Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

VogueKnitting Crochet Magazine 2012 Collector’s Issue

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Have you seen this magazine at your favorite book or craft retailer?  If you have, you must know that it’s a bargain at $6.99!  This issue is full of beautiful crochet designs, the quality of which we have come to expect from Vogue.  However, while there are some haute couture patterns in the mag, there are plenty of other more ‘mainstream’ designs that will appeal to a wide variety of crocheters.  Even the ads are mainly focused on crochet!  Many crochet magazines are full of ads that are truly aimed at knitters rather than crocheters – one of my pet peeves.

In this magazine, you’ll find patterns as well as articles featuring other crochet related topics.  Two really good ones are ‘Fine Finishing for Crocheted Sweaters’ and ‘Decoding Crochet Symbols’.  Patterns include cardigans, shawls, jewelry, button covers, caps, bags, and some other creatively inspired wearables.  You’ll find lots of goodies in this issue, especially lots of inspiration!

While other crochet magazines of lesser quality (and some which are merely compilations of previously printed patterns) cost far more than this magazine.  I find it to be a fantastic value – and a must-have for the crochet library. Vogue Knitting Crochet

Comments

  3. I agree! I snatched this up as soon as I saw it on the newsstand. I also was glad to see most of the ads aimed at crocheters instead of knitters (although I knit too).

    Lots of great patterns, many of which I would actually wear (unlike another high-end crochet mag which shall remain nameless)!

  4. I purchased mine @ Barnes and Noble, but I saw it at WalMart yesterday. I was shocked to see it there. But, yes, it is a wonderful issue. I will be substituting yarns because of the cost, but definately check it out.

  6. This special issue is being issued in the UK under a different name and with a different cover. I believe the patterns and articles are pretty much the same. If your LYS carries “Designer Knitting” magazine, chances are they might also be getting this in soon. I just ordered a copy online from http://www.newsstand.co.uk for £6.01. Hurry they only have 6 copies left. I couldn’t find it elsewhere for sale online in the UK. It’s probably just now starting to ship. I’m looking forward to getting it soon I hope. You can view the different cover/contents here http://www.designerknittingmag.com/crochet.html

  7. I bought the magazine and have reviewed it. Most of the patterns garments and not very enticing to me. The patterns are still offered in the antiquated ‘abbreviated English text’ but they did add quite a few International Symbol Crochet diagrams, too. However, of the International Symbol Crochet diagrams, they show them in two colors, black and a very pale blue. The blue is difficult to see and should be darker.

    They did offer a pattern for a crocheted purse pattern (no. 8) but it the pattern is written in the abbreviated English text.

    Personally, I crochet a lot faster and with more accuracy when using an International Symbol Crochet pattern. Patterns for garments do not usually entice me as they require too many fittings, alterations, recalculations, etc.

    I rank VogueKnitting Crochet 2nd to Crochet Today. It is superior to Crochet! and Crochet World (both of which I have ceased subscriptions).

    VOGUEknitting is getting closer to the edge of modern crocheting, but they have quite a ways to go. Most of the outstanding crocheted items come from Turkey, Greece, Russia, Bolivia, and Chili. Their patterns are almost always provided in International Crochet Symbols. Why? They know that ‘symbols’ are not dependent upon the viewers native language. It is truly, “international”.

    You have a good start VOGUEknitting, but it’s not a ‘bell ringer’ yet!

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.