This book will teach children how to use a crochet hook to make different stitches that they’ll soon be using to make all sorts of pretty items. Each project has a difficulty rating of 1, 2, or 3, and comes with easy-to-read instructions and adorable, step-by-step artworks that will guide little ones along the way. In Clothes and Accessories, they’ll find warm and cosy scarves, a beanie hat, wrist-warmers, mittens and lots more. Jewellery and Decoration has pretty flower corsages, bracelets and brooches. Then they can have a go at Bedroom Essentials, and try making a cushion or curtain tie-back for their bedroom. Lastly, Perfect Gifts has cute ideas for toys and other pretty things they’ll love to make, give as presents and keep. The basic techniques section covers every crochet technique they (and any adult supervisors) will need to know, as well as useful information about yarns, hooks and stitches.

Sewing is a skill that has so many benefits for children and can give them real pride in their achievements. Angela Pressley has been teaching children to sew for 15 years, and knows how to encourage and inspire them to learn, starting with the basics and building up a portfolio of skills. And to keep them interested, she has designed 30 makes that will help them cement the knowledge they’ve gained, from sewing simple seams to patchwork, curves and corners, hems, linings and so much more. The book starts with an introduction to the sewing machine and some of the basic skills and equipment needed to sew. Then there are four chapters, each beginning with technique workshops, followed by projects that put into practice the skills just learned. Every project includes clear artworks plus a difficulty rating, from ‘easy peasy’ to ‘you’re on your way’, ‘you’ve got this’, and ‘you’re a star’.  As children progress through the levels they will learn how to make their own toys, bags, accessories and clothes, and will be encouraged to put their own creative ideas into their sewing.