Crafts & Hobbies

Drawing can improve your mood, release endorphins and make you happy – but for many, the fear of the blank page, combined with a lack of confidence and know-how, can be daunting.

In her new book, Molly Egan encourages you to sketch like no one is watching! Once you stop caring what people think – just like when you were a child – your creativity will flow. Filled with drawing prompts and tutorials, Molly will help you to unleash your creativity and embrace your own unique style. Build your skills by revisiting the basics, such as shape, perspective and pattern, then learn how to draw from photographs and from real life, sketching people, nature, buildings, landscapes and more.

Small enough to put in your bag, yet big enough to make impactful art, this fun title will reignite your passion for being creative.

Dry glazes, also known as matte glazes, provide ceramic artists with an alternative to conventional glossy and transparent finishes. Potters such as Lucie Rie and Hans Coper frequently used matte and opaque coatings in their work. Contemporary sculptors employ dry glazes to add texture and depth to the surface of their pieces. Still, little information has been published on matte glaze techniques until now.

In Dry Glazes, artist and educator Jeremy Jernegan covers everything ceramicists need to know to create and manipulate a range of matte glazes, from satin to cratered. This compact yet complete guide contains more than 270 formulas and recipes for slips, sigillatas, vitreous englobes, oxides, and stains. Jernegan gives clear and thorough instruction on application and firing methods, including raku. He also explains safe and environmentally responsible ways to handle the chemicals involved. Dry Glazes not only contains step-by-step color photographs of test tiles and procedures; it features illustrations of works by contemporary makers who have used matte glazes to great effect.

With over one hundred illustrations and an in-depth treatment of techniques, materials, and creative approaches, Dry Glazes is a smart addition to any clay worker's library. It is a practical and inspirational resource for ceramics practitioners, instructors, and students who want to make or alter their own glazes.

Give your crafting a twist – literally – with the playful power of i-cords.

French knitting, also known as spool knitting or i-cord knitting, has charmed generations with its simplicity. Now, with the help of a handheld mechanical knitting mill, what once took hours can be made in minutes – opening up a whole new world of creative potential for kids and adults alike.

Whether you're using a modern mini mill or working by hand with a traditional dolly, this book offers 40 imaginative projects to make with your i-cords – from wired words and shapes to unique fashion embellishments and home décor ideas. Step-by-step instructions and full-size templates make it easy to get started, even if you’ve never picked up a knitting spool before.

• Learn to use a mini knitting mill for speedy i-cord creations – or use the traditional method

• Make custom wire shapes, from flowers and stars to names and inspirational words

• Add personal flair to clothes, bags, and gifts with stitched-on i-cords

• Craft unique handmade gifts, from jewellery and hairbands to keepsakes

• Decorate bedrooms and play spaces with wall hangings, pompoms, and dreamcatchers

Spark creativity and enjoy hours of making with this fresh take on a timeless craft – the perfect way to create and connect. *Mini knitting mill not included.

Celebrate Christmas the zero-waste way with these crafty solutions for everything from decorations to gift bags.

The zero waste movement is huge and this collection will help you to craft your own zero waste solutions for a sustainable Christmas - create plastic-free crackers for the table, no-waste decorations for the tree and zero-waste wrapping and present solutions for your family and friends.

Choose from projects and tutorials for a sustainable Christmas including sewing, crochet, upcycling and reuse ideas. Whether you’re a committed crafter or new to making, there is something for everyone no matter what your skill level is.

Upcycling and reuse gurus Emma and Christine show you how to turn Christmas into a zero-waste experience with step-by-step instructions and some clever crafting. Packed full of original ideas, Zero Waste: Christmas will help you to celebrate the zero-waste way and improve your efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle while at the same time having fun.

An exploration of contemporary techniques in ceramic surface decoration, both conventional and unconventional

A remarkable diversity of techniques are used to treat the ceramic surface. Matthias Ostermann presents an exploration of the ceramic surface—focusing on the vessel and platter—that includes the nonfunctional, the metaphoric, the narrative, and even the sculptural. Through an examination of the works of 200 ceramicists from around the world, he provides a broad overview of contemporary techniques and approaches.

Ostermann covers a wide variety of techniques for making, decorating, and firing, as well as the full spectrum of clays and firing temperatures. Each image is accompanied by technical information, as well as a statement of the artist's inspiration and motivation that offers insight into the concept of the piece.

The Ceramic Surface provides inspiration to ceramicists, educators, and historians, while also celebrating the ingenuity and diversity of talent found in contemporary ceramics.

Crochet fantastic animal-themed blankets, pillows and more with this colorful collection of crochet animal blocks.

Using simple crochet intarsia and appliqué techniques you can stitch one block for a pillow front, book bag or toy bag, join four for a lap throw, nine for a child’s blanket or sixteen for an adult blanket. Mix and match colors to create fun single animal-themed blankets, or mix them up for quirky multi-animal designs. There are so many variations the only limit is your imagination.

Ira Rott’s bestselling books Crochet Animal Rugs and Crochet Animal Slippers have proven her to be a first-rate designer – and this new collection will allow you to pair your favourite rugs and slippers with matching blankets too!

The book features 16 main animal block designs for a Panda, Cat, Dog, Fox, Raccoon, Penguin, Pig, Sheep, Koala, Sloth, Lion, Hippo, Cow, Unicorn, Bunny, and Monkey – plus additional ideas for using different parts of the patterns to create some new animals such as a Bear (made using parts from the Sloth, Bunny and Lion) and a Horse (made from Unicorn, Bunny and Panda). Many of the designs feature 3D elements including ears, hair, flowers, and bows, which give the blankets a lovely tactile quality.

The blocks can be pieces together and left with no border, or instructions are included to add a Granny Square border or a fancier lace shells border – making a huge range of possibilities for different blanket designs.

Featuring in-depth advice on all the crochet techniques and making-up techniques, this comprehensive guide is beginner friendly and so much fun.

Step-by-step instructions for painting icons, from original drawings through finished product. This is the sequel to the authors previous work, A Brush with God, for advanced beginners, intermediate, and advanced iconographers. It presents greater detail and instructions for creating entirely new icons. One major feature of this book is the full-page sketches that artists can photocopy and use as the basis of their own icons, providing a unique and much-requested resource. Includes eight full-color plates of the author's original icons.

Chapters and topics include:

1. Introduction and contemporary reflections on iconography, spirituality, and technique.
2. Highlighting folds on full-length figures, including black and white renderings of draped legs, arms, and torsos.
3. Architectural and landscape renderings in Byzantine iconography, including background shadow and highlighting techniques, plus inverse perspective.
4. Festal icons, involving multiple figures, landscapes, architecture, furniture, vegetation, and animals.
5. Construction of heads, figures, and analysis of whole compositions, sacred geometry and proportion.

Do you want to knit socks but don't know where to begin? No Fear Sock Knitting will get you started on your sock knitting journey in no time. This practical guide to how to knit socks for absolute beginners and beyond is based on Denise DeSantis' popular online tutorial series.

Sock knitting can be daunting because it involves using circular and double pointed needles which less experienced knitters can find intimidating. This accessible guide will explain all the main sock knitting techniques in a very clear way so you can get started making beautiful hand knitted socks.

• If you don't know your toe-ups from your cuff-downs, and you can't tell a shadow wrap from an afterthought heel, author Denise DeSantis, will explain all.
• Her easy-to-follow tutorials for common sock knitting techniques have made her No Fear Sock Knitting series on YouTube popular amongst knitters, and now you can have her expertise in one handy volume with this practical guide based on the series.
• The accessible tutorials will unlock even the trickiest sock knitting techniques, making this a fun and practical guide for everyone getting started with socks.

In addition to the techniques there are knitting patterns for eight different beginner-friendly socks to try out your sock knitting skills. So, grab a copy now and start making beautiful hand-knitted socks today!

Soda glazing was, for many years, the neglected cousin of salt glazing. As pollution laws have become stricter, however, more potters have turned to soda and, to their delight, found not only the traditional orange peel surface but also a subtle palette of colors that have made them sit up and take notice.

In this book Ruthanne Tudball discusses the history of and techniques involved in soda glazing. She includes body and slip recipes, kiln designs, and firing methods specifically developed for soda glazing. She illustrates her text with the work of an international group of artists.

Selected by Choice magazine as an Outstanding Academic Book for 2000

Chinese glazes have been admired throughout history for their extraordinary qualities and colors—not least in China itself, where their appearance has been compared variously to jade, to tea-dust, to hare's fur, or to the "color of the sky after the rain." Some Chinese glazes are vibrant and brilliant in tone, while others are deep, complex, and subtle, their properties seeming to change according to ambient light. Chinese glazes have long presented a technical challenge to Western potters, and this book is the most complete account yet of their nature and their reconstruction. The story of Chinese glazes is also the story of Chinese ceramics itself, one of the most fascinating and influential traditions in ceramic history.

Chinese Glazes traces the development of China's great high-fired glaze tradition from its roots in the Bronze Age, through the famous monochrome stoneware glazes of the Song dynasty, to the fine porcelain glazes of southern China. The book also examines in detail the story of China's low-fired glazes, from the time of China's first emperor to the present day. The book shows clearly how the potters of ancient China were able to work their ceramic miracles from the simplest recipes, and how modern potters can use and adapt these principles for their own work. The book contains hundreds of recipes for formulating Chinese glazes with Western materials, simple and advanced calculation techniques, as well as efficient blending procedures with local materials.

The book is lavishly illustrated, with nearly three hundred photographs, one hundred in full color. These depict examples of the Chinese arts as found in pottery ranging from simple earthenware jars excavated at Neolithic sites to exquisitely designed dishes found in imperial tombs. They also show examples of modern Western ware that employ these remarkable glazing techniques.

A fun collection of stranded colorwork and intarsia knitting charts to make buildings inspired by iconic cities including London, Paris, Copenhagen, Sydney, Amsterdam, Prague and New York.

Australian designer, Jake Henzler who is known as Boy Knits World, has created knitted building blocks for classic buildings from well-known cities around the world. The designs are modular so they can be mix and matched to make your own unique buildings, for example, you can switch up the different styles of gables and windows and adjust the style of the buildings to create endless alternatives.

The buildings are knitted as separate blocks but they can be joined together to make blankets, throws and cushion covers as well as other accessories and homewares. There are guidelines for yarn amounts and the number of blocks needed to make three different sized projects for each city: a large blanket; and baby blanket and a cushion cover but you can use your knitted building blocks however you like - the world is your oyster!

So grab your needles and yarn and start your city break now with Knit The City!

Explore the rich cultural heritage of Japanese embroidery with this beautifully crafted book, which offers a stunning collection of 200 patterns, capturing the timeless elegance and intricate artistry of Japanese design.

Enjoy a wide array of patterns inspired by the graceful beauty of kimonos, the delicate charm of floral arrangements, and the profound simplicity of traditional Japanese design. Each pattern is meticulously charted with clear colour guides, ensuring that both beginners and experienced stitchers can create the patterns with ease.

Embrace the mindfulness and calming nature of repetitive stitching. The soothing process of cross stitching allows you to immerse yourself in a meditative practice, enhancing your well-being while creating beautiful art. Many of the patterns in this book are designed as repeat patterns, enabling you to extend them to cover any size of fabric, offering flexibility and creativity in your projects.

With simple techniques and detailed instructions, this book makes the art of cross stitching accessible to everyone. Whether you're looking to adorn your home with unique decor or create heartfelt handmade gifts, this essential directory of authentic Japanese cross stitch patterns provides endless inspiration.

This is the ultimate collection of knitting patterns for colourful Latvian mittens, featuring 100 knitting patterns and charts.

Author Ieva Ozolina has designed 33 new patterns for traditional Latvian mittens and gloves. This collection of stranded colourwork knitting patterns features these all new designs with additional patterns that were previously published in her books: Knit Like a Latvian and Knit Like a Latvian Accessories, in order to create this bumper edition of knitting patterns.

Traditionally, knitting in Latvia has been very important with children being taught how to knit from an early age at school. Brides were expected to gift hand knitted mittens to guests at their wedding and the designs and colours used in Latvian mitten knitting are steeped in tradition and folk lore.

The traditional pointed design of Latvian mittens is very distinctive, along with the beautiful Latvian braid which is often featured in Latvian knitting designs, particularly around the cuff of mittens.

The collection features 100 different patterns with large colour charts for each design so you can easily follow even the most elaborate patterns. There are instructions for the basic mitten, glove and fingerless glove patterns as well as step-by-step instructions and artworks for techniques such as forming the thumb, Latvian braids and other cuff finishing techniques including fringing and notches.

All of the designs are made using stranded colourwork techniques and the same tools and materials - 2 ply 100% wool and double pointed needles - so it's perfect for using up scraps of colourful yarn you have in your stash.

This bumper collection of Latvian mittens, gloves, fingerless mittens and more will be the perfect reference for mitten knitters, providing inspiration and support so you can create beautiful gifts for friends and family.

An inspirational, hands-on how-to guide for making and praying with beads, for people of all faiths and traditions.

In stories and pictures, this book shows how people of all faith traditions use prayer beads as a spiritual tool and a means of expressing their creativity. Every major world religion has a tradition of praying with beads and all are explored here, including the history and use of beads and specific prayers. Describes in detail and with diagrams how to make sets of prayer beads for personal use.

What do you do when a button pops off your shirt, the hem unravels on a dress, or your skirt becomes too tight around the waist – throw it away or fix it? This practical guide shows everyone who was never taught how to thread a needle, sew on a button, or darn a hole how to tackle these tasks, and much more. With this straightforward “make do and mend” guide you’ll learn to fix your favorite pair of trousers, alter that special thrift store find, and handle your sewing emergencies.

Clear instructions and easy to follow photographs ensure that everyone can learn the sewing basics. Sections cover buttons and closures, seams, hems, instant fixes, and nifty repairs for even the complete sewing novice.

Complete with basic sewing hints and tips, Practical Sew & Mend shows you how to revive your existing wardrobe and save money at the same time! From sewing on a button to taking up a hem, everything is clearly explained so that even complete beginners can successfully tackle these tasks and more. Order your copy today and start mending!

There is nothing quite like seeing a beautiful Christmas wreath hanging on a front door to set the magic of the season alight…

Whether you are a fan of simple and modern or love more traditional Christmas fare, there is a project to suit everyone! This beautiful title includes 22 projects to make different styles of wreaths using a wide range of materials, from a Christmas wreath made with wool and felt, through gorgeous white feathers adorned with copper leaf to a ribbon Christmas tree. Whatever you decide, you’ll find hours of relaxing creativity within these pages!

100 Essential Embroidery Stitches is a handy directory of 100 need-to-know freestyle embroidery stitches to refresh or add to your embroidery skills. Embroidery is like ‘painting’ with thread and this book gives you all the techniques you will need to create your own works of art. Whether you are new to embroidery and want to widen your repertoire or just need a comprehensive reference guide to look things up, you’ll find everything you need to improve your embroidery skills and feel confident tackling a wide range of projects.

Best known as one of the most widely used industrial ceramic techniques, slipcasting has become increasingly attractive to individual artists and craftspersons. Slip, a water and clay solution, is poured into porous molds. As the mold absorbs water from the slip, a layer of clay forms a cast. The excess slip is removed from the mold and the cast is stiffened, removed, dried, and fired in a kiln. Since the molds can be based on anything from delicate sculpture to found objects, slipcasting frees artists from the constraints of other ceramic techniques while allowing them to create multiples of their works.

Sasha Wardell's Slipcasting is a straightforward, practical guide for those interested in the boundless possibilities of the technique. The book contains more than one hundred color illustrations, diagrams, and slip formulas. An inspiring "Individual Approaches" chapter discusses the slipcast work of a variety of contemporary ceramicists from around the world.

Paperclay is an extremely versatile material for the contemporary potter. Now firmly established in the ceramics world, this mix of clay and paper fibers is remarkably flexible, strong, and easy to repair. This highly workable medium allows expressive freedom and imagination at every stage in the creative process, even after drying and firing. In Paperclay, artists will discover the world of possibilities offered by this blend of earth, paper, and water.

Building on the success of her previous books, artist and teacher Rosette Gault explains how potters and clay sculptors can make, fire, and reshape paperclay. This comprehensive guide covers a range of methods from dry modeling to slurry state. Going beyond the basics, the book introduces advanced techniques for building armatures, sculpting figures, and forming wall hangings. It also includes information on recycled and sustainable ingredients. Paperclay features all-new color photographs and diagrams of techniques and tools, as well as inspiring works by today's leading international ceramicists.

Packed with photographs and clear instructions, Gault's book is an essential introduction to paperclay for ceramics artists and educators.

Knit beautiful, bespoke blankets that reflect your favourite landscapes with this original pattern collection.

Designer, Anne Le Brocq, has created a collection of 50 knitting pattern designs for different kinds of landscape and weather features so whether you live near the mountains or by the sea, you can knit your own landscape blanket.

The 50 pattern swatches include wet sand, pebbles, footprints, rain, clouds, different kinds of tree foliage, mountains, sand dunes and more. There are written instructions and numbered charts for each of the landscape swatches, as well as stunning photography showing the inspiration for each of the designs.

These swatches are the perfect 'on-the-move' project because you can knit one square at a time and join them together to make a blanket, perfect for taking with you in your project bag. However, if you prefer to knit a blanket in one rather than joining the individual swatches at the end, there are also instructions for how to use the swatch patterns as vertical and horizontal repeats.

As well as the pattern swatch library there are seven finished blankets to illustrate how the pattern swatches can be used. All of the blankets have instructions for making them using the swatches as well as how to knit them in one so you can choose your preferred method.

The author uses a wide range of different yarns - including gradient yarns - to show how colour and fibre can change the effect of the finished blanket. The solid colour changes emphasize the different landscape features whereas the gradient yarns create a more subtle effect.

Author, knitting designer and geographer, Anne Le Brocq, is uniquely qualified to create this collection of knitting patterns inspired by the natural world. Anne has combined her two passions in The Art of Landscape Knitting to create a very special collection of designs.

This unique concept will inspire you to knit your own favourite landscapes and create beautiful, bespoke blankets that evoke the world around us.

A comprehensive guide to the rewarding craft of chairmaking

The often-intimidating art of chairmaking is explained in this book of expert patterns and tips for creating seven elegant chairs. Through each project, craftspeople learn increasingly complex skills that build upon each other, making the manual a complete education in all of the basic chairmaking techniques. The straightforward plans and methods make the designs--such as a child's ladderback chair and even armchairs--accessible for home woodworkers. Illuminating discussions of construction and design fundamentals, along with an appendix on oils and waxes to give projects the finishing touch, round out this exploration of the art of building comfortable chairs.

Divine Diary DIYs for the Innovative Crafter

With journal making projects, book binding techniques, and journal prompts, this Treasure Book Making guide has everything you need. Get ready to create personal journals by hand easily—without any extra book-binding tools!

An affordable craft. Hobbies tend to require a big investment, but Author Natasa Marinkovic, creator of popular YouTube channel Treasure Books, focuses on upcycling the available materials around us. Learn how to make beautiful journals—without purchasing book-binding tools, use what you have! With the things you have at home, create projects that are both useful and beautiful. 

Fall into the world of book binding. This junk-journaling-how-to gives readers all of the details on how to make a book through step-by-step creative projects that will save you space and get rid of house clutter. This diary DIY is the ultimate space for your creativity to bloom and grow! 

Inside, you'll find:

• Illustrations and tips to jumpstart your creativity on DIY books 
• Easy-to-follow instructions to structure and make a book for journaling and scrap keeping 
• Lists of accessible materials to use—such as cereal boxes, scraps of paper, and everyday items like buttons and more

If you enjoyed learning how to craft a book in Making Handmade Books, Hand Bookbinding, or journaling books like My Soul Pages, you’ll love Treasure Book Making.

Crocheting and travelling... these two passions have been brought together by talented designer Mark Roseboom - aka The Guy with the Hook - in this exquisite crochet book.

Mark has traveled extensively in the last ten years. He has seen and learned from the different cultures, religions and ways of life. Travelling made him the person he is today. And it's the same with crochet... When Mark picks up his crochet hook and starts designing, it's like stepping into another dimension.

In Crochet Journey, there are 12 patterns that are based on the remarkable journeys Mark has made. His goal was to visit some of the most interesting places in the world and soak in all the culture, lessons, experiences, and feelings they delivered. Each design in the book is inspired by a cherished memory and takes you on an adventure through the wonderful world of crochet. The patterns feature full written instructions in US crochet terms, charts, and Mark's tips for success.

Beautifully presented with stunning photography and Mark's fascinating personal travel stories, this is a crochet experience like no other. Projects include the Rivendell Shawl from New Zealand, the Santa Maria Maggiore Rug from Italy, the Kamakura Pin Cushion from Japan, the Nazar Mandala from Turkey, the Fading Light Scarf from Greenland, the Rituals Pouf from India, La Boca Shawl from Argentina and many more.

Get carried away with this unique book and create beautiful crochet items that connect you with the wonder of the world.

Explore the world of micro crochet with this collection of crochet patterns and charts for 100 exquisite crochet motifs

In these stressful, anxious times, joy can be hard to find in your life. Maggie Oman Shannon has the solution in A Year of Crafting Joy.

In this crafty, cozy book, you will create:

• A Sacred Heart Bowl to remember all that is meaningful in your life
• A window Herb Garden to bring nature inside the home
• Junk Journals for savoring the special moments in your life 
• A Family Recipe Cookbook to pass on legacy meals and treats 
• Fairy Light Landscapes to light up the darkness with magic 

In this guide to peace of mind, you'll find inspiring ideas for how to do exactly that through a wide range of creative exercises. Maggie Oman Shannon explores crafts and creativity as a practice with enormous physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. By immersing ourselves in a craft with intention and mindfulness, we can quiet those voices around us and in us — we can enter sacred stillness.

Sock knitting fans will love this new collection of endlessly customizable charts and patterns from the author of The Doodle Knit Directory, Jamie Lomax.

With 200 mix and match colorwork charts across 13 playful themes – from coffee to pets and farmer's markets – The Doodle Sock Knitting Directory puts creativity at your fingertips. Jamie Lomax, author of the bestselling The Doodle Knit Directory, provides everything you need to design and knit fun, colorful, one-of-a-kind socks.

• Clear, user-friendly sock knitting recipes support beginners and experienced knitters alike
• All Doodle charts are designed with the same stitch count to enable full customisation across the sock patterns and even include abstract filler designs to help you break up the charts and create unique combinations!
• The charts also work with the patterns in Jamie's first book, The Doodle Knit Directory, and any other charts in her Doodle system!

Choose your charts, cast on your socks, and get Doodling.

In the cosiest corners of the crochet world, there's a new phenomenon taking shape... Meet the Chubblings, the chubby amigurumi animals that are about to become your next crochet obsession.

So, what exactly is a Chubbling? Take a small crochet animal. Add a tiny handmade sweater. Give it a generous helping of squish, a sprinkle of cottagecore charm, and POOF! - you've got a Chubbling. They're the kind of friends who look like they've never missed a teatime in their lives and are just waiting for their chance to waddle their way off your hook and into your heart.

These easy-to-make plump pals are a joy to crochet, whether you’re new to amigurumi or a seasoned crocheter looking for something playful. The patterns are clear, approachable and full of character, because animals this cute and chunky deserve personalities to match.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to bring 20 of your own woolly friends to life:

• Clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step patterns written in US crochet terms
• A shared body shape, so once you’ve made one Chubbling, you can make them all
• All techniques fully explained, making it ideal for beginners
• Helpful hand-drawn illustrations and friendly guidance throughout
• Adorable photography to convey their distinct personalities and backstories

Be warned: Once you make one Chubbling, they have a habit of multiplying. Side effects may include unexpectedly high levels of emotional attachment.

Knit an Heirloom Blanket is a practical guide to creating a breathtaking patchwork-style blanket made from individually designed stranded colourwork squares.

Whether you are an experienced knitter or building your skills, this book will help you to craft a treasured keepsake, square by square. Inside, you’ll find 50 unique stranded knitting square designs, drawing on architectural motifs, classic Fair Isle designs, and delicate florals. There are also instructions for four alternative colourways for each of the designs.

• 50 original stranded colorwork square designs for endless creativity

• Detailed joining, finishing, and backing techniques for a professional result

• Small projects instructions for quicker makes

• Expert guidance from renowned knitting designer and teacher Annah O’Leary

You’ll find essential advice on palette selection and layout arrangements — from tonal harmonies to striking gradients and vibrant stripe effects. Once you’ve knitted your squares, clear guidance shows you how to bring your blanket together with beautiful borders, joining techniques, and finishing touches.

There are also five smaller projects — including a baby blanket, hot water bottle cover, and cushion covers — for faster makes.

Knit a beautiful, heirloom keepsake to treasure forever.

Unlock your creativity with this joyful guide to abstract embroidery!

In Creative Abstract Embroidery, Ruth Hughes invites you into a vibrant world where texture, colour, and freedom of expression take centre stage. Whether you're an embroidery beginner or a seasoned stitcher ready to break the rules, this inspiring book encourages you to step away from rigid patterns and embrace the messy, colourful beauty of freeform stitching.

Ruth shares her own artistic journey - how embroidery became a meditative escape and an exciting form of self-expression. She provides the essential embroidery techniques, stitches, and tools to get you started, before guiding you into more adventurous territory: from creating 3D effects to working with texture, blending yarns, and stitching on unconventional surfaces.

Each project is an invitation to explore your own voice and style. With open-ended prompts and playful guidance, you'll develop confidence, discover new approaches, and create abstract artworks that are deeply personal.

• Perfect for crafters of all skill levels - especially those seeking a fresh, modern take on embroidery
• Includes expert guidance on essential tools, techniques, and stitches
• Features over 200 colorful photographs and 10 expressive, inspiring projects
• Explores 3D stitches, texture-building, and experimental approaches
• Encourages creative freedom and self-expression over rigid rules

Let this book be your creative spark - pick up your needle and thread and start stitching your own abstract masterpiece today!

Knitting emergency? Get help, STAT. Fix every knitting mistake with skill and confidence with this expert guide.

Patty Lyons' Knitting ER is a one-of-a-kind reference packed with step-by-step repair tutorials, clever solutions, and insider tips for rescuing knits at any stage — from dropped stitches to post-bind-off regrets. With a playful medical theme and clear illustrations throughout, this book is your emergency room for all yarn-related accidents.

From the simplest snags to complex structural errors, expert knitting teacher and bestselling author Patty Lyons leads you through a wide range of techniques. You'll find essential fixes for every stitch type — including hard-to-source repairs for brioche and half fisherman's rib — alongside innovative methods for updating finished garments, such as adding a missing cable or adjusting sleeve lengths. This is the book knitters didn't know they were missing: practical, empowering, and fun.

• Covers both in-progress and finished knit repairs, from beginner to advanced
• Includes fixes for specialty stitches rarely addressed in other books
• The clear, easy-to-follow structure makes even complex techniques accessible
• Featuring charming illustrations by Franklin Habit, in addition to detailed technical drawings
• Includes QR codes for access to video tutorials to bring the step-by-step instructions to life

Feel like your knitting is on life support? Don't frog it — fix it with this essential knitter’s handbook.

Maximalism is in — and your crochet is about to catch up!

Maximalist Mosaic Crochet is your permission slip to go bold, be loud, and stitch with abandon. Inspired by the feel-good philosophy of dopamine dressing and the unapologetic joy of maximalist design, this book is a celebration of crochet as self-expression. Think neon pops, bold patterns, and graphic contrasts – all made using the simple and endlessly versatile mosaic crochet technique.

These are statement pieces: blankets that light up a room, pillows that double as personality explosions, shawls that turn heads, and wall hangings that belong in modern art galleries (or candy shops). Whether you're a colour lover, a texture chaser, or just someone who craves craft projects that make you feel something, you’ll find inspiration here.

• 16 dopamine-boosting projects that mix bold colour, graphic impact, and satisfying stitchwork
• Eye-catching designs including blankets, pillows, shawls, and wall hangings
• Simple mosaic crochet techniques with dramatic results
• Palette ideas and mood-boosting color combinations to make your work pop
• Tips for customising your style and embracing your creative maximalist

Inside, you’ll discover 16 dopamine-boosting designs that layer visual impact with approachable techniques. Mosaic crochet is deceptively simple but endlessly satisfying. You’ll learn how to manipulate contrast, scale and repetition to create projects that are as fun to make as they are to show off.

Beyond the patterns, you’ll find mood-boosting yarn palettes, tips for going even bigger and bolder, and guidance for customising your pieces to reflect your unique aesthetic. Whether your style leans retro rave or pastel riot, this book is a flexible toolkit for stitching joy into every corner of your life.

So get ready to ditch the beige and embrace the bright. Maximalist Mosaic Crochet is for the makers who want more – more colour, more power, more fun!

Bring the magic of the season to life – no pine needles or mess required.

Create a stunning paper Christmas wreath straight from the pages of this beautifully designed all-in-one papercraft book. The Bouquet in a Book Christmas Wreath lets you craft a striking holiday centerpiece using pre-cut, press-out paper pieces.

Perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, this festive kit includes everything you need to make a gorgeous evergreen wreath complete with classic winter foliage, berries, and decorative details. Just roll, shape, and glue the elements together for a finished piece that’s bursting with seasonal cheer.

• Everything you need is inside: Pre-punched paper elements for a full wreath, including evergreen sprigs, holly leaves, and more.

• Simple instructions, great results: Clear step-by-step photographic guidance and bonus video tutorials via QR code.

• Safe, sustainable, stress-free: No sharp tools required – ideal for family crafting, schools, and care settings.

• A wreath that lasts: A beautiful alternative to fresh wreaths – perfect for doors, walls, tables, or gifting.

• Creative calm: A mindful festive activity that’s both relaxing and rewarding.

Whether you're adding handmade charm to your home or gifting something heartfelt, this festive wreath is sure to brighten the season.

Start crafting your own everlasting Christmas wreath today – no needles, no fuss, just holiday joy.

Create beautiful marine life with this easy origami guide, with 10 tutorials and 400 pages of high quality origami paper for you to fold straight away.

This beautiful book will provide hours of enjoyment, creating lovely marine designs that can be used for home decor, greetings cards, and gifts - or simply just for the relaxing fun of folding!

The ocean voyage starts with 10 step-by-step tutorials showing you how to fold a range of gorgeous stylised paper sea creatures, including: sea lion, fish, ray, shrimp, crab, whale, turtle, sea bird, tropical fish, and dolphin. Each tutorial includes written instructions and easy-to-follow diagrams which show you exactly how to fold the paper to achieve a perfect result every time.

Once you have mastered the folding techniques, you'll find 400 pages of colored and patterned paper sheets that are perforated which allows you to easily remove them and start folding. As well as solid colors, gorgeous illustrated patterns are interspersed throughout to give you plenty of opportunities to create colorful sea life in action, or they can be used in your other origami and papercraft projects.

Origami is a relaxing and mindful activity that has proven benefits to mental wellbeing, as does being surrounded by nature, so the combination here is a pure delight. You can create easy paper creatures without getting too hung up on realism or perfection - just enjoy the act of folding and making something beautiful.

Whether you are a total beginner or have been paper folding for years, this book has all you need to create an oceanic menagerie.

Create beautiful projects step by step with your Cricut® ambassador, Kimberly Coffin, of Sweet Red Poppy®! Learn to use your Cricut machine and make gorgeous projects in this Cricut book for beginners and seasoned crafters alike! This book is loaded with everything you need to know to make the best use of your Cricut:

• How to use tools, apps, software, materials, etc. 
• Information about different models like the Cricut Maker and Explore machines 
• Step-by-step projects with helpful photos
• Free downloadable files 
• Tutorials 
• Access to giveaways and much more! 

Kimberly has been trusted by Cricut to test each new machine before launch for the past several years. She knows how overwhelming Cricut can be for beginners with no idea where to start, so she made it her goal to learn all she could, then spent months on trial and error. Once she got the hang of it, she fell in love with Cricut! It's now her mission to help you love your machine, have fun using it, and create stunning projects. Kimberly will teach you how to use your machine with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. Through hundreds of images, readers can learn everything from unboxing their machine, different Cricut mats and tools, Design Space, paper, vinyl, iron-on, Infusible Ink, engraving, foil, and more. Learn how to use your Cricut to craft beautiful projects, including custom mugs, clothes, birthday cards, and all kinds of accessories, with guidance every step of the way for Cricut beginners and inspiration for Cricut users of all levels.

Level up, let your fantasy geek flag fly, and crochet your own custom cosplay or gamer amigurumi!

Special features:

• So many animals! Pick your geek spirit animal, from hamsters and dragons to axolotls and bears.
• Mix and match for gaming or cosplay! Each critter can be custom crocheted to be a hoodie-wearing gamer or be put in any of 7 different cosplay outfits, from an adventurer to a cyborg! More than 90 unique combinations!
• Perfect for crochet newbies! Includes a stitch & technique guide covering everything you need to know to crochet any of the 26 patterns, as well as over 350 photos.

The patterns are easy to follow, with more than 350 photos, covering all the stitches used and how to assemble each crocheted critter.

Knit everything from accessories to garments to items for the home—all found in one collection at a great price.

You Can Knit It All is just that—a fabulous collection of 65 patterns to knit for every use and every person in your life! You’ll find:

·      Knits for babies, toddlers & kids—booties, blankets, scarves, hats, and sweaters

·      Knits for the house—blankets, pillow covers, dishcloths, cozies, and more

·      Accessories—hats, headbands, mittens, wristers, scarves, shawls, and slippers for men and women

·      Bundle-up knits—pullovers and cardigans for men, women, and your favorite pooch!

You Can Knit It All is also loaded with the textures and techniques knitters love, including:

·      Cables and mock cables

·      Brioche stitch

·      Seed stitch

·      Moss stitch

·      Eyelet

·      Chevron

·      Colorwork

If you want to keep it simple, You Can Knit It All has you covered there as well with stylish designs that use easy knit and purl combinations like staggered rib, basketweave, and garter stitch.

60 Quick Granny Squares provides 60 diverse patterns for individual squares that range in style and skill level. Essential how-to instruction, useful insights, and 10 granny square projects with unique constructions make this book a useful reference and source of inspiration for anyone who loves getting creative with their grannies.

It's time to take your granny squares to the next level! In 60 Quick Granny Squares, you will find dozens of unique patterns. Fresh twists on the classic granny square, 3D flowers, graphic designs, swirls, lace, cable-like twists, and much more await. From beginner to experienced, this collection has patterns for crocheters of all skill levels. More than just patterns, this book also includes detailed step-by-step instruction on practical techniques, such as various ways to start the squares and join new colors, making it a great resource that builds crochet knowledge and skills. Additionally, every square in this collection can be used to create 10 bonus project patterns that use inventive yet simple constructions. Pick your favorite squares, crochet them in your favorite colors, and put them together into what will surely become your favorite blanket, scarf, purse, pullover, or cardigan. Fun and informative, 60 Quick Granny Squares will inspire you with the limitless possibilities of the granny square.

• Birthdays
• Baby Showers and Births
• Weddings and Anniversaries
• Valentine's Day
• Mother's Day
• Father's Day

• Adorably cute animals—several types of dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters—plus a chibi owl!
• Zoo favorites like lions and tigers, pandas with bamboo, and koalas with eucalyptus
• Dolphins, seals and penguins—plus a "Nemo" clownfish folded from a single sheet!
• Lifelike flowers and butterflies that can be combined to form a decorative wreath!
• Greeting cards, envelopes, boxes and accessories you can use to hold candies or send messages to friends
• Cute animal dolls like a Butterfly Girl, a Ladybug Boy and clever cat and rabbit "furries!"
• Seasonal wall decorations for each month of the year featuring cherry blossoms, dragonflies and maple leaves
• And much more!

• a cat
• a peacock
• a giraffe
• a rabbit

• a spaceship
• a jet plane
• a motorboat
• a treasure box

• 256 6-inch folding papers
• 16 unique patterns, with a solid color on the reverse side
• 13 pages of full-color instruction, with origami tips and tricks
• Step-by-step directions for folding 8 origami models

• A playful Kitten
• A sweet miniature Dachshund Puppy
• A mommy Pig and her Baby Piglet
• A downy Duck and Ducklings
• A saucy Squirrel
• A friendly Chipmunk
• A pair of adorable White Bunnies
• A trio of brightly-colored Parakeets
• A fairytale Bear
• And a host of other miniature animals and charms

• Create charming glass-encased air plants and spoon-based succulents
• Weave, bend and stack leaves and fronds into eye-catching arrangements
• Style your own one-of-a-kind leaf fashion accessories, from corsages to bracelets
• Create living jewelry and one-of-a-kind plant handbags
• Make a signature leaf tapestry and leaf wrapping paper
• And much, much more!

• A Picture Frame — a useful and inexpensive way to display your favorite family photos
• A Mother Duck and Duckling —an adorable duck and duckling pair that requires only one sheet of paper!
• A Hibiscus Blossom — one of two "modular" designs in the book that use several folded sheets to form a blossom that looks complicated (but isn't!)
• The Dart Glider — a classic paper airplane that's fun to fold, but even more fun to fly!
• An Inflatable Bunny Balloon — the most challenging (and rewarding!) model in the book…a puff of air makes it 3D!
• And many more!

• 256 6-inch folding papers
• 16 woodblock prints, with a solid color on the reverse side
• 13 pages of full-color instruction, with origami tips and tricks.
• Step-by-step directions for folding 8 origami models

• 12 sheets of 18 x 24 inch (45 x 61cm) paper
• 6 unique patterns (2 sheets of each design)

• Three different kinds of cuddly Dogs and Cats
• A pride of Lions
• A floppy-eared Elephant, complete with pleated trunk and pile of poop!
• A spiny-but-cute Porcupine—watch your fingers!
• A sleepy-eyed Sloth—hang him upside down for a nap
• A Panda parent and baby—including bamboo to munch on!
• A playful Otter with her fishy snack
• A friendly Flying Squirrel
• An adorable pair of Bunnies, complete with crunchy Carrots!
• Snakes, Lizards, Sharks, Crustaceans, Primates, Dinosaurs, and so much more!

• Each sheet is removable by tearing along a perforated line
• Six individual sheets that are 24 x 18 inches
• Six different patterns
• Perfect gift wrap for any occasion—birthdays, anniversaries & various holidays

• Paper Jumping Jacks with built-in springs, ready for the next jump!
• The Shadow Dog, which reveals its form when held up to the light
• A stylish paper Baseball Cap that you can actually wear!
• A cute kaiju Foldzilla ready to create monster mayhem!
• The mind-bending optical illusion Mirror Collage
• Unusual models like Sneakers and cute Funny Faces
• And many more!

• Descriptions of the necessary materials and tools
• Actual-size templates that you trace
• Step-by-step instructions for cutting out the petals and leaves, giving the paper realistic curls and creases, and putting all the pieces together with simple dabs of glue

• Grape Hyacinth
• Bluebell
• Wild Tulip
• Climbing Rose
• Lavender
• Poppy
• Forget-Me-Not
• Wheat
• Snowdrop
• Primrose
• And more!

• Prep the fabrics, mix the dyes, build the colors and preserve them
• Work with cotton, linen, wool and other materials and fabrics
• Create different effects using wax, stitching, tying and other resist techniques
• Create unique patterns by sponging, dripping, rolling and silk screening

• These fine-quality tear-out wrapping sheets feature twelve traditional Asian prints, suitable for craft projects as well as for gift wrapping.
• An introduction details the history and meaning behind the designs and provides some wrapping inspiration
• Tuttle Gift Wrapping Papers are an excellent value—a fraction of the price of a single sheet of gift wrap paper from stationery shops
• Each sheet is removable by tearing along a perforated line
• There are twelve sheets with six different patterns in each book

• Decorative items featuring adventurous cats in bottles, teapots and other tight spaces
• A wind chime of under-the-sea cats—even a mermaid cat (oops—a mercat?)
• A rather surprised airborne cat on a little pouch
• Cats making themselves useful for once, as bookmarks
• Cats in the bathtub, flying to the moon, dancing the hula, and up to all kinds of lighthearted antics

• 256 double-sided, 6" folding papers
• 16 mesmerizing kaleidoscope patterns
• 13 pages of full-color instruction, with origami tips and tricks
• Step-by-step directions for folding 8 origami models

• Sleek darts like the Lancer Zero that can withstand great launch forces
• The cool Arrow Fighter with its distinctive barbs
• The amazing Praying Mantis with its forward-swept stabilizing fins
• The Shark with its aggressive styling and large vertical stabilizer
• The Air King, the current record holder for longest flight distance in Japan!
• And many more!

• Cozy hats and neckwear
• Head bands for warmth and style
• Beautiful clutches and bags
• An amazing entrelac stitch shawl
• Clever boot liners/ankle warmers
• And so much more!

• Two elegant, lacy shawls
• Two fun flowery necklaces
• A bohemian vest in neutral tones
• A wildly embellished rainbow scarf
• The most one-of-a-kind bag you'll ever see

• 256 double-sided 6-inch folding papers
• 16 unique designs, with a solid color on the reverse side
• 13 pages of full-color instructions with origami tips and tricks
• Step-by-step directions for folding 8 origami models

• Simple flat boxes—rectangular, triangular, hexagonal and more
• Pyramid-shaped boxes and different ways of finishing them off
• Modular box tops that look amazing
• Window-topped boxes for nesting a special gift
• Box tops with flourishes from flat to spiraled
• Easy liners for boxes of all shapes and sizes
• And a lot more

• Prep the fabrics, mix the dyes, build the colors and preserve them
• Work with cotton, linen, wool and other materials and fabrics
• Create different effects using wax, stitching, tying and other resist techniques
• Create unique patterns by sponging, dripping, rolling and silk screening

• Full-color, 95-page instructional book
• 25 unique origami projects
• Projects from top paper folding designers
• Clear, step-by-step directions
• Paper folding techniques and tips
• Accompanying instructional DVD
• All videos are also streamable or downloadable online

• Photo Cubes
• Candy Wrapper Butterflies
• Interlocking Flower Petals
• Custom-Bound Books
• And many more!

• The single-winged Helix, designed to ferry crew members to space and back
• The massive Stargo freighter, a spacious craft with great performance due to its forward-swept canards
• The asymmetrical Shard, the fastest ship in the fleet—the command flagship and pride of the Star Fleet
• And many more!

• Multi-color photos and drawings
• Step-by-step instructions
• Explanations of dozens of folding techniques
• 3 hours of streamable or downloadable instructional video

• The Ficus Leaf
• The Berlin Poplar Leaf
• The Black Eyed Susan
• The Foxglove
• The Buttercup
• And many more…

• 64 page, full-color book
• 24 original origami projects
• Step-by-step instructions
• Color diagrams and pictures
• Paper folding guide and tips

• Classic Japanese Box
• Five Happiness Bowl
• Star Candy Dish
• Money Basket
• Gift Envelope
• And many more!

• Turn your umbrella handle into a furry cat's tail
• Sew and embroider a personalized cat book cover
• Make a lovely hand embroidered brooch or earrings
• Make a cute cat door stop using a bottle and fabric
• Make cuddly cat pouches, purses and bags
• Knit, crochet or sew a charming cat-shaped pillow
• Sew a chic cat badge or button cover using cross-stitched fabric
• Sew an adorable cat doll and dress her up
• And so much more!

• Comprehend the folding properties and limitations of various papers
• "Dance with the Paper" which means folding in the air instead of on a table
• Design your own original origami models
• Wet-fold paper money
• Make duo-sided paper by back-coating
• Prepare papers with pearlescent and lustrous paints for scintillating effects
• Pre-paint and wet-fold watercolor paper
• Understand how the paper's grain impacts fold placement during wet-folding
• Fold multi-piece modular compositions

• Beatrix the Rabbit
• William the Penguin
• Mimi the Japanese Dormouse
• Winston the Sloth
• Frannie the Doe
• Harry the Hedgehog
• And many more!

• Mini mufflers using knit-and-purl stitches
• A cozy scallop-edged scarf using lace stitches
• A beautifully textured pair of mittens using cable and Aran stitches
• A stylish and sturdy pair of two-tone socks using rib and twist stitches

• Hangings for walls and windows
• Exquisite table runners and table cloths
• Delicate bags and pouches
• Zakka ("miscellaneous") accessories
• Quirky jewelry pieces
• And more!

• Full-colored origami assembly book
• Step-by-step instructions and diagrams
• 16 original design projects for planes
• 84 two-sided origami folding papers
• A variety of colors with printed fold lines

• Diamond Dart
• Star Clipper
• Wave Rider
• Jumping Jack
• Stingray
• And many more…

• Polyominoes: Tetris-like folded paper pieces that can be fitted together in a variety of ways
• Tangrams: Seven simple origami shapes that form deceptively challenging tangram puzzles
• Rep-Tiles: Geometric shapes formed of smaller pieces having the same shape
• And more: Including a unique origami jigsaw puzzle

• Tyrannosaurus Rex—A true monster in all its fearsome glory
• Velociraptor—Clever and fast, these hunters could run up to roughly 40 mph
• Brontosaurus—The "thunder lizard" reached up to 72 feet in length, despite being a strict vegan
• Triceratops—Known for its intimidating horns and bony frill
• Pteranodon—A genus containing the largest flying reptiles, some boasting a wingspan of over 23 feet
• Spinosaurus—The largest of all carnivores, topping even Tyrannosaurus Rex, with a large, spiny sail
• Stegosaurus—A heavy herbivore with distinctive bony plates rising from its back and a nasty spiked club tail
• And more!

• The intimidating Hammerhead
• The futuristic Space Cruiser
• The hilariously named Belly Button
• And many more!

• 12 innovative designs
• 48 pre-cut paper airplane models
• Detailed instructions for each paper plane
• Special, durable lightweight cardstock
• Printed folding lines for perfect folds
• Colorful and realistic designs
• A pull-out airport runway for landing maneuvers

• 256 6-inch folding papers
• 16 unique patterns, with a solid color on the reverse side
• 13 pages of full-color instruction, with origami tips and tricks
• Step-by-step directions for folding 8 origami models

• Cheery flowers on a broach
• Pretty pine trees on hanging ornaments
• A colorful curly sheep
• Fluffy and stormy clouds
• Bushy-tailed foxes
• Moss on stone and microorganisms in Petri dishes
• And more!

• The skeletal Amaryllis and Unity models, whose delicate frames are filled with voids and openings
• The chunky Slash and Patchwork models, with their robust construction and strong lines
• The Twist Flower and Tornado—stylish models incorporating triangular color schemes
• Exquisitely frilly models, such as the Pomegranate and Iris, bristling with decorative flourishes
• The visually striking Spica and Dandelion, boasting spiky zig-zag cone-encrusted surfaces
• And so many more!

• An Elephant all decked out for festival day
• A Queen's Guard and a Dutch Girl in traditional dress
• A Mama Kangaroo with her Joey
• An enchanting Teddy Bear
• Cute accessories featuring foods and flags from different lands
• Felt scenery to set the stage for your felt creations
• And a lot more!

• Each sheet is removable by tearing along a perforated line
• Six individual sheets with six different patterns
• Perfect gift wrap for any occasion—birthdays, anniversaries & various holidays

• A perky Yorkshire Terrier
• An elegant Russian Blue Cat
• A playful Tabby
• A sleepy Mottled Cat
• A Holland Lop Rabbit
• A curly Toy Poodle
• A fluffy Pomeranian
• A dapper French Bulldog
• Matching mom-and-pup Chihuahuas
• A sweet Pygmy Hedgehog
• And many more!

• 64 page, full-color book
• 20 fun children's origami projects
• Step-by-step instructions
• Detailed diagrams and drawings

• Jack O'Lantern
• Santa Claus
• Box with Valentine
• Clown
• Carnation Flower
• And many more…

• Elegant Nordic mittens, handwarmers and a beret
• Stylish neckwarmers in houndstooth and argyle patterns
• An eyecatching Fair Isle hat and handwarmers
• Comfy, durable socks in herringbone and other classic stitches
• A delicate, lacy shawl
• And much more!

• Fan-tastic Fold Earrings
• Evening Wine Coat
• Florence's Hexagon Box
• Cloth Kimono Card
• Pleated Peacock

• Edgy, yet classic hooded cape
• Flowing draped jacket or vest
• Loose-and-light linen or wool coat
• Simple, feminine, lightweight poncho
• Ruffled bolero or classic blazer
• Coat dresses to emulate Kate Middleton's style
• And much more!

• 12 sheets of 18 x 24 inch (45 x 61 cm) tear-out paper
• 12 unique patterns
• Perforations so the papers are easy to tear out
• Wrapping tips & tricks