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It’s been a busy couple of months of workshops and I had some lovely feedback: ‘The crochet day with Katy was excellent, perfect group size and plenty of opportunities to get individual help. I was delighted with what I achieved in one day and came away with the practical skills to continue my own crochet work.’ and ‘Katy was a really kind, funny and skilful tutor.’
Awhh, thanks guys. More crochet workshops in the autumn as I juggle everything. The next Meet Make Mend darning session with Kat Child at the Trinity Rooms will be Monday 11 March. Might see you there.


Intelligent Hands: Why making is a skill for life has been shortlisted for an award for indie publishers by Book Brunch. The announcement will be at the London Book Fair on 12 March and I’ve already booked my train ticket. It’s a long shot or course, but it’s great to be recognised 😊 Meanwhile, Intelligent Hands will be available in the USA from IPG books from today, 27 February.

The next excitement at Quickthorn is Rag Manifesto: Making, Folklore and Community by Rachael Matthews. We await delivery of the actual books while we recover from the work of getting it to print. The publication date is 1 March and it’s available to preorder now.

Shortlisted for a Selfie
In Cotswold Life Mag
Katy Bevan – The Crafter photographed by Alun Callender at the Selvedge Make Do Fair 2023, American Museum, Bath.

Quickthorn books

I’ve been a little quiet recently. Did I mention that I started my own publishing company Quickthorn Ltd? It’s just yours truly trying to navigate the whole thing, so it would be really helpful if you followed @quickthornbooks on the various media channels. I’m committed do doing everything I can to manage our carbon footprint, from the solar panels that heat my office to printing in the UK. Did you know most books are printed in the Far East? The heaviest cost is the transportation of all those pallets around the world. Ours are printed down the road in Exeter or recently in South Wales, so not that far to come. I hope you’ll find something you are tempted by or that is useful to you.

There are some exciting books, Finding Quiet Strength: emotional intelligence, embodied awareness, is already out, published in July 22. The next book published in October is When Words are Not Enough: creative responses to grief, not a comedy but a beautiful and hopeful book.

Launching this November is Celia Pym’s first book, On Mending: Stories of damage and repair. Beautiful photography and moving tales of some of the interesting people Celia has met on her mending travels.

There are more exciting crafty titles to come so sign up to the newsletter for offers, events and updates (not too often).

Stories to inspire

I’m delighted to have been involved with the making of this book, Small Steps to Less Waste , that we hope will encourage people to choose simple alternatives to mass-produced, highly packaged goods and be inspired by the Stroud community who are finding the time and courage to make, create and look after what they have, rather than throw away and create waste. This is the next title in the Quickthorn list as a follow on the successful Darning: Repair, make, mend by Hikaru Noguchi.

The book was inspired by Stroud resident Claudi Williams who lived without plastic for a year, quite a challenge. We ask: What are the tipping points that lead people to make significant changes to their behaviour like this? Do the small acts of individuals make any difference in the big scheme of things. Claudi went on to set up Action on Plastic and royalties from the book go directly to the charity. Twelve people were asked to contribute practical projects and ideas for small changes we can make to our everyday lives. I was also captivated by the photographs of Trudie Ballantyne, course leader of photography at Gloucester University, who has collected items on a beach and arranged them and then showed her work at a talk about climate change that I attended.

‘While it is true that the challenges of our time require systems change and large-scale actions, they also demand that we all do what we can in our own lives and our communities. Stroud has long been a kind of hothouse for new ideas, led by people with the courage of their convictions and support of those around them. This practical and inspiring book draws together the stories of ordinary people who decided to “be the change,” and who will be your guides into a more sustainable way of living. The main takeaway from this book? That all of these changes, rather than diminishing us, actually make our lives fuller, richer, better connected and more purposeful. Wave farewell to plastic and discover a world of ingenuity and creativity!’ Rob Hopkins: founder of the Transition movement

  • Crochet rounds
  • Make your own yarn

Small Steps to Less Waste: Stories to inspire change is published 31 March. You can preorder the book here Hawthorn Press. There will be an online launch event at 6pm GMT on 30 March 2021, chaired by yours truly, so register your interest on the Hawthorn events page.