Book Review: Crafty Creatures

This week is Book Week! I've been planning one of these for aaaages but have been so busy with work deadlines that it's been pushed back later and later. Better late than never though, right?

So, I'll be reviewing a different crafty/creative book each day and then I've got a fab book to give away at the end of the week. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the books I review!

I'm kicking of the week with a very cute book: Crafty Creatures by Jane Bull.

Spoiler alert: everything in this book is ADORABLE.

There are 28 projects but many of these include variations, e.g. several different animals you can make using the same basic pattern or method, like these mini felt animals...

...  so if you made all the projects in the book you'd end up with a lot more than 28 creatures.

Every single page in the book is brightly coloured and cute, from the sweet endpapers...

... to the cheerful chapter headings...

... to the fun page layouts.

 

The book includes a wide mix of different techniques...

Chapter one is "Woolly Animals" with plaited and knitted projects and creatures made from gloves and socks. The glove animals are especially delightful!

 

Chapter two is "Friends in Felt" which includes chickens, owls, mice, ladybirds and other animals both big and small. As I am well known to be mad about felt it probably comes as no surprise to learn this is my favourite chapter. I love the idea of making a mini version of each animal that the bigger animal can carry round as a pet/toy/companion.

 

Chapter three, "Sew Cute" includes fabric projects like a giraffe that stands up on its own, a pony with a colourful yarn mane and "doodlephants", elephants decorated with your own hand-drawn patterns.

Finally chapter four is "Animals in Stitches", with cross stitch, tapestry and embroidery projects.

Each project has step by step photos and clear, simple instructions. The templates (when needed) are provided at full size ready to trace, and are dotted throughout the book and incorporated into the page designs.

Then the final chapter covers the kit and skills you'll need to make the projects in the book, with clear step by step guides for the different stitches and knitting techniques needed.

Crafty Creatures is what I'd call a "family friendly" craft book - while all the projects would be great for craft-loving kids to make there are also lots of projects I'd love to make myself and which would make great quick-and-easy gift ideas (either for kids or anyone else you know who loves all things cute). The only problem I think would be that I'd find it hard to actually give them away after I'd made them because oh my goodness they are so darn cute.

Crafty Creatures is published by Dorling Kindersley Ltd. RRP £12.99 . It's available from Amazon UK, Amazon USA, The Book Depository and many other bookshops.

[Disclaimer: I was sent a free review copy of this book. The Amazon & Book Depository links in this post are affiliate links].