For May & June (running late for May and early for June!) I have chosen to take a closer look at the Granny Square Flowers Deck of Cards by Claire Montgomerie (Search Press 9th May 2025 ISBN9781800923065). The question is, is it a book? I'm not sure if it quite fits that description but let's live dangerously!   

This beautiful set of 50 pattern cards is the follow-up to the sell-out (and much-copied) set 'The Granny Square Card Deck', also published by Search Press in August last year. Having purchased an official original set and having seen a cheaper copy that one of my students had bought, I can very definitely say the difference in quality is huge, so it is worth spending that little bit extra and not supporting the copycats (and copyright infringers). 

Each card measures 10cm x 10cm (I've just realised as I typed that that they could make a great visual tension square size guide!) and on the front there is a close-up full colour photograph of the finished motif. On the back of the card is the charted instructions together with any other relevant information needed to make the motif. There is also a 32 page booklet in the box, with a step-by-step guide on how to read and understand crochet charts, some joining suggestions and advice on choosing colours for your motifs.

I'm not a seasoned chart reader. I like a chart to help clarify something I don't quite understand in a written pattern, but I would ultimately always prefer to use a written pattern. So, I quite liked the idea of challenging myself to make a motif using a chart only, just to see how I would get on. I decided to use card number 16, the Peony, for my sample. There are seven pages in the user guide dedicated to explaining in excellent detail how to read a chart so I made sure to read this through before starting. 

The charts are printed very clearly, with different colours used to differentiate the rounds, making it clear to pick out the stitches you are making on your current round. The card tells you any special stitches that are included in the motif and where to find the explanations of those stitches in the user guide and includes written notes on the pattern where needed. US terms are used where stitches are written on the cards.

I had a few leftovers from my Bohemian Blooms blanket in some lovely pastel shades so decided to use this for the pattern. I had no trouble following the chart, despite its relatively small size, as the clarity of print was good (far superior to the fake version of the cards I've had sight of). I would recommend taking the time to have a really good look at the round you are starting to make sure you fully understand what is happening before you get going. 

I'm quite pleased with my little square and quite like the idea of continuing with the granny rounds to make it a little bit bigger and then potentially using it as part of a larger project, perhaps a cushion cover. That's one of the things I really like about these lovely boxes of cards, that they serve as a starting point for creating a project that has your own stamp on it. 

So it's definitely a thumbs-up from me for this publication. If you are in the UK and would like to purchase one of these sets you can get a 20% discount and free postage on the Search Press website here, by using the code DD88 when checking out.

​I'll be back in July with another review but until then, happy hooking!  

Last month was a busy one and I'm really not sure where the time has gone but I've made it here to tell you about the book I chose for April's review. Needing to make space for an inherited stash, I cast my eye over some of the odds and ends in my own stash and I found a bag of very small oddments of a lovely King Cole yarn called Finesse, left over from a workshop I taught towards the end of last year. It's a soft blend of cotton and silk and too nice to waste and with this in mind, this book presented itself: 'Crochet Makes from Scrap Cakes' by Naomi Vincent (David and Charles Publishing 2024 ISBN-13: 9781446313626).

I have to confess that there are very few space dyed yarns that appeal to me. I like more regularity and uniformity of colour and so the concept of a scrap yarn cake was a bit out of my comfort zone. However, I like to challenge myself and so I thought this was the ideal opportunity to give it a go, especially as I was starting with a yarn I really liked, in a good range of pastel colours.

There are several pages giving ideas for how to come up with a colour scheme, for example using a photo or tools like the colour wheel. However as I was already starting with pre-selected colours, I just made sure that I felt they would all look ok together i.e. there were no two colours that would clash horrendously if they ended up next to each other! 

After the colour guidance the author goes on to explain how to use arm spans to measure the yarn, how to make magic knots to join the yarn and how to use a yarn winder to make the yarn cakes once all the scraps are joined. In a 'life's too short' moment, I ignored any suggestion of measuring my scraps and just went ahead and joined them all, winding them into a ball as I went, by hand. I do have to say it was incredibly satisfying going from a ball of oddments to one single ball! I can imagine it could become a little bit addictive as a process. My final ball weighed around 50g and so I decided to have a go at the clutch purse pattern in the book. 

I loved the concept of this pattern. Imagine a series of ever increasing arches and that is essentially how the design works. The bottom of the 'arches' are then folded over to make the pouch and then the top forms the decorative flap. The patterns are written in US terms throughout and although I was ultimately able to follow the pattern, it wasn't the clearest. Descriptions of abbreviations such as 'cl' = 'cluster stitch' and 'ps' = 'puff stitch' didn't include any further information on how many stitches were in the cluster or how many loops needed to be pulled up for the puff stitch for example. There was also clearly an edging worked along the bottom the the rows, as can be seen in the photo on the right above, but this didn't appear anywhere in the pattern. Despite this, an end product was produced. Tah dah! 

I was very pleased with how it turned out and actually quite liked the random appearance of the colours! I will probably stitch in a fabric lining at some point, to make it a little stiffer and more practical but on the whole, success I would say. 

I like the concept of this book and how it approaches the yarn cake making in a technical and almost precise way, despite the nature of yarn scraps being almost the opposite to that. There is a wide range of projects in the book, from garments and accessories to household items such as cushion covers and baskets. I think it might be a challenge for a beginner to follow the patterns but the clear and close-up photos do help with working out what is being said in the written pattern. 

If you like the look of the book and fancy getting yourself a copy, you can get it from the Search Press website here at 20% off and  with free postage in the UK, by using the code DD88 at checkout. 

A little bit later on this month I will be reviewing the 'Granny Square Flowers Card Deck' by Claire Montgomerie. This is the eagerly awaited follow-up to Claire's hugely successful Granny Square Card Deck and I can't wait for it to arrive! 

Until then, enjoy your crochet! 

Whilst we have had some lovely weather this month there have still been some chilly snaps, with hats and gloves needed for going out. I love making hats as they can be worked up pretty quickly and can be very motivating when you are also working on a longer-term project at the same time. I've been enjoying getting on with my Bohemian Blooms blanket this month but when that doesn't quite suit the mood, a quick project such as a hat or pair of mitts, always provides an interesting and speedy distraction. On that basis the book I chose for this month is 'Crochet Messy Bun Hats' by Kristi Simpson (Stackpole Books 2024, ISBN 978-0-8117-7469-7).

I liked the idea of making something a little bit different this time and as my 17 year old daughter often wears her hair in a bun or ponytail a hat with a hole in the top seemed like a great idea. The other reason I quite like making hats/mitts is that they are good for using a small amount of yarn and when you have one or two balls left over from a previous project it's always particularly satisfying to find a use for them. I had a couple of balls of Rico Design Fashion Diayamondo in my stash. It's a lovely sparkly yarn with a 30% wool content so should provide the warmth needed in a hat and it works well as a substitute for the aran (medium, worsted) weight yarn used in most of the patterns in the book. I think it's discontinued now so there wouldn't be an option to get more to make a bigger item so ideal for this use. 

There are twelve patterns in the book, all with a difficulty rating of easy or intermediate, so most of them should definitely be achievable for  crocheters with limited experience, although I wouldn't say they were ideal for complete beginners. I decided to make 'Juniper', a top down make, with only basic stitches used and no ribbing. The patterns are clearly written, in a font size that is clear and comfortable to read. US terms are used throughout. 

I worked on the hat over a couple of evenings so it was just a few hours work in total and then roped Olivia in to model it for me. I'm rather pleased with the end result! 

​What kind of makes do you reach for when you need a break from a bigger project? Let me know in the comments if there are any particular things you would like me to feature when choosing my book of the month for review. 

'Crochet Messy Bun Hats' is available widely online but but if you are in the UK you can purchase this book, and others, through Search Press with a 20% discount and free delivery, by using the discount code DD88.

I'll be back in April with another book choice and hopefully by then Spring will have 'sprung' in earnest! 

I find February quite a tricky month. It always seems to be cold and damp and there is a bit of a come down from the festivities at the end of the previous year. It's the month when you realise that you can't keep using the 'but it's Christmas' excuse for overindulging and that you have to get yourself back in check. Maybe that was the reason for my choice of book this month: 'Adorable Desserts to Crochet' by Marie Clesse (Dover Publications, New York, 2024, ISBN978-0-486-85343-7). I loved the look of this book as soon as I saw it!

I'm not a natural when it comes to amigurumi, although I wish I was. I find it quite hard on my hands and time consuming but I love the idea of creating an afternoon tea in crochet. There are sixteen dessert patterns in the book, from pies to tarts and  macarons to profiteroles. The photos in the book are colourful and a real feast for the eyes, if not for the taste buds!

Not being overly well endowed with time at the moment, I decided I would have a go at making one of the small macarons. The patterns are written in US terms and there isn't a UK terms conversion chart in the book so if you are a UK terms user you might need to have that info to hand before you made a start on any of the patterns. The macaron pattern only uses one stitch (UK dc) and so I didn't have any trouble with the conversion. The yarn used in the book is DMC Happy Cotton, which comes in cute 20g balls and is specially designed for small amigurumi and crochet objects. I didn't have any of this to hand so I actually used some Scheepjes Catona from my stash. This is a 4ply mercerised cotton with a lovely sheen and I had some fabulous bright colours to choose from, so I went for a candy pink shade. 

There's a really comprehensive techniques section before the patterns start, with a wealth of information on amigurumi techniques such as crocheting in a spiral and stopping the yarn invisibly. I would say it's definitely worth reading through this before starting as sometimes things are done slightly differently with amigurumi. The macaron was made in three separate sections which were then sandwiched together and joined, with a small amount of toy stuffing added for shaping. The pattern was easy to follow and the detailed construction information particularly helpful. You can see my finished macaron below. I was rather pleased with it! 

Whilst it's unlikely that I will crochet a full box of macarons, lovely as it would look, I will definitely try out some of the other patterns, the lemon tarts look particularly tempting. If you're trying to keep your sweet tooth at bay getting stuck into making some of these patterns will keep you distracted!

'Adorable Desserts to Crochet is widely available online but if you are in the UK you can purchase this book, and others, through Search Press with a 20% discount and free delivery, by using the discount code DD88.

I'm hoping that March will bring some cheerier weather. The crocuses in my front garden have appeared once again so spring is just around the corner. I'll see you next month with another book choice. In the meantime, happy crocheting. 

Welcome to our second Book of the Month. I hope you all had a peaceful, healthy festive season and the new year has started well for you. I don't tend to make New Year's Resolutions as, I don't know about you, but I find the minute I feel like I'm putting pressure on myself to do or achieve something, it takes away some of the pleasure. Having said that one of things I would really like to do more of this year is be outside in nature and I really like the idea of combining that with craft. Hence this month's book choice is 'Connecting with Nature' by Tilly Rose, a brand new publication from Search Press (ISBN 978-1-80092-191-7). 

There is an interesting introduction from the author in which she talks about her memories of her family's tiny garden at their home in Peterborough and how she watched the seasons change in the local park, noticing scorched lawns at the height of summer, the conkers falling from the mighty horse chestnut trees and tiny crocuses appearing through the snow in the winter. That last one strikes a chord with me as I'm not a huge gardener and for many years didn't appreciate the joy of bulbs but I planted some snowdrops a few years ago and seeing their small green shoots appearing without fail year after year feels strangely comforting now. 

The next section of the book, Creative approaches, looks at the idea of foraging, including the 'rules of kindness' which should be considered when taking keepsakes from nature; not being greedy, not trampling wildflowers or vegetation to reach something and if you're walking on an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) not to take anything at all. There is also advice on how to store your collected treasures to prevent mould or mildew and how to press and dry flowers and herbs. 

You can see in the images above examples of the kind of things the author suggests you might find in different habitats.

The following chapter explores how to experiment with eco-dyeing (a form of natural dyeing where colours extracted from plants and vegetables are transferred on to paper or cloth by steaming or boiling) and how to create your own watercolour paints. I really like the idea of having a try at the eco-dyeing and there's a lovely example of some cotton lace being dyed with red cabbage, showing how the colour changed depending on how long the lace was left in the the dye pan. In our house we make blackberry vinegar every year and use muslin cloths to strain the blackberries after steeping in cider vinegar. The colour of the muslin cloths at the end of the process is a great example of a really intense dye, straight from nature. 

The book then looks at making botanical journals and chapbooks (a historical term for small pamphlets sold by pedlars, that contained poems, ballads, short stories etc. ), methods of weaving, slow stitching and textile collage making. These aren't in-depth explanations but provide enough information, without overwhelming, to encourage the reader to give these techniques a try.  

The next, and largest, section of the book is a selection of projects that call on the techniques that have been introduced in the preceding chapters and include making a memory stick (or even a calendar of sticks!), a nature mandala and a mini flower press. One particular project, involving leaf printing on to fabric, to make an artist's brush wrap, would also double perfectly as a crochet hook holder so that one is definitely on my list to try! 

I really liked this book. It encourages you to notice things when you're out and about in nature and, in a time when we are all being encouraged to practice mindfulness in our lives, this is exactly the sort of thing we can all do without any real effort at all. Noticing tiny flowers in grass verges, sparkling spider webs covered in morning dew, these things can be right outside our own front doors. 

The technique sections are not overwhelming in the amount of information given and there isn't the sense that you need to rush out to buy all sorts of equipment (which can sometimes be the case when starting a new hobby or interest). The author suggests ways of using small scraps of fabric, glass jars or bottles that you may have at home and encourages you to use what you have rather than go out and buy. The projects themselves feel achievable and give the sense that you can take your time over them, that they will become a kind of memory recording of time spent outdoors. 

'Connecting with Nature' is widely available online but if you are in the UK you can purchase this book, and others, through Search Press with a 20% discount and free delivery, by using the discount code DD88.

I'll be back next month with another review but in the meantime stay warm and I hope you get lots of time to craft! 

Welcome to our new Book of the Month blog series where I'll be exploring some of the latest publications in the world of crafting, and perhaps further afield, who knows! 

As December is the season for giving, I tried to find a book that might be inspiration for handmade gifting and I chose 'Learn to Crochet Gansey Dishcloths' by Britt Schmiesing, published in the US by Annie's in June 2024 (ISBN 978-1-64025-643-9). The patterns are written in US terminology but there are charts for each pattern too. 

The term Gansey refers to knitted sweaters that have been worn by fisherman for hundreds of years, with most coastal communities around the British Isles having a 'Gansey' derived from the original Guernsey, an oiled wool sweater originating on the island of the same name. Traditionally knit by the fishermen's wives, the patterns were often passed down through generations. 

According the introduction gansey crochet projects 'tend to be highly textured and feature combinations of 3-D stitching and flattering traditional stitches. The 3-D textured stitching is just perfect for scrubbing dishes!' There is also the suggestion that these dishcloths could be made as a swatching exercise for larger projects using the same stitch patterns. 

The book is a slim volume, coming in at just 32 pages, but I was impressed at how much information had been packed in, including a two page guide on how to read charts and a stitch guide with illustrations. There are 8 dishcloths to make and for each one there is a full page colour photograph so you can get a really good close up look at the stitch pattern. Then for each row or repeat there is a colour photo showing exactly what each should look like when completed. Each has a skill level of intermediate so this book isn't aimed at beginners. Having said that, where there are trickier stitches the book provides a QR code that can be scanned and will take you straight to a technique video for that particular stitch so even for the more experienced crocheter help is at hand if you are unfamiliar with a stitch. 

I decided to have a go at the Diamond and Ladder Dishcloth, the fourth pattern in the book, using some Drops Paris Recycled Denim cotton. I liked the idea of using a recycled fibre and felt that the nature of the yarn really suited the project type. I usually work in UK terms but as there are a limited number of stitches in the pattern I didn't struggle to convert as I worked and the step-by-step photos were very helpful in providing that visual reference that I was on the right track. 

Although I haven't quite finished the dishcloth I'm enjoying working through the pattern, which is clearly and concisely written. I'm planning to make a few more as small Christmas gifts.

If you enjoy adding textural features to your crochet this book will definitely give you lots of ideas that you could take beyond the dishcloths and add to blankets and garments for example. Although I was slightly surprised at how slim the book was when I first received it, it certainly didn't disappoint in content. 

The book is widely available online but if you are in the UK you can purchase this book, and others, through Search Press with a 20% discount and free delivery, by using the discount code DD88.

Search Press | Learn to Crochet Gansey Dishcloths by Annie's Publishing

I'll be back next month with another crafty book review. Until then, have a wonderful festive season (with lots of time for yarn)!