There is something quietly satisfying about creating things, and these four books are a great source of inspiration. If you are looking for a more tranquil break this Easter we recommend all of these books as wonderful starting points.

Natural Nursery Knits Erika Knight
Synopsis Every parent wants to give their child the best possible start in life, surround them with soft textures and adorn them with warm and comfortable clothing. Create beautiful items that will decorate your baby’s first months as well as be practical to have around, or give one as a loving gift at a birthday or christening.

With Natural Nursery Knits, renowned knitting designer Erika Knight has put together a charming collection of designs specifically to provide all the hand knits that a newborn needs in its first months.

Natural Nursery Knits is a collection of 20 designs created in premium yarns that are as pure as a newborn baby, using yarns that are natural, organic or sustainably produced, presented in over 50 colour photographs from leading interiors and fashion photographer Kristin Perers.

A welcome return by Erika Knight to a perennially popular subject area after five years since her last baby knits book.

Buy Natural Nursery Knits: 20 Hand-knit Designs for the New Baby from Amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Verdict
We have great respect for Erika Knight here at Hot Brands, the Hot Brands babies snuggled up to Erika’s designs when they were born as the Hot Brands mummies proudly completed their first baby knits with patterns taken from Erica’s earlier books Simple Knits for Cherished Babies. Her latest book Natural Nursery Knits is equally enchanting, the designs are interwoven with beautiful photography. This book combines Erica’s twin passions of knitting for tiny babies and natural yarns. What we love about Erica’s designs are her ability to take simple stitches and turn them into wonderful items to treasure. We still have the Hot Brands first venture into baby knitting and this book has inspired us to start knitting again.

Beads & Buttons Erika Knight
Synopsis
Costume jewellery has gained more popularity in recent years. Due to its inexpensive price tag and innovative designs, costume jewellery can arguably reflect our personalities in a more extrovert fashion than traditional jewellery ever could. And what could make it even more individualized than creating it yourself?

For the first time in her distinguished career, knitwear and crochet designer Erika Knight has moved into an entirely new area of craft. In Beads & Buttons, she applies her unique flair for colour, texture and design to beading, presenting a collection of 25 must-have jewellery
projects.

Buy Beads and Buttons: 25 Simple Jewellery Projects to Instruct from Amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Verdict
We loved this! As Erica says in her introduction ‘Most creators are natural magpies collecting and secreting away precious pieces for future projects’
If ever you have been seduced by precious and semi-precious stones, or vintage buttons, or attracted by glittering ribbons, this book is for you.

Divided into three themes, natural, playful and vintage, this introduction to beads and buttons shows you how to make show-stopping pieces, yet the projects are as Erica describes ‘unashamedly easy to make’.

With a clear list of what you need, illustrations of how to make it, and stunning photographs of the finished design, Erica takes you through step-by-step in the creation of beautiful bracelets, necklaces and brooches.

If you are looking for unusual, individual and highly personal items of jewellery this book is a wonderful source of inspiration.

Papercraft Marie Claire Idees

Synopsis: Over 50 designs made with cut, folded, pasted and stitched paper. Paper is infinitely variable and can be used to make all manner of things for any occasion; a Christmas decoration for the festive season, an elegant menu for an intimate dinner party, a pretty paper lantern, coordinated candle holders, beautiful wrapping paper, unique stationery for sending best wishes, Papercraft gives you paper projects for every occasion on every page.

Many of the projects featured in Papercraft are inexpensive and simple to make. There are straightforward instructions, beautiful photography and helpful templates, making it easy to create things you never thought possible.

Buy Papercraft (Marie Claire) from Amazon.co.uk

Irresistible Bags Marie Claire Idees
Synopsis: Here are bags for all occasions and for carrying and storing all manner of items. Whether you’re planning to look chic about town, off on a trip, or just wanting to organize your stuff, yo’re sure to find something to suit. Employing many of today’s most popular crafting techniques and with something for every taste, occasion and ability level. This collection is packed with fun, functional and fashionable bags. Irresistible Bags will have everyone happily adding to their bag collection.

Hot Brands Verdict

These two books are a fabulous collection of inspiring projects, beautifully illustrated with ideas ranging from the simple and easy to achieve to more complicated ideas, but with clear instructions, there is something for everybody. In Papercraft there are many uses of paper including tissue paper, newspaper, wallpaper, corrugated card, stamps, paper doilies, rice paper and aluminium foil, as well as origami, papier mâché and décopage.
There are also very useful diagrams and templates. What we loved about this book is the ingenious collection of items, we never knew paper could be used in so many ways.

In Irresistible Bags there are many different projects including sewing, knitting, crochet, appliqué and embroidery- and using an array of different materials, from velvet, lace and wool to tweed, leather and canvas, There are also very useful diagrams and templates. What we loved about this book is the innovative approach to bags, everything from handbags to an armchair tidy.

These two books are a fabulous addition to any craft collection.

Buy Irresistible Bags (Marie Claire) from Amazon.co.uk