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The Fine Art Of Crochet (Eyecandy)

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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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Why Brava Yarn Is a Great Choice for Crochet Projects

If your crochet project needs plenty of colour, easy-care yarn and a sensible price, Brava is one of those dependable acrylic yarns worth keeping in mind. Even better, Brava is the Yarn of the Month and is currently 20% off throughout September, with no discount code required.

Brava is a soft, premium acrylic yarn designed for projects that will be used, washed and loved. That makes it particularly useful for crochet blankets, granny-square projects, amigurumi, children’s clothing, baby gifts and everyday accessories.

Why Crocheters Will Love Brava

One of Brava’s biggest selling points is its generous colour range. Granny-square blankets and colourwork projects can quickly require a surprisingly large selection of shades, so having plenty of coordinating colours available makes planning your palette much easier.

It is also available in four different yarn weights. You can choose a lighter option for garments and accessories, a classic weight for blankets and toys or a heavier yarn when you want a quick and cosy project.

Because Brava is acrylic, finished items are easier to care for than projects made with more delicate fibres. This is especially helpful when crocheting baby blankets, toys, pet blankets or gifts for people who may not want to hand-wash their crochet.

What Would I Crochet With Brava?

I would use Brava for a colourful granny-square blanket, a washable baby afghan or a collection of amigurumi toys. It would also be a practical option for donation projects because it combines softness, durability and affordability.

The current 20% discount makes September a good time to experiment with a new colour palette or stock up for a larger crochet blanket. If you have a project sitting in your queue that needs multiple balls of yarn, this might be the little push you needed to finally start it.