Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Crochet Yourself A Monster

by

If the cover photo isn’t enough to interest you in this book, there’s more!  This insanely cute book is full of the designs of Brenda K.B.Anderson who designs costumes for the extremely popular Sesame Street Live.  So, she’s got the credentials, right?  I can’t get over how cute some of these ‘monsters’ are.  I bet you’ll agree.

Looking for more Monster patterns? Check out these ones we found on Etsy.

Included in this book are such beastly objects as a Frankenstein lookalike, complete with bride, a large colorful fish bag, a tiki monster pillow, and a scary-cure skull shaped purse.  There are monsters to wear, monsters to store candy, and monsters to hug.  Overall, these 23 designs pretty much cover the whole monster universe.  There’s even a Zombie marionette!

cro robot afghan 0913

My absolute favorite project – and the one that will be the favorite of your little boy – is the Robo-blanky, an afghan showing six different robots.  You’ll get a chuckle out of this one.  In fact, the whole book will tickle your fancy.

After all the designs (great pictures, charts, instructions, and tips), there is perhaps the best couple pages ever written for anyone who wants to crochet animals or characters.  Anderson’s Special Topic, ‘Principles of Cuteness’, gives very specific information about creating cute crochet, quantifying very succinctly how things like eye placement and proportions of projects work to produce cuteness.  This information may well be worth the price of the book alone.  This gal creates those adorable – and sometimes scary cute – Sesame Street Character costumes as well as various sports team mascots, so I’m thinking she really knows her stuff.  This book proves that!

Book Specs:

Beastly Crochet by Brenda K.B.Anderson

Published by Interweave Press, September, 2013

ISBN:  9781596685741

Large softcover, 168 pages, cheerful and useful photographs and charts where appropriate

List Price:  $22.95 USD

Looking for more Zombie Themed Crochet Patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

Comments

  1. I’m really glad to see some more fun crochet choices and not just the traditional, older- style patterns and ideas that my grandmother would’ve done. This is a nice change! 🙂

Have you read?

Lightweight Lacy Crochet Tee Pattern That’s Perfect for Layering

Some crochet garments look beautiful on the hanger but feel awkward to wear. This Lacy Crochet Tee from Lana Grossa is not one of those pieces. It’s light, breathable, and very much designed to be worn — the kind of handmade top that slips easily into your everyday wardrobe without feeling “too precious.”

What immediately stands out is the openness of the stitch pattern. It has that airy, lacy feel that works so well for warmer weather or for layering over a tank or dress. This isn’t a heavy, structured garment; it’s soft and fluid, with just enough texture to make it interesting while still letting the yarn shine.

From a making point of view, this tee is a really enjoyable project if you like crochet that feels calm and rhythmic. The lace pattern keeps your hands engaged without constant counting or frustration, which makes it perfect for evening crochet or quiet weekend sessions. It’s also very satisfying watching the fabric grow — those lacy stitches really show progress quickly.

Skill-wise, this one is best suited to confident beginners moving into intermediate crochet. You don’t need advanced shaping skills, but being comfortable with stitch patterns and keeping even tension will make the process much more enjoyable. If you’ve been wanting to dip your toe into wearable crochet without tackling a full sweater, this is a great place to start.

What I really appreciate about this pattern is how versatile it is. Change the colour and fibre and it can feel casual and beachy or clean and modern. It’s the kind of tee you’ll reach for again and again, especially when you want something handmade that still feels light and effortless.

If you enjoy crochet garments that are wearable, practical, and quietly stylish, this lacy tee is a lovely pattern to have in your collection.