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Interweave Crochet Staff Favorites

Jan 20, 2011 by Toni Rexroat

The holidays are over, and I am planning my crochet projects for the coming year—of course I’m sure I’ll add a few projects from the next issue of Interweave Crochet. I’m also looking at my crochet library and what books, magazines, or DVDs I need to add. I have purchased copies of many of the Interweave books for my home library, but I am still missing a few of my new favorites. And now is the perfect time to shop. It's the Winter Wipeout Sale, and I love good sale! So I’ve picked a couple of my top must-haves and asked Marcy and Sarah to share theirs as well.

   

Toni's Favorites

Crochet Motif   Crochet Motif
     

Blueprint Crochet: Modern Designs for the Visual Crocheter
By Robyn Chachula

Crochet lace captivates me. The graphic stitches paired with airy spaces show off the architectural beauty of crochet as you create shapes with fiber. Robyn Chachula is a genius at crafting the exquisiteness of crochet lace. Many of her projects in Blueprint Crochet remind me of stained glass or flowers. And with lace so much in fashion these days, I‘ll be referring to this book often. For my first project, I am debating between the Raeanne Shawl Sweater (above left on cover) and the Katie Bolero.

 

I love the fact that for those of us who are visual crocheters, Robyn has included multiple stitch diagrams for each project and layout diagrams for motif constructed projects.

Harmony Guide: Crochet Stitch Motifs
By Erika Knight

At least once a week, I find myself hunting through my bookshelf at work for the Harmony Guide: Crochet Stitch Motifs. Many of the pages are dog-eared and marked with sticky notes. I have worked many of the motifs in a variety of yarn weights, from thread to bulky cotton, and used them to embellish everything from skirts to hats to bags. This is also the book most often "borrowed" from my shelf by new crocheters at the office. They love adding the simple flowers to headbands and hats.


The full stitch diagrams make it easy to really see how the motifs are constructed and adapt the motifs to a variety of projects. And each motif will inspire a hundred project ideas.

Sarah's Favorites
   

Interweave Crochet Compilation CD’s

I’m a bit of a completist when it comes to collections of books or magazines. I think it comes of having been a librarian, but it drives me crazy when I have an incomplete set of something. (I can’t tell you how long I have suffered because my copy of Harry Potter Book 4 is a different edition from the rest of the set).

 

That same suffering existed with my set of Interweave Crochet magazines. I had most of them, collected as they came out, but somewhere along the line, I missed a few. Unbearable! So I was quite relieved when these became available as CDs. My inner cataloguer sighed with relief.		  

Yarn Ball Motif Gift Bag and Tags

Yarn is how I tell people I love them. When I crochet a gift, there is affection in every stitch. I think handmade gifts deserve special presentation, so I always try to step it up with special wrapping.

 

After all, you want to make sure people know that they are not just getting a hat. This is an important hat. You made that hat. And they better wear it. These bags and tags are a great way to subtly imply that message without making a scene.


 
     
Marcy's Favorites
   

 
200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws and Afghans
By Jan Eaton

I love this book for the sheer abundance of crochet potential in it. Two hundred designs! And Jan Eaton provides lots of ideas for combining these squares in various ways. But the real secret is in the potential beyond the squares: Think pattern stitches for cardigans or pullovers — solid, lacy, or both. Think motifs for sweater designs, embellishment, or tiny jewelry. The really smart picture index helps you see all the patterns at a glance. This is a terrific resource that you'll turn to again and again for inspiration.
   Crochet Edgings & Trims: Harmony Guides
By Kate Haxell

When you're looking for just the right way to finish off a garment, this is the place to turn. But once you get there, your mind will begin to see more possibilities. That Jekyll Border, for instance, worked in a heavier yarn, would make a fabulous window valance. That dangly Clematis would make a really fun hair adornment, especially if you add a Curlicue. (In fact, it's taking all my restraint right now not to sit down with a hatbox full of yarn and just start swatching.) There's so much potential for creative exploration here! And you'll broaden your technique repertoire as well.
     

I'm currently making room on my bookshelf for the new books I will be purchasing at the sale and planning the projects from them that I will move to the top of my list. Don't let this fantastic sale pass without adding to your crochet library.

Best wishes,

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Comments

 
gertie1208 wrote
on Jan 20, 2011 10:54 AM

It would be really great to have all of these as downloads too!  I have an iPad and am trying to be greener when it comes to patterns --> no more printing and no more book buying.

gertie1208 wrote
on Jan 20, 2011 10:56 AM

It would be really great to have all of these as downloads too!  I have an iPad and am trying to be greener when it comes to patterns --> no more printing and no more book buying.

eskanos wrote
on Jan 27, 2011 5:43 AM

timing couldn't be better for the new free hat book; I just learned broomstick lace-with a 1/2" pvc pipe-and needed something to make!

Toni Rexroat wrote
on Jan 27, 2011 9:39 AM

Eskanos, I love the idea of using PVC pipe. Very inventive!

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