Forgive the C-word, but Christmas is almost upon us. For workers in retail, the season arrived many weeks ago. However, no need to panic; it’s still not too late to work up a few gifts from the heart and give retail Christmas a rest.

Geek Chic Crochet shows you how to create 35 retro-inspired projects. You could whip up a bright red crocheted tie for the cool man in your life and cute colourful hair bows for your best girlfriends. The book tackles peter pan collars and neckerchiefs. And you could also channel Madonna with vintage lace gloves. (Is Madonna vintage yet?)

Warm Little Knits is another new title that provides patterns for classic Norwegian knitwear. Cozy socks and mittens feature a lively combo of stylized birds, flowers and geometric patterns. I'm thinking that it might be easier to embrace outdoor winter life with the stylish accessories of hardy Nordic people.

I browsed through the collection of crochet books and found a couple of older titles filled with many projects that appeal to me.

Super Cute: 25 Amigurumi Animals shows you how to make delightful stuffed toys. The designs are influenced by traditional Japanese doll culture crossed with the Japanese “kawaii” culture that produced Hello Kitty and manga. There are bears and bunnies, puppies with berets and fish with googly eyes.

Cool Crocheted Hats offers instructions to make a retro Rasta hat for both men and women. You could choose the Festival Olé pillbox hat with a zigzag brim and a variegated crown or an exotic Kufi-styled crown cap reminiscent of 1920s Morocco. All very Boho chic.

- Jane