling, a giftcard with exactly the amount to buy a couple packs of cigarettes of her favorite brand from the gas station closest to her, etc...)

Anyhow, this is her favorite print that I've done. I'm not sure why, but whenever she sees it, she exclaims and goes on and on about how much she loves it. So I printed one for her. I got the frame for ninety-nine cents at a thrift store. The mat is covered with an interview of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, her favorite band. The frame was painted black and decoupaged with different black and white images from magazines.


I made this bag out of this gray weaveish material from WalMart that was two dollars a yard and a durable purple and gray rose velvety material from JoAnna Fabric for three dollars a yard. No pattern, I just did it as I went along, like I do most things I sew.

12" x 10" x 3"
The strap hangs to a little higher than the waist.
And it's reversible!





Close up of gray fabric:


Close up of rose fabric:




I've been wanting to learn how to knit, to make hats/scarves/etc... for my friends who are in college in other (colder) states (I'm in south Florida, there's not a big need for scarves). Can anyone recommend a good how-to book, along with some nicer yarn to knit with? Stitch 'N Bitch seems to be a popular choice, but I've heard both good and bad things.
I'd really appreciate your input, thanks!

I'll post some other crafts I've done a little later!