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I have dreams of someday crocheting a garment for myself, but it’s really unlikely that will ever happen. I just don’t have the time to develop all the skills needed for that particular kind of craft.
But I’m super excited about Linda Permann‘s new book, Crochet Adorned. Linda’s taken the genius approach of crocheting pretty trims and motifs, and then using those to customize readymade garments.
There are so many cute ideas in this book! Linda offers 20 patterns, plus a 100-stitch dictionary, so you have the raw materials to make endless wearables. And housewares! There are quite a few cute crocheted decor items, too.
How adorable is that scalloped edging? And the instructions for calculating just how long to make the trim are very clear and helpful. (This isn’t like store-bought lace, that you can cut to size. You actually need to crochet this trim to the correct lengths to edge the coat.)
I also love the many cute crochet motifs, and how they’re applied to things like bags, pillows, aprons, and such. What a simple way to dress up a plain tote like this!
There are also smaller projects like these earrings…
…And interesting dimensional stuff like this stiffened bowl. Each project has its pattern expressed in both written abbreviations and modern stitch diagrams, so any crocheter can plunge in.
There are projects that are great for beginners (like those earrings) and projects for more advanced crocheters and seamsters, like this top:
I’d say that it would probably help if you had at least some garment sewing experience before you tackled a project like this. But for a simpler idea, like adding trim to that trench coat up above, a beginner should have no problems.
Also for beginners, the basic stitches are nicely illustrated, and there’s a very clear and thorough Basics chapter.
Definitely take a closer look at this one – there are so many wonderful clothing possibilities in it!
Hey, Locals!
Come meet Linda, see the book, and get your copy signed this Thursday, 8/13 at Powell’s downtown. The fun begins at 7:30 pm.
You can also see Linda (and fondle yarn) at Yarn Garden, 1:00 pm on Saturday, 8/15.
Great review. I've been stalking Linda's blog and coveting this book for a while. Of course, I'll have to wait until I'm back in the US to get it, but it's great to see some of these projects! I have about 6 new crochet books from the summer to keep me happy until then! <3 BTW, Sister Diane, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be crocheting!! It was your craftypod episode where you described it (and made it sound easy) that inspired me to actually take up the hook. Cheers!!
Really! That's super wonderful! I live to enable new obsessions. :-)
I totally want that book. It looks great. Linda is such a genius at that kind of stuff! And I love the idea of adding crochet to readymade stuff – it makes sense for people with a short attention span. Ahem. Not pointing any fingers.
Heh – yeah, me either. :-)
This looks like a must-have book. I want it.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
I finally learned how to crochet so will check out this book :)
Looks like a lovely book for someone for Christmas
Wow I think this is going to the top of my list for sure. Thank you for the in-depth review!
This hardly seems fair, I couldn't stand it any longer and ordered a few new craft books yesterday, and now there is this one…so many awesome things to make and so little time. This day job is getting in my way…
Hey, You want to make a crochet garment. Why not try a skirt? I’ve seen patterns that run from simle to complex.
There is so much that can be done with crochet, and i would love it most for embellishing. When I can learn something new, that's one of the first things I'll go to. This book looks great, and so do your coasters!
True – I've seen some cute ones. But my impression is that they stretch into odd shapes over time as you wear them. Am I wrong?
I think it depends on the yarn you use. I was told never to use Sugar n Cream yarn to make a skirt. It's god for home decor items though. Someone recommended that I go to elann.com for some suitable yarn choices. I'll have to report about on that.
I think it depends on the yarn you use. I was told never to use Sugar n Cream yarn to make a skirt. It's god for home decor items though. Someone recommended that I go to elann.com for some suitable yarn choices. I'll have to report about on that.