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The Fine Art Of Crochet (Eyecandy)

by

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This stunning book is full of amazing crochet projects, proving that crochet is far more than granny squares and afghans!  When taken into the ‘fine art’ category, there are a few crochet designers who elevate this craft to an art – a fine art.  Gwen Blakley Kinsler is both a crochet artist and the author who has gathered an array of fine art into this enticing book.

Twenty contemporary crochet artist are featured in this book.  Using ‘string’ as fine as gold wire and as humble as plastic shopping bags, they demonstrate creativity and diversity in museum quality pieces.  Along with the ‘string’, many of the designs include other materials like wood, findings of heavy metal, river rock, and enamel butterflies.  From the magic of freeform to the discipline of tapestry crochet, there is art both representational and purely imaginative.

In addition to the twenty crochet artist whose work is featured in this book, Gwen is herself a wonderful crochet artist.  This is an example of her work and is one of my favorites, Crochet Queen:  A Self Portrait, which one a CGOA award in 1995.

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While you might not recognize the name of every artist featured in this book, you will certainly understand why their work was included.  Each is a masterpiece of creativity and some are pure artistry using repurposed materials.  From the influence of Irish Crochet seen in a necklace/collar piece to the whimsy of a plastic ‘garden’ to portrait work, there is much to love about this book!

Book Specs:

The Fine Art Of Crochet by Gwen Blakley Kinsler

AuthorHouse Publishers, 2013

106 page oversized soft cover with numerous color photos (no patterns)

ISBN 9781481731867

$34.99 USD

 

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Free Purple Witch Hat Keychain Crochet Pattern – Cute Halloween Bag Charm

If you love those tiny crochet projects that use hardly any yarn but still look ridiculously cute, this little witch hat is worth adding to your Halloween list.

The Free Purple Witch Hat Keychain Crochet Pattern on CraftBits is worked from the top down in one main piece, so there is very little sewing together at the end. You start with the pointed purple hat, add a black band, work the brim, then finish it off with a tiny gold buckle and that classic crooked witch-hat shape.

It is exactly the sort of project I like for leftover yarn. You only need small amounts of purple, black and gold, which means those odd little yarn balls we all refuse to throw away finally have a purpose.

The finished hat can be attached to a keyring or bag clip, but you could also use it as a Halloween tree ornament, zipper charm, gift topper or even string several together to make a spooky little garland.

I also love how easy it would be to change the colours. Try orange and black, green and purple, or cream and dusty pink for a softer cottage-witch look.

If you are in a Halloween crochet mood, you might also like our roundup of Free Halloween Crochet Patterns You Can Make in a Day or these 15 Spider Web Crochet Patterns for Halloween.

This is a quick, beginner-friendly Halloween crochet project that would be especially cute for party favours, market stalls or little handmade gifts.

Grab the full pattern here: Free Purple Witch Hat Keychain Crochet Pattern – Mini Halloween Bag Charm.