Tag Archives: crochet

Review: Stitch Camp

Posted on November 11, 2017 by | Comments Off on Review: Stitch Camp

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First, the facts:

Title: Stitch Camp: 18 Craft Projects for Kids & Tweens

Authors: Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman

Published by: Storey Publishing, 2017

Pages: 196

Chapters:

1. Sew

  • Beanbag that is also a handwarmer
  • Felt envelope
  • T-Shirt Alchemy

2. Embroider

  • Mandala sampler
  • Art pillow
  • Scout badge

3. Felt

  • Arm warmers
  • Cut-and-sew mittens
  • Monster coin pouch

4. Knit

  • Phone sweater
  • I-Cord jump rope
  • Cord-slung backpack

5. Crochet

  • Beaded chain bracelet
  • Pencil roll
  • Hacked sack

6. Weave

  • Woven patch
  • Beaded key fob or necklace
  • Jar jacket
KS: Stitch Camp

The In-Depth Look:

This is a book I would have adored when I was younger–it’s filled with fiber arts projects for “kids and tweens.” The writers introduce it by saying, “When we started writing this book, it was called Fiber for Kids. We quickly enough realized that it sounded more like a breakfast cereal than a book–and not in a good way–so we renamed it. But fiber is still what this book is about.”

Sewing, knitting, crocheting, felting, embroidering, weaving. That pretty much hits all the “big” fiber related crafts, and even the ones not specified like quilting are kind of implied–it’s learning to wield a needle that is the first step, no matter what you aspire to make later on.

The how-to portions of each chapter are solid, filled with good instructions and useful illustrations on everything from sewing backstitch to knitting to creating a modified loom out of a piece of cardboard. Nothing is too advanced–this book is all about introducing new crafts, not about perfecting skills you might already have–but it does so with fun projects that are not intimidating. Weaving a keychain, sewing a beanbag … the projects are fun and playful–just like the youngsters who will be making them.

Seriously, this book and I would have spent a LOT of time together when I was ten. (Mom’s Girl Scout handbook from about 1950 just wasn’t the same.) The projects look fun, and if there’s anything that I can think of that would capture the interest of the next generation of crafters, that would be it.

Help spread the joy. If you have or know a young person who would enjoy exploring some of these radically old crafts (so old they’re new again), you should really take a look.

And me? It’s true I’m too old for this one, but I know just what I’m going to do with my review copy–a 9-year-old girl who loves books literally moved in next door two weeks ago, and this is the perfect welcome to the neighborhood gift!

Oh, and kudos for the perforated “handmade” gift tags printed into the back of the book to make sharing all these cheerful projects extra easy!

You can get your copy from your local shop or help support this site and order direct from Amazon!

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Storey Publishing. Thank you!

My Gush: Fun!

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Review: Crochet Borders

Posted on February 13, 2017 by | Comments Off on Review: Crochet Borders

Review: Crochet Borders post image

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First, the facts:

Title: Every Which Way Crochet Borders: 139 Patterns for Customized Edgings

Author: Edie Eckman

Published by: Storey Publishing, 2017

Pages: 218

Type: Crochet

Chapters:

Design Concepts
Border Designs

KS: Crochet Borders

The In-Depth Look:

My first thought, looking through this book, is how much both my grandmothers would have loved it.

Now, before you get up at arms about me jumping to the conclusion that crocheting is for grandmothers (though they are as welcome to enjoy the craft as anyone else), I’ll just note that both my grandmothers loved to crochet. One of them left us with gorgeous afghans, and the other with a pile of lace-edged handkerchiefs. I never saw either of them knit, but I know they were talented at crochet.

And this book? So many beautiful borders just waiting to go on almost anything. There’s even a nice, clear explanation on how to prepare different materials for a crocheted border–crochet, knit, fleece, or commercial fabric–because why limit yourself solely to things made with yarn? (Again, see note above about those stunning handkerchiefs.)

After a nice, detailed explanation of hows and whys you want to use borders, and some basics about rounding corners–because every pattern here adapts for corners–the patterns start with some basic elements. These can be used as simple borders themselves, or as a base or addition to others. (Creativity is key, right?)

After the fourteen basic elements, the actual patterns begin–125 of them, all beautifully photographed and annotated with characteristics like “wide,” “undulating,” “reversible,” “open/lacy,” “layered,” and so on. These get reprised at the end with a spreadsheet-like table at the end so that it’s easy to spot, say, all the borders with Motifs, or that are Fringy.

Actually, I think I’m rather in love with all the cross-referencing among the source material in this book. The Appendix not only gives the table I just mentioned, but also a pictorial index of all the borders, an explanation on how to use the charts (because all the patterns come with both written and charted instructions), and a glossary to explain all the terms and stitch techniques.

Add to this an index and a convenient wire binding inside hard covers so that the book will lay flat when you use it but not get battered in your bag? Yeah, I’m impressed.

You will be, too. I think this is one of the most useful crochet books I’ve seen in a while. I only wish I could have seen what my grandmothers would have thought of it. You should definitely check out your own copy, which you can get at Amazon or at your local shops.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Storey Publishing. Thank you!

My Gush: So impressed!

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Review: Top-Down Crochet Sweaters

Posted on October 21, 2016 by | Comments Off on Review: Top-Down Crochet Sweaters
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First, the facts:

Title: Top-Down Crochet Sweaters: Fabulous Patterns with Perfect Fit

Author: Dora Ohrenstein

Published by: Storey Publishing, 2016

Pages: 168

Type: Crochet sweater patterns

Chapters:

1. The Techniques
2. The Patterns

KS: Top-Down Crochet

The In-Depth Look:

This is, of course, primarily a knitting book site, but I can’t pretend that crochet doesn’t exist (I wouldn’t dare), and there’s no denying that crochet can create some beautiful things.

My personal bias is that crochet is best suited for things like afghans and lace, but not so much for garments. Traditionally, crocheted sweaters are often bulky, sometimes unflattering, but that’s definitely not always the case, especially as more and more designers are putting what they know about sweater design together with all the possibilities that crochet has to offer.

In this case, it’s all about making sweaters with top-down convenience that allows you to try the garment on, to assess things like fit and drape as you go. (Nobody denies that it’s easier to make a sweater in one piece to avoid having to seam all those pieces together.) With attention to technique and making sure the sweaters actually FIT, this book takes its goal very seriously.

The first part of the book is all about technique–things you need to know to make a garment fit, to understand how the construction of a top-down garment works, how the stitch patterns are going to affect the finished object. The author takes the first 50 pages to explain all the details you’re going to need, all with helpful illustrations and schematics.

The rest of the book is all about the patterns. There are fourteen of them, but they all come in pairs.

The author took seven basic yoke constructions and stitches and then played with them–offering two designs for each basic starting point. Each pair has something different–the gauge, the neckline, maybe pullover versus cardigan–but the basic construction (like a round yoke or one with raglan shaping) stays the same.

I really liked that approach. Too often it’s hard to look at two sweaters and know what’s the same about them, or how two things that look similar are really quite different. But here, the author is taking the time to show you how changing something simple can give you something entirely unique … because nobody said you couldn’t apply the knowledge from one pair to a modification you might want to another pair. (Hint: There’s a reason she spent so much time explaining construction techniques at the beginning.)

All in all, this is a great book–one of my favorite kinds because it starts with a solid grounding in technique and then goes ahead and shows you how much fun you can have with it, either by following her lead with her pre-written patterns, or by using them as a launchpad for your own creations.

Hey, I never said crocheted sweaters couldn’t be wonderful.

You can get your own copy at your local shop or order it from Amazon.com.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Storey Publishing. Thank you!

My Gush: Some lovely creations.

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Review: Crochet One-Skein Wonders for Babies

Posted on May 10, 2016 by | Comments Off on Review: Crochet One-Skein Wonders for Babies

Review: Crochet One-Skein Wonders for Babies post image

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First, the facts:

Title: Crochet One-Skein Wonders for Babies

Editors: Judith Durant and Edie Eckman

Published by: Storey, 2016

Pages: 286

Type: Crochet patterns for babies

Chapters:

1. Little Hats and Caps
2. Little Socks and Booties
3. Little Tops and Dresses
4. Little Bottoms
5. Little Bibs and Washcloths
6. Little Toys
7. Little Blankets and Sacks
8. Little Bags and Accessories

KS: Crochet One-Skein Wonders for Babies

The In-Depth Look:

We’ve done the knitting version, but now it’s time to look at adorable crocheted things for babies.

How can you resist all this cuteness? (Hint: You can’t; don’t even try.)

The newest installment of Judith Durant’s series of one-skein wonders is here, and it’s filled with truly cute things for truly cute little, little people.

Bags, tops, toys, bibs, blankets, booties. So many cute things!

I do mean so many, too. One hundred one projects for toddlers and infants, here–that is a LOT of patterns. Things to keep a little person warm, entertained, stylish, and portable, there are a lot of things to choose from here, and almost every single one of them is just what you’d expect … cute!

I don’t know if it’s possible to have too much cuteness in one book, but if you’ve got one of these tiny people in your life, and if you like to crochet … this collection is fantastic. Versatile, colorful, entertaining … and with 101 patterns, it’s a great bargain, too.

You can get your copy rushed to you from Amazon.com.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Storey Publishing. Thank you!

My Gush: So much cuteness.

Other posts for this author:

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Want to know more about Stitchin Knit and Stitchin Crochet?

Posted on October 8, 2014 by | Comments Off on Want to know more about Stitchin Knit and Stitchin Crochet?
(Image from the Underground Crafter site)
I was interviewed last month for a Hispanic Heritage Month by Marie Segares, the crochet & knitting blogger and designer.  She blogs at the Underground Crafter and is also the host of the podcast the "Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show".  If you'd like to read her interview of me for her Hispanic Heritage series that happened in September, you can read it here (http://undergroundcrafter.com/blog/2014/09/18/interview-with-adriana-hernandez-hispanic-heritage-month-series/)

And, for the podcast, she asked me some great questions about how I got into the business of making fonts for knit and crochet. So, if you're interested in listening to the podcast interview you can find it here (http://creativeyarnentrepreneur.com/episode-8-affordable-crochet-and-knitting-fonts-with-adriana-hernandez/) or below.

Thanks for asking me to participate, Marie!


And, if you'd like to see the fonts, you can find them here.

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Odds and Ends Crochet Rug: A Journey

Posted on June 25, 2014 by | Comments Off on Odds and Ends Crochet Rug: A Journey

I can crochet. I don’t do it often, or do it well, and I don’t call myself a crocheter, because I have never successfully finished crocheting anything. Every so often though, I feel like I need to change things up. so I start a crochet project, usually with plans of making a blanket, and either abandon the attempt, or rip it out and knit something with the yarn instead. The reason I have never finished a crochet project is because I only ever feel like doing it when I don’t feel like doing anything else. This isn’t a reflection on crochet as a craft, mind you, just my particular feelings towards it.

a crochet yarn scrap rug
I started this rug last fall when we found out when we were moving into this house, and we had all these great wood floors to protect. I was hitting the tail end of my first trimester, and still feeling pretty pukey. I didn’t want to do anything really, but the idea of crocheting rugs for my new house seemed like an idea I could get behind. I had a lot of single and partial skeins of worsted weight yarn that I had just been carrying around for years, and I couldn’t think of a better way to use it up. I don’t tend to knit with worsted weight yarn very often–and when I do, it’s usually a sweater–not great for all those single skeins I dyed when I was learning how to dye.

After spending last week doing a lot of soap-making and blog related research, I have been a little bit too burnt out to knit–crazy, I know. But I started thinking about this rug again. I abandoned it half-done about the time we moved in when I ran out of undyed yarn. My vision for this rug was to pair the single skeins with undyed yarn all the way through, but I’m not very good at crochet, and have no idea how to calculate how long 2 1/2 skeins of undyed yarn will last. I thought I would get a bit more diameter out of it. And the whole point of an odds and ends project is that you don’t buy yarn for it.

Yesterday, we stopped by the grocery store on the way home from work and on our way out, our car wouldn’t start. Just like that, something that is probably the starter wouldn’t work. After many phone calls, a tow truck and jostling a giant carseat around, and getting our other car that we never drive jumped, because we never drive it and the battery was dead. We didn’t get dinner until 9:30. It was not a fun evening.

odds and ends crochet rugs

In the middle of all that, I kept thinking that I would rather be working on something simple. Double crochet over and over again in the round is just about as easy as stockinette in the round. Probably because I was so exhausted, crocheting sounded more satisfying than knitting. In the haze of my I-hate-cars-why-do-I-live-in-a-place-with-rotten-public-transportation-and-I-can’t-ride-my-bike-everywhere-because-I-have-an-infant haze, I suddenly realized that my hang up on having white throughout the rug was silly. It’s an odds and ends rug. It’s not going to look silly if I change it up halfway through, it’s going to look like an odds and end rug, because that’s what it is. Get over yourself and and finish it if that’s what you want to do.

Now I’m determined to finish this rug, so we can use it in our house. I will finish at least one crochet project. Who knows, maybe one day I will add crochet to my resume.

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FO: Twinsies Baby Blankets

Posted on February 6, 2014 by | Comments Off on FO: Twinsies Baby Blankets

I finally finished my first big machine knitting project/commission!  The blanket was machine knit in strips, sewn together, and finished by using simple crochet borders.  The green blanket used a single-crochet border followed by a triple-crochet plus single chain stitch to create the dashed-dot look.  The pink/purple blanket used a series of increasing crochet stitches to get a subtle scalloped look.  Both were then steam pressed from the opposite side with a damp press cloth to stop them from curling... but they still kind of curl.




Both blankets are done!  I've already packed them and prepped them for shipping. :)

blocking

close-up
It's the first time I've done a dedication/title block/ blanket info square.  Hopefully the end-user will know not to shove these in the drier.  These are 75% superwash wool 25% nylon, but even then, I'd still avoid the drier.

dedication square
 Yay! Now, I can focus on knitting stuff for my baby!

Previous posts about these blankets:
Boy Twin Blanket Complete
The Concept

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Review: Crochet Books

Posted on October 14, 2013 by | Comments Off on Review: Crochet Books

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First, the facts:

Title: The Crocheter’s Companion: Revised and Updated

Author: Nancy Brown

Published by: Interweave Press, 2013

Pages: 131

Type: How To

Chapters:

1. Tools, Yarns, and Gauges
2. How to Read Crochet Instructions
3. Basic Crochet Stitches
4. Basic Crochet Techniques
5. Familiar Stitches and Favorites
6. Advanced Crochet Techniques
7. Motifs and Medallions
8. Tunisian Crochet
9. Decorative Finishings
10 Finishing Techniques
11 Helpful Hints and Troubleshooting

The In-Depth Look:

I love Interweave Press’s “companion” series of books–small-scale, spiral bound books filled with lots of detailed information about the basics of a craft. Great illustrations, basic (and advanced) techniques, and generally a great resource to stick in your bag to carry along wherever you go.

In this case, the book is the newly revised Crochet Companion. It’s hard-covered on the outside to protect it from travel woes as you cart it about, but spiral-bound on the inside, so it stays open to the page you need as you try to figure out a new technique. (Bonus points, too, for the spiral being inside the cover so that it doesn’t pose a tangle threat to any yarn in your bag.) Now, as to what about this makes it “revised and updated?” Without having one of the older copies, I can’t say for sure, but it’s filled with great detail about crocheting techniques, easy to use line-art for illustrations, and just generally well worth adding to your crochet library.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Knits. Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title: Blueprint Crochet Sweaters: Techniques for Custom Construction

Author: Robyn Chacula

Published by: Interweave Press, 2013

Pages: 165

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

1. Classic Construction
2. Top-Down and In-the-Round Construction
3. Granny Motif Construction
4. Unique Construction

The In-Depth Look:

The author begins by saying that she wrote this book, “to take the mystery out of stitching sweaters and give you the confidence to create your beautiful sweaters.

The book is split into four, basic construction techniques and filled with an assortment of sweaters ranging from classic to innovative. I admit to having a pro-knitting bias where sweaters are concerned, so not all of these are sweaters I would be interested in making, but the creativity is a pleasure to see, and some of the designs are truly lovely.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Knits. Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title: Crochet at Home: 25 Clever Projects for Colorful Living

Edited by: Brett Bara

Published by: Interweave Press, 2013

Pages: 143

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

1. Bright and Modern Living Room
2. Tranquil Bedroom
3. Colorful Kitschy Kitchen
The In-Depth Look:

Because every home needs hand-made accents, and why not make them fun? This book is filled with patterns for afghans, pillows, and more. There’s a ruffled teapot cozy, a sweet doorstop, fun buntings, covers for ottomans or footstools, rugs … pretty much everything you could think of that you might actually WANT in your home, but made fun and cheerful.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Knits. Thank you!

beastly-latest

First, the facts:

Title: Beastly Crochet: 23 Critters to Wear and Love

Author by: Brenda K. B. Anderson

Published by: Interweave Press, 2013

Pages: 167

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

1. Classic Monsters
2. Welcome to the Jungle
3. Skulls Were People Too
4. Myths(And Other True Stories)
5. Silly Monsters
6. My Own Personal Robot

The In-Depth Look:

Because who doesn’t love having a group of adorable fuzzy little monsters to make and play with?

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Knits. Thank you!

crodict-latest

First, the facts:

Title: Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 200 Essential Stitches with Step-by-Step Photos

Author: Sarah Hazell

Published by: Interweave Press, 2013

Pages: 191

Type: Stitch Dictionary

Chapters:

1. Basic Stitches
2. Fans and Shells
3. Clusters, Puffs and Bobbles
4. Spikes
5. Relief Stitches
6. Mesh, Filet, and Trellis
7. Crossed and Interlocking Stitches
8. Waves and Crochet
9. Decorative Stitches

The In-Depth Look:

I love stitch dictionaries and this one is no exception. 200 stitches, clear photos, nicely organized … a good collection.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Knits. Thank you!

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Free Crochet Pattern! Fine as Findley

Posted on May 24, 2013 by | Comments Off on Free Crochet Pattern! Fine as Findley

I’m so pleased that in my first official week at JMF that we’re able to offer a crocheted free pattern. And not just any old crocheted free pattern, a crocheted sweater perfect for summer! Why am I so excited? Because when I first got interested in yarn, I was a crocheter. And not just any crocheter, I was a hardcore, diehard crocheter. And I lamented the lack of awesome crochet patterns. Or the crochet patterns that I just couldn’t afford. I could barely afford the yarn I purchased (and not the good stuff!), let alone patterns. So I figured things out on my own. And I did pretty well and I’m happy and proud of what I produced. And if I had all the time in the world, I would totally pick up my hook again and dust it off, like I did with Berzelius.

Fine as Findley1

But I don’t have time for everything. My poor Uma sweater is languishing in it’s handy shoe box. I accidentally left it at the theatre when I left there on Sunday and I didn’t realize it until today!! That’s how little knitting I’m doing. So I don’t think I’ll have time to crochet this awesome sweater. But I’m hoping that some of you will have time and I’m hoping that there’s some girl fresh out of college who sees this sweater and thinks, “Wow! I can totally make that! It’s free!”

Fine as Findley3

This is not a pattern for the faint of heart. This is one of the longest patterns we’ve published. It has a full page of glossary info. But that makes it all the more endearing to me. It’s got great new techniques and beautiful increases. I love the shoulder shaping. This is exactly the kind of pattern I wish had been available to me when I was really getting into crochet and devouring every piece of information that I could. I would have rocked this sweater so hard!

Fine as Findley2

Oh, what’s it called? I suppose that’s helpful if you want to find it on Ravelry. It’s called Fine as Findley and was designed and crocheted by Lindsey Stephens.

Fine as Findley

Lindsey Stephens is a crochet designer and Professional Member of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) as well as a member of The National Needlearts Association (TNNA). She has had her designs published in a national magazine as well as by yarn companies, and has taught needle arts and crafting classes in a variety of venues. Lindsey learned to crochet while on a three day road trip when her family relocated from her home state of Texas to Connecticut. When she first arrived in Connecticut, Lindsey owned 2 skeins of yarn. She has been steadily adding to her stash ever since.

You can download the pattern here, or at any time from our Free Patterns Page

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BOOK REVIEW: Crochet One-Skein Wonders

Posted on April 20, 2013 by | Comments Off on BOOK REVIEW: Crochet One-Skein Wonders
Crochet One-Skein Wonders by Judith Durant My rating: 5 of 5 stars As someone who often doesn't have the attention span for larger projects, I have long been a fan of the "One-Skein Wonders" series, edited by Judith Durant and...

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