Crochet

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CROCHET BELTS FROM THE HIP – An E-Book Review

by

Have you ever ordered an e-book? Do you have a waist? I remember having a waist……..

But, I had never ordered an e-book before. I must confess that I thought e-books were probably lame attempts to self-publish substandard work that a reputable publisher wouldn’t purchase. Wrong!! This book is a delight. It’s 34 pages of color photographs, ‘Straight From Tioday’s Designers’ – names that we all know in the world of crochet.

Crochet belts from the hip is no longer in publication.

Even if you don’t have a waist, you can still use the designs in this book. The range here is remarkable and charming. From the simplest little chained belt from Vashti Braha to the show-stopping focal piece from Margaret Huber, there is something here for everyone. Further, many of these designs could be used as necklaces or enlarged with extra rows to become scarves. Embellished with elaborate stitch detail, beads, buttons, and buckles, each belt is a mini masterpiece. No kidding!

To further whet your appetite, I’ll give you a preview of the many designers whose work is included here: Kinsler, Guzman, Crone-Findlay, Chachula, Ohrenstein, Chan, Best, Gentry, and more. Interested yet?

Kim Guzman\'s Tunisian Belt

Another thing that appeals to me about this book (okay, I’m dropping the e-book term because this IS a book), is that it is a compilation of timely designs that was taken from concept to execution in about two months! That’s remarkable in itself. We usually get crochet patterns at the end of a trend rather than at the beginning because it takes so long to get from the designer’s mind to the pages of a book or magazine. Amy O’Neill Houck came up with the idea for this book one day, and two months later, it’s a reality.

So, what’s here? A simple, delicate but effective belt, edged in simple beads from Angela Lavonne Best. A couple of tunisian goodies, one from Kim Guzman and one from Doris Chan. A fun and funky piece of whimsy from Noreen Crone-Findlay. Pineapples, picots, popcorns, circles, waves, and even a felted belt. You gotta’ love it.

As with sewn garments where buttons often ‘make’ the design, several of these belts are set off nicely by the designer’s choice of buckles and/or beads. Some of the belts are focal waist definers. Others are hip-hugging accessories that will go from dress to jeans.

On my to-do list are two definites – Vashti’s Barbed Wire Belt and Lavonne’s Beaded Lacy Sash. Check out this collection and you’ll find your own must-makes.

STATS:

Thirty Four pages, nineteen designs, color photos, some symbol designs

www.SFTDOnline.com to order or contact the publisher(s)

$15.00 USD

 

Comments

  1. Hi JD
    Actually, it took a whloe lot longer than 2 months! We got together last July at the CGOA National conference in NH and decided to do the book.
    It was a group decision, although there are a bunch of technical wizards in the group who went above and beyond the call of duty.

    Also, the book has taken us a year to publish, not 2 months. Lots of hard work and a steep learning curve!

    I agree that it’s really a fine book, and I am very proud and happy to be part of it!

    Thanks a million for the positive review, JD!
    Love your blog :o)
    Noreen

Have you read?

Free Christmas Worry Worm Crochet Pattern With a Printable Gift Card

There’s something rather lovely about a handmade gift that says, “I was thinking of you,” without needing a large box, expensive supplies or three weeks of frantic crocheting.

Our Christmas worry worm is a sweet little example. It has a curly body, a smiling embroidered face and a pointed Santa hat, plus a decorative printable gift card that turns a small crochet project into a thoughtful festive present.

And yes, those little leftover balls of Christmas yarn finally have a job. Apparently, keeping them all was entirely reasonable.

A Christmas Twist on the Crochet Worry Worm

If you’ve enjoyed our original crochet worry worm project, this Christmas version offers a different construction and a festive finish.

The body is a narrow crochet corkscrew, while the head is a separate, lightly stuffed ball worked in continuous rounds. A small hat with a contrasting brim completes the character.

What I particularly like about this design is that the Christmas detail comes from the colours and that tiny hat. There are no fiddly fingers, miniature boots or elaborate accessories to sew together. The curly body gives it plenty of personality all by itself.

What Skills Will You Need?

This free Christmas worry worm crochet pattern uses chains, single crochet, increases, decreases and slip stitches. You’ll also need to work a magic ring, embroider a simple face and sew the three components together.

I’d describe it as an easy project for someone comfortable with basic crochet stitches and ready to try small amigurumi pieces. The tiny hat rounds may require a little patience, especially if you usually make blankets with a lovely big hook.

The materials are straightforward: DK or 8-ply yarn, a 3 mm hook, a little stuffing, black embroidery thread and a yarn needle.

Choose smooth yarn so you can see your stitches clearly. Fluffy yarn might look festive in the ball, but finding four tiny stitches in a magic ring is quite enough excitement without hiding them under eyelash fibres.

Make Santa, Elf or Snowy Christmas Versions

The same construction works in several Christmas colour combinations:

  • Traditional Santa: A red curly body, cream head and red hat with a white brim.
  • Christmas elf: A green body and green hat with a contrasting red brim.
  • Snowy Christmas friend: A white body and head, finished with a red-and-white Santa hat.

The faces are embroidered, and the hat tip has a few white stitches rather than a separate pompom. Keep those details simple and let the colour combinations do the decorating.

If seasonal variations are your weakness, our Easter bunny worry worm pattern is another idea to save for your next round of small handmade gifts.

The Printable Christmas Gift Card Makes It Feel Special

The accompanying printable card is the detail that brings this project together.

Watercolour-style poinsettias, holly, red bows and gold accents frame a short verse, with To and From lines for your message. A pale green space on the right holds