INSPIRING BOOKS

AMIGURUMI FARMYARD JOSEFINE BJØRN KNUDSEN

(£7.99, Search Press) Crochet all you need to make your very own mini farm! There are cute and quirky animals to make, including a friendly cow, a happy pony, a pig, a sheep and a naughty goat, plus a barn and fences,grass and food for the animals, a wheelbarrow, milk churns, hay bales and much more. All 26 projects are quick and easy to make, with explanations for new learners.

NATURE’S LANDSCAPE CROCHET BLANKETS CHRISTINE NAUGLE

(£6.99, Annie’s)

Bring the beauty of outdoors inside with four afghans all inspired by nature. Each blanket is made using the unique ‘knotted half double crochet two stitches together’ that allows each stitch to be neatly aligned on top of another, creating the nice angles and even stitches of the silhouettes. Designs include Mountain River, Desert Skies, Blue Mountain Lakes and Purple Mountain Majesty.

CROCHET STITCH SAMPLER BABY BLANKETS KRISTI SIMPSON

(£18.95, Stackpole Books) Stitch sampler blankets offer a great canvas for learning new stitches and exploring techniques in small portions. The variety of constructions – from working separate motifs and joining, to join-as-you-go, to working centre out or in one piece – keep your mind engaged and your hook flying. The 30 patterns include all the details you need to complete each blanket confidently.

CANARY CRAFTIVISTS MANUAL CRAFTIVIST COLLECTIVE

(£22, Craftivist Collective) Are you worried about global warming but anxious about taking part in large or loud forms of activism? This manual explains why and how to join in this climate gentle protest. It includes patterns for crochet, knitting, embroidery and more, as well as honest experiences from Craftivists who have already taken part. www.craftivist-collective.com