Craft books – how many do you need?

cute dog in glasses yawning on bed

Do you like looking through crafts books? Although we can search just about any craft on the internet and there is usually accompanying video available on You Tube there is something I still find satisfying about looking through a book.

As I have been getting our dedicated studio ready for our workshops in the summer I have been sorting through my collection and I think there is room for more. What also amazes me as I uncover the stash is that a book that has been published more than 20 years ago has the same techniques used today, the only difference is sometimes the materials used.

beige knitted handmade piece near magazine
Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels.com

Like many crafters ( did you know according the National Craft report crafters have as many as 5 projects on the go at once!) I have tried many crafts so the collection includes quilting, rag rugging, needle felting, quilling, teddy bear making, soap making, bees wax, wet felting….and that is just the first shelf!

Now they say that you cannot teach a dog new tricks but I think there is always room to learn something new so over the next few months I will be reviewing some of my books and also comparing some new releases now available on the market and of course if you attend one of our workshops you can have a browse through our collection for inspiration.

The Leicester Longwool

Over the last few years I have had a growing interest in felting and taken more interest in where our wool is coming from. At country shows one of my favourite areas besides the Poultry is the sheep and the breed to recently catch my eye has been the Leicester Longwool.

This breed is now listed on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as Vulnerable along with the Lincoln Longwool. They are just so chic looking with their coat of curly hair that a lot of ladies would be pleased to have!.The breed produces a natural and white wool in colour but is also know to dye easily and great for felting projects.

Just chillin

Is it just me or do some sheep just give an aura of being chilled? The Leicester Longwool is known to have a docile nature and they always look to be calm and collected as they saunter around waiting for their twice yearly haircut.

Any way enough musing I am of to order some wool to add to my needlefelted sheep collection, might even make it a christmas hat..