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[[Category:New Reviews|Crafts]]__NOTOC__ <!-- Remove -->{{Frontpage|isbn=0811771741|title=InstaKnits for Baby|author=Melissa Leapman|rating=4|genre=Crafts|summary==Melissa Leapman's ''InstaKnits for Baby'' gives us a collection of knits from toys to blankets. Some will be quick knits - others are of the 'long, cosy afternoons in front of the fire' variety. The projects are divided by the time they'll take to complete - less than five hours, five to ten hours, ten to twenty hours and more than twenty hours. All the projects are attractive, modern and useable. I perhaps show my age when I wonder about 'social-media-worthy projects' but that's me being picky.{{adsense2}}__NOTOC__{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Mark Griffiths1635866243|title=Woodworking for the Weekend: 20 Projects Using Reclaimed TimberThe Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook|author=Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth

|summary=''I realised quickly discovered that putting words and numbers on a page wasn't enough. Creating a long time ago pattern that there's was correct, clear, concise, and consistent required a great deal to be said for reclaimed timberof trial and error, patience, and perseverance. Not only is there virtue in reusing wood '' (and it's often hardwoodIntroduction byFrancoise Danoy)  A friend recently showed me a knitting pattern for which might otherwise end up on a bonfire or in landfill, it has she'd paid good money. The first line of the instructions began: ''characterCast off 100 stitches...'', with marks and shadings which speak of its history. Used in the right place it can sing as It was clear that no completely new piece could ever good could come of this - but the trick is in knowing instructions didn't get any better - and (finally) PayPal obliged with a refund when the right place and how to use seller refused as she couldn't afford the woodrepayment. Mark Griffiths has come up with twenty projectsThe pattern looked pretty, most of which are likely to be complete in a weekend but the creator didn't have the basic knowledge and all of which will give pleasure skills to the woodworker and enable her to the people who use the end resultsconnect with her knitters. She should have read ''The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782400575</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1529507987|title=The Repair Shop Craft Book|author=Libby Abadee Walker Books and Cath ArmstrongSonia Albert (Illustrator)|rating=4.5|genre=Children's Non-Fiction|summary=I love ''The Repair Shop''. It's my go-to programme when I want to be cheered up. After a hard day, there's nothing better than watching experts repair treasured items without ever mentioning what they're worth. You see, the value is in what these possessions are worth to the people who own them and the memories they hold. No expense appears to be spared and the experts spend as much time and effort as is required to achieve the desired result. Regular viewers know the experts and they're all brilliant at explaining what it is they're doing. But how did they start?}}{{Frontpage|isbn=0760379912|title=Craft it Up Around the WorldSuper Easy Quilting for Beginners|author=Editors of Quarry Books

|genre=Children's Non-FictionCrafts|summary=With long summer holidays looming ahead along with uncertain British weather it's alway a good idea I learned patchworking from necessity: old or outgrown clothes needed to have plans about activities which will involve be turned into something new and interest childrenusable when I was in my twenties. In ''Craft It would be a while before it Up Around the Worldbecame a pleasure rather than a chore but I've never felt completely at home with quilting. I needed something a little more stylish than my usual buttons or knots. ' we've got thirty five suggestions Super Easy Quilting for projects which will keep children entertained. As the title suggests weBeginners''re going on seemed like a world tour and you can pick the projects good place to suit other activities you have plannedstart. So, as a reminder of a holiday or just on a random basis.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782490388</amazonuk>how did it stack up?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Fiona Goble0760379874|title=Fiona Goble's Fairy Tale Knits: 20 Enchanting Characters to MakeSuper Easy Knitting for Beginners|author=Carri Hammett

|summary=ItI learned to knit in the nineteen-fifties: it wasn's t a choice, it was a lovely idea: knitting patterns for twenty fairy tale characters requirement. Girls learned to knit and a brief story to go with themembroider and boys did wood and metal work. There's the pleasure My knitting wa accompanied by a lot of knitting the characters criticism and then of quite a child playing with them alongside few tears: it was a story and then being able long time before I realised that there was pleasure to use their imaginations to built their own storiesbe had in the skill. Best of all, Nearly seventy years later it's done without the only thing that keeps my hands at all supple. The turning point was a battery or a computer/games console in sightbooklet published by Patons which gave all the basics and some patterns. ItI's a winner all roundve been looking for something simple to recommend to people who'd like to master the skill.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1908005467</amazonuk> So, how did ''Super Easy Knitting For Beginners'' work out?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Savage0760373531|title=Furniture with SoulCozy Knits: Master Woodworkers 30 Hat, Mitten, Scarf and Their CraftSock Projects from Around the World|author=Sue Flanders

|summary=David Savage is Just occasionally you encounter a master furniture maker and one book of the artists featured in the book, so he is not – as he says himself – a neutral observer and nor can he be neutral in choosing who knitting patterns that seems to include in the bookmeet your every need. Having said thatRight now, the pictures alone will tell you that he has chosen people who create furniture of great beauty it's bitterly cold and – often – originality. Itwe's re in the text that makes the book shinesandwich filling between two storms: I need socks, scarves, though – as it seeks not to give a critical appreciation of each man hats and one woman's work, but mittens. They have to look at what makes them tickstylish, what drives them on keep me warm and how be so cheerful that they have handled the good times as well as the badmake me feel better. It is, if you If that sounds likea lot to ask, ten in-depth biographies of artists who work in have a common medium and ten shorter pieces about those we should look out at ''Cozy Knits'': it has thirty designs for in those necessary items and I don't think that there was one of them which I couldn't see myself wearing. We start with an introduction by Nancy Bush which gives some of the futurehistory of knitting. It's not essential but it's a nice extra.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>4770031211</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Patricia Wing0760373558|title=Creative Parchment Cards: Incorporating Siesta GridsNordic Knits|author=Sue Flanders

|summary=Here at Bookbag weI was so delighted by Sue Flanders've long admired Patricia Wing[[Cozy Knits: 30 Hat, Mitten, Scarf and Sock Projects from Around the World by Sue Flanders|Cozy Knits]] that I didn's ability not just to produce beautiful hand-made cards but t need any persuading at all to guide us through the process of making them. We've seen pick up her regularly in 'Crafts Beautiful' magazine, so we know that sheNordic Knits's a name that you can ''rely'' on. Equally reassuring is This delivers forty-four patterns inspired by textiles and local traditions from Norway, Sweden and Iceland. There are a few sweaters or jackets but the fact that she came to card making in middle age – giving hope to anyone who feels that they have left it too late to learn a new craftmajority of patterns are for smaller items such as mittens, gloves, hats and bags. We know that we're in a safe – All are bright and cheerful and very creative – pair of handscosy.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0956951708</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Chris Barnardo1635864070|title=Dadcando: Build, Make, Do ... the Best Way to Spend Quality Time with Your KidsKnit 2 Socks in 1|author=Safiyyah Talley

|summary=The ideas in If you've ever started knitting a pair of socks, finished the first one and either got bored by the idea of doing the same thing all over again, or started on the second sock and lost the first before you finished it, this is the book originated as a [http://wwwfor you.dadcando.co.uk/ website] Where is it that Chris Barnardo set up for divorced and separated fathers single socks go to help them spend quality time with their children Now he's written hide? Safiyyah Talley has developed a book system that although aimed at single fathers is equally as useful for married dadsallows you to knit two socks in one, divide them up and mums too or grandparents or carers to inspire crafty ideas have a perfectly finished pair of things to make with kidssocks. Sounds good? It's clever and well-thought-out.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0852652011</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1529393930|title=Making a Living: How to Craft Your Business|author=Sophie Rochester|rating=5|genre=Crafts|summary=''Starting a creative business has never been easier.'' ''If not now, when?'' I know that I'm not alone in having wondered whether or not I could turn my hobby into a business. There's a lot of motivation to do so: I make more items than we can sensibly use and there are a lot of people who have been delighted to accept what I make as gifts. Selling would offset the costs, which can be quite considerable and it could be fun to do, couldn't it? But where to start? What do I need to think about? Well, the first thing anyone who is considering turning a crafting hobby into a business should do is to read ''Making a Living''.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1635862353|title=The Sandalmaking Workshop|author=Jean BaggottRachel Corry|rating=4.5|genre=Crafts|summary=A sandal-making workshop? I couldn't really believe it, mainly because I'd always thought that you'd need more equipment than the average home was likely to be able to contain but I was intrigued. Rachel Corry started sandal making accidentally - a small fire destroyed some of her shoes. One pair had come apart and she could see how the sandal was constructed. Then she realised that she couldn't afford to replace all her shoes. Could she combine these two facts to create a new and worthwhile craft? She showed quite a few people her first pair and they all either wanted to know how to do it - or if she'd make them a pair. A new career was born.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1783784350|title=This Golden Fleece: A Journey Through Britain's Knitted History|author=Esther Rutter|rating=5|genre=History|summary=It was December and Esther Rutter was stuck in her office job, writing to people she'd never met and preparing spreadsheets. The Girl job frustrated her and even her knitting did not soothe her mind. January was going to be a time for making changes and she decided that she would travel the length and breadth of the British Isles with occasional forays abroad, discovering and telling the story of wool's history and how it had made and changed the landscape. She'd grown up on a sheep farm in Suffolk - '' a free range child on the Wallfarm'' - and learned to spin, knit and weave from her mother and her mother's friend. This was in her blood.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Chou_Make|title=Make and Play: One LifeNativity|author=Joey Chou|rating=5|genre=Children's Non-Fiction|summary=I always feel a slight disappointment for children at Christmas when they're presented with a tree to decorate with a box of ornaments and a nativity scene (sometimes quite precious, so it's Not To Be Played With) which is set up Somewhere Safe. Where's the imagination, the creativity, the sense of pride in that? How much better to have a child create their own nativity scene, which they can then play with? That's exactly what they get with Joey Chou's ''Make and Play Nativity''.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=099334030X|title=Can You Draw the Dragosaur?|author=Peter Lynas and Charlie Roberts|rating=4.5|genre=Crafts|summary=You're going to get a hint of what this book's about very quickly. When you see the title page, you'll find out what the book's called and that it's been written by Peter Lynas. Then we move on to who has done the illustration - and there's a gap. ''You'' are going to put your name there. It's ''your'' responsibility to provide the pictures for this book about one of the largest creatures ever to roam the earth. There's Rich Tapestrysome help available, but your name is on the title page - and you have work to do!}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1635860334|title=Why We Quilt|author=Thomas Knauer

|genre=AutobiographyCrafts|summary=Jean Baggott is now seventy two I've often wondered about the story that patchwork quilting began as a way for women (and in the final year myth would have it that it was always women) to make an extra blanket out of her history degree at Warwick Universitymaterial which would otherwise go to waste. After almost a lifetime This undoubtedly ''did'' happen but when you think about it, you need an awful lot of bending her life material to make a quilt and the needs of other people she has decided time could have been better spent if all that now is the time to look after herself – the eleven year old girl whose picture hangs on her wallwas required was bedding. She plans Like Thomas Knauer, I've come to achieve what the conclusion that girl would want her to achieve it began as an art and from this she's found great fulfilmenthas largely continued down that same road with fluctuations in popularity over the years.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848311265</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Marion Bataille1419726625|title=Abc 3dThe Mitten Handbook: Knitting Recipes to Make Your Own|author=Mary Scott Huff

|summary=Wow. This is an ABC book with a difference. The publisherI love mittens - they's notes say it's "astoundingly beautiful" re so convenient and much easier to get onto (and it isoff) cold hands than a pair of fiddly gloves. Marion Bataille They's carefulre not something you regularly see in shops, ingenious alphabet pops up from the pages so I knew that if I wanted new pairs I would have to amaze and entrance all who lookknit them myself. From A Well, actually, a proud pyramid on that's my rationalisation of the inside coversituation: in truth, I love knitting mittens. They have just enough technique to Z, standing on its side at the endmake them satisfying, each letter plenty of our alphabet has quick work and a personality pair of its ownwarm mittens in a few days. E morphs into F Patterns, V mirrors itself and becomes W, and U is a cascade of parabolas. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0747595798</amazonuk>though - where do you get them from?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Pamela Brooks1621137775|title=How to Research Local HistoryHandbag Workshop: Design and Sew the Perfect Bag|author=Anna M Mazur|rating=54

|summary=Find out all about your houseI love handbags, village or townbut I resent paying the prices demanded by manufacturers of 'good' bags. Additionally, I often find a bag I like but the subtitle colour/shape/size/capacity/internal layout isn't ''quite'' what I had in mind, so I end up spending rather a lot of this book announcesmoney and compromising. In The solution is to make my viewown bags and whilst I was confident about sewing fabric bags, I was nervous about using leather, not least because leather isn't very forgiving when it tells you much comes to mistakes and it's usually more expensive than thatfabric. For any historian, and not just I needed help. Anna Mazur's ''The Handbag Workshop'' came to me free through NetGalley in the field of purely local studies, this volume is probably as near to indispensable as they comereturn for an unbiased review.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845282760</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Adele Ramet1632506386|title=Writing for MagazinesThe Knitter's Dictionary: Knitting Know-How from A to Z|author=Kate Atherley

|summary=From being I've been knitting for well over sixty years, following patterns of varying complexity with success. I've knit Aran sweaters, socks by the dozen and I'm currently knitting blankets for a charity to sell. There hasn't been an avid reader (occasion when I've been stuck and maybe a passionate book reviewer) people have often come to writing ''me'' for magazines yourself is help when ''they've'' been stuck. Would a pretty logical progression. Yet like any other competitive field in life, itknitter's a very hard one dictionary really be of any help to get into – and doubtless getting harder all the timeme? I was surprised by just how much I got out of it.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845281616</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Michael Oke1440248850|title=Times of Our LivesModern Patchwork Home: Dynamic Quilts and Projects for Every Room|author=Vivika DeNegre (Editor)|rating=3.54

|summary=I am currently writing my autobiography as The problem with a longcraft which is largely based on traditional designs is that what results from your labours is also traditional, or - depending upon what light you shine on it -term project and something to leave for my childrenold-fashioned. Vivika DeNegre has curated a collection of patterns from today's top designers. As a word of warning, so I was interested to receive if you read ''Modern Patchwork Magazine'Times of Our Lives'you may well find that there' by Michael Okes nothing new in the book, which is advertised as 'but if you're new to the magazine this could well prove to be a delightful collection from the essential companion for writing your own life storyback catalogue.''|amazonuk=<amazonuk>185703970X</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Judy ReevesPallant_Star|title=A Writer's Star Wars Millennium Falcon Book of Daysand Mega Model|author=Katrina Pallant and Neal Manning|rating=4.5

|summary=I have always written really – diaries every day One of the unexpected results of making a rough-and-ready sci-fi film back in the 1970s, was that George Lucas left a whole generation capable of spelling Millennium. In amongst all the iconic inventions for yearsthe film, lettershis design team left him – and us – with a very loveable, stories, poems… Ciao very fast and Dooyoo fitted into this perfectly and increased my confidence, very asymmetrical space ship. How is it balanced when the cockpit is stuck out one side? What is that dish-like array doing on what seems to act as I received better feedback over timethe top? And where can you get your own? Well, gaining crowns here beyond the rarity and Premium Fund payments on Ciao. I am not a particularly confident persongreat cost of the Lego model, I have quite low self-esteem can at timesleast provide one answer to those three pertinent questions, but I love writing and believe it is my one talent. I think everyone has something they are good atthat answer is… here. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1577311000</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Paul Bryn Davies McLelland_Press|title=Dragons in Watercolour (Fantasy Art Series) Press Out and Decorate: Unicorns|author=Kate McLelland

|summary=This is where my love It's the weekend and I've been indulging myself. There's something about a unicorn which appeals to me and a little bit of research into a book of press-out unicorns, clouds and rainbows seemed like the fantasy art range of books from Search Press continues..ideal way to spend a Saturday morning. So far I have reviewed [[Painting Fairies You get twenty designs in Watercolour by Paul Bryn Davies|Painting Fairies in Watercolour]] the book and [[Painting Unicorns in Watercolour by Rebecca Balchin|Painting Unicorns in Watercolour]] and Ithey're all decorated with pink foil: even if you don'm pleased t want to say that this book lives up add any further colouring they're still going to my expectations as much as look great, but because the pages are a substantial card you have the last books didopportunity to use crayons, felt tips or even paints to add your own personal touch.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1844483827</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Emma Callery V&A_Embroidery|title=The Calligraphy HandbookEmbroidery: A Maker's Guide|author=Victoria and Albert Museum

|summary=I chose In ''Embroidery: A Maker's Guide'' we get a brief introduction to try the craft by James Merry, embroidery artist, information on the tools you'll need, materials you can utilise and a guide to the stitches you'll be using. If you're just thinking about starting embroidery and not certain which type will suit you best or someone who's experienced in one area but wanting to branch out this book could be an ideal starting point. There are over 230 glorious photographs (of items from the V&A collections) and illustrations covering 15 styles of embroidery and learn calligraphy, as it was something that would enhance giving all my many other craft the information and designs you'll need for 15 projects. So did this book help me?}}{{Frontpage|isbn=V&A_Patchwork|title=Patchwork and Quilting: A Maker's Guide|author=Victoria and Albert Museum|rating=4.5|genre=Crafts|amazonuksummary=<amazonuk>184448307X</amazonuk>Patchwork is a magical craft: you can take relatively small pieces of material and turn them into another piece of material with an entirely different pattern. Quilting converts a topper and a backing fabric with some wadding in between into a fabric of an entirely different weight. Combine the two crafts and you have something more than magical, occasionally fashionable but always deeply satisfying. But where to start, when there are so many different styles of both crafts? One answer is to read ''Patchwork and Quilting: A Maker's Guide'' which looks - as the cover says - at styles from Italian trapunto to Korean jogakbo and then delivers fifteen projects inspired by the V&A collections.

 {{newreview Frontpage|isbn=BM_Origami|title=Stash-Busting QuiltsOrigami, Poems and Pictures|author=Lynne EdwardsThe British Museum|rating=5

|rating=4|summary=I have got Sometimes you find a frighteningly-large stash delight of fabrica book. There are shelves full of On an afternoon when it here in the workroom. Some of the drawers in the bedroom are used for fabric was unseasonably cold and decidedly wet I discovered ''Origami, Poems and letPictures's not even mention the boxes up in the attic. I've started being a bit secretive about exactly how much I have and when I intend was transported to use itJapan. "OhAs the title suggests we're looking at three celebrated arts and crafts: the ancient art of paper folding, yes," haiku poetry and painting. I'll say "confess that it was the origami which caught my attention, but I know exactly what I'm going was surprised by the extent to do which the rest of the book caught my imagination. We begin with that" something very simple: a boat and hastily change the subject. If in case you're at worried, all serious about doing patchwork youthe entries have a degree of difficulty (from 'simple' through to 'tricky'll be nodding your head ) and probably muttering "The attic! I never thought of this one is at the attic!"|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0715321943</amazonuk>lowest level.