Knowing what to look for as you buy into craft instructions, will help you to save time and money. These 9 suggestions will help you to analyse any project to see if it really does tick all the boxes you need.

Apply this list to all your existing purchases, and to any new books that you are thinking of adding to your resource library..

1. Is there an introduction that tells you what's coming? As in all good teaching, it's important that you have some idea of what's coming at you. Does it tell you what level the project, how you might introduce it, or how to alter any of the ideas?

Introductions give you a chance to make snap intuitive judgements on whether the project is right for your group. You'll make this decision with reference to the accompanying photo - if there is one.

2. Is there a picture to show the finished article It's vital to have some idea of the finished product, so that you can refer to it as you first read the instructions. Does the photo tie in with the steps?

Does it look like something you'd want to make, and if it doesn't, could you adapt anything about the project to suit your group - i.e. the colour, size, or other aspects?

3. Is the list of the things you need clearly laid out? If you're having a busy teaching day with little time to plan you'll want to know exactly what you need, in a hurry. You dont want to be scrabbling around the page looking at tiny print to find the section on what you need.

You're looking for a clear, horizontal list of what you need to go find, fetch and carry.

4. Are the things you need easily assembled, or do you need time to order/buy/find them? The last thing you'll appreciate is having to order specialist materials. If you need to buy specialist materials, look for a series of step-by-step projects that will allow you to make the most of your resources.

Make sure you have 'corralled' your materials in one place before you start, to check what you need, and what you need to get.

5. Are the project instructions clearly laid out so that you can follow them? Instructions that are easy on the eye will win every time. If projects are new to you it's even more important that you can find information easily.

If you are using instructions from a new source, it may well be worth taking the time to become familiar with their house style and layout, as you'll know that future instructions will be in the same format.

6. Do the step-by-step instructions take you by the hand, and presume you 'know nothing? Many instructions are not full enough and they leave things out, or add in extra information that can be confusing. You want lean and mean instructions that are clear without being fussy.

Do they give you enough instruction to give you confidence? Full instructions are essential and if you do know the basics that they are covering, you can move more quickly through the project

Ultimately you want to be confident and competent in leading the project and the instructions. If they are well constructed will do that for you.

7. Is the page layout visually clear so that you could find the parts you need in a hurry? It's not just the layout that needs to be clear. It's important that the instructions are well laid out with enough white space for you to locate what you need easily.

Font should be at least 12 point - anything smaller may well give you problems when you're in a rush, and you dont want to have to tear something out of book, photocopy it, or enlarge it. Look for instructions that are A4, clear, logical, and do the job.

8. Are there recommendations on how to extend the project (if it worked well) or how to sort out any problems (if it doesn't go so well)? If the project can be extended it's always good to have some idea how. The writer should be able to give you some pointers in how to blend it with other activities and ideas.

9. Do you feel as the person writing the instructions has made the project? It's often easy to tell if a crafter hasn't written the project. But many times the project is, and whilst they may be good at making it, they aren't so good at explaining how!

Choose instructions that are written by a teacher if possible or certainly someone with a flair for explaining simple and complex steps in a take you by the hand style.