Craft Focus - Jun/Jul (Issue 67)

craft focus 57 Crafts under £15 Jump for joy New from Leaping Hare Press, Mindful Crafting explores the human relationship with creativity and self-expression, and reveals how the sheer enjoyment of making something new can help us connect with who we are. Author Sarah Samuel casts fresh light on ways in which this basic need to create is often forgotten in the light of mass consumerism, and looks at how we can find our own individual path through means of individual, joyful self-expression. The book is priced at £9.99. +44 (0)207 700 6700 quarto.com Get stitching Available from GMC Distribution, 60 Quick Knits for Beginners is the latest in the popular series of the same name. Published by Sixth & Spring, the book is filled with beautiful colour photographs to illustrate each pattern, and is ideal for those with little experience of the craft. It’s priced at £14.99. +44 (0)1273 402 873 gmcdistribution.com Festive fun Summer is the perfect time to plan your festive offer. This gorgeous little book by Sachiyo Ishii contains a selection of cute toys for knitters of all abilities. Each project in Tiny Christmas Toys To Knit is accompanied by a clear, easy-to- follow pattern and fun photography. There’s a useful page of basic techniques, including making up, stuffing and simple, decorative stitching. Knits include a polar bear, angel, penguin and Christmas pudding, and the volume costs £4.99. +44 (0)1892 510 850 searchpress.com Dot to dot Available from Solocrafts, these new kits from Diamond Dotz are simple yet fun to make. This dotted craft is easy to pick up, and uses tiny diamond-like facets to create an intricate, shimmery image. There are kits for all ability levels, from easy beginner versions to larger, more complex images. These light-hearted emoji symbols measure just over 10cm square and retail at £9.99 each. +44 (0)161 464 7313 solocrafts.com