Crochet How Deep Dive
We couldn't be more thrilled that our newest book Crochet How: Learn to Crochet with Simple Stitches, Patterns, and Tips, is out in the US! If you are US based get it at your LYS or Indie Bookshop, or from Abrams. If you are outside the US you won't have to wait long! Crochet How will be released in the UK and EU on the 8th January, perfect timing for those New Year's making resolutions.
We modelled this crochet beginner's book on our classic book Knit How (keep an eye out for a new glow up version of this in the new year!); walking new makers through techniques a few at a time, so that it's not too overwhelming. Each project builds on the last, and not only that, each project is something you will absolutely want to make!
Our first three projects are cowls; a simple shape, manageable size. Just right for getting to grips with basic stitches without feeling like you'll never finish. We used Manos del Uruguay Cardo, a bulky yarn which allows you to see very clearly what you're doing; and works up quickly. 
AMY COWL in Manos del Uruguay Cardo / Spirulina
DAISY COWL in Manos del Uruguay Cardo / Pumpkin
ZAHRA COWL in Manos del Uruguay Cardo / Peach Blossom
Then comes Helgate, the hat named after the incredible ceramics studio that allowed us to shoot this book in their beautiful space before they filled it with clay. Worked flat and seamed, shorter stitches are worked at the top so that the top of the hat has a smaller circumference. This means that you get to see the magic of the different heights of crochet stitches in an easy and quick project! 
HELGATE HAT in Kelbourne Woolens Germantown Bulky / Forest Green + Lilac, Honey + Pink, and Emerald + Jade
It couldn't be a crochet book without a classic granny square. Make two and you are most of the way to this cute soap cozy. Fun fact; Mamgu is the Welsh word for Grandmother (pronounced mam-gee, with a hard g like in get). Another fun fact; these handy little cozies are the perfect place to keep your soap, with an option to hang it up if space is tight (or you just like to hang stuff up! you do you), and can even double up as a scrubby. You might wonder why you didn't already have one. 
MAMGU SOAP COZY in Hobbii Rainbow 8/6 / Pastel Mint, Light Purple and Almond
Next up is a classic granny square blanket, made up of lots of... granny squares! The Sophia Blanket can be a lap or baby blanket (or perfect for a beloved pet!). Building a blanket block by block is a bitesize way to make something, and secondly it gives you the chance to play with checks, something we have done here subtly with our colour layout.
SOPHIA BLANKET in Manos Del Uruguay Ideal / Nymph, Zinnia, Tahiti, Royal, Peach Blossom, Icarus
For your neck, your hair, your head, the limits of the next pattern have not yet been found. And on top of that you will learn increases AND decreases. A dream. The Sara Kerchief is sweet in fluffy garland but we think almost any yarn would make a gorgeous and versatile accompaniment to your face. 
SARA KERCHIEF in Hobbii Garland / Muse, Heart of Glass, and Foal
As we like to say at Pom Pom; why have one pattern when you could have two!? The Ashley Market Bag and Bottle Holder share a basic shape, with slight tweaks for each use. We think one of crochet's strengths is, well, strength! It's a great way to make bags that will be working hard; and both this bag and bottle holder do just that. 
ASHLEY MARKET BAG in Purl Soho Cotton Chirp / Heirloom White, Mint Citrus 4-color set
ASHLEY BOTTLE HOLDER in Purl Soho Cotton Chirp / Apple Blossom 4-color set (2 shades used)
Named for the wonderful photographer who took the modelled photos for this book, the next pattern is the first garment in the book. Salsabil Top can be a summery vest, or a layering piece for cooler weather, depending on the yarn you choose. 
SALSABIL TOP in Ritual Dyes Undine DK / Quartzite
SALSABIL TOP in Purl Soho Plein Air / Chartreuse Pear
The second garment in the book helps you take your granny square skills to the next level. Another make from our new book Crochet How, this T shaped top has high impact in this contrasty version, but of course the colour change can be skipped or made more muted. The key skill here is join-as-you-go granny squares, for maximum granny square fun, without all that pesky seaming. 
YLY TOP in Kelbourne Woolens Mojave / Electric Blue + Flamingo Pink
A sweater with holes?! We can tell you that even with holes the Orillia Pullover is super snuggly. Based on the classic Shamai Top (designed by our very own Meghan) from the very early days of Pom Pom, this pullover uses classic granny square increases as a raglan, and introduces crochet rib to finish with finesse. 
ORILLIA PULLOVER in Hobbii Garland / Zinnia + Whim, Chipmunk + Sylvie
Atwin Cushion uses a more advanced stitch in a very easy shape to give new crocheters a chance to try something more complicated. We named this pattern for the shop that provided a lot of the clothes styled with patterns! If you are ever in the fine city of Norwich you should absolutely pop in, they stock so many gorgeous things.
ATWIN CUSHION COVER in De Rerum Natura Cyrano / Genêt, Biche + Forêt
And now for cozy toes! While designing these slippers for the book Lydia went through a lot of failed prototypes. But this final version is what she considers to be slipper perfection. Structured enough, with ribbing at the ankle to keep them on and keep feet warm, these ones are just right. 
QUINTE SLIPPERS in Rosa Pomar Cobertor / Macela + Cinza, Urze + Tojo
The final pattern is the Kennedy Pincushion, a lovely amigurumi flower you can stick pins in. Amigurumi is a word of Japanese origin used to describe any number of small, three-dimensional, crocheted stuffed objects, often creatures or toys, and in this case, a tiny cushion for pins, and of course, blocking pins and darning needles. 
KENNEDY PINCUSHION in Scheepjes Catona / Saffron, Apricot and Old Rose
Alongside all these projects we have created photo and illustrated tutorials, so that you will have everything you need to hand from your first tentative stitches, to trying out lace and cables. 
Two years in the making, this book is exactly what we wanted when we were learning to crochet. Colourful, friendly, fun, and full of things we want to make and how to make them. If you don't yet crochet, get a copy, or if you do get one for a friend and make all your regular friends (boring) into crochet friends (fun!).
xxx Lydia + Meghan