Preview: Vogue Crochet

For the last several years, I've been wishing I were a better crocheter. I can do the basic stitches, and if I take my time, I can do something small, like a flower for embellishment (thanks, Sally!) but I haven't gotten consistent enough to tackle a full-size sweater or other garment.

Which is a real shame, because in the last couple of years, there have been all sorts of wonderful crochet designs being released. Now the people behind Vogue Knitting have released a special collector's issue devoted to crochet. There are some lovely garments and helpful articles, so let's do a quick preview.

In addition to all the usual amenities in a VK magazine (like a yarn shop preview, book reviews, and other features), I found the articles in the Crochet Special Issue particularly helpful. Dora Ohrenstein has written an article about finishing crocheted sweaters, along with some photos demonstrating three techniques; Robyn Chachula has written about crochet symbols and charts, and how to decode them; and Daryl Brower spotlights several fiber artists who incorporate crochet into their work in unusual ways.

But I was really taken with the projects in this magazine. I have been guilty in the past of dismissing crochet for sweaters because of the thickness of the fabric and the lack of drape.  (I've probably also been scarred by growing up in a house full of crocheted 70s afghans...) I must remember that crochet does some things that knitting doesn't do, and when handled by top-notch designers who know their craft, it can be absolutely beautiful, especially in its ability to create fabric and motifs with circular, floral, and lacy detail.

My favorite "story" is called "A Fine Romance," and features lacy, feminine garments. This cowl, designed by Yoko Hatta, is lovely

as is this tunic-length wrap sweater (by Robyn Chachula) that uses joined medallions.

Shiri Mor's mesh socks take a very traditional motif -- the pineapple -- and use it in a very untraditional and sexy way!  (The Lorna's Laces Solemate looks luscious; I'm going to have to get some to try out, too.)

Here's a pretty scalloped sweater designed by Dora Ohrenstein:

and Doris Chan doesn't disappoint with an extremely cleverly-designed lace top. There are flower motifs in it, but it is completely seamless and uses variations on the main motif to achieve the shaping.

Two stories highlight specific designers.  Nicky Epstein (who tried to feel up my underwear at Stitches East last fall) shows off some of her crocheted work, such as this lovely top with embellished neckline:

and a medallion throw.

Mari Lynn Patrick's style is very different, as you can see in her profile, featuring a colorful asymmetric top

and a granny-square tunic.

There's an interesting story featuring crocheted jewelry

and another section with some very appealing and wearable sweaters. This is a terrific jacket in rich red designed by Cristina Mershon;

a mitred wrap by Jane Slicer Smith;

Jennifer Hansen's short-sleeved cardigan with lots of drape;

this terrific long sweater by Lisa Daehline with wrapped dropped stitches;

and a lovely tunic top by Mary Beth Temple.

Kathy Merrick's cover wrap, with medallions in various vivid hues of Rowan's Kidsilk Haze is a stunner.

 
I have to confess to looking through the magazine with an eye on the patterns labeled  "Very Easy" since I am very tempted to pick up a hook and give some of these a whirl....Vogueknitting Crochet is available now, at yarn shops and bookstores; for $6.99, it's a helluva lot of gorgeous crochet for the money.




I was sent a free review copy of the magazine to entice me to review it here, which of course was no hardship.

Crochet fans, rejoice!

I ushered the kids off to school yesterday, and after doing the happy dance on the way home from the bus stop, sat down with a nice cup of coffee to peruse this:


a preview copy of Kathy Merrick's beautiful new book, Crochet in Color: Techniques and Designs for Playing with Color, which will be released by Interweave Press any day now.

It is spectacular.

So today, as a special back-to-school treat, I will present a very special Blossom sneak preview. Let's start with the purpose of the book, the "mission statement," if you will:

I have seen many [crochet] projects that are fascinating and take much technical skill, but even those of us who consider ourselves 'arty' or fashionable may be hard-pressed to wear the finished pieces outside the house. There are also many projects that are practical and usable but not very challenging or exciting to make. My hope is that you will find this book a helpful resources that merges the best of both worlds.

Wearability, fun and challenging to make, and lots of color? Those are lofty goals, but Merrick proves up to the challenge.

Warm Colors Striped Blanket

She begins with a brief introduction and some exercises for working color, then jumps right into the projects. You'll find 17 projects, organized into four categories: One Or Two Colors, Stripes, Color Blocks, and Color Adventures. I doubt I'll be accused of exaggeration when I say that each project is more gorgeous than the last, and all of them are marvelous.

Firefly Cardigan

Chapter 1 features designs done in only a single or two colors of yarn, including an adorable pleated hat; a button-up cardigan, shown above (I like the way the back pleats help give the sweater waist shaping); a bobbly scarf; and the spectacular Granada Shawl. That Grenada Shawl may in and of itself entice me to take the hook back up and practice my crochet, because it is beautiful.

Granada Shawl

Stripes, Chapter 2, features the Tropical Stripe Wrap (a beautiful use of Koigu), a striped blanket (mmm-Malabrigo), and the fetching Butterfly Turtleneck.

Butterfly Turtleneck

Color Blocks features the very charming chain lace scarf (again, a gorgeous blend of various multicolors of Koigu), a block-motif coat, and another stunning wrap called "Autumn Sun" (done in one of my favorites, Trekking XXL sock yarn). But perhaps my favorite in the book is the Urchins and Limpets Blanket, a creative use of texture and muted color.

Urchins and Limpets Blanket

This, dear readers, is cutting edge crochet, the kind of design that is truly innovative and gorgeous.

Splashy Flowers Scarf

Last, you'll find Color Adventures, beginning with the Clover Hat, a pillow with a swirled colorwork design, a tuffet made with wedges of color; a floral-motif scarf (made in Noro Silk Garden), the Circles Table topper (interesting use of perle cotton thread)

Circles Table Topper

and the "Tiny Motif Sweater," a charming short-sleeved number.

The book includes four pages of colorwork techniques, four more pages of finishing techniques and an illustrated glossary of stitches.

Chain Lace Big Fat Scarf

As you'd expect from an Interweave Press book, you've got full color, lots of photos, nice charts, inset boxes with additional tips, a layout that cleverly uses a colorblock motif, all for a MSRP of $22.95 (pre-order for $15.61 by clicking here). The book is paperback and approximately 128 pages.

I don't know from crochet, but I do know what I like, and I like -- make that "love" -- this book. It's full of color, creativity and style, using beautiful yarns and featuring wearable-yet-unconventional projects. So two rousing thumbs-up for a beautiful book and a valuable contribution to crochet design. Well done, my friend; well done.

Coming this fall....

a lovely book full of cro-shay designs by GKIYH pal Kathy Merrick:



Crochet in Color: Techniques and Designs for Playing with Color is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com...

No-Bull Book Review: Loop-d-Loop Crochet, by Teva Durham

My employer did not ask me to come to TNNA this year, so instead, I will provide you with a new book review: Teva Durham's latest design offering, devoted entirely to crochet.

Let me start with two disclaimers*: first, I have met Teva Durham (I took a knitting workshop from her a few years back) and quite liked her. Second, my knowledge of crochet is rudimentary. Okay, now that I've 'fessed up, let's take a look at Loop-d-Loop Crochet: More than 25 Novel Designs for Crocheters (and Knitters Taking Up the Hook), the brand-spankin' new book by Ms. Durham (Stewart Tabori & Chang; MSRP $27.50).



I really liked the very personal introduction to the book. Durham begins by quoting the many reviewers who used that old "not your grandma's knitting book" chestnut in reviewing her first book, Loop-d-Loop, then debunks the idea that her style is somehow unrelated to the beautiful work her grandmothers did. She also frankly discusses her own preconceived notions about crochet, i.e. that it is the "ugly stepsister" of knitting, and tells how she came to change her mind. But the meat of the book is found in the patterns.

The book is divided into five sections based on the type of crochet stitches used. Each chapter contains a paragraph or two in which Durham describes the design, discusses the inspiration for it, and so on -- an interesting quick peek at some of the creative process. Durham uses a variety of yarns: different weights, different fibers, different textures, including some yarns one might not automatically think of for crochet (linen -- ouch!), and yarns from smaller producers. Sizing is generous, and includes larger sizes of forty-some inches in many cases. I also like the way each pattern contains notes in the beginning describing the method of construction (i.e., "this jacket is knit from the top down") and providing good tips (such as observations on the nature of the yarn and how to best work with it).

The first chapter deals with the most straightforward crochet stitches: Single, Half Double, Triple, and Double Triple (Durham uses the American shorthand for stitches instead of the British). There are five patterns in this section: a belt, boots with fabric soles, a skirt (all for women; the skirt is also sized for girls); a bolero jacket for girls, and a unisex set of tunics for adults and kids.



The second section is devoted to net, mesh and filet stitches, and includes a two-color capelet (cool, innit?),



a mesh dress, lovely gloves, a boatneck top and a skirt, all for adult women.

The third section looks at lacy and pineapple stitches, and features a blouse (one of my favorites, shown below),



purse, top, socks and (of all things) hammock with a pineapple motif (beautifully executed, if not the kind of thing I personally am likely to make).

The fourth section covers spikes, clusters, bobbles and puff stitches, and contains a pullover/wrap, a cape and two sweater/jackets.



The last section is called "Semi-Irish, Freeformish, Granny Style," and contains a pattern for a purse, toy, cardigan and hat combo, a shawl and a long sweater-coat. Take a look at this striking design, evocative of the sweep of a mermaid's tail:



Now I'm never going to wear that to the bus stop, but holy crap, it's a great design.

You can probably tell already that, overall, these patterns are creative and fashion-forward. (Damask boots, anyone?)



Many are constructed in a non-linear way, for example, the girl's bolero that is developed as a series of concentric circles that form the back. Many of the designs feature lacy patterns and/or mesh-like stitches; these are predominantly layering pieces, unless you like showing a whole lot of skin -- or your underpants. The curving lines and body-hugging silhouettes evoke a lush, feminine feel, and indeed, the vast majority of the garments are for adult women.

The book is hardcover, about 144 pages, with color photography throughout and high-quality paper and production values. Like its knitting-related predecessor, Loop-d-Loop Crochet contains lush photography by Adrian Buckminster and the book is filled with photographs. Kudos to the publisher for including not only the usual waifish white chicks, but also women of color, plus-size women and women who have already said good-bye to their mid-twenties. It's nice to see some diversity in the model population.

This is not a how-to-crochet book, and I give Durham and her publisher credit for ditching the twenty pages of basic instruction for more designs.

I found this to be a beautiful and inspirational book, yet another badly-needed addition to the crochet pattern oeuvre featuring contemporary and fresh designs (think Interweave Crochet rather than Crochet Fantasy). For me personally, I'm not sure how many of the garments I would be tempted to make but I think this is more a reflection on my own personal style -- which tends to the more traditional -- than anything about the patterns. If you prefer more traditional, classic, conventional fashion, or are looking for conservative designs to, say, wear to the office, then this may not be your cup of tea: not a value judgment, just an observation. But this is a beautiful book, with fresh design ideas and a lovely sensibility. If like me, you keep meaning to practice your crochet, then this book will tempt you to get out that dusty hook. If you are already a proficient crocheter, you will find much to inspire you.


*Do you laugh at my feeble attempts to maintain some sort of "journalistic" integrity?



Next Etsy update

will be Monday, June 5th in the morning. More sock yarns, including merino/silk, in (mostly) bright colors inspired by the summer-like weather Pennsylvania's been having...

Torture trifecta

This deserves an entry all its own.




From Crochet Me.
Yes, Kath, that is (gulp) Koigu.
Thankssssss, Anonymousssssssss. I am speechlessssssssssssssssss.

For my crocheting friends...

... I recently discovered these upcoming releases:

1. Teva Durham's Loop-d-Loop Crochet: More than 25 Novel Designs for Crocheters (and Knitters Taking Up the Hook) with a scheduled release date of May 1st.






2. Couture Crochet Workshop: Mastering Fit, Fashion, and Finesse by Lily Chin, which is, I believe, available now, although I haven't seen it.

3. Sasha Kagan has a new crochet book called Crochet Inspiration. The release date is June 1, and the publicity blurb states:

Containing more than 200 swatch designs in her signature style, this is a must-have manual for beginning and experienced stitchers alike. Special chapters on fabric, motifs, grannies, and flowers highlight a myriad of patterns, including beautiful lace, shell, and cluster stitch variations, and gorgeous circular and hexagonal designs. Each chapter also includes stunning garments, such as a classic Chanel cropped jacket in woven mesh, a lacy shawl with leaf embellishments, and a 1920’s cloche cap covered in crocheted blossoms. Every one has a special individuality that transcends “here today, gone tomorrow” trends, so crocheters will enjoy these for a long time.

4. Just to torture Kathy, please turn your attention to Mr. Funky's Super Crochet Wonderful by Narumi Ogawa, coming out in July from North Light Books. I'm not a very good crocheter, but man, for ten or twelve bucks, I think I'd buy this one just for the title.



And last, and probably least,

5. Kooky Crochet: 30 Remarkably Wacky Projects by Linda Kopp, also due in July.



As the promotional blurb asks (rhetorically?)," Who could resist the kitsch of Sunnyside Up Potholders and the fun techno-geek tote bag embellished with emoticons? Or, rather than working with ordinary yarn or thread, try using nylon mason’s twine (for leg warmers), marabou boas, and even plastic bags." Nylon-twine legwarmers? Um, I think I'll take a pass on that one.