cover image Made with Love: 30 Stunning Projects to Craft with Mindfulness, Wear with Pride, and Gift with Joy

Made with Love: 30 Stunning Projects to Craft with Mindfulness, Wear with Pride, and Gift with Joy

Tom Daley. Dey Street, $29.99 (256p) ISBN 978-0-06-328222-3

Olympic diver Daley (Coming up for Air) encourages readers to indulge in bright colors and create their own style in this fun collection of knitting and crochet projects. After leading readers through essential techniques, Daley offers 30 patterns: there’s a stylish purple balloon-sleeve cardigan, a cute dog hat with pom-poms and neon-colored stripes, a patchwork blanket with tons of colors and textures, and a poncho in both adult and junior sizes. The projects come with a chart advising how to adapt size and materials for a perfect fit, and Daley includes troubleshooting tips and “masterclasses”that spotlight the specific skills, embellishments, and variations used in each project, such as chain-stitch embroidery on a sweater pattern and switching between colors on a vest. Daley’s irreverent style and welcoming tone are a treat—“When it comes to developing your own style of knitting or crochet, there are no rights or wrongs,” he writes, imploring readers to “just enjoy the process” —and his projects will encourage newbies while also providing challenges for those further along the path. This charming offering deserves a place on hobbyists’ shelves. (Nov.)