The holiday season is almost upon us! The weather is getting colder and gifts need to be acquired. Instead of rushing out to the nearest store, try to make something for the person you care for. It will be a unique gift and will give you the chance to practice your crafting skills. Check out these new books to help you in your crafting endeavors.
If you have any Harry Potter fans in your life, try out From the Films of Harry Potter: The Official Book of Crochet Amigurumi by Juli Anne with Jody Revenson. This book shows how to make adorable creatures, characters, and magical items from the Harry Potter Universe. You could make an incredibly cute pygmy puff, a menacing troll or even the main character himself, Harry. Each item has a difficulty ranking so you can test your skills or relax with something a bit more fun. This book is accessible for new crocheters as it walks you through building your amigurumi creations but challenging enough for even the most seasoned fiber artists amongst us.
If the Muppets are more your style, try The Muppets Official Crochet Amigurumi by Drew Hill. Full of nostalgia and whimsy the book features your favorite characters to build, from Kermit and Miss Piggy to Clara the Chicken and Pepe the King Prawn. The book breaks down each Muppet into parts to better explain how each one is crafted in order to get them ready for showtime. It also features a guide to explain stitches and their abbreviations to help those newer to the craft. Every guide comes with a fun fact about each Muppet and colorful photos showing them getting into all sorts of shenanigans.
Like cats? Like knitting? Like the Victorian aesthetic? Believe it or not there is a book that combines all three. It is Victorian Housecats to Knit by Sara Elizabeth Kellner. The book begins with very thorough pattern notes as well as an introduction to the role of housecats in Victorian society. The book features cats in many poses to knit, from loafs to big stretches, and even creates the world in which these cats roam. There are even kittens to knit too. Every pattern is detailed in order to ensure the smooth construction of your giftee’s new houseguest. As in most 3d creations, knitting is done both in flat sections and in the round. While some projects are great for beginners, there are some that definitely pose a challenge for more experienced knitters.
Happy Holidays and happy crafting!