Title: 100 Lace Flowers to Crochet

Author: Caitlin Sainio

Book Review by Reneé Rodgers (www.crochetrenee.com)

Sainio, also the author of 100 Snowflakes to Crochet, brings us a second volume of beautiful thread crochet. Along with the self-described lace flowers, there are also directions for several lace leaves, a dragonfly, a caterpillar and a couple of butterflies. This volume includes both written and charted patterns for each individual motif. But Sainio doesn’t stop there. She also gives several ideas for different applications for the flowers, leaves and insects, including using them as stand-alone projects, such as napkin rings, corsages and a cute garland, as well as using them as embellishment on ready-made items, such as clothing and home décor items, such as pillows. Really, one is only limited by their own imagination. I am picturing jewelry, hair accessories, glass cozies, wine glass markers…the list is endless! One could even explore making the motifs in heavier yarn and larger hooks for afghans or freeform applications.

While this book may not be appropriate for a brand new crocheter, there is a nice crochet refresher course at the front of the book, which includes instructions on how to read symbol crochet.  The reader is also treated to several eye-pleasing “Floral Collection” photos at the front of the book that will entice you to grab a hook and some thread. Several varieties of flowers are represented here and there are no doubt a large enough variety of blooms to satisfy any flower-loving crocheter. Get your copy and crochet your own flower garden! 

(St. Martin’s Griffin, June 2013; 128 pages, $21.99, ISBN: 978-1-250-01903-5)

Full disclosure: A free review copy of 100 Lace Flowers to Crochet was provided by St. Martin's Griffin. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review.  My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review: 75 Floral Blocks to Crochet

Title: Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Tunisian Crochet

Title: 75 Floral Blocks to Crochet: Beautiful Patterns to Mix and Match for Afghans, Throws, Baby Blankets and more
Author: Betty Barnden

Book Review by Marie Segares (www.undergroundcrafter.com)

Bestselling British needlecrafts author Betty Barnden has created a book of crochet motifs inspired by flowers.

In the introduction, Betty explains that her love of gardening inspired her to create floral blocks. Some of the patterns are modifications of traditional motif patterns with abstract floral influences, while others are complex designs that attempt to literally capture the look of different flowers. The book features motifs of different shapes (circles, diamonds, hexagons, squares, and triangles), but blocks of the same shape are made the same size so they can be easily combined. The samples in the book are made with DK (sport weight) yarn and a size E crochet hook and measure between 5-6 inches.

The book starts with a 20-page section called Useful Techniques. This includes a review of yarn and hooks, an overview of US pattern abbreviations and stitch symbols (including a thorough explanation of the significance of different arrangements of symbols and tips for reading charts in the round or in rows), tips for making stunning motifs (including techniques for invisible finishes, weaving in ends, and starting in the round), and a chart that explains the care symbols on yarn ball bands. There are also tips for arranging blocks, blocking, joining motifs, and planning block projects. The section on edgings includes tips for working around the sides and corners as well as 6 patterns for edgings.

The next section is a 20-page Directory of Blocks which includes a photograph of each block, arranged thematically by color/garden inspiration. Each block includes the pattern name and page number where the pattern appears.

The Instructions section is the meat of the book, and includes instructions for 78 motif patterns arranged by shape. Each pattern includes the difficulty level and the method of construction, a large photo, and a pattern written with US pattern abbreviations and stitch symbols. There is a key to stitch symbols at the beginning of each pattern, making this a great book for those new to stitch symbols.

The final section, Projects, includes assembly instructions for four projects made with the motif patterns from the book: a hexagon throw; lined, frame purses using different shaped blocks; a cushion made from squares; and a triangle motif scarf.

75 Floral Blocks to Crochet includes blocks in a variety of shapes. In spite of the floral inspiration, many are abstract enough to make unisex designs with different color choices. The book is the only major compendium of motif patterns I’ve seen that includes blocks constructed in decreasing rows or diagonally. The use of both written abbreviations and stitch symbols, the range of skill levels included in the patterns, and the technique tips shared makes this book a great choice for a broad range of crocheters. This book would appeal to crocheters who love motifs or portable projects, those who want to learn to read stitch symbols, and crocheters who enjoy working with color.

Motif types: 13 triangles, 26 squares, 6 diamonds, 20 hexagons, and 13 circles.

Skill levels: 33 Easy projects, 34 Intermediate projects, and 11 advanced projects.

Construction methods: 64 in rounds, 4 in rows, 1 diagonally, 2 decreasing in rows, and 7 combining two construction methods.

Retail price: $21.99

Full disclosure: A free review copy of 75 Floral Blocks to Crochet was provided by St. Martin's Press. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review.  My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review: 100 Snowflakes to Crochet

Title: 100 Snowflakes to Crochet

Author: Caitlin Sainio

Book Review by Marie Segares (www.undergroundcrafter.com)

As we move towards the winter, crocheted snowflakes seem to be cropping up everywhere. In 100 Snowflakes to Crochet, Caitlin shares snowflake basics, 100 fun patterns, and seven project ideas to get you started on a great snowflake project.  

The Basics chapter reviews materials, techniques for blocking and finishing, and pattern abbreviations and symbols, and provides an illustrated review of basic crochet stitches. For more advanced crocheters, Caitlin provides tips for designing your own snowflake patterns.

A 20-page snowflake showcase features pictures of each snowflake along with the name of the pattern and the page where it can be found. The Snowflake Patterns section includes 100 patterns, each with a brief introduction, a listed finished size, and the yardage used. (Caitlin uses size 10 crochet thread and a US 5/1.9 mm hook for all of the patterns in this book.)  

The patterns are shown with both US pattern abbreviations and international stitch symbols, and are also arranged in order of difficulty. To keep the book visually interesting, the snowflake samples are made in several colors.

The final chapter, Projects, includes pictures of seven projects made with the snowflake patterns in the book, along with a paragraph explaining how to assemble the project. 

This book would be a great fit for threadies, crocheters who enjoy motif patterns, and those looking for unique and beautiful winter holiday projects. If you are a thread crochet newbie, Caitlin provides some tips for getting comfortable with thread and starching in this interview.  I’ve been motivated to dust off the steel hooks and start on a set of snowflake cards for the holiday season.

Project types: 100 snowflake motif patterns, 5 home décor and 2 accessories projects.

Skill levels: Not listed, but arranged in order of difficulty. 

Retail price: $21.99

Full disclosure: A free review copy of 100 Snowflakes to Crochet was provided by St. Martin's Press. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review.  My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review: Simple Crocheting

Title: Simple Crocheting, A Complete How-To-Crochet Workshop with 20 Projects
Author: Erika Knight

Book Review by Reneé Rodgers (www.crochetrenee.com)

The title of Knight’s latest book delivers what it promises. In Simple Crocheting, Knight strives to create a set of instructions which makes the art of crochet accessible to everyone. The author gives an excellent breakdown of yarns, hooks, gauge, project selection, pattern reading, abbreviations, and stitch formation. Each basic technique, from making a slip knot and holding the hook (with a brief nod to the lefties out there), to working all of the basic stitches, how many turning chains are needed when working back and forth as well as working in the round, are all described in good detail with step-by-step line drawings accompanying the written directions. Knight also provides this kind of detail when describing finishing and seaming.

I especially like the basic stitch library included in the book. Knight has included all of the basic stitches for reinforcement, as well as a small selection of lace and textured stitches. With no more than two stitch patterns per page, each is provided with written as well as charted instructions, and a generously-sized photograph of a completed swatch with a little extra note on each with ideas for usage. In total, there are 16 different stitch patterns in the library, including 4 basic motifs.

Nine of the projects are home décor, including three throws. The balance of the projects are fashion or fashion accessories, including a couple of jewelry projects. The only actual garment is Knight’s Asymmetrical Cardigan, which makes effective use of a super bulky weight yarn and an N-size hook to create a lacy cardi that reminds me a bit of a wearable flower garden. No doubt this garment would work up very quickly and be a cozy layering piece one could create with a definite instant gratification factor. 

Knight has also included projects that utilize yarns of all different weights, from laceweight to the super bulky and everything in between. She even includes a section on creating your own yarn from fabric strips. Two of the projects utilizing such yarn include a round rug and a pet bed. All of the projects in the book, if followed in order, would indeed lead a beginning crocheter step-by-step through the necessary skills needed to create successful crochet projects. By the end of the book, you would no longer be a beginner!

Simple Crocheting is an excellent book for those who wish to begin crocheting, and some of the projects would even appeal to a more advanced crocheter as well. The photography in this book is very well done, as are the line drawings. I believe Simple Crocheting, along with a couple of skeins of yarn and a hook, would also make an excellent gift for anyone you might know who desires to learn to crochet. 

(St. Martin’s Press, 2012, 144 pages, $24.99, ISBN 978-1-250-01621-8)

Full disclosure: A free review copy of Simple Crocheting was provided by St. Martin's Press. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review.  My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.