Cloth dolls are very popular in the creative world and textile artists are also using them as a three-dimensional medium for their art. They range from simple stump dolls to the more complicated jointed doll. Cloth dolls for textile artists by Ray Slater includes patterns and step-by-step instruction for all levels.

Feltique: techniques and projects for wet felting, needle felting, fulling and working with commercial felt by Nikola Davidson and Brookelynn Morris includes 45 projects to try from gloves, earrings, rattles to floppy flying discs! They are simple to make and suitable for all ages.

The art of Kalamkari painting is one of the oldest in India. An expert in this field, Shakuntala Ramani explains how this ancient craft, deeply rooted in religion has evolved into both market craft and folk art. Read about this little known art in Kalamkari and traditional design heritage of India.

Learn about these arts and crafts and other types including tapestry weaving, gift making and crocheting in this month’s Craft Recent Picks.

Are you new to knitting? The Chicks with sticks guide to knittingby Nancy Queen and Mary-Ellen O’Connell is aimed at the novice knitter. Inside you’ll find 30 simple patterns combined with step-by-step instructions so even a first timer can finish a project in a few hours. Impress your friends with your new skills!

Finding knitting patterns in larger sizes can be difficult. Sharon Bant has filled this gap with her book Knitting goes large. Have a browse and discover 20 patterns that will suit all occasions and all seasons.

Kay Connors’ and Karen Earlywine’s collection of nine authentic 1930’s patterns are made using reproduction fabrics. Their beautifully presented book, Link to the 30’s, will show you how to create an heirloom to be passed onto future generations.

See something that catches your eye? Have a browse through theses titles and more across topics that include vintage knitwear, handmade books, crochet and canvas work via this month’s Craft Recent Picks.

Author and knitting designer Kirsten Griffin-Grimes has compiled a book of patterns with a floaty and feminine feel. French girl knits are inspired and influenced by French vintage fashion and makes use of historical techniques with a modern twist. These garments will not keep out the winter chill but start now so they are ready for the warmer weather to come.

Crafts have become very popular recently. In her book The crafter culture handbook author Amy Spencer looks at the reasons for this trend, stating that crafters “create” as a political protest. Read the book and decide for yourself while making some of the projects she includes.

Jennie Atkinson, author of Beads, buttons & lace encourages the addition of these items to dresses, tops, cushions, bags or anything that needs a lift. Instructions, technique information and ideas will help with inspiration.

This has to be the best title of the month! The big-ass book of crafts by Mark Montano - worth a look.

Find out more about these craft projects and others featuring patchwork, quilting, ribbons and trims via this month’s Recent Craft Picks.

With winter around the corner what better time to stay indoors and learn a new craft or increase your skill with a challenging new project. This month’s selection of craft books caters for all. Baby beanies : happy hats to knit for little heads by Amanda Keeys has a variety of beanie patterns incorporating bright colours, rich textures and quirky trimmings. Even beginning knitters can easily whip up a present for a special baby. As the author says “babies should wear hats because they look so darned cute!”

Do you have small pieces of fabric that you’re not sure what to do with? Sew fabulous fabric by Alice Butcher & Ginny Farquhar will solve this problem combining new and recycled fabrics for vintage, homespun and retro results. There are over 40 practical projects including cushions, curtains, gift bags, cuddly toys and much more. Step-by-step photography and easy-to-follow instructions will lead the crafter through the process.

Jelly rolls are the new fat quarter bundle! No, not something to eat but a technique incorporating two inch strips of colour-coordinated fabric rolled up to create a solid disk and tied with a ribbon. Jelly roll quilts : the perfect guide to making the most of the latest strip rolls by Pam & Nicky Lintott will explain all.
Find out about these craft projects and others featuring quilting, paper folding, scrap-booking, knitting and canvaswork via this month’s Recent Craft Picks. Winter will fly by.

Are you short of ideas for a present? Or you are looking for inspiration? You can attend April Craft 2.0 in the NewDowse, 45 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt. It will take place this Saturday from 10am till 3pm.

Don’t worry if you can’t be there, there are always Wellington City Libraries’ craft resources: each month, we provide you with Crafts Recent Picks. And if you’d like more, you can access the previous editions of our crafts’ selection by moving down to the bottom of the page and click on Previous Crafts Recent Picks.

If knitting is your passion and you need projects to keep you going, then make sure to check out this month’s selection of new craft books at Wellington City Libraries. Single-skein projects are popular at the moment because they’re portable, fun, quick to finish, and the perfect answer to that stash of orphan yarns. If you like to knit on the go with one-skein yarns and designs, then Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders is the book for you. Want to find out about the subversive, revolutionary and political aspects of knitting? Check out Betsy Greer’s Knitting for good!: a guide to creating personal, social & political change, stitch by stitch. And if you enjoy a good cup of tea and making things to use about the house, we have a book devoted entirely to tea cosy designs! Knitting makes you yawn? Don’t worry – this month’s selection also features DIY, and paper-crafting Japanese style. All in this month’s Craft Recent Picks.

Into crafts and out of ideas for your next project? Never fear, Wellington City Libraries is here with our November selection of recent craft books! Here are just a few morsels from our selection this month for you to nibble on…

Enjoy papercraft, beading or ribboncraft? Creative crafts showcases projects you can produce in a day – and there’s plenty here to keep you busy with around 75 projects to choose from. Want to try something new? How about eco-knitting or crochet using fibres such as bamboo, soy, and hemp to make useful and eco-friendly clothes and household goods? Into beading? You can always go the traditional route, but why not be daring and try your hand at Chinese jewellery, which involves skilful knotting? You can also try stitching projects, pottery for beginners and new woven quilt techniques in this month’s Crafts Recent Picks.

Short of inspiration for a new project? Check out our selection of new crafts books this month! In our selection this month… Learn how you can personalise your home with needle and thread – whether it be by stitching curtains or putting together quilts; or if you are more manual, discover how to decorate your home with stunning ceramics. If you prefer to make things for yourself and your friends, find new inspiration with our selection of knitting, beading and jewelry-making books. And if you’re more of a computer whiz, learn how you can put your memories together with digital scrapbooks – all in this month’s Crafts Recent Picks.

There are crafts for all tastes at Wellington City Libraries this month. Our selection includes books about using clay to model figures and produce ceramics. Also, we have material about beading and wire jewelry with projects from contemporary artists. And there is an extensive range of items about crochet, quilts and knits for the whole family. For instance, check out Sexy little knits : chic design to knit and crochet which is far from your average knitting book! You can find out more about our selection in this month’s Craft Recent Picks.

Our craft recent picks page this month is full of treasures! Discover ways for the whole family to explore their creative side through art, play, nature and family celebrations in The creative family : how to encourage imagination and nurture family connections. Enjoy knitting? Stencilling? A fine fleece : knitting with hand spun yarns blends the best of classic design with contemporary sensibilities and offers 26 patterns in hand-spun and in commercial yarns, while The art of decorative peper stencils : fold out, cut and open provides you with a range of instruction and inspiration to create stencils inspired by the cultures of the world. Also featured this month: The button maker : 30 great techniques and 35 stylish projects, and Closely knit : handmade gifts for the ones you love. You’ll find all these titles and more in this month’s Crafts Recent Picks.

(Book descriptions from Amazon)