Simply Crochet Issue 59

I was a little envious that our Art Ed Kim got to spend a glorious day at the beach shooting this month’s main collection! The art team got some incredible snaps of the projects, inspired by the British seaside (p18). That sunshine spreads right through this issue, too, with beachy makes, sea-inspired wall art and my personal favourite, 70s dungaree shorts! I’m always wearing dungas, so it was fab to have Fran Morgan recreate Sirdar’s vintage ones for us, with a modern twist (p34).…

ILARIA CALIRI Ilaria’s our go-to gal for adorable amigurumi. Wanna know why? Well, she’s hooked the cutest donkey ever on page 43, and designed a sweet flamingo bag charm on page 64. ‘Nuff said. PONY MCTATE New Zealand-based hookster Pony has a fearless sense of style and a playful attitude to crochet. This issue, she combines the two with an epic filet crochet sweater project. Find it on page 50. LUCY CROFT Lucy is the designer behind the canwork beach accessories. This issue, we’re finding out more about what makes her tick and why she’s so over bobble stitch right now. See page 62. LUCY ATTIC24 Look who it is! Blanket lover and top blogger Lucy is chatting about her favourite yarns and how she chooses colours for her designs…

ILARIA CALIRI Ilaria’s our go-to gal for adorable amigurumi. Wanna know why? Well, she’s hooked the cutest donkey ever on page 43, and designed a sweet flamingo bag charm on page 64. ‘Nuff said. PONY MCTATE New Zealand-based hookster Pony has a fearless sense of style and a playful attitude to crochet. This issue, she combines the two with an epic filet crochet sweater project. Find it on page 50. LUCY CROFT Lucy is the designer behind the canwork beach accessories. This issue, we’re finding out more about what makes her tick and why she’s so over bobble stitch right now. See page 62. LUCY ATTIC24 Look who it is! Blanket lover and top blogger Lucy is chatting about her favourite yarns and how she chooses colours for her designs in our special feature over on page…

Amigurumi Globetrotters How adorable are these guys? A bowler hat on a pug and a monocle on a mustachioed octopus somehow seems right in amigurumi. These quirky critters are just two of the fantastic toy designs in the latest book by Ilaria Caliri (she's one of our faves). Amigurumi Globetrotters is bursting with 15 patterns for imaginative animals, all of them off on different adventures around the world. It's £12.50, published by Meteoor Books and launches 1 August, but pre-orders are open right now at www.amazon.co.uk GOT IT MADE Fancy a day out at BBC Countryfile Live this summer? We've got two pairs of tickets to give away for this exciting event which takes place at Blenheim Palace 3-6 August. The Craft Heroes Marquee will be packed with makers showcasing glass blowing, ceramics,…

DESIGNER CROCHET ACCESSORIES MELISSA LEAPMAN (£12.99, Creative Publishing) Give your wardrobe a refresh with a collection of 25 new accessories. Take your pick from pretty scarves to hats and mitts, jewellery and bags, all presented with clear photographs and stitch diagrams. At the back of the book there's a handy guide to all the stitches. SOPHIE'S UNIVERSE CROCHET-ALONG DEDRI UYS (£16.95, Scheepjes) After the huge success of the Sophie’s Universe CAL in 2015, the pattern for this square blanket is now available as a beautiful book. Aimed at adventurous beginners, each round is explained in detail, with step-by-step photos and hints, and a guide to techniques and stitches. Time to hook your heirloom! BOHO CHIC CROCHET PONCHOS ( £5.99, Leisure Arts) Rock the festival look with a fun poncho. This booklet offers seven showstopping styles, from the glamorous…

Amigurumi Globetrotters How adorable are these guys? A bowler hat on a pug and a monocle on a mustachioed octopus somehow seems right in amigurumi. These quirky critters are just two of the fantastic toy designs in the latest book by Ilaria Caliri (she's one of our faves). Amigurumi Globetrotters is bursting with 15 patterns for imaginative animals, all of them off on different adventures around the world. It's £12.50, published by Meteoor Books and launches 1 August, but pre-orders are open right now at www.amazon.co.uk GOT IT MADE Fancy a day out at BBC Countryfile Live this summer? We've got two pairs of tickets to give away for this exciting event which takes place at Blenheim Palace 3-6 August. The Craft Heroes Marquee will be packed with makers showcasing…