Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

Crochet Kaleidoscope ~ Shifting Shapes and Shade Across 100 Motifs is a fantastic book.by well-known designer Sandra Eng. You may recall my recent post about the Violet Protest . I have now finished the five squares I committed to send to this exciting project; and I used Sandra's book as a reference for making each square. Along the way, I decided to review the book for you because I enjoyed it so much. Included in the 100 designs are not just run-of-the-mill designs, but unique squares and also chapters on Circles, Hexagons, Triangles and other shapes as well. Publshed by FW, Eng says the book was "born out of her love of crochet, color and geometry." Her readers love crochet and color; geometryis a fantastic bonus that contributes to her unique design abilities. Karen Manthey, named by Eng as " Technical Editor Extraordinaire , has provided her diagram creation skills for each motif." She has been well-known in the crochet industry for years for her amazing ...

Delicate Crochet by Sharon Hernes Silverman: Berrywine Shawl A designer in her own right, Sharon has assembled a  group to join her in giving us a new book that softens the look of crochet while making us long for Spring! Delicate Croch et includes 23 patterns by 11 designers, many familiar and some new-to-me. Using yarns no heavier than lightweight #3, this book highlights the sumptuousness of crochet at its best. Well rounded, Sharon has ensured a wide variety of projects in skill levels from Easy through Experienced. Special stitches or techniques used in the patterns are covered, should you wish to expend your skills. Fingerless Gloves by Amy Solovay Several of the patterns are done in Tunisian-style crochet; and complete explanations are included if you are new to this interesting technique. Ziggy Vest by Vashti Braha Low-Back Lace Top by Kristin Omdahl Reference material is in abundance at the back of the book along with a Visual index to see al...

Cover: Art Blankets Inspired by the Weaving of Maryanne Moodie No matter whether you have an opinion about crocheted blankets (afghans) or not, Rachele's  book published in 2018 by Interweave will certainly give you a new approach to tradition. Her subtitle tells the story: her 18 projects are "inspired by modern makers."

Call me a perfectionist; but I have been concentrating on making my crochet the best it can be since around 1990. I always loved crochet, but before the Crochet Gof America was organized, I dabbled in many other needlework techniques. Crochet called to me and I always came back to it. Then along came Crochet Loom Blooms!

The sub-title of this new book by Sandra Eng, Shifting Shapes and Shades across 100 Motifs , caught my attention! While reading her bio, I found that she is a color enthusiast and a practicing psychologist who is a proponent  of the therapeutic benefits of crochet and other fiber arts. To me, anyone who can live through the brutal winters of Minneapolis and still create such a colorful array of motifs like these has got to be a hearty spirit! For all these reasons, I heartily recommend this book!

Modern Bohemian Crochet by Beth Nielsen I'm a child of the 60s, so anything with "bohemian" in the title draws my attention right away! Beth is a courageous young designer who is not afraid to take chances. It looks to me like the use of "accessorizing" her designs is her strong suit. By that I mean that by using sport weight organic linen on the cover piece, Radiant , she creates a "necklace piece" that attaches to the body piece done in the familiar V-stitch. This accessorizing adds a certain pizzazz to what would otherwise be an unremarkable stitch pattern. You'll be intrigued by your first look at some of these patterns, but until you begin to stitch, you won't realize how unique the construction methods are. Clover Beret I will make this beret, not because I wear berets, but because I am intrigued by the "continuous lace design" which Beth says consists of deceptively simple construction! Luna Headb...

Landscape Cowl on Cover This book just goes to show that "there are always 2 ways to skin a cat"! I've done a significant amount of tapestry crochet work crochet during my "crochet life," and have also taken classes from the experts at Crochet Guild conferences. Alessandra has solved some quandaries for me that I have had about the technique. Provisions Tote Full of good information about tapestry crochet, beautiful photography and twenty, mostly fashion projects, that explore the basics of the technique, the reader will be inspired and encouraged to do more complicated projects after trying some of these patterns. Aptly named, every project inside is gorgeous and on-trend for the fashionista and the home! Distant Mountains Throw To avoid the usual bulkiness of tapestry crochet, which is not desirable in clothing, the author makes a point of only including 2 colors in each row of her fashion motifs. Her design rows line up perfectly with h...

Step into Crochet by Rohn Strong When I first picked up Rohn's book, I had the attitude that very little could be added to the information out there on making socks. Boy, was I wrong!

Book Review: 3 Skeins or Less ~ Modern Baby Crochet  by Sharon Zientara I have admired the design skills of Sharon ever since I reviewed her first book, It Girl Crochet . In her newest book and the latest in Interweave's 3 Skeins of Less Series , she has assembled a group of designers, many of whom we've come to depend on their creations to both please and make us smile! Additionally, all of the eighteen patterns within the book can be made in either 1, 2, or 3 skeins of yarn. Each of these 18 adorable designs are an opportunity for the reader to hone crochet skills. Interesting techniques in each pattern provide practice in tiny, less intimidating projects. Cameron Blanket Beautifully clear and colorful photographs capture some adorable child models; I have to believe that the crochet they are wearing only enhances their beauty! Spike the Hedgehog Hat These talented designers have gone all out to provide some very useful learning experiences for the cr...

Twinkie Chan has the sense of humor and knack for executing realistic-looking "food" just for fun and also for useful items. I thoroughly enjoyed her first book,  Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies . I adore my radish boa and my 6-year-old granddaughter insists that her mother wear the pizza scarf when they go out for pizza! She has dedicated her newest book, Crocheted Abode A La Mode , to keeping the home cozy and "yummy"with 20 food-themed crochet patterns that transform the adorable style of amigurumi to useful items for the house. Admittedly, I am probably not fun-loving enough to appreciate Twinkie's creative spirit when it come to MY home decor. I don't have a strong need to transform my living space into something "delicious." However, if you are like me, try applying some of your own creativity to these patterns. Rather than used as a toiletpaper cozy, any child would love a crocheted birthday cake that becomes an annual tradition at ...

Robyn Chachula is the "Wonder Woman of Crochet Design!" Not only has she appeared regularly as a crochet expert on the PBS show, Knit & Crochet Now , and continued to create pattern books that inspire her fans; but she has also created two children in the last few years! A modern young designer, Robyn also has great admiration for the traditional fine thread motifs that would surely have been showpieces in her grandmother's home. Her talent lies in her ability to use classic stitch patterns that date back to the 1850s while transforming them to trending fashion!. Zandstraat Jewelry by Robyn Chachula Together with some of the most innovative crochet designers in the crochet world, her passion for breathing new life into classic stitch techniques inspires her team. Crochet is a vibrant art form, and the compelling use of vintage techniques in the book gives the reader designs in which they can look fabulous yet not out-dated! Carefree Pullover by...

Poetic Crochet I often say about crochet, “There is nothing new under the sun,” because I’ve been at it for over forty years!  Theme books like this book's title intrigue me because again, it is difficult for me to find books that offer truly new and creative twists to all the crocheting I’ve done over these many years. 

Customize Your Crochet Prolific author of popular crochet books, Margaret Hubert , has once again produced a “sure to please” book that will be used over and over by readers as a reference for achieving form-fitting fashions! Margaret’s description in the introduction: "This book is a guide that will help you crochet garments to fit your measurements and your style, expertly finished so you will be proud to wear them,” truly describes the expert advice the reader will find within. If you are someone who often finds yourself apologizing, ( I only make afghans),  then this book will give you the courage to expand your skills and to find the fun in garment making. Precise in its step-by-step layout, Margaret's detailed explanations show how to crochet a cardigan sweater with variations that describe how to fit each of the 4 classic body shapes: rectangle, triangle, inverted triangle, and hourglass. This is not your typical pattern book in that there are only 4...

Crochet Refresher ~ Brush Up on Your Skills with Baby Gifts! If you are a former crocheter with a special baby on its way into your life, it is only logical that you have become inspired to make a lasting treasure for that baby. This book has everything you need to refresh your skills and to present something special on the blessed day!

Quick Crocheted Accessories: 3 Skeins or  Less Sharon, also the author of It Girl Crochet   which I reviewed , has assembled a stellar group of crochet fashionistas who have designed accessories that are not only quick but they also underscore the praises of clever crochet! There is a unique quality about each person in this group of designers yet a commonality in how they look at crochet that unites the designs in this book. Sharon, a fabulous designer in her own right, has tapped into those qualities to ensure you will want to add it to your library. Wavelength Beanie by Sharon Zientara Many of the designers within are women whose crochet I have greatly admired in the past while crocheting marvelous projects from their patterns. Several of the designers are European-born which, it seems, exposes them to a legacy of needlework and fashion sense. Others in the book bring graphic design skills and television costume design experience. Add caption ...

Colorful Crochet Lace I loved reading Mary Jane’s introduction, and felt like I was right there in the room with her as she shared her excitement for creating this book of chic crochet patterns for us.  Inspired by the architecture, fashions, gardens and culture of France, the patterns all carry French-inspired names. I couldn’t wait to take a look at this collaborative approach and to see how Mary Jane translated her inspiration into crochet! Known for her exquisite styling when it comes to her pattern designs, this book is no exception! The pineapple is a classic crochet pattern, but used as a peplum on the cover design, Haute Couture , it is a perfect example of how Mary Jane uses vintage style to create on-trend fashions. She has also developed the use of another classic technique which she calls the Graduated Stitch Method as her signature approach to create elegant shaping in her garments. As we’ve come to expect from the folks at Interweave, great diagrams, bea...

Imagical Seasons Vol. 1: Spring Imagical Seasons Vol. 2: Summer The interesting title of these books sets the tone for what crocheters will find inside! Making use of the “portmanteau word” which blends two or more distinct forms like smoke + fog = smog, Alla has blended the words "imagine" and "magical." You'll find imaginative and magical designs for the little ones in your life. Alla Koval “creates happy fashion designs by combining colors, texture and materials that make her designs unique and enticing.” After selling hundreds of custom-created children’s fashions, she decided to start writing up the designs to instruct others to make them. She is well suited to create original fashions that will thrill mothers as much as their children! At first Alla feared that she would burn out, but she now feels that writing the patterns is what makes her the “happiest person in the world!ead!” Read the ...