Many people are turning to arts and crafts to keep themselves occupied during a period of time at home. We’ve put together this list of essential books for a range of crafts. Each book provides you with everything you need to start a new craft or return to a neglected hobby. Our books are available from online retailers around the world, and many of our high street customers are now providing local delivery solutions. Each book below has a link to buy online from a number of retailer choices.
The Knitter’s Bible
The Complete Handbook for Creative Knitters
The Knitter’s BibleClaire Crompton, £16.99 / $22.99, 160 Pages.
A handbook for knitters at all levels covers key information on materials and techniques, providing a reference library of stitch patterns, colour charts for a variety of creative options, and more than twenty-five illustrated projects for clothes, accessories, and home furnishings.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
Stitch Library
Over 200 Stitches for Knitters of All Abilities
Stitch LibraryClaire Crompton, £14.99 / $22.99, 144 Pages.
Offers over 200 knitted stitches for knitters to discover, learn and use. This title groups stitches to allow for easy browsing and location of favourites. It includes projects that feature some of the stitches, and shows how effective it is to incorporate different stitches into your work.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
Beginner’s Guide to Colorwork Knitting
16 projects and techniques to learn to knit with color
Beginner’s Guide to Colorwork KnittingElla Austin, £15.99 / $22.99, 128 Pages.
If you long to knit stunning fair isle jumpers and brightly coloured blankets for your home this is the perfect book. Learn all the techniques for how to start knitting with colour and create 16 really desirable projects as you learn.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
Beginner’s Guide to Crochet
20 crochet projects for beginners
Beginner’s Guide to CrochetSarah Shrimpton, £14.99 / $22.99, 128 Pages.
Would you like to crochet but don’t know where to start? This book explains all the basic crochet stitches and techniques alongside 20 simple crochet projects so you will be crocheting in a day.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
Modern Crochet Bible
Over 100 contemporary crochet techniques and stitches
Modern Crochet BibleSarah Shrimpton, £17.99 / $24.99, 152 Pages.
Learn how to stitch stunning contemporary crochet projects using traditional techniques with a twist, such as filet crochet or brand new techniques such as corner to corner crochet. All the key crochet techniques stitches and techniques are featured as well as advice on how to use the exciting, new yarns that are available.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
The Beginners Guide to Dressmaking
Sewing techniques and patterns to make your own clothes
The Beginners Guide to DressmakingWendy Ward, £19.99 / $27.99, 128 Pages.
Do you dream of making your own unique clothes which you won’t see anyone else wearing? Have you got a collection of fantastic fabrics just waiting to be turned in to clothes? This is the ultimate guide to how to make your own clothes even if you have never done so before. Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
The Dressmaking Technique Bible
A Complete Guide to Fashion Sewing Techniques
The Dressmaking Technique BibleLorna Knight, £15.99 / $27.99, 272 Pages.
Offers techniques for designing and making clothes, whether you are following a pattern, adding embellishments, or designing garments from scratch. This book includes illustrated instructions, which explain the essential dressmaking techniques. Suitable for beginners, or those who are already designing or making their own clothes.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
The Bag Making Bible
The Complete Guide to Sewing and Customizing Your Own Unique Bags
The Bag Making BibleLisa Lam, Amy Butler, £16.99 / $24.99, 160 Pages.
Offers a technique-led approach to sewing your own designer bags and designer purses. This title introduces, explains and demonstrates the myriad of materials, hardware, tools and techniques available to the modern crafter, including using the sewing machine.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
How to Print Fabric
Kitchen-table techniques for over 20 hand-printed home accessories
How to Print FabricZeena Shah & Kirstie Allsopp, £14.99 / $22.99, 128 Pages.
Learn how simple hand printing techniques can transform your fabric into personalized designs with this fabric printing guide from designer Zeena Shah. In this beautiful yet practical book, Zeena shows you how to create contemporary homewares through 20 techniques, each accompanied by a sewing project to put your prints on display straight away.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
The Stitch Bible
A comprehensive guide to 225 embroidery stitches and techniques
The Stitch BibleKate Haxell, £15.99 / $23.99, 176 Pages.
In this comprehensive guide to embroidery, you’ll learn the basic stitches and master 8 different embroidery styles, including blackwork, crewelwork, hardanger, pulled thread, goldwork and freestyle. Every stitch has clear step-by-step instructions and is accompanied by coloured diagrams, making it easy to create impressive embroidered designs.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
Beginner’s Guide to Quilting
16 projects to learn to quilt
Beginner’s Guide to QuiltingElizabeth Betts, £14.99 / $24.99, 128 Pages.
Learn the basics of quilting, from piecing and applique to quilting and binding. Features 16 simple projects, each focusing on a different technique, from bags and cushions to table mats, wall hangings and bed quilts. Clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions accompany each project, making them all suitable for even a complete novice.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
The Quilter’s Bible
The Indispensable Guide to Patchwork, Quilting and Applique
The Quilter’s BibleLinda Clements, £19.99 / $29.99, 256 Pages.
Deals with patchwork, quilting and applique techniques. Suitable for both the beginners as well as the committed quilters, this book features over 15 projects including cot quilts, bed quilts, lap quilts, bags, cushions, wall hangings, table mats and runners, and other projects for the home.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
Modern Quilt Bible
Over 100 techniques and design ideas for the modern quilter
Modern Quilt BibleElizabeth Betts, £19.99 / $24.99, 160 Pages.
This is the ultimate reference guide to patchwork and quilting techniques for the modern quilter. The Modern Quilt Bible includes over 100 techniques and design ideas necessary to create stunning modern quilts as well as 10 unique, quilted projects so you can apply your new skills straight away.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
The Bead Jewellery Bible
The Complete Creative Guide to Making Your Own Bead Jewellery
The Bead Jewellery BibleDorothy Wood, £16.99, 160 Pages.
A guide to making bead jewellery covering the essential beading techniques, from choosing colours and designing jewellery, to bead stringing, making findings and bead embroidery. It features nine technique-focused chapters, including a chapter on making your own beads, and a chapter containing instructions for 12 bead jewellery projects.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones or Hive*.
The Knotting & Braiding Bible
A complete creative guide to making knotted jewellery
The Knotting & Braiding BibleDorothy Wood, £16.99 / $24.99, 160 Pages.
The Knotting and Braiding Bible is the essential guide to knotting and braiding techniques for jewellery craft. The book covers kumihimo (braiding), plaiting, knotting (including macramé) and fusion, with techniques for adding beads, using different cords/wire and attaching findings. With a selection of projects both big and small.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
Macramé for Beginners and Beyond
24 Easy Macramé Projects for Home and Garden
Macramé for Beginners and BeyondAmy Mullin & Marnia Ryan-Raison, £14.99 / $23.99, 128 Pages.
Discover a fresh, new take on the traditional craft of macrame, a craft that was incredibly popular in the seventies, is currently enjoying a renaissance. Macrame projects are the best way to bring the current trend for hippy luxe, boho interiors into your home.
Available at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Waterstones or Hive*.
*Hive is a way for UK based readers to order books online and attach your sale to your local bookshop, you simply choose the connected bookshop from the Hive network when you check-out. Your local bookshop will receive a percentage of each sale.