Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

THE BEADED EDGE

by

This beautiful book, full of crochet beaded confections, is due for publication very soon.  It’s another beauty from Interweave Press.

If there’s anything you want to edge with beads, this book has a project or an idea to suit you.  The delicious colors and beads used will have all crocheters running to the bead shop to pick out just the right beads to edge everything in the house!

Have you ever considered adding butterflies to the hem of your sweater, berry clusters to your pants pockets, or stars to your scarf?  You will now! The frothiest confection in this book is the wedding ensemble – a delicate, exquisitely edged veil with gloves, ring pillow, and bridal pouch to match.  Other projects include candle drapes, a lariat necklace, curtain and shade edgings – even adding a delicate beaded edge to a jelly jar makes it special.  There is something in this book for everyone who likes to see the words crochet and bead in the same sentence.  You will not be disappointed.

The designer of all these beauties is Midori Nishida of Japan (and will remind you of an Ondori book if you’re familiar with those) who was influenced by Turkish edgings and includes a detailed article about the Turkish edgings.

The true strength of this book – after you’ve stopped drooling over the designs – is the 27 pages of instructions.  These are detailed with charts, photos, written patterns, and diagrams.  The photographs are very detailed just where you need them to be.  I can’t recall another book (except for Ondori) where this much care or this many pages are devoted to actually creating the designs. Further, at $17.95, it’s a bargain!

BOOK SPECS:

The Beaded Edge, Inspired Designs for Crocheted Edgings and Trims by Midori Nishida/CRK Designs

Interweave Press, 2010

Glossy soft back with 87 pages and numerous color photos, B&W photos, diagrams, and charts

$17.95 USD

Comments

  4. I am disappointed in the book in a way… while it is lovely they do not include the if they have a picture in the book it leads you to believe the pattern is in the book , its misleading because in this book they leave all the cover picture patterns out, I was not happy with that

Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.