Cutest Crochet Creations - A book review and GIVEAWAY!!

Autumn seems to be book review season for me...

*** GIVEAWAY CLOSED ***

But you won't hear me complaining. This is the second book I've been lucky enough to receive to review - and I must tell you, it's a cracker!!

Alison North is someone I've known for aaaaaages on Instagram, under her name of @KornflakeStew and she is an amazingly talented amigurumi designer. For the last few years, her sweet little creations have been flying off her hook and into her Etsy shop but now, you can find a whole new selection of cute characters in her new book, 'Cutest Crochet Creations'.

I really like the book - not just because the patterns are sooooo sweet, but because it's put together in an easy-to-follow format, which is perfect for new and experienced crocheters alike:

The first section covers everything you'll need - materials, yarn and accessories - and then describes all the basic stitches with illustrations to help. Alison then shares her crochet tips for amigurumi-making; everything from changing colours to fitting safety eyes and assembling the pieces together. Again, helpful photos guide the reader.

And then there are 16 original patterns - all of them equally ADORABLE!!! 

I chose to make Boris the Bear, because he looked like a serious sort-of chap:

I found the pattern easy to follow - the instructions are written in US terms, but this is easy to get used to and it didn't pose a problem at all. I liked how there were close-up photos to show me where parts should be positioned, or how to make certain stitches and I found the instructions for assembly very well-explained.

Congratulations, Alison - it's a fabulous book!

Alison has kindly sent me an extra book to GIVEAWAY!!!

All you have to do is enter below and a winner will be drawn at random on the 29th September 2018. Open worldwide.

Good Luck!

As a part of the Blog Tour with TUVA publishing, I received a copy of Alison North's book to review and a copy to giveaway. 

All views this blog post are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Supersize Crochet - a new book

Oh yes, it's very nearly here...
My new book is currently at the printers, ready to be released in May 2017 .
*supresses squeals of excitement*

There are 20 projects to choose from ranging from larger-than-life rugs and blankets to an oversized colour block cowl and hat for super-sized accessorising. The projects are simple enough to be tackled by beginner crocheters and you’ll be amazed by how quickly they work up.
All you need to get started is a big hook and some yarn and you’re good to go!

So why tell you about it now?
Well, I thought it would be jolly nice to offer this free BONUS pattern for anyone who decides to pre-order a copy.

Here's what you need to do:

Want a FREE copy of my “Gelato Snood” pattern?
(Offer valid until 25/05/17)
If you pre-order my book on Amazon, it’s yours with my thanks! Here’s how to get it:
1) Preorder Supersize Crochet on Amazon by clicking here:

2) After you have placed your order, click here to visit the link to receive your free bonus project (you’ll need to input your order number, so have that handy).

3) Enjoy your free pattern right now!

I hope you all like the new book - it's been a real pleasure to design the projects for you.

And if you fancy a quick peek at all 20 projects, then check out the Ravelry page here.

Happy crocheting,
Sarah xx

Call the Ambassador

When the peeps at Stitch Craft Create asked me to be their very first ambassador, I was thrilled.

See? Look at that photo. I am positively beaming with thrilled-ness.

What this means is that I get to write the odd guest-blog post for them, maybe review some products, but most importantly, curate my own little online shop at Stitch Craft Create, filling it with all the products that I love from their online store.

And so, I've browsed the virtual aisles for you, choosing my favourite yarns, along with the essentials that you'll need for your crochet kit and other goodies I think are just nice to have.

Need a mahooosive 15 mm hook?

It's in the shop.

Want some of this lush yarn?

In the shop.

Yearn for a totally gorgeous project bag?

You know where to go.

(Actually, must put one in my basket. I loves it so much. Don't tell the Mister - I have like, a zillion craft bags...)

And if you're after a rather marvellous book to teach you how to crochet, then I happen to know of a very good one...

Available in the shop, of course.

If you fancy a perusal and a cracking good discount too, then click on the blue text-link below the pic and await your transportation to my online emporium.*

Save 15% Off Everything at Stitch Craft Create

I hope you enjoy the shopping  as much as I did!

Enjoy! 

Sarah x

*If you decide to make a purchase through my link, Stitch Craft Create will pay me a small commission for it. This doesn’t cost you anything additional. These commissions help to keep me designing new patterns, so thank you.

Beginner's Guide to Crochet

So here it is.

It's been a long time in the planning and making and now my book is available to pre-order worldwide (from here and lots of other wonderful retailers) and is due for release in April.

Perfect for complete beginners and experienced crocheters alike, it includes twenty new projects to keep your hook busy. 
(And might I add, it's a rather big book, being some 120- odd pages long, so good value for money, too.)

Here's a reminder of some of the projects in progress:

Oooo, something using Moss stitch.

Bertie Bear. What a cutie.

Granny stripes and pompom trim? Could it get any better?

Yes it could. Humungous pompoms.

And a humungous project using mahooooosive yarn.

Traditional Grannies too.

And sweet little hearts.

Here's the official blurb:

You want to learn crochet, but have no idea where to start? You would love to set to work on some gorgeous yarny creations, but find patterns and charts confusing and scary? Then let author Sarah Shrimpton guide you through the basics, with this book you'll learn to crochet and complete your first project in just one day! 

To top this, did you know there are actually only a handful of stitches you need to learn to be competent at this super-yarny craft? It’s what you do with them that can create something as simple as a dishcloth or as complicated as a teddy bear. 

Beginner’s Guide to Crochet comprehensively teaches all the basic crochet techniques, skills and stitches to get you started. Each new technique is explained with accompanying photographs and diagrams and is followed directly with a project utilizing those skills. Later projects combine several techniques and stitches helping you to develop your skill set and tackle more complicated projects.

There are 20 modern projects, plus a section dedicated to 'extreme crochet', using t-shirt yarn to create larger-than-life crocheted creations. The author's chatty, informal style will take you on on your journey from newbie to fully-fledged crocheter in no time. 

Before you know it you'll be crocheting everything from scarves and hats to the obligatory granny blanket with ease, and making fantastic homemade presents for friends and family.

With crochet becoming incredibly popular, newbie crocheters are increasingly looking for entry-level content that contains all the basic stitches alongside attractive, accessible projects.  

The 20 projects include a cafetiere cosy, trellis scarf, teddy bear, a tablet cosy and of course, no crochet book would be complete without the staple granny blanket. Plus a section dedicated to 'extreme crochet', using t-shirt yarn to create larger-than-life crocheted creations. There is a distinctly modern feel to the projects and the author's chatty, informal style takes readers' on their journey from newbie to fully-fledged crocheter with ease. 

It's all rather exciting, really!

I hope you like it.

Happy weekend to you all,

Sarah x

Sneaky peeky

Psssssst!

*whispers* would you like to have a quick look at a couple of shots from my upcoming book?

Don't tell ANYONE. 

This is just a little secret shared between you and I ...

Have a fab weekend, everyone

Sarah xxx

Twenty

A magic number.

Not my age (alas), but the number of projects I need to design for the book.

Luckily, as it's a book for beginners, the projects are neither complicated nor lengthy. 

However, designing everything from scratch involves a lot of testing and trying and fixing and frogging.

And there's a lot to be done..

I do hope you likey.

Enjoy the rest of your week, 

Sarah xx