Creating the French Look by Annie Sloan, softback published by Cico Books. ISBN 978-1-907563-95-9, price 12.99 available from www.cicobooks.co.uk

French interiors are so chic and sophisticated – it’s a look that many of us admire and want to replicate. This book identifies several looks we could emulate – divided into Chateau, Country, Provence and Paris. The latter are then subdivided into Rococo, Neo Classical, Manoir, Rural, Provence – Luberon, Provence – Riviera, Bohemian and Coco. The essentials are given for each style highlighting fabrics and decorative details. Part two looks at the elements of these styles for each room. Chairs, console tables, cherubs, armoires and more. This is more than just a style book, it also has details of how to create the look yourself. There are instructions on making unlined curtains with braid or how to crackle varnish a console. Discover how to line walls with fabric or antique a stone cherub and much more. This book is full of panache and the projects to create French style in your own home. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to create the French look in their home.

Christmas Crafting in No Time by Clare Youngs, softback published by Cico Books. ISBN 978-1-907563-78-2, price 14.99 available from www.cicobooks.co.uk

Christmas crafting in No Time is a wonderful Christmas book full of projects to make your home, party or Christmas dinner go with a bang and to provide gifts for friends and family. You can stamp, do papier mache, cook, sew and decorate the table with this beautiful book. The projects are easy to make and the instructions easy to follow. Each project is well photographed. This is a folksy-crafty book. Some of the projects do have a Scandinavian look – especially the mice and the stockings on the front cover – these are the best projects in my opinion. You can involve children in the making of many of these projects. I also liked the cards section and the papier mache tree baubles, the reindeer are great fun too. A lovely book with something for everyone.

Crochet for Children by Claire Montgomerie, hardback published by Cico Books. ISBN 978-1-907563-80-5, price14.99 available from www.cicobooks.co.uk

Following on from her successful book Knitting for Children, this book teaches children how to crochet. The tools and techniques are clearly shown. I find the step by step crochet instructions to be the best I have seen. The photos are large and the instructions are brilliant from ‘holding the hook’ to ‘treble crochet’ as well as ‘increasing’ and ‘decreasing. If you have ever struggled with getting to grips with crochet, no matter what your age, take a look at this book. Children will love the projects and with 35 to make, they are spoiled for choice. I love the rabbit scarf, the headband, bird bag, slippers, the parrot and eye patch for budding pirates. The little Princess tiara and rag doll are really lovely too. You’ll be crocheting alongside the children, even if you have never done it before.

Super-Cute Felt by Laura Howard, softback published by Cico Books. ISBN978-1-907563-77-6, price 12.99 available from www.cicobooks.co.uk

This book is well photographed and illustrated with very clear instructions. The projects are fun and easy to make. Felt is a dream to use. – it’s easy to cut and does not fray. There is an introduction with different types of felt and a stitch guide. This is a book where you can get the children involved in making their own bears, houses, animals, hair accessories and more. I would have liked full size templates but I don’t think that should put you off using this lovely book.

Vegetables in Pots by Deborah Schneebell-Morrell, softback published by Cico. ISBN 978-1-907563-09-6, price 12.99 available from www.cicobooks.com or www.cicobooks.co.uk

Deborah introduces you to growing 35 of the most popular vegetables and crops for containers making the most of small spaces and proving that you can grow your own even if you only have a little room such as space for a window box, tub or pot. The tiniest spaces can be used to grow herbs. The book also includes ideas for patio fruit. I cannot say that there was anything new here, but it is presented in an organised and pleasant way. If you are new to gardening, this book would prove useful.

Knitting For Children by Claire Montgomerie, hardback published by Cico. ISBn 978-1-907563-21-8, price 14.99 available from www.cicobooks.com or www.cicobooks.co.uk

The designs in this book are aimed at 7-12 year olds, so there has never been a better time to teach your children to knit. If you are my age, you would have learned to knit at school, doing the boring dishcloth, but this book makes knitting fun. The techniques and basic stitches are clearly shown in writing and photographs. The 35 projects are where the real fun begins and I can see children wanting to knit them. Cowl, mouse mittens, ear flaps, pompom necklace, slippers, flower brooches, heart cushion, teddy, sheriff’s badge and the caterpillar were just some of my favourites. This is a great book that children will love to use.

A Green Guide to Country Crafts by Nicola Gouldsmith and Jacqueline Mann, hardback published by Cico. ISBN 978-1- 907563171, price 16.99 available from www.cicobooks.com or www.cicobooks.co.uk

If you love the simple life and the ethics of homemade, then you’ll love this book. All the crafts can be tried at home and have an emphasis on thrifty living – recycling, reusing and crafts passed down from generation to generation. Discover the basics, techniques and projects with step by step instructions. This is a great taster book for a number of crafts such as soap making, patchwork, candle making, weaving and natural dyeing. The techniques are good and seem easy to follow but I was not too keen on most of the projects.

Cute and Easy Quilting and Stitching by Charlotte Liddle, softback published by Cico Books. ISBN 978-1-907563-32-4, price 12.99 available from cicobooks.com, cicobooks.co.uk

This book is filled with fun yet practical projects to delight any sewer. It appeals to the younger age group with its contemporary design and has great projects for all the girls in the family. It’s thrilling to find a quilting book that does something other than just usual projects. The table runners and so on are here, but there are unusual cushions, egg cosies, large quilted letters, two adorable dolls and a fab bird brooch (my favourite in the book). The Cathedral windows book cover is superb. I might just have to get a dog to make the dog coat and I’ll have to find someone to make those baby shoes for. The projects are often embellished and unique. Most of them would make super gifts. With 35 projects, you will find many you want to make. Good photography, good templates and easy to follow instructions. This is a winner.

Head to Toe Knits by Bronwen Lowenthal, softback published by Cico Books. ISBN 978-1-907030-64-2, price 12.99 available from www.cicobooks.co.uk

Accessories to keep your extremities warm. Over 35 accessories to keep you cosy. Accessories are always quick to knit owing to their size, but Bronwyn has also exploited the use of chunky yarns so that some of these items knit up even quicker. I like the fair-isle earflap hat, the lace hat and the scarf with pocket. These patterns are aimed at the 20+ to 30+ market.

Quilted Bags with Style by Ellen Kharade, softback published by Cico Books. ISBN 978-1-907030-55-0, price 12.99 from www.cicobooks.co.uk

This book has some nice bags but some of the styles are rather old-fashioned. I love the Leaf-Print Evening Bag – very sophisticated, the quilted circle bag has an old-world charm, the cosmetic bag is passable, the ribbon motif satchel interesting, the rose sparkle bag is pretty and the multi-colored tote is a star. Overall not quite as up-to-date as I would have imagined but it scores on photos and instructions – these are very clear.