We adore this truly inspiring book that will get you excited about turning your throw-away pile into seriously useful and beautiful things for your home, family and friends. Old jumpers quickly make a patchwork baby blanket; men's shirts become ready-buttoned cushion covers. Learn to turn an old annual or hard-backed book into a handbag and a tweed jacket into a tweedy satchel, plus how to make lampshades, hot water bottle covers, cards and jewellery. A terrible old LP can be melted into a cool bowl (just check with your husband before melting his 1970s prog-rock). There's even a use for old Lego - you can turn it into a colourful clock. One of the best all-round craft books around.

Buy 'ReCraft' by Sara Duchars & Sarah Marks (£12.99, Frances Lincoln) from our online bookshop

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This really is a special book - it would make a lovely gift for any creative person, especially for anyone who likes to write a diary. Gwen Diehn has filled this colourful book with detailed ideas for keeping a personal journal, reminding us that whether writing a journal is an emotional tool or perhaps a travel or gardening record, it can be a beautiful piece of art. You may be interested in learning how to make your own book to write in, or you may like to experiment with illustration, adhesives, 3D effects or even books within books. This makes great inspiring bed-side reading.

Buy 'The Complete Decorated Journa'l by Gwen Diehn (£10.49, Lark Crafts) from Amazon

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Get started with scrapbooking

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If you love the quirky, kitsch look of vintage, this book will help you brighten up your home with 35 bright and flowery appliqué and embroidery projects. Our favourites are the stunning tablemats with appliquéd birds, flowers and hearts; and the adorable woodland table runner. For babies there are some wonderful patterns too - the baby cot quilt in a rainbow of vintage fabrics; the bright pom-pom skirt and bibs; and the inspired use of 1970s orange and brown fabric to make George the soft giraffe.

Buy 'All Sewn Up' by Chloë Owens (£14.99, Cico) from our online bookshop

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See an appliqué teatowel pattern from 'All Sewn Up'

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If you dream of running your own small craft business from home, this is a must-read - and even if you don't, you probably will start to dream a little after a flick through this book. It tells you how to do the whole thing, from setting up your online shop to getting publicity and attending craft shows. It's packed with frank and funny real-life top tips from successful designer-makers, as well as notes pages for you to keep track of things like sales, customer profiles and social media contacts. Although aimed at an American reader, British crafters will find it translates easily across the pond too. Invaluable.

Buy 'The Crafty Superstar Ultimate Craft Business Guide' by Grace Dobush (£12.74, North Light Books) from Amazon

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How to sell what you make

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A lovely humungous reference book demystifying all kinds of crafts, this encompasses textile crafts like batik and tie-dying, paper-crafts, jewellery, ceramics, glass, candles, soap and eco-crafts (such as basketry, tinwork and nature crafts). The clear photographic illustrations throughout make this book especially accessible - for each section there are even photos of the tools and materials you'll need. There are projects to try for all the different craft types. A great buy.

Buy 'Craft' (£25, DK) from our online bookshop

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If you're yearning to do some pottery, but a bit nervous when it comes to actually 'throwing' using a wheel because the last time you did so was in Art when you were 13, this book will get you confident.  It explains with clear photographic illustrations exactly how to use a wheel to make mugs, bowls and pots; then how to fire them and glaze them. You'll be signing up for ceramics class at the local college after reading this.

Buy 'Wheel Throwing' by Emily Reason (£12.99, Lark Crafts) from our online bookshop

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Our new obsession. If you're into textiles and haven't heard of Arne & Carlos, you need to! The Norwegian pair, who shot to global stardom with their '55 Christmas Balls to Knit' last year, are the coolest knitting designers in the world right now. Forget all your preconceptions about whether or not you might want to knit dolls with designer wardrobes - this incredible book is a must for all knitters who want a Scandi design and colour master-class. If only A&C would write a book of knitwear designs for full-size people - but until then, the doll-sized designs can always be scaled up...

Buy 'Knitted Dolls' by Arne & Carlos (£14.99, Search Press) from our online bookshop

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Crafting with children is so much fun for everyone (assuming they help with cleaning up afterwards, of course!) This delicious book introduces the whole family to piping and modelling edible treats, from sugar-paste teddy bears having a picnic on a cake to a ghostly haunted house cake using edible glue and glitter. Our favourite project has to be the Crazy Splatter Cake, where kids get to go absolutely wild with food colouring.

Buy 'Cake Decorating With The Kids' by Jill Collins and Natalie Saville (£14.99, D&C) from our online bookshop

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This book, translated from the Japanese, opens up a whole new world of sewing - Japanese design is all about clean lines and beautiful simplicity. Eight excellent patterns are included which make up to 25 tops, trousers, skirts and dresses for a complete wardrobe - from long trousers to a wraparound dress to a butterfly sleeved blouse. With sizes from XL to L, this doesn't just cater for the diminutive Japanese form. A great buy.

Buy 'Simple Modern Sewing' by Shufu To Seikatsu Sha (£17.99, Interweave)
from our online bookshop

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Reinterpreting the humble granny square for the modern crocheter, this book is filled with pretty and useful patterns, from cushion covers to a lampshade cover to table mats, seat covers and baby blankets. If you have the patience to make a bedcover, there is an exquisite pattern here for a colourful one - you'll be surprised how fast it works up, the author says.

Buy 'Granny Square Crochet' by Catherine Hirst (£12.99, Cico) from our online bookshop

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Crochet a granny squares throw: free pattern

Crochet books for beginners

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