Edward's Menagerie has now been a part of my life for over a decade, and has taken me on adventures around the world I could never have imagined when writing this book the first time. Along the way I have met tens of thousands of people who have enjoyed crocheting these animals just as much as I do, and with them I have shared in stories of how much these patterns have spread joy, triumph and pride at life's most challenging moments. With this ten-year edition I have added everything I have learned over that decade teaching more and more people to crochet, and the patterns have become even easier for a beginner crocheter to pick them up and begin making. Step-by-step techniques have been included at the back of the book for the stitches used, so, even if you have never tried crochet before, you will be able to get started straight away. It was shortly before my 40-week due date that I first picked up a crochet hook. Since then, I have shelved my knitting needles and not looked back. In the 14 days in which Edward kept me waiting, 14 animals were made (albeit several were inside out and I still had little idea how to write down what I had done!). In my first six months as a new mum with an expanding yarn business I only managed to add a few more animals to the mantlepiece.

It was really only once I was living with a baby who wanted to interact and play with my creations that a new wave of enthusiasm took hold of me. I now live with a pre-teen Edward and a daughter and have gone on to crochet a few stitches very nearly every day since he was born, resulting in far more animals than even the biggest zoo. Bridget the Elephant was the first animal to arrive in Edward's nursery, and she remains one of the simplest patterns, along with Alexandre the Russian Blue Cat and Emma the Bunny . If you are a beginner, I would recommend working your way up to the likes of the loop stitches on Blake the Orangutan and colour changing on Hamlet the Cheetah , as these patterns are a little more complex. This ten-year edition includes new patterns and techniques for designs I could not have begun to conceive of when I first learned to crochet, but that I know you will love developing your skills with beyond the double crochet stitch. The patterns for Edward's Menagerie are designed for you and your friends and family to enjoy and are for private use only. I can't wait to see photos of your menagerie animals; make sure you share them using the hashtag #edsanimals, so myself and the rest of the incredibly creative TOFT community can find them.