Leisure Arts is a well-known brand in the crafting space. They’ve historically been known as a craft book publisher; but in the recent past, they’ve also begun manufacturing art and craft supplies that complement their craft patterns and instructions. I’m a huge fan of their craft books; and while I don’t have a long history of working with their art supplies, I’ve been pleased with the few things of theirs that I have tried.
I’ve reviewed bunches of Leisure Arts craft books and also a few of their art supplies. I invite you to check out the following book reviews I’ve posted about Leisure Arts craft books and art supplies:
Leisure Arts Crochet Books
Leisure Arts is a highly trusted publisher of crochet pattern books — and now, also, of crochet ebooks. I’ve been working from Leisure Arts crochet books for a long time — so long that I can’t remember, exactly, how long it has been.
There are a few things that Leisure Arts crochet books have in common. First of all, Leisure Arts really gets “the average crocheter”. Now, you may not be the average crocheter — but typically, crocheters want beautiful projects that are styled well and photographed clearly; easy patterns made from affordable yarns; clear instructions and patterns that are well-tested and error-free; and projects that can realistically be completed in a fast enough time frame that they haven’t gone out of style before you’ve finished crocheting them.
Leisure Arts reliably delivers on all of the items on the above checklist. Their projects are generally classic, useful, appealing and reasonably easy to make. Whether you’re brand new to crochet or you’re a seasoned expert, you’re almost guaranteed to find Leisure Arts crochet books that will appeal to you.
I highly recommend the following Leisure Arts crochet books:
24-Hour Baby Blankets Book by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss, Published by Leisure Arts
24 Hour Baby Afghans Book by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss
Sometimes you need to whip up a quick baby shower project, but you still want it to be an impressive gift. If that’s your current situation, or if that scenario happens to you frequently, you’ll definitely want to check out the patterns in this book. They’re all fast crochet projects that are estimated to take about 24 hours to crochet (of course, they may take longer if you’re a beginner or if you crochet with frequent interruptions).
- Learn more in our detailed book review of 24-Hour Baby Afghans.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
Crochet Afghan Revival: 40 Classic Patterns Made to Inspire
Crochet Afghan Revival, a blanket pattern book published by Leisure Arts.
Want to work on crocheting some new blankets and afghans? IF so, definitely check out Crochet Afghan Revival, because it’s currently the best value I’m aware of for a sizable crochet blanket pattern book. This book offers you 40 different crochet blanket patterns, plus 5 different coordinating pillow patterns. You’ll have choices for blankets to work on using a variety of interesting crochet techniques including chevrons, granny squares, motif patterns, crochet lace, colorwork and other techniques.
Learn More About Crochet Afghan Revival:
- Click here to see our detailed book review of this title.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
Scrappy Afghans
You’ll Find 8 Colorful, Scrappy Crochet Afghan Patterns in This Fantastic Crochet Pattern Book by Leisure Arts
- If you knit or crochet frequently, you’ll inevitably end up with leftover yarns that can be challenging to use up. If you aren’t careful to find ways of using them, they can clutter up your home indefinitely. This book is useful because it gives you project ideas for making use of all those yarn scraps you have stashed.
Answer me this: Which would you rather have — zillions of little balls of yarn, or new blankets? Yeah, that’s what I thought. It’s a no brainer.
So if you don’t already have a bunch of ideas for using up yarn scraps, or even if you do, I recommend grabbing a copy of this book — because you can never really have too many ideas for making use of scrap yarn.
Learn More About Scrappy Afghans:
- Click here to check out our detailed book review of this title.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
Amigurumi, an Adorable Collection: Heroes, Animals and Monsters to Crochet
Amigurumi: An Adorable Collection, a Crochet Pattern Book Published by Leisure Arts
Do you ever crochet toys for children? If so, there’s a book I highly recommend for giving you a bunch of CUTE amigurumi doll and toy patterns. It’s called Amigurumi: An Adorable Collection.
One of this book’s top selling points is the sizable number of easy crochet patterns. This book is totally accessible to new crocheters; none of them are overly complex, but all of them are appealing.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to see our detailed book review of this title.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
Fair Isle Mittens
Crochet Fair Isle Mittens book: Beautiful Designs Including Super Comfy Linings by Lori Adams, published by Leisure Arts
Lori Adams has designed a spectacular collection of patterns for crocheting colorful mittens that resembled their knitted counterparts. This technique is absolutely genius. If you haven’t learned how to do it yet, you’ll definitely want to check out a copy of this book, because this is currently the best resource I know of for learning how to do the colorwork version of this particular crochet stitch.
Learn More About This Book
Self-Striping Projects
Self-Striping Projects Crochet Pattern Book by Bonnie Barker, Published by Leisure Arts
By Bonnie Barker, Published by Leisure Arts
Type of Book: Crochet pattern book.
Why you’d want to own this book:
- Make GORGEOUSLY colorful projects, without having to weave in zillions of loose ends.
- You’ll find patterns you can use for making the most of colorful self-striping yarns, which isn’t always as easy as you might think.
- Get your hands on more of Bonnie’s signature aran-style crochet patterns for wearable ladies’ accessories — a shoulder wrap, two cowls, a beanie cap, a cool backpack, and a dramatic poncho.
- While Bonnie is best-known for Aran crochet patterns, she’s talented at designing other types of crochet patterns, too. In this book, you’ll get to try some of her lace crochet patterns, too. One of the two crochet baby blanket patterns in the book is made up entirely of crochet lace. The other lovely blanket incorporates both aran-style crochet and lace stitches to make a truly spectacular project. There’s also a feminine lace stole pattern included to round out the selection of patterns.
- This excellent collection gives you a fantastic variety of patterns to work; no two are alike, even though they all share the common elements of being colorful and eye-catching.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out project photos and more insights in our detailed book review of Self-Striping Projects.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.com.
Quick Crochet With Flowers: 14 Unique Flower and Leaf Patterns
By Amy Gaines, Published by Leisure Arts
Quick Crochet With Flowers Book by Amy Gaines, Published by Leisure Arts.
Type of Book: Crochet pattern book.
Why you’d want to own this book:
- Get your hands on 14 patterns for crocheting a variety of simple yet chic flowers and leaves.
- Find instructions and patterns for using those flowers to create stylish home decor projects and wearable accessories for women: two beautiful purses, three gorgeous heandbands, several barrettes, an elegant cowl, a garland, a wreath, and 3 different pieces of wall art.
- EASY patterns — there is not a single pattern in the book that’s rated as intermediate or advanced. Every last one has a skill level rating of “EASY”.
- A surprisingly affordable book — you get a LOT for your money.
- This book is small and light enough to fit in a purse or backpack. Take it with you wherever you go!
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out my full review of Quick Crochet With Flowers.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
Color-Block Baby Blankets
Color Block Baby Blankets Book by Kristi Simpson, Published by Leisure Arts.
This book is focused on giving you easy, colorful baby blanket patterns to crochet. It is an excellent choice of pattern books for total beginners who have learned the basics and are ready to proceed with trying ultra-simple projects. There are 2 super easy granny square blanket patterns plus a corner-to-corner crochet blanket patterns. In addition to those, there are also several blankets crocheted using basic stitches. Overall, the book is an amazing value for the asking price.
Learn More About This Book:
- Click here to check out my book review of Color-Block Baby Blankets by Kristi Simpson.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
Infant Boots & Hats: 6 Charming Sets
Infant Boots and Hats: 6 Charming Sets, a baby crochet pattern book by Kristi Simpson, Published by Leisure Arts
Kristi Simpson designed this highly useful set of baby hat and bootie patterns that would be great to use for making baby shower gifts for your inner circle. They’d also make lovely charity crochet projects. These are mostly unisex patterns, which means that you’ll have suitable options to consider whether you’re crocheting for a baby girl or a baby boy.
- Click here to see our detailed book review of Infant Boots and Hats.
- Click here to shop for this title at Amazon.
Please note: This is not a comprehensive list of ALL the crochet books that Leisure Arts makes available; these are only the crochet books of theirs where I have actually written book reviews to share with you. They make many other lovely and worthwhile crochet books available besides just these.
Leisure Arts Knitting Books
Leisure Arts has a knack for publishing high-quality knitting books that offer an amazing value for the money you spend on them. If you want to get really beautiful knitting patterns for an affordable price, you’ll want to consider checking out Leisure Arts’ offerings when you start your next project. I highly recommend all of the following Leisure Arts knitting books:
The Beginner’s Guide to Mosaic Knitting Book
The Beginner’s Guide to Mosaic Knitting by Melissa Leapman, published by Leisure Arts
Fair Isle isn’t the only knitting technique you can use to make colorful knitting projects. Mosaic knitting is another option for a technique you could use to do this. If you’ve never tried mosaic knitting before, and you want to learn how to do it, you’ll definitely want to consider checking out Melissa Leapman’s lovely book covering the technique. And even if you’re an expert at the technique, you might still enjoy this book considering it has some of the most appealing mosaic knitting projects I’m aware of. The book includes patterns for making stylish clothing, accessories and blankets.
Learn More About The Beginner’s Guide to Mosaic Knitting Book
- Check out our detailed book review of The Beginner’s Guide to Mosaic Knitting book
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
Ice Cream Baby Afghans
Ice Cream Baby Afghans Book Featuring Colorful Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns
This is one of the prettiest baby blanket pattern books ever. Working from this book, you combine variegated yarn with super easy knitting stitches to create baby blankets that are totally stunning. Looking at these designs, you’d never guess how easy they are, because they look amazingly cool!
I highly recommend this portable pattern booklet to anyone who wants to knit baby blankets.
Learn More About Ice Cream Baby Afghans:
- Check out pictures and a project list in our detailed book review of Ice Cream Baby Afghans.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
Important note: Leisure Arts has published many more knitting books than just those mentioned above. The knitting books posted here are all titles I’ve reviewed; I hope you’ll find the reviews useful, but definitely don’t limit yourself to just these titles, considering that Leisure Arts make many other lovely knitting books available.
Leisure Arts Craft Books
The “Make and Give” Series of Craft Books by Leisure Arts: Candle Making, Soap Making and Personal Care Products
IF you might like to make quick and appealing gifts to give to recipients you know — perhaps neighbors, colleagues at work, friends or family members — you’ll want to check out the “Make & Give” series of craft books published by Leisure Arts. The books in this series include recipes for making fantastic, gift-worthy items and then giftwrapping them to make them look their best. I’ve reviewed the following titles in this book series:
Make and Give Home Apothecary Book: 12 Step-By-Step Recipes for Herbal Self-Care Products
Make & Give Home Apothecary Book: Bath Bombs, Salts, Scrubs and More Make-Quick Gifts by Stephanie Rose, Published by Leisure Arts
Make & Give Home Soap Making Book: 13 Step-By-Step Recipes + Giftwrap Ideas
Make & Give Home Soap Making book by Kimberly Layton, published by Leisure Arts
Adult Coloring Books, Markers and Supplies by Leisure Arts
Adult Coloring Books and Supplies by Leisure Arts — Pictured here, we have the Daily Inspirational Easel Flip Book; The Colors of Nature adult coloring book; a 60 pack of double-ended artist markers; and a 30 pack of brush-tipped markers. I highly recommend all of these items to other artists and crafters.
- The Colors Of Nature: a Coloring Book, Sketch Book and Art Journal
- Daily Inspiration Easel Flip Book
- Leisure Arts Double-Ended Markers
- Leisure Arts Brush-Tip Markers
So there you have it: Those are the Leisure Arts craft books and art supplies we’ve reviewed. We hope you found some wonderful new pattern books and art supplies to add to your stash.
Posted By: Amy Solovay
This page was last updated on 4-29-2023.