Edward's Menagerie New Edition: Over 50 easy-to-make soft toy animal crochet patterns

With just two weeks to go before baby Edward's due date, yarn enthusiast and mum-to-be Kerry Lord picked up a crochet hook for the first time and a new obsession began. Over the next 12 months the collection of crochet animals expanded week on week until Edward's Menagerie was complete, and the first edition was published in 2014. Ten years on, the book has sold over a quarter of a milllon copies, while the collection has expanded and improved, prompting a new edition featuring fully updated patterns and a selection of brand new animals.

These cute animals with larger-than-life personalities are made using simple crochet techniques and the step-by-step instructions enable a complete beginner to get hooking straight away. Each animal also has a universal pattern where you can change your hook and yarn to create four different sizes, making 200 different possibilities.

Be warned that these unlikely characters made using a supersoft yarn in a sumptuous natural colour palette will become your new best friends as you hook your way through the whole menagerie!