Reviews

The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet

Margaret Hubert, a wonderful designer whose creativity is matched by her technical skills, has put together a very complete and useful guide, good enough to rival Donna Kooler's Encylopedia of Crochet. It opens with a thorough and accurate history of crochet written by Nancy Nehring. There are more than 250 pages filled with stitch patterns, from basic to complex, as well as motifs, flowers, and edgings.  Margaret has made an effort to include many unusual patterns and techniques, and has brought in well-known experts to feature them. Jennifer Hansen shows a design for a jewelry rack made of Hairpin Lace, Tatyana Mirer gives us a scarf out of Bruges lace, Melody MacDuffee a sample of her gorgeous overlay crochet, Pauline Turner a pillow cover featuring the lovely Polish Star, and Julia Bryant her Tapestry Tunisian.  As an inspired designer herself, Margaret shows her own gems using freeform and the intermesh technique. There are 9 projects in the book altogether, and ample practical advice on seams, edgings and other finishing techniques. Photos of stitch patterns are very large and clear, and there are good photos showing how to work specific techniques. Stitch diagrams are included. I only wish the cover of this book was more exciting, as I fear it doesn't do justice to the excellent contents within. This book would make a great gift for any crocheter, full of important information and plenty of inspiration.

--Dora Ohrenstein

Knit 1, Purl 2 in Crochet

Reviewed by Deborah Burger (cerdeb on Ravelry)

It was with great excitement that I received my copy of Bendy Carter’s new book!  Like many crocheters who choose not to knit, I often suffer from “fabric envy”, wishing that I could use my crochet hook to create similar fabrics to those created with knitting needles.  The early information about this book promised to make that dream possible, and I practically drooled with anticipation!  I find that the book delivers on the promise…. But only if the crocheter is willing to use it differently than we tend to use most new crochet books.  

Usually a crochet book presents an array of patterns, and if I need to learn a new stitch or new technique in order to work up the pattern I choose, I can simply follow the directions for that “special stitch.”  I tend to choose a project first, and then learn what I need to learn in order to work it.  This approach may well lead to frustration with knit 1, purl 2, in Crochet, primarily because it’s not the way the book is intended to be used!  Yes, there are some great projects presented…. But they are each presented as the application portion of a true lesson in technique!  It’s important to start at the beginning of the book, work the swatches in the first chapter, then make the first project.  That first project is a cute, but very simple-looking hot pad, which would not normally catch my eye and entice me to buy yarn and make it up.  HOWEVER, if I try to jump over that lesson and its project, I will find myself at a loss in the next chapter.  If I apply my usual “smorgasbord” approach, dipping a project here and a swatch there, throughout the book, I may well become hopelessly frustrated, and blame the book’s organization or editing.  In reality, it’s the sort of book that requires attention, concentration and practice… and rewards these by opening doors to myriad new possibilities in crochet.

For the past several years, I have been, along with several others, experimenting with techniques in “slip stitch” crochet, and some of the stitches and techniques in Bendy’s book were familiar to me… but being called by different names, in some cases, names that make much more sense!  This is the most comprehensive and systematic presentation I have yet seen of the techniques that will allow a person with one traditional crochet hook to create actual knitted fabric.

The typeface is clear and easy on the eyes, with colored boxes to highlight important information.  Swatch photographs could be a little sharper, in my opinion, but they are nice and large, which somewhat makes up for the slight fuzziness.  The color palette in the first dozen or so pages is not my favorite, but I try not to let the color of a sample or model affect my reaction to the pattern or lesson—I may love it made in colors I prefer.  Therefore, I sat down with a ball of my favorite blue worsted wool/alpaca blend, and worked swatches for an entire evening, getting through the first two lessons.  I am now ready to make my hot pad and my yarn bag, and then move on to learn increasing and decreasing.  I have read the rest of the patterns closely, and they seem to be accurate and clearly written, as we have all come to expect both from Bendy Carter as a writer and Annie’s Attic as a publisher.  

So… if you have the motivation, and are willing to do your homework, you too, can learn a whole new vocabulary and set of stitches, and this book will allow you to knit with your crochet hook.  Once you’ve completed these lessons and projects, the sky will be your limit. 

Super-Super Cute Crochet

You may never have realized that you needed a star-nosed mole in your life until you see Brigitte Read's crochet version, and then you understand that this is what you've always lacked.  Or could that nebulous craving be met instead by a duck-billed platypus, or perhaps an African land-snail?

Brigitte's fine debut  book, "Super-Super Cute Crochet" also has a pink-nosed cow, a panda, an owl, a colorfully beaked toucan, anteater, whale, tortoise, flamingo, shrimp, squid, walrus, pig, bluebird  -- are you getting the picture? There are a lot of unusual animals in this book!  It's a truly remarkable display of crochet zoology by this Scottish fiber artist, clearly motivated by her love for the critters she recreates.  Here is part of a typical introduction to an animal:  

African land snails have developed a bad reputation because of their tremendous appetite.  If you get a group together they can demolish entire crops in less than a day. . . If you choose to make one, be sure you keep a close eye on him so he doesn't break loose and start munching on all the plants in your home.

The creatures are as huggable and sweet as the title implies, fanciful and childlike, and many are real sculptural marvels, like the flamingo poised on one leg, the toothy walrus and the lifelike, though oversized, shrimp.  The photos are delightful, with the crochet cuties placed in "natural" settings created from small bits of plants, rocks, twigs, shells, and pebbles. 

I wonder about whether the instructions go into sufficient depth for a novice to amigurumi, as there is no information about hook tension, materials, or how to stuff the pieces.  Those with more experience with amigurumi will do fine, and once you've studied Brigitte's construction methods, you may even want to create your own animal kingdom.

Dora Ohrenstein

Crocheted Afghans: 25 Throws, Wraps and Afghans to Crochet

A delicious book of afghans by a very fine British designer whose name is not sufficiently familiar in the US.  There are twenty-five projects in this book, making it a primer that takes one from simple shapes and textures to ever more creative and rich projects.  Griffiths has the artistry to take great old traditions like gingham cloth, American indian patterns, log cabin and patchwork quilts,, tartan plaids and even landscape art, and turn them into exciting crochet. With a sure sense of color and design, she takes the reader through a varied terrain that includes African Beads, Kelim carpets, and Ikat textiles. Each afghan is rendered as a water color painting, and I have a hunch they were painted by the author. This would be an even better book if the designs were also shown as stitch diagrams, but alas, they are not. Directions are crisp, with a little more know-how assumed than some Americans will be comfortable with. (For an amusing example, check out the Amazon reviewer of this book who was upset because the brand of yarn used is one she couldn't buy locally.) Photos are excellent, with fully satisfying, lip-smacking stitch closeups. There's always a wealth of afghan books to choose from, but not so many of this quality; it sets a high standard and maintains it through all the projects. 

--Dora Ohrenstein

Knitting Art

(Be sure to scroll to bottom for AWESOME PHOTOS)

Knitting Art is a beautiful and inspiring book authored by artist Karen Searle. It presents the work of 18 gifted artists who use knitting as their medium.  The variety of techniques shown here is astounding, but even more impressive is the tremendous range of aesthetics, scale, and message.  Some use knitting as part of constructed environments that carry political and feminist messages, some make sensuous objects, some are exquisite craftsmen working on a small scale, others create grand installations.  

Among my favorites is the remarkable work of Debbie New, including her Brain Hat, a knitted brain that really is a hat and Granny Square, a breathtaking, huge portrait of her grandmother created from individual log cabin knitted squares. New is exceptional in working in so many genres and levels successfully.  Other highlights are Anna Maltz Naked Suit, a full body sweater that paints a naked body on the wearer; the comical, expressive beaded figurines of Reina Mia Brill;  the subtle, innovative dying techniques of Jeung-Hwa Park and the technical feats achieved by Kathryn Alexander with her specially spun "energized yarns."  Every single artist is worthy of attention. Each artist has a lengthy interview, with ample examples of each one's work and very good photos. The details given by the artists on specific techniques they use in making their work is much to be appreciated.  The fact that the book is written by an artist is evident in the focused and informative content.

Studying a book like this makes one realize how constraining it can be to create only for a mass market, or only for the purpose of making patterns.  This is a book that's bound to spur many to stretch their own creativity.  I aim to take to heart the words of Lisa Anne Auerbach whose Knitting Manifesto, republished in Knitting Art, begins with these words:

This is a call for a dynamic, new direction for knitting! 

This is a call for a dynamic, new direction for knitting!

and ends 

Chart your message, and wear it proudly.  . .. Resist Fashion. Manufacture your own brand. Embrace Tradition. Learn from History. Shatter the present.  Create the future. Stitch by stitch, we can and will change the world.  The revolution is at hand, and knitting needles are the only weapons you'll need.  Stop making scarves; start making trouble.

Consume less.

Create more.

Knitting is political.

BEGIN IMMEDIATELY

Stirs me to the depths, it does. 

Shown below, from left to right: dress by Kathryn Alexander; fabric by Jeung-Hwa Park; Body Count Mittens by Lisa Anne Auerbach; Shell Canyon, by Debbie New; Woman Within, by Karen Searle; body suits by Anna Maltz

300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects

Review by Dora Ohrenstein

This is the third in Lark's series of three reference books by the same author, and the one I like best.  It may not be absolutely clear that the "blocks" in the title are in fact motifs, not squares -- and come in all shapes.  The great strength of the book is the sheer number and variety  of motifs, most very attractive, many original.  Instructions are well-written, shown in large text, and accompanied by Karen Manthey's elegant diagrams.  Unlike the other Schapper volumes, the photos are large and detailed and stitches very clear.  Some are beautifully stitched, but unfortunately, some don't meet the standard one sees in other books of this kind. Never mind, crochet's beauty still shines through. Chapters are organized either by stitch used -- one called Picots, another Bobbles, each showing a variety of shapes, while other chapters focus on a particular shape -- Hexagons, Triangles.  A bit confusing, but still, who would have thought that post stitches -- one of the chapters --  would find so many uses in motifs? There is a section called samplers that are simple stitch patterns worked in rows into squares, good projects for less experienced crocheters before they plunge into motifs worked from the center. While I have quite a few motif books already, I still found a good number of new and interesting shapes and techniques in this volume.  I would call this a classic that should be on every serious crocheters shelf. Three hundred Classic Blocks is a big basket of motifs, ripe for the picking! 

Learn a Stitch, Create a Scarf

Review by Dora Ohrenstein

Mary Nolfi is a very talented designer.  Each of the twelve scarves in this booklet is a real gem, a perfect balance of stitch and yarn, with wonderful fringes and edgings that really set them apart. A great variety of stitch patterns are used, including embossed stitches, crocheted rings, basketweave, and cables. Some are very feminine, some more rugged, and several are unisex, a nice touch.  Leisure Arts' presentation has stylish project photos and good stitch closeups, but no stitch diagrams. I am disappointed that Leisure Arts continues to support the myth that "Any brand of Light Weight or Medium Weight Yarn may be used"? These very lovely scarves deserve to made with yarns that are carefully chosen, as they clearly were for the samples in the book.  It's great to see a scarf book with such challenging stitches and well thought-out, classy designs. When I design my next scarf, I will hold myself to the standard set here.  I have a feeling Mary could design gorgeous afghans, and fashion garments too, and will be looking forward to more of her work.

Tasty Crochet: A Pantry Full of Patterns for 33 Tasty Treats

Review by Leslie Johnson

A friend recently gave me a “yarn and book” call --  for those who don’t know, it's when your friend calls to inform you that she is destashing books and yarns, and invites you to come get what you want.

As I went thought the bags of yarn like a child in a candy shop, she lugged over 2 shopping bags of books for me to go though. Of course there were reference books for crocheting and knitting which I pulled out of the bag to make “my pile”. When I come across Tasty Crochet I immediately said “Why would anybody spend precious crocheting time making stuffed fruit?” with much laughter in my voice. But something on the inside said put the book on the pile. And I'm so glad that I did. 

Later that night, I opened the bag and started to review my newfound collection of books. As I fanned though Tasty Crochet from the last page to the first, I came across enticing photos of ice cream sandwiches, a pumpkin pie slice with whipped cream, pizza, sushi rolls, apple slices, a P&J sandwich, Pop Tarts, bacon and eggs, a bagel with strawberry cream cheese on top, just to name a few of the eye-catching treats. 

I flipped back to the most perfect looking set of pears I have ever seen in the world of crochet and started to read the instructions, finding them just as appealing and easy to understand as the fruit itself standing perched on the plate.

Anyone who deals with young children will find these wooly treats quite attractive to make and use as learning tool, or props for a school play. How cool will it be to have crocheted chicken drumsticks, peas, green beans, salad and a slice of bread with pumpkin pie on the Thanksgiving table or a horn of plenty filled with crocheted fruit and vegetables pouring out of it?

Therefore I give 4 tasty thumbs up to these crocheted treats.

Crochet in Color

Crochet In Color

Kathy Merrick

Interweave Press

Kathy Merrick's designs have been widely seen, and much admired, in publications like IC, vogue, and in countless book collections.  Perhaps her best known design is Babette's Blanket, which stimulated a whole generation of crochet colorists whose work flourishes on ravelry and flickr.  When someone of this reputation finally publishes her first solo book, it's cause for anticipation and maybe a bit of angst over whether such high standards can be maintained.  Have no fear, Kathy fans:  her superior design abilities shine in this stunning book.  She is comfortable in a wide range of genres, has a great grasp of tradition but efffortlessly transcends it, and offers an assured, elegant style. The designs have faultless construction, and many use the simplest stitches, relying on drape and form to make a statement.  Given this understated tone, the choice of high intensity colors -- pinks, magentas, yellows, oranges, greens  -- is a little surprising, and a real delight.

The first chapter, called "One or Two Colors", includes a lovely Pleated Hat in shades of rose that's gathered on one side, and a great, close-fitting Firefly Cardigan in bright yellow. This cardi is exemplary of a Merrick piece:  carefully tailored, simple stitches, beautiful detail at the collar and cuff, and one suprising element:  a tight gather of stitches in one spot at the back, two on the front, to create waist shaping -- very cool! The second chapter focuses on Stripes, a fine vehicle for experimenting with color combinations, my favorite being another fabulous sweater, called Butterfly Turtleneck, striped in lilac, orange, golden yellow and olive.  It features raglan shaping and a really special collar that's much more butterfly than turtle. The openwork at the collar, bottom third of the sweater and cuffs, shows a refreshingly contemporary take on lace too.  

The next chapter, Color Blocks, has a stylish jacket of large rectangular color blocks, and a Chain Lace Big Fat Scarf that shows some real stitching innovation: using chain lace to create an unusual, flowery 3D texture. The last chapter, Color Adventures has one winner project after the other, but I must single out a real tour de force:  a stuffed, intensely colored Triangle Tuffet, (which I would call a pouf and others might call ottoman). I  remember an item like this in my parent's living room when I was a child, but this crochet version is much hipper and more fun. 

What I admire most about Kathy's work are several qualities:  her fresh eye, real sensitivity to fiber and yarn, and the ability to make crochet completely contemporary, not an easy task, but one she pulls off magnificently.

This Interweave book is laid out nicely, though I have some minor quibbles.  Stitch diagrams are enormous, but there are too few good closeups of actual stitches. For me, seeing stitches in detail is as important as a diagram for achieving what the pattern says, especially with Merrick whose stitchwork is not the usual.  Another issue is that the columns are narrow but font size is large, making the contents of the materials pages sometimes hard to read.

Kathy gives excellent advice throughout on color work in general, and picking and arranging colors for each design, and there are very useful technical pages at the end of the volume. This book brings the art of crochet to a very high level indeed.

Contemporary Crochet: 37 European Designs

This book has some strong positives to recommend it:   very stylish and wearable designs for all seasons, and a large number of varied projects.  The stitching and construction are quite simple, the shaping sophisticated but not fussy, a variety of yarns and fibers are used, and the projects are nicely photographed.  Sys Fredens is a Danish designer who first published this book in a Danish edition.  Other than her instructions, the text is written by Martingale staff, in magazine-style go-go prose that supplies more hype than information. 

There are several beautiful skirts, awesome fishnet stockings in hot pink, openwork tops for layering, numerous jackets, sweaters and cardigans, shawls and bags, and a dress. The European sense of style is seen in the attractive combination of casual and chic.  Most items come in 3 sizes and none are larger than typical American large.  

This fine designer deserves to have her work shown in a more artful fashion than it is here. The design of the book is bare.  Instructions are written in a European shorthand style that some Americans will find hard to follow.  Also problematic is a statement made in the book's introduction, which claims that the models shown are

"crocheted with yarn available in Europe, but we've made it easy to find yarn beautiful yarn that's similar, close to home.  Rather than limiting you to a specific fiber and manufacturer, each project lists the type of yarn to use.  Simply refer to the "standard Yarn-Weight system. . . and you'll find the perfect materials for every piece."  

What this means is they tell you the fiber content of the yarn, and its weight by CYCA Yarn Standards number. This limited information is not sufficient for making yarn substitutions.  Yarn weights are notoriously variable, and even if one stitches to gauge the difference in the appearance can be marked if the yarn is slightly thinner or heavier.  The texture and construction of the yarn -- for example, how many plies, can also have a great effect on how stitches actually work up.  The bottom line is, substituting yarns is an art, and doing it casually without much thought to precise yarn-matching will often end in an unsatisfactory outcome, after considerable expense and labor by the crocheter.   I wish publishers would take a more honest approach to these things and help educate consumers, rather than supply the usual platitudes.

Despite reservations, I like this book for its very attractive garments that look they could be worn for years to come, and salute designer Sys Fredens for reaching out to the American public. By Dora Ohrenstein