French knitting, also sometimes called spool knitting or i-cord knitting, has been around for centuries. The technique traditionally involves knitting with a handheld ‘dolly’ or spool with four pins around the edge, to produce a narrow tube of knitting known as an i-cord. The technique involves wrapping the yarn around the pins and then lifting loops over to create the stitches. It’s a simple craft that children can do but is a little slow to create the fabric, and many kids lose interest before a decent length of i-cord is produced.

Luckily, technology has moved forward and now there is a hand-held mechanical mini knitting mill available that makes light work of knitting i-cords. Once the machine is threaded (with a grown-up’s help) all you need to do is turn the handle and watch the magic happen as the i-cord emerges in seconds from the bottom of the mill!

This fresh and modern book gives you all the tips you need to get your mechanical mini knitting mill up and running and then 40 fabulous ideas for projects – from gifts to clothing, accessories to home decor and more. No knitting mill? No problem! All the projects can be knitted in the traditional method too.

Children and adults alike will love the unique designs included, with step-by-step instructions and full-size templates.

• Create cute wired shapes, from flowers and hearts to names and words.
• Sew i-cords without wires onto clothing and bags for a unique, personalised look.
• Make gorgeous decor for kids’ bedrooms with wall hangings and dreamcatchers.
• Give handmade gifts in the form of i-cord jewellery and hair accessories.
• Have fun with pompoms, charms, beads, feathers and sequins to add some bling!

This beautiful book will get kids (and adults!) excited to try out a traditional craft in a brand new way and enjoy the making process – the perfect bonding activity to do with your kids! The 40 project ideas will spark further creativity – the possibilities for this craft are limited only by your imagination – and will foster a lifelong love of making.

AUTHOR: Karine Thiboult-Demessence is a journalist, designer, photo stylist, author and blogs under the name Mademoiselle Tika. She lives in France.

In this fifth title in Hazel Blomkamp’s series on crewel embroidery with a twist, the focus is on animal portraits. Crewel Animal Portraits is a celebration of Hazel’s signature techniques: a wide variety of surface/crewel stitches, some of which are brand new, and many with a different take, or different ways of combining stitches to make them more interesting.

Also included are needle lace techniques used as embroidery stitches, loom weaving techniques modified for embroidery, and unique combinations of both of these. The incorporation of beads and crystals adds even more dazzle to the intricate designs. There are six projects, each explained with detailed step-by-step instructions and clear photographs, with design templates and a full stitch gallery providing everything readers need to recreate them with ease. The sumptuous and inspiring projects comprise a tiger, lion, zebra, giraffe, monkey and leopard.

For embroiderers looking for something different and new to stitch, and for those keen to challenge themselves with more complex embroidery techniques, this book is a must-have.

From Aran knitting to Fair Isle, from Entrelac to Intarsia, this book will tell you almost everything there is to know about this beautiful and practical craft.

It gives you easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for various ways to hold the yarn and needles, cast on and cast off, work basic stitches, increase and decrease, make buttonholes, knit bands, read and adapt patterns, finish off, fix mistakes and care for your knitted garments.

And then there’s more … learn about knitting in the round, loop knitting, Shaker knitting, slanted knitting, lace knitting, and much more. Be inspired to embellish your knitting with surface embroidery, Swiss darning, smocking, beads and sequins.

Everything you need to know about knitting, from beginner’s basics to advanced techniques

Clear instructions and helpful photographs

Patterns and abbreviations simply explained

Don’t know where to start? If you have never held a crochet hook before, the simple instructions and easy-to-follow photographs at the beginning of the book will have you working like an expert in no time. Learn about bobbles and clusters, loop stitches, picots and popcorns, shells and spikes.

An expert, but you want to expand your repertoire? Discover broomstick crochet, entrelac crochet, filet and hairpin crochet, Irish crochet, surface and tubular crochet, Tunisian crochet and so much more. We show you how to achieve a perfect finish to your crocheted project and how to add your own special touch with fringes, spirals, edgings and three-dimensional motifs.

It’s 164 pages of hooking bliss!

Successful and established author Alistair Macdonald provides 18 fabulous projects, including a lovely baby’s play mat, a stylish gentleman’s scarf, a useful hobby bag, a tea cosy, a gorgeous tote bag and a make-up purse. All the patchwork is done by hand sewing, using the English Paper Piecing method in fresh, bright cottons and with clear, step-by-step instructions and beautiful photographs. There is some machine sewing for putting projects together, but you can hand sew if you prefer.

Actual size templates for every project are included.

Create a gorgeous range of stash-busting keepsakes for your little ones to cuddle and cherish.

A handmade blanket is the perfect gift for a newborn or young child: ideal for that first journey home from the hospital; for keeping them cozy in a stroller; and for tucking them in at bedtime. Whether you prefer traditional colours and simple repeating motifs or want to experiment with appliqué, lacework and more, you’ll find a design to suit your taste:

• The blankets’ small size makes them quick and rewarding to make and great stash-busters.
• There are 20 easy-to-follow patterns, featuring an inspiring mix of techniques, with some suitable for even complete beginners.
• Clear conversion charts for crochet stitches and hooks included.

These meaningful, comforting keepsakes are designed to be loved, snuggled and then passed on to future generations.

Ever popular, granny squares are quick to make, easy to customize, and brilliant for building up into larger projects. Containing 20 fresh, colourful, new designs from best-selling crochet designer and author, Val Pierce, this book will inspire you to get creative and bust that yarn stash.

Five additional, vibrant projects are included inside for you to crochet with your newly-made squares, including a sweet ‘n’ simple simple potholder, a retro pillow cover and pretty fingerless gloves.

Granny Squares to Crochet is a fantastic little project book in a handy pocket-sized format, so you can crochet your favourite squares wherever you go.

The original best-selling Twenty to Make series has sold over 2 million copies worldwide! In a handy hardback pocket-size format that makes them perfect little gifts, each title in the All-New Twenty to Make series contains 20 brand-new projects.

The perfect tool to help you select and create 50 useful embroidery stitches, this innovative card deck of inspiring designs can be easily slipped into your bag for on-the-go stitching.

The sturdy box contains a 16-page booklet packed with all the essential embroidery know-how you need to master the art of embroidery. From beginner tips to expert techniques, it’s all there to support your creative journey.

Also within are the 50 colourful cards, each showcasing an individual embroidery stitch. On the front of each 140 x 85mm (3.3 x 5.5 inch) card is a colour photograph of the finished stitch, accompanied by suggested uses and alternative names. When you’re ready to dive into the details, simply flip the card over to reveal a clear illustration and step-by-step written instructions for that particular stitch.

With an extensive range of 50 stitches at your fingertips, this card deck opens up a world of creative possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned embroiderer seeking fresh inspiration or a beginner eager to expand your repertoire, this versatile card deck is the perfect gift to fuel your creative fire.

The deck’s contents have been expertly curated from the highly acclaimed publication, The Embroidery Stitch Bible by Betty Barnden, also available in print from Search Press. The book is ranked as one of the best hand embroidery books by the Textile Artist organisation.