Mar 07
Crochet hasn't been so popular for years, and Search Press is publishing quite a few books about this fascinating and large subject. This one deals with crocheting trims for all sorts of purposes, whether for crocheted, knitted or stitched items or even embellishments for cards and scrapbooks.
It starts with a directory, in full color and showing all the trims in full or larger than life glory together with a number to show where you can find them in the book. They are helpfully grouped under headings such as fringes, braids, motifs etc and it is easy to find what you are looking for. Although they all have one of three skill levels assigned to them, it is mainly a book that will appeal to intermediate or higher crafters as the instructions are aimed at somebody who knows all the basics and beyond. As well as edgings and floral motifs there are collars, fancy buttonholes and covered buttons, even a belt. Further along you can find some projects such as trimming a bolero with bobbles for a little girl, edging a cardigan and a cushion. The items themselves are either store-bought or made from other patterns not given here, as this is a book on trimming garments and accessories, not making them too. Even that is not all, for at the back is a Refresher Course for anybody whose skills have lapsed, presumably during the years when crochet was not in fashion! A useful book for any crocheter's collection.
* Myshelf.com *
April 07
This new easy to read directory has over 150 crochet patterns to add a dash to any knitted or crocheted item. As the title suggests there is a library of decorative edgings, bands and borders that can embellish your work. The first section is a visual directory of all the edgings and trims so you can see closely the effect of each one. The second section in the book is full of technical data that clearly explain each pattern. This includes a close up of the crochet, a listing of the yarn used, the pattern to work it along with a rating on skill level required.
Following the 150 patterns there is a small selection of projects showing how to use the braids and trims to their best advantage which will also give you ideas of how to use the patterns at home. At the end of the book there is a refresher course which outlines all the crochet basics you will need.
The patterns are broken down into themes. There are fringes which include spirals, twists and beads. The Braids section features waves, straight and pyramid patterns and there is a selection of flower and circle motifs as well as a collection of accessories such as buttons, cuffs and collars. With this repertoire of patterns at your fingertips there is no end to what can be adorned. They can all be stitched or glued to a myriad of items such as clothing as well as household linens to add a decorative touch to your home.
* Knit Today *