Craft Focus - August/September 2020 (Issue 80)

80 Bookstand Stock your shelves with the latest craft-related book releases ROBYN OCTOPUS & FRIENDS Claire Gelder £12.99 9781782218692 Search Press Snuggle up with Robyn Octopus and friends − all loveable, oversized toys to knit. The soft, chunky yarn and delightful characters will appeal to all, not just children. They make great reading or TV companions and sit at about 70cm tall. As well as 17 different animals to knit and love, including a puffin, an orangutan, a turtle and a unicorn, you can also make Mini Robyn Octopus and Mini Mabel Bunny, which are 30-40cm tall. The projects are aimed at beginners to improvers and are suitable for someone who has mastered the basics of knitting. We say: Crafters need just basic knitting skills to make these loveable toys out of chunky yarn – give it a go! MATERIAL - MAKING AND THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION Nick Kary £20 9781603589321 Chelsea Green Publishing In Material , craftsman Nick Kary explores what it means to be a maker. Reflecting on how the fluid creative act becomes manufacturing, and what making means in a world where consumers are disconnected from the creative and material process. He tells the stories of craftspeople around the UK, asking them why they ‘make,’ and the challenge of earning a living out of a practice that was once a necessity. He quickly finds a commonality with each of his fellow makers, feeling kinship home from home in their studios and workshops, and is fascinated by the unique ways each harmonises their own vision with the natural movement of their material. Underlying his visits with other makers is the author’s own reflections about what and who influenced him to value and make with materials from the earth. For nearly four decades, he’s worked on commission to make fine, distinctive furniture and cabinets from wood, most of it sourced near his home in the counties of south west England. We say: Material is a rich celebration of what it means to imagine and create, we hope you enjoy it! Knitting Making MODERN BARGELLO Tina Francis £9.99 9781782218258 Search Press Bargello stitching is a form of needlepoint and making a comeback. There’s a project for everyone, whether you’re new to bargello, or are an original bargello fan. Tina Francis shows you how to combine bold, bright colours in attractive, almost psychedelic patterns to create the illusion of 3D. Use her easy-to-follow charts and approachable instructions to create 15 projects including cushions, wall art, pincushions, bangles and a brooch. Bargello is easy to master, quick to achieve and very addictive. The stitches take on a rhythm of their own which makes it extremely relaxing and before long you’ll be measuring your days in centimetres not hours. With only a handful of materials required canvas, tapestry wool, tapestry needle and instructions bargello is certain to become your craft of choice. We say: Bargello is trending! Give it a go and stitch some colour into your life with these 15 attractive projects. THE KEW BOOK OF EMBROIDERED FLOWERS - FOLDER EDITION Trish Burr £25 9781782216421 Search Press This sumptuous and inspiring book, written by needlework expert Trish Burr and created in association with The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a stunning, contemporary guide to embroidering flowers. All the reusable iron-on transfers needed are kept safely together with the book in an attractive hardback folder. Focusing mainly on long-and-short stitch and Trish’s delicate, considered use of silk shading, the book contains all the clearly- illustrated stitches needed, and gives thorough advice on preparation and choosing fabrics and threads – including a handy thread conversion chart. We say: This stunning yet practical book is a must-have for anyone interested in capturing flowers in thread. Bargel lo Embr oidery