Book of the month for April

Welcome back to my monthly book review blog. Last month I promised you something special and I'm here today to show you the beautiful 'Crochet Fairy Tales: Cottage Stories' by Kerry Lord (ISBN-13: 9781446316009 David & Charles Ltd. 2026). I was lucky enough to visit the Stitch Festival at the Business Design Centre in London's Islington last month and the Toft stand was an absolute beauty, decorated with all the characters and scenery from this enchanting book.

As I've probably mentioned before I'm not a happy amigurumi crocheter - I would like to be but unfortunately it just doesn't agree with my hands. If amigurumi is your thing though, this book is a real treat. Six fairy tales are retold and recreated in crochet within its pages: ​ Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Thumbelina.

The book is divided into three sections. The Prologue contains all the yarn and equipment information together with a characterisation section which explains how all the different hairstyles are created, how to choose skin tones and hair colours, how to add facial features and how to stuff and sew up your pieces. 

The Stories section of the book is divided into chapters, one for each fairy tale, and within each chapter there is a retelling of the fairy tale followed by all the individual patterns for the characters in the story as well as the accessories. For example for the Jack & The Beanstalk story the patterns are Jack, the Beanstalk & Seedling, the Giant's Chicken, the Golden Harp & Golden Egg and the Axe & Rucksack. It's helpful to see that there are specific yarn requirements listed for each individual element of the story as well as the total needed to make all the pieces of the story.

In the third section of the book is all the technical information needed to crochet the pieces, from the very basics such as how to hold the hook, through to individual stitch diagrams, a table of abbreviations and a small guide to finishing techniques needed along with a handful of embroidery stitches used in the patterns. The patterns use UK terminology throughout. 

The book itself is a real keepsake item. It's hardback with foiled details on the cover and marbled papers inside the front and back covers. There's a ribbon page marker so you don't lose your place between crochet sessions. As well as plentiful full page colour photographs of the crocheted pieces there are also lovely line drawings decorating the text pages so there are always little details to notice throughout the book. 

Those dwarves look very purposeful don't they? I love that all their little boots are different, as are their hats and it's that attention to detail that makes this book so interesting. I'm not sure that my grumpy hands will let me crochet any of the characters but I'm definitely going to have a go at Grandma's Nightwear because there are a good few Barbie dolls knocking about my daughter's bedroom who might benefit! Look at those frilly sleeves and hem. 

Clearly a lot of the visual appeal of the characters and accessories comes from the staging of the photographs, with the miniature props of furniture and foliage as well as custom-made gingerbread houses, but a huge amount of time must have gone into making this book and even if I never crochet a single piece from it, I will still glean a lot of pleasure from reading the stories and admiring the pictures. 

If the book appeals to you it can be found on the Search Press website here and if you are in the UK you can get free delivery and 20% off the cover price by using the code DD88 at checkout. I'm very excited to see on the Search Press site that another book is due to be published later in the year with a further six fairy tales included in it. 

I hope you have a great month, with lots of time to craft, and will look forward to being back with another review towards the end of May.