Skip to main content

Book Review/Give-Away: Crochet Wraps Every Which Way by Tammy Hildebrand

Tuesday, January 21, 2014
As Founder of the Crochet Guild of America, I have been privileged over the last twenty years to meet talented and inspiring crocheters and designers like Tammy Hildebrand. I am honored to be a part of her blog tour and I heartily recommend her new book! Please enjoy exploring around my blog and at the many books I've reviewed. While you're at it take a look at my new book, The Fine Art of Crochet..
Crochet Wraps Every Which Way by Tammy Hildebrand


Tammy’s new addition to her long list of design accomplishments is so much more that the eighteen shawl patterns within this book. She encourages every crocheter to be the best they can be in a supportive way that gives us all courage to try anything, even the scariest of techniques we thought we could never master! When reading the introduction, one feels that Tammy is sitting nearby, cheering us on to success! Her down-to-earth approach in the Tips and Hints section is like having a crochet friend next door to get us over the stumps and humps we crocheters inevitably encounter.

Well-written text offers insight to the history of crochet up to the current renaissance that has opened a wide, wide world of internet resources. Six techniques: traditional, motifs, hairpin lace, broomstick lace, Tunisian, and double-ended crochet comprise the basis for the 18 projects in the book.  Valuable information about each technique is offered such as history, alternate names for the technique, tools to use, and insight that is only gained from years of experience.  Fashion forward tips on how to wear the finished shawls are even woven in among the instructions! Tammy’s vast knowledge from her forty years of crocheting is a gift to all of us! This book is a compendium of good information without being overwhelming.

As we have come to expect from Stackpole publications, there are ample and clear photographs of the pattern stitches and this book features one beautiful model showing several views of the finished garments. Each and every wrap in this book is truly unique, and definitely fashion-forward. The yarns chosen by Tammy are readily available; and using the suggested yarns is a great learning experience about the twists and turns of yarn and crochet. (That is if the crocheter were to make every project in the book. … and that’s not such a bad idea!) You can get an over-view of the projects with Stackpole’s Look-Book 

The Visual Index at the back of the book is a very helpful view-at-a-glance that may help you prioritize which wrap you want to make first! Because I tend to have “asymmetric taste,” my two favorite wraps are Clementine Shells  and Midnight Azaleas. 

Clementine Shells
Clementine Shells, which is on the cover, lays so beautifully in an interesting configuration around the model’s neck. I like that look!

Midnight Azaleas
Midnight Azaleas combines the best of two classic crochet methods, granny squares and ripple pattern, with fresh results in stunning colors!

In addition to all her fabulous designing, Tammy has generously volunteered for the Crochet Guild of America for years. The board of directors certainly appreciates it when members step up to help carry the load of this volunteer organization. She is currently the national Vice President, and CGOA members are looking forward to great things from Tammy in 2014 as she helps to lead our organization forward into its third decade!

Enter to win a copy of Crochet Wraps Every Which Way: click "follow by email" on this blog and submit your email address OR comment on this blog. A winner will be chosen randomly on January 23, 2014. Good luck! To continue on  blog tour to see how her book is stacking up with other bloggers, check Tammy's  Facebook page daily.

Comments

BoricuaCrochet said…
This would be a great addition to my collection.
Akua Lezli Hope said…
It's exciting to see a new book that explores a range of crochet techniques for creating fabric. I would be delighted to win a copy of this book.
Unknown said…
This book looks great! Thanks for hosting a giveaway!
Love your stop on the tour. It stops on Crochet Concupiscence on Friday. I love seeing what we all share, some things similar and some different!
Anonymous said…
Would love to get this book and work up some of the wraps.
Candice R (CMW) said…
Would love to win this book! Looks like there are some fabulous pieces in there that I would love to give as gifts :)
Unknown said…
Would love to win this book!
sunwyn said…
Would love to win this book full of beautiful designs!
Anonymous said…
Seems like a perfect book for me!

marta.samitowska@xs4all.nl
Anonymous said…
Seems like a perfect book for me!

Marta
info@museicbooks.nl
LizzyBme said…
Just found your blog, looking forward to reading more.
Rosalyn's Space said…
Love the orange shawl so bright and cheerful to add to a dark winter wardrobe.
Unknown said…
I really want to make a shawl for myself! I would love this book. I've been crocheting for a couple years now but I feel like all I make are xmas gifts!!! I want to make something I can use myself & be proud to wear :) Please pick me!!!!
Patty Roy said…
I have been crocheting for a little over a year and I am just crazy about it. I love, love the two patterns I saw there and would completely enjoy the whole book. Thank you and have a blessed day.
Unknown said…
Looks like a great book. I would love to win this. E-mail address is debbieg1155@aol.com

Thanks!
Stephanie B. said…
I would love to have this book. I love to make wraps of all kind and this would be welcome in my crochet library. thanks for reviewing it.
Anonymous said…
I'd love to win at scgulley@sbcglobal.net.
Kate Wallis said…
I just love crocheting wraps! This book would be wonderful to own!
GayleT said…
Beautiful shawls and wraps!
Susan C Hammond said…
Looks like a wonderful book to own and create with!
Unknown said…
Can't wait to try Midnight Azaleas, this would be my first project.
peggy richardson said…
One of my favorite things to crochet..for myself and others who are depressed or ill....it's like giving someone a hug!
Anonymous said…
Would love to "wrap" my hands around this book and start learning some new techniques!
denverdeb2 said…
andYour collection looks AMAZING. I would LOVE to get the new book and try out your patterns.
Wraps and shawls are my fav things to crochet. Winning this book would be right up-my-alley.

Popular posts from this blog

Craft vs. Fine Art: How is Crochet Blurring the Lines

I was awakening to the world of crochet in 1972,a time of immense artistic expression through fiber arts; and crochet was not the “ugly stepchild” at the time. In fact, Ferne Cone Gellar who I admire as a successful fiber artist said in “Knitting: The Stepchild of the Fiber Arts?” ( Fibercraft Newsletter 1978), “Has knitting been slighted among the areas of the fiber arts? The very word ‘knitting’ evokes images of the little old lady in tennis shoes. Over the years, I’ve learned to ignore all those jokes.” Cone Gellar went on to publish Crazy Crocheting in 1981 and encouraged her readers to create more than bedspreads, providing ideas such as “things to play with or to display on a shelf or hang on a wall.” A photo of single crochet from bread wrappers served as inspiration.  In 1972 in her book, Creating Art from Fibers & Fabrics , Dona Meilach wrote: “Why are fibers and fabrics becoming increasingly appealing to artists? Most artists agree

Wartime Crochet With Attitude, Part I

Wednesday, October 30, 2013 Karen Ballard and I have a mutual love of free form crochet. We met for the first time in a class taught by Prudence Mapstone of Australia at the Chain Link Crochet Conference 2011. I admire Karen's vast knowledge of needle work history and am grateful for her willingness to share with us as my guest blogger this week. Karen wearing a World War II-era knitting hat with stubby needles on top Karen's Heritage Heart,  with flowers symbolic of her heritage, is currently on tour with Prudence Mapstone's traveling "Hearts & Flowers Exhibition" in Australia and New Zealand   World War 1 Attitudes About Crochet by Karen Ballard In 2008, I coined that term, "Workbasket Campaigns" to describe the organized efforts during World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII) coordinated through the American Red Cross {ARC} and the Navy League to create needle crafted items.  These items were mostly knitted but also sewn, qu

What is Free Form Crochet?

Monday, January 6, 2014 This topic came about from the title of my article recently in Fiber Art Now magazine.  "Crochet As Art: A Conversation with 5 Free-Form Crochet Artists." Yes, the 5 artists I wrote about, all of which are in  my book  The Fine Art of Crochet , are free-thinking when it comes to their creativity. They are free-wheeling with the hook and use unique fibers in many cases. Once you read the article, tell me what  you think? Are these artists doing free-form crochet? In order to define free-form crochet, we must look way, way back to it's origins: Irish crochet. A brief history of crochet, including the Irish method, written by Ruthie Marks is available through The Crochet Guild of America . Unfortunately, there are no images on the site. On her blog, Nancy Nehring has a beautiful montage of Irish Crochet in reference to a class she taught in 2013 at Lacis . I wrote an article in Old Time Crochet Magazine (Spring 1998), "History of Irish Croc