Adults

Create 30 beautiful and useful projects with this essential guide to machine sewing.

As well as being an invaluable skill and a relaxing hobby, machine sewing is a great way of being kind to the planet by upcycling scraps of fabric. Here, expert sewing teacher Angela Pressley shows you how to make 30 stunning accessories, garments, and home furnishings, each of which will help you to practice different techniques. Master topstitching, quilting, and patchwork so that you can create items for the home including a pouffe, mug cozies, and plant-pot covers. Learn how to sew curves, add pockets, and work with lightweight fabrics as you make accessories such as a bucket hat, a reversible tote, and a foldaway shopper. Finally, there’s a chapter of clothes such as a tailor-made top, a drawstring skirt, and a duster jacket, where you’ll learn how to create an elasticated hem, draft a paper pattern, and sew buttonholes. You’ll also find advice on all the tools and equipment you will need, as well as step-by-step tutorials that guide you through the machine-sewing techniques.

Whether you've been sewing for years or are looking for an approachable entry point to learn how to sew, this is a must-have guide for any kind of crafter. Featuring 15 easy-to-make pouch and bag sewing patterns, plus tutorials for various styles and techniques for applying straps, pockets, and hardware, have a blast mixing and matching to sew all kinds of bags. From a simple clutch to an organizational tote or even a reusable gift bag, this guide will show you tons of the most common techniques used in bag making to build your sewing skills and even make your own original bag designs. Author Carolina Moore is a renowned quilt pattern designer, award-winning quilter, owner of Always Expect Moore where she teaches quilting tips and techniques, and the author of Ultimate Paper Piecing Guide.

Explore Your Crafty Nature

Let needle and thread transport you with 25 one-of-a-kind cross-stitch projects that evoke a peaceful, invigorating walk in the forest. Max Pigeon, cross-stitch designer and founder of Pigeon Coop, beautifully captures light, depth and color in these modern designs that celebrate the majesty of nature.

Stitchers can let their creative side go wild with patterns that range from minimalist tree motifs to detailed landscape masterpieces. Spend time creating the elegant beauty of The Mighty Oak or play with silhouettes in the two-hoop Eagle Ravine. Try your hand at stitching on black Aida cloth with the impressive Aurora, or challenge yourself to complete a more intricate scene with the stunning Sequoia Falls. With Max’s expert guidance and these inspiring, thoughtful cross-stitch patterns, the serene world of the woods is at your fingertips.

“Fake plants were never so appealing.” —Booklist starred review

In Handmade Houseplants, expert crafter and tastemaker Corrie Beth Hogg offers a no-water option for your urban jungle: plants made from paper! This stylish guide includes step-by-step instructions and templates for making 30 of the most popular houseplants, from monstera and peperomia to fiddle leaf fig and philodendron. Additional projects show how to use paper plants for home décor, wall art, holiday decorations, gift giving, and more. The projects are simple enough to be made in few hours and the materials are affordable and easy to find. Packed with colorful photos and filled with inspiration, Handmade Houseplants shows how paper plants can provide a modern, light-hearted touch to a well-designed home.
 

Freeing clay from technical constraints, lightening pieces, modeling large, slender forms . . . These ceramicists' dreams become reality with paper clay!

Complete Guide to Paper Clay thoroughly and accurately introduces this versatile material of clay and fibers, and showcases its distinctive characteristics and advantages. Liliane Tardio-Brise illustrates step by step the reactions of paper clay to the usual techniques of ceramics--pinch building, coils, slabs, wheel throwing, etc. The cellulose fibers in paper clay give it new properties that typical clay cannot attain. Rehydrating paper clay pieces brings back their suppleness and allows them to accept deformations, easily repair cracks, and be built on with new clay pieces. Paper clay lends itself to all finishes, can be air dried and/or fired, and, because the fibers burn off when fired, finished pieces are lighter and can be built taller and still maintain their stability.

Explore the many possibilities of paper clay with the ten projects in the book, which each use very different properties of the clay to a variety of effects. Once you see the versatility of paper clay, you'll be ready to try your own sculptures in this adaptable medium.

Take your Cricut crafts to the next level! Cricut electric cutting machines have made it easy for anyone to make adorable, one-of-a-kind creations in their own home. In this book crafting expert Megan Meketa, of Lovebird Heartworks, shares all her tips and tricks for making colorful, eye-catching projects that make every day a celebration.

Featuring 28 projects and all the information needed to get started, including:

Straightforward details on Design Space software and Cricut models (Maker, Explore Series, Joy, and EasyPresses)

Essential tools and materials (adhesive vinyl, iron-on, felt, cardstock, acetate, leather, etc.)

Ideas, pro tips, and step-by-step instructions for celebrations including a variety of cake toppers, banners, party favor bags, stickers, stencils for pastry decorating, and thoughtful gifts

Creative wearables and home decor projects such as leather earrings, custom tote bags, etched glass, stenciled signs, and so much more

Each project has step-by-step instructions as well as creative tips and ideas if you want to "make it extra" and elevate your projects even further

Whether you're a brand new owner of a Cricut and not sure where to start or a seasoned pro, this book is the ultimate one-stop shop for information and ideas for creating stunning projects.

Create Huggable Plushies in Just an Afternoon

Crochet the softest, coziest, most squishable stuffed animals of your dreams with this collection of easy patterns from Glory Shofowora. Explore the woodlands, jungle, farm, ocean and even mystical realms with adorable projects like Rae the Raccoon, Miso the Monkey, Callie the Cat, Opal the Octopus and Dio the Dragon! And because every project is made with super bulky chenille yarn, you can guarantee they’ll be soft and fluffy enough to be the perfect cuddle companions for you and your friends. 

Glory’s amigurumi designs are created with simple stitches, minimal parts to sew together and step-by-step photographs, making these sweet animals quick to make and ideal for beginners. Glory also offers some super cute notes on making your projects unique, like switching up yarn colors or embroidering the eyes, so that your plushie feels truly yours. There are so many cuties to meet in Glory’s plushie animal kingdom—the hardest part will be deciding which one to make next!

Knitters of all skill levels will love to make this charming, fun mini woodland scene. Sachiyo Ishii has created 28 delightful mini knitted creatures along with a forest floor play mat, mushrooms, trees, treestumps and a gnome with a toadstool house to complete the scene. The animals only require small amounts of readily available yarn. They are easy to knit, and follow one of two basic sewing-up techniques, both of which are clearly shown using step-by-step photography. There are clear, simple knitting patterns and step-by-step photographs and instructions for all the other techniques, including the stuffing methods and the embroidery needed for the features and details. Simple crochet instructions are given as well, for optional crochet elements within the book, such as treestumps and ponds for the forest floor.

The jolt of inspiration every knitter needs!

Inspired by the ritual of sipping and stitching, Coffeehouse Knits is a stimulating collection of knitwear with an extra shot of something special. Whether you're joining friends at the coffee shop for community knitting or you're home enjoying the first cup of the day, perk up your knitting with: 

   • 20 patterns that range in skill level from advanced beginner to intermediate--macchiato to espresso.
   • Simple touches evoke the idea of everyone's favorite drink, from steaming swirls around a sweater yoke to coffee bean inspired motifs.
   • Stirring essays from knitters explore community, connection, and caffeine.
Pour yourself another cup and settle in with Coffeehouse Knits.

Save yourself some purl rows and knit your wraps in the round!

When working most traditional shawl patterns in rows, you work a "pattern" row, and then turn and purl the wrong side. But by knitting your shawls and scarves in the round, you are always knitting on the right side, so it is easy to work beautiful stranded, lace, texture, and even brioche patterns. Plus, it's so fast to keep knitting with no turning!

Once you've finished knitting your shawl, you then cut through the extra stitches included in each pattern (known as steek stitches). Hem with simple hand or machine sewing, and your wrap is ready to wear! Author Andrea Brauneis explains the process in detail, and the extra stitches and instructions are included in each pattern, making it easy to work these 21 gorgeous scarf and wrap patterns even if it's your first time trying this technique. And once you try it, you'll want to knit all your wraps around and around!

Express Yourself with Vibrant, Unique Colorwork Hat Patterns 

Let your inner artist shine with these 30 fun and inspired knitwear designs. Courtney Flynn, founder of flynnknit, shares her secrets to creating impressive hats that make a statement. Pair bold motifs such as stripes, zig zags, hearts and falling snow with daring colors to create one-of-a-kind gifts and cherished handmade accessories. 

These inviting projects offer the perfect introduction for those who are new to colorwork, while the variety and versatility of each design will inspire even the most experienced knitter. Learn new skills like incorporating multiple colors of yarn to create exciting designs, and minimizing the appearance of jogs in your knitted pieces. Courtney provides plenty of valuable tips, chart notes and encouraging advice to help you make each piece your own. Whether you follow along with the color suggestions or have fun experimenting with new combinations, you can’t go wrong with these patterns! 

Grab a pair of knitting needles and your favorite yarn, and show the world your true colors!

Experience the magic of knitting in the first-ever Lord of the Rings knitting guide, featuring more than 25 patterns inspired by the mythical world of Tolkien’s Middle-earth.

Knit your way across J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, from the Shire’s idyllic countryside to the Elfin palaces of Rivendell, with this first-ever Lord of the Rings knitting guide. With patterns to suit your every otherworldly mood, this book includes cozy knits to languish by the fire in at Bag End, rustic outerwear to enjoy a beer and a warm bowl of stew at The Prancing Pony Inn, and elegant laces suited for the lush, peaceful valley of Rivendell.

Inspired by the popular books and film adaptations—including beloved characters, locations, and natural elements––this guide features a variety of knitting techniques, like cables, lace, colorwork, brioche, and textured stitches, and it includes patterns for apparel, accessories, and home décor for every skill level. From the Hobbits’ warm, rustic knits and the Dwarves’ rugged armor to the intricate, lacy garments of the Elves of Rivendell, there’s a pattern to suit everyone in your life.

With detailed instructions and stunning full-color photography, knit yourself an Elf Maiden Cloak, Second Breakfast Socks and Mittens, an Elven Bread Shawl, a Dwarf Battle Helmet, a One Ring to Warm Them All Scarf, a Precioussss Doll, and more with the help of this homage to the beautiful world of The Lord of the Rings.

FIRST LOTR KNITTING GUIDE: This unofficial guide is the first book made up entirely of Lord of the Rings-inspired knitting projects.

OVER 25 KNITTING PROJECTS: Knit more than 25 projects for sweaters, scarves, hats, socks, gloves, blankets, and more.

EVERY SKILL LEVEL: A variety of projects designed for different skill levels makes this guide ideal for beginner to advanced knitters.

CLOTHING AND COSTUMES: Create classic looks from The Lord of the Rings, from an Elf Maiden Cloak to Dwarf Battle Gauntlets.

ALL-STAR DESIGNERS: This knitting guide includes patterns created by some of the most popular knitting influencers on Ravelry and Instagram.

DAZZLING IMAGES: Each pattern is accompanied by detailed instructions and beautiful full-color photography to help ensure success.

A brand new stitch dictionary from the author of the wildly popular, AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary.

KnitOvation includes more than 150 brand new colorwork motifs to expand knitters' creative possibilities and draw them further into the world of stranded knitting with clever, quirky, and beautiful motifs including botanicals, animals, and geometric patterns. The motifs are accompanied by a selection of accessory and garment designs to illustrate how the motifs can be used, and technical information on new topics including using charts and adding flourishes with duplicate stitch.
More knitters than ever are enjoying colorwork, so now is a fantastic time to give them another tool for their knitting toolbox. Whether you’re looking for new colorwork motifs, knitting techniques, or pattern ideas, KnitOvation makes a great gift for experienced knitters or for beginners looking for inspiration.