Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

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  - Crochet Couture for Kids 2-12 /Spring 2015  AND   Imagical Seasons - Crochet Couture for Kids 2-12 /Summer 2015.  These books are adorable and whimsical and perfect for the crocheter who loves making custom children crochet garments and accessories.  The books will be available for pre-order mid-June and will officially go on sale early July, Etsy being one of several sites where they can be purchased. Return here on July 15 to read my complete review during the Blog Tour of the first two volumes for Spring and Summer. Below is a complete schedule of the talented bloggers who are participating on the tour. Check in often to read varying takes on the books, chances to win prizes and in-depth interviews of the author, Alla Koval! Alla Koval Blog Tour 2015 July 13:  Knitting and Crochet - Amy Solovay http://knittingandcrochet.net/ July 14:  Faina’s Knitting Mode – Faina Goberstein http://f ainasknittingmode.com/blog ...

I will get right to the point: run , don’t walk to buy this book! If you want to understand the thoughts, emotions, and excitement that brought me to this unusual book review introduction, carry on! I could hardly wait to get started reading about the famous and incredibly capable female aviatrixes from whom Denise derived the inspiration for her new book, Leather, Lace, Grit & Grace ! As I began, my first instinct was to search among all the pilots' portraits for a photograph of Denise herself! She is, indeed, a very capable woman, standing tall among the women she has written about. Denise has set the bar very high for anyone who is contemplating a self-publishing journey for their crochet designs! Combining her artistic talent and extreme creativity, Denise has brought us seventeen delightful crochet and knit designs, as well as a good read about twelve women pilots who lived during the timeframes between 1831 through 1975. Some are well-known like Amelia Ear...

Kristin Omdahl, photo courtesy of Aaron Miller Crochetqueen: What inspires your designs? Kristin: Textures in nature is a big inspiration for me: formation of flower petals, textures of leaves, feather and scale patterns on animals, etc. I also love architectural textures: tile work, brickwork, especially mosaic and Moroccan tiles. I like to get inspiration for silhouettes from the runways, but only with cut & sewn garments. I try to avoid seeing what others are doing in the fiber world. Crochetqueen:  How long have you been designing? Kristin: I’m self taught at knitting and crochet. I’ve been designing for almost as long as I’ve had yarn in my hands. Designing came quickly and easily to me. Crochetkween: I am always grateful to hear about the therapeutic benefits of crochet; it seems like that is the case for you. What got you interested in crochet? Kristin: Pregnant, alone, and living overseas, I was really homesick. Making the decision to teach myself to make...

Crochet So Lovely by Kristin Omdahl There is no debate that Kristin Omdahl has proven herself as a capable designer of crochet fashion! Her latest effort, Crochet So Lovely , shows that in addition to using her construction and technical skills, she applies her “heart” to achieve a romantic and feminine look.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014 It Girl Crochet by Sharon Zientara  I am a product of the sixties and I love crochet that expresses the individuality of the wearer. It Girl Crochet is all this and more! It offers truly unique designs in delightful colors that will set you apart from the rest. The twenty-three accessories included in the book are truly “must have.” Sharon Zientara knows how to assemble a collection of designers who design fashionable crochet and at the same time keep the patterns simple enough so that they are fun to make. That’s a difficult feat to achieve! Her custom collection of exciting accessories contributed by 15 top-name designers like Shelly Allaho, Brenda K B Anderson, Robyn Chachula and Kathy Merrick will inspire crocheters who want to make easy-to-finish pieces that add pizzazz to their ensembles. In the Introduction, Zientara explains that she had a vision for a chic crochet collection. She wanted to reference some of her favorite eras of fashion ...

February 28, 2014 Rustic Modern Crochet by Yumiko Alexander I don’t know when I have been as excited about a crochet fashion pattern book as I am about Yumiko's new book Rustic Modern Crochet ! I can’t wait to get started making many of the designs within, and I have put the Driftwood wrap at the top of my to-do list. Its shimmery drape is so interesting with alternating sections of fan lace and chains. This wrap will shout "elegance" as you step into the room at your next social soiree'! Dr Driftwood As we have come to expect from Interweave, this is a lovely and colorful book on quality paper stock. The full-color illustrations are abundant, and symbol crochet is included along with the written instructions. Not everyone wants to use symbol crochet, but it is nice to have the choice.  For me, symbol crochet enhances the written instructions and they are a helpful, visual way to confirm instructions. A key to the symbols is included for those who ha...

Monday, May 20, 2013 I met Sheryl Thies last October when I attended the symposium put on by the Knit & Crochet Heritage Museum in Madison, WI. An out-going and friendly person, she is also a talented crocheter and knitter. I am delighted to review her latest book, her second, on Tunisian Crochet. Tunisian Crochet Encore : New Stitches, New Techniques, New Patterns by Sheryl Thies Published by Martingale, 2013 I had a very positive experience over ten years ago with Martingale publishers when I participated as one of the designers in Crochet Today , a book they published to celebrate the Crochet Guild of America. Today, Martingale and Sheryl Thies do not disappoint! She had me at page one! The word “encore” in the title gives a hint to the creative metaphor that Sheryl uses throughout the book. She muses that once the basic Tunisian skills are achieved, crocheters will develop a rhythm with their hook and not be able to put it down, much like when a line or rhythm...

The media frequently highlights crochet fashion on the runway, in magazine ads and in articles where celebrities strut their style in crochet. Over the years, journalists and writers have gotten better about labeling crochet 'crochet" instead of knitting. Be sure to check bag often and look at the "Crochet Sightings" tab  at the top of my blog for crochet sightings as they happen. 2013 has already gotten off to a good start. Here's look at my favorite crochet-sightings of 2012. DECEMBER Jessica Chastain in Crochet-look  top Marie Clair magazine Dolce & Gabbana-Marie Claire magazine Irish Crochet flowers we're so familiar with used on a straw bag: $4,245! Oscar de la Renta inspired by doilies Marc Jacobs-Vogue The same shawl in a different ad and different staging of the familiarly not-so-attractive models! Valentino Haute Couture Price upon request OCTOBER Marc JacobsThe not-so attractive " waif" look, but highly art...