Crafts and Hobbies

'There are a few new [Fair Isle or Shetland lace] knitting books ... but this is the first one to come out this season and has set the bar high.' - Shiny New BooksMati Ventrillon's inspiration comes from the technique of creating patterns with multiple colours that was first used by the women of Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Islands, more than two centuries ago. Her designs, which have featured on the Chanel catwalk, are inspired by tradition but use her own modern interpretation of colour and pattern arrangement. The book includes fisherman jumpers with high, crew and slash necks, a poncho, neck warmer, cowl and long scarf, fingerless gloves and hand and wrist warmers, as well as the traditional fisherman's hats known as keps. The patterns demonstrate how to experiment with colour and play with backgrounds. They are accompanied by expert tips on yarns and finishing. Inspirational photography provides a window into life on this most remote of Scottish islands. www.mativentrillon.co.uk Instagram: @fairisle_knitwear

Make, Stitch & Knit for Baby: 35 Super-Cute and Easy Craft Projects

Emile Guelpa

£17.99 £17.09

From the bestselling author of Start Where You Are comes a beautifully illustrated and integrative journal for easing the everyday anxieties we all carry. Feeling anxious, uncertain, or overwhelmed? You're not alone. In this empowering new tool for self-care, popular artist and author Meera Lee Patel presents a fresh approach to feeling better. Designed to help us better understand and dial down the everyday worries getting in our way, these thoughtful and beautifully illustrated journal pages are a safe space for reflection, insight, and the freedom to move forward with more clarity and joy. Bringing together inspiring quotes from great thinkers and writers throughout history with engaging journal prompts and plenty of room to capture your thoughts, the book is a calming breath of fresh air and a quiet space to reflect and recharge in a hectic and uncertain world.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree: Crochet the 12 Birds of Christmas

Kerry Lord

£14.99 £14.24

A unique collection of crochet patterns for the 12 birds of Christmas. Taking inspiration from the famous Christmas carol, Kerry Lord, author of the Edward's Menagerie series and founder of TOFT yarns, has created this unique crochet collection. Including John the Spotted Woodpecker for 12 Drummers Drumming, Lydia the Greylag Goose for 6 Geese a-laying and, of course, Felix the Partridge in a pear tree, this is Christmas fun at its most creative. Patterns include: 12 Drummers Drumming - John the Spotted Woodpecker 11 Pipers Piping - Nina the Sandpiper 10 Lords-a-Leaping - Agnes the Heron 9 Ladies Dancing - Loise the Cormorant 8 Maids-a-milking - Delilah the Cattle Egret 7 Swans-a-swimming - Margot the Black Swan6 Geese a-laying - Lydia the Greylag Goose 5 Gold Rings - Gilbert the Pheasant 4 Calling Birds - Peter the Blackbird 3 French Hens - Ruth the Hen 2 Turtle Doves - Beatrice the Turtle Dove And a Partridge - Felix the Partridge

Woodwork: The Complete Step-by-step Manual

DK

£25.00

Get started on your woodworking skills with this ultimate guide to essential carpentry techniques, tools, tips and tricks. Complete and easy directions for key skills, from simple joinery techniques to more involved woodworking projects, with clear helpful photographs. New carpenters will learn about the essential tools needed, the principles of basic design, and practice crucial techniques, such as wood joints, finishing, woodturning, and furniture restoration. Experienced crafters will enjoy enhancing their skills and learning something new. We'll make sure you choose the right wood for the job, find more than 100 hard and softwoods, and their properties in our handy directory. Put your skills into practice with 28 DIY woodworking projects.

Painting on Pottery: 22 Modern, Colourful Designs

Tania Zaoui

£9.99 £9.49

Transform your plain pottery into exciting, colourful and contemporary pieces for the home in a trice! You don't need pottery classes, or even a kiln to glaze your creations - you can make gorgeous items quickly and easily by painting plain, shop-bought ceramic items and baking them in a domestic oven. With 22 colourful projects to make, there are decorative plates, bowls, cups and pots, vases, a lamp - and even earrings and a necklace. With simple techniques to follow, all explained in clear and simple terms, you just need a few brushes, some ceramic paints and some plain pottery and away you go! If you love painted ceramics, patterns and making little gifts - this book is for you!