Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

LOVE IT – HATE IT – GOTTA HAVE IT……

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Crochet. I love all the new books and magazines out there with great color pictures of wonderful crochet sweaters, doilies, totes, shrugs, etc. I even like it that there are patterns for Barbie and Ken, teddy bears, and skateboarders.

I hate that so many of those ‘new’ patterns we are buying are recycled reprobates rescued from the rubbish by virtue of new yarns and more modern color combinations.

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Elizabeth Hiddleson catalog
I mean, you can’t really find better doilies than Elizabeth Hiddleson,

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better sweaters than Sylvia Kosh, better afghans than Jessie Abularach.

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Lily Chen book

It’s great that Lily Chen,

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Melissa Leapman, and others are all over those new yarns. But, where is the originality??

I guess we have to call cellphone

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and ipod holders ‘new’ because the aforementioned ‘classic’ crochet designers never saw such things during their heyday. Just like most of us have little need for hot water bottle holders and elbow length gloves. But, what else is new out there in crochet-land?

I suppose there is truly a finite number of items that can be created with stitches that rely solely on chains and single crochets (doubles, trebles, etc. just being extensions of those). So, new yarn fibers, natural or synthetic, and trendy color combinations are what pass for new, exciting, and fresh in our crochet world.

I admit that I do find new yarns and fresh color combinations to be inspirational. They get my hooks moving. But, I find that I wind up making the same patterns again and again, seldom finding a ‘new’ pattern that is actually stimulating. But, I continue to buy the books and magazines – because I must be a sucker for the slick photography!

So, what’s new in your crochet world? Am I missing something??

Fine Print – to find who made what in the pictures above, go to google.com, click on images, and enter the name of the item in the dialog box – for instance, ‘crochet ipod holder’, and you’ll find all of them. Couldn’t find an image of Jessie Abularach for some reason.

PS – So, what book do I crave now??? Even ‘tho I KNOW that I have other books that will contain a lot of the stitches in this book. But, I gotta have it!

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THE COMPLETE BOOK OF CROCHET STITCH DESIGNS
by Linda Schapper

Comments

  2. I have a similar, but old book called “The Encyclopedia of Kitting and Crochet Sttich Patterns by Linda Mariano” I will never in this lifetime have enough time to do all these stitches. The book contains over 600 patterns-319 knitting and 352 crochet stitch patterns….Oh what a delema!!!

  3. I am fairly new to crochet, but that has not stopped me from dreaming up useful items to crochet. There are items that I would like to crochet but I have not found patterns for. Perhaps these are original ideas? First of all, I want to crochet a warm, sexy nightgown. I am imagining a bikini top (lots of cleavage) attached to a full back, long sleeves and a full length lacy skirt; all lined with cotton flannel (acrylic yarn makes my skin itch.)It gets cold here and being sensitive to the cold my DH won’t see an inch of skin until late spring unless I get creative. I would also like to crochet some tights (maybe to go with the nightgown?) Finally, I would like to crochet a sideways pullover for my son. The pullovers that I have crochet so far have very little sideways stretch, which seems to be characteristic of crochet, making them very difficult to put on. I am sure there are many new items that can be crocheted if we look into our own lives and figure out what’s missing. However, we must not forget the classics…there is a reason for them being classics: we never get bored with them!

    NOT SHOUTING HERE – JUST WANT TO DIFFERENTIATE MY COMMENTS FROM PAMS::

    PAM, I THINK YOU CAN FIND SOME OF THE PATTERNS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ONLINE, AND FOR FREE, ESPECIALLY THE SIDE TO SIDE PULLOVER SWEATER.  GOOGLE THOSE TERMS AND SEE WHAT YOU COME UP WITH.  ANOTHER IDEA IS TO LOOK AT DEBBIE STOLLER’S THE HAPPY HOOKER, AVAILABLE IN BOOK STORES AND LIBRARIES.  IT’S A GREAT BOOK.  ANOTHER, OLDER BOOK THAT MIGHT HELP YOU IS THE ADVENTUROUS CROCHETER BY DELIA BROCK.  BROCK OFFERS INFORMATION ON CREATING GARMENTS WITH A MODULAR TECHNIQUE AS WELL AS OTHER USEFUL HINTS.

    jd

  4. I agree with what you are saying! This is why I have let all of my crochet magazine subscriptions expire. There just hasn’t been anything that I couldn’t look at and say “I could make that without a pattern!”. The exception is the Crochet! Magazine has some new and interesting items, although the new yarns are helping with the newness. But all of the clothes seem to be designed for 16-20 year old SKINNY women to wear, not for 30-40 NOT-SO-SKINNY me.
    BTW…I have that Sylvia Cosh sweater book…LOVE it!
    Do you think that all of the availabe free patterns are making it harder to get crochet patterns published? What do you think the periodicals are looking for?
    love, deBBie
    http://www.debbittybears.com

  5. Hi JD – I’ve got you down in my Pay It Forward challenge. Come back and steal the text, image, whatever you like so you can post it on your site, too! Please email me with your contact info when you get a chance.
    Shawnee
    Ravelry: CrochetCupcake

Have you read?

The Miffy Crochet Book Review: 16 Sweet Projects for Bunny Lovers

Some characters need elaborate outfits and a whole collection of accessories to be recognisable. Miffy manages it with two long ears and the simplest little face. There is something rather lovely about that, especially when you’re looking for crochet projects that feel sweet without being overly fussy.

The Miffy Crochet Book brings that familiar storybook charm to a collection of handmade toys, decorations and home accessories. If you have a Miffy fan in the family, or you’re rather fond of the little bunny yourself, this is a crochet book worth a closer look.

What appeals to me is the possibility of making several coordinating gifts from one collection. A bunny is lovely on its own, but a bunny with a matching blanket? That is how a small project quietly becomes an entire gift basket.

What Is The Miffy Crochet Book?

Created by crochet designer Kimberley Zwaans, with designs based on Dick Bruna’s illustrations, this official Miffy crochet book is published by Search Press.

The 128-page paperback contains 16 projects, with a mixture of smaller makes and larger pieces. You can find The Miffy Crochet Book at Knit Picks.

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

More Than a Miffy Bunny Crochet Pattern

The collection includes Miffy and friends as amigurumi toys, alongside projects such as a blanket, motif cushion and moon-and-stars mobile.

There is also a birthday theme, with a crochet cake, placemats, bunting and a crown. That gives the book an appeal beyond toy making, particularly if you enjoy creating decorations that can come out again for family celebrations.

I like that mixture. Sometimes you want a small character project with a face to embroider. Other times, a larger piece of crochet is exactly what you want beside your chair for the evening.

The collection uses seven yarn shades, which gives it a cohesive feel. You will still need to check the quantities and requirements for each project before shopping. Seven colours does not necessarily mean seven balls, much as our yarn budgets might wish otherwise.

Is It Suitable for Beginners?

The publisher describes the book as beginner-friendly and says it includes illustrated guidance for the key stitches. There are also projects offering more challenge.

My practical advice is to choose your first make by the techniques involved, rather than simply picking the smallest item. Small amigurumi pieces can require quite a bit of counting, shaping and careful assembly.

If working in the round is still new territory, our magic ring crochet tutorials for beginners are useful preparation. You can also build confidence with these easy crochet projects that start with a magic loop.

Before starting, check the book’s stitch terminology, recommended yarn and hook size. Those details matter more than choosing a colour that happens to look lovely in the basket.

The Appeal, and What to Consider

For me, the strongest selling point is the coordinated theme. This would be particularly appealing for crocheters who love Miffy, enjoy character projects or want several related handmade gift ideas.

The narrower theme is also something to consider before buying. If you prefer a crochet book packed with different animals and styles, this collection may feel too specific. Its appeal depends on how much you enjoy Miffy’s simple, recognisable world.

Simple faces also deserve careful finishing. A tiny change in eye placement or the angle of an ear can alter a character’s expression, so I would allow time for pinning and checking before sewing everything permanently.

If you would like a separate bunny project to try first, our free kawaii bunny crochet pattern on CraftBits offers another option. It is a different pattern, rather than an extract from this book.

Who Would Enjoy This Book?

I would put The Miffy Crochet Book on the shortlist for a crocheter who enjoys nostalgic characters and likes the idea of making a coordinated collection.

The combination of toys, home accessories and celebration projects gives those 16 designs several different uses. You could choose one special make or gradually work towards a whole Miffy-themed gift.

That is the charm for me: familiar, cheerful designs with room to make something personal. Just decide which project you’re starting before buying the yarn. Otherwise, “one little bunny” has a habit of acquiring a blanket, bunting and its own birthday party.