Recently I've bought this book:Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss -
In each chapter a designer presents her (and in one case: his) work with a particular, more or less advanced crochet technique. After an introduction to the basics of that technique, you're invited to have a go at a specific project. It's really an awesome book and exactly what I was looking for!
I actually thought about working my way through the whole book and sharing my experiences here, but then again I'm not enthusiastic enough for really trying every one of the 18 techniques. Luckily, there's someone out there who is! Marie from Underground Crafter has just introduced her idea (i.e. working her way through the whole book) but hasn't started yet - so we can all join her from the beginning, isn't that great? :)
As for my part, I'll probably come back to this book now and then and only pick what I like best. Here are two examples of techniques I'd like to try soon.
The first one is an Overlay Crochet pillow cover, designed by Melody MacDuffee:
The second one is an example for Painted Crochet by Ferosa Harold:
My favorite chapter however is the Double-Ended Crochet by Darla J. Fanton. This technique is also known as cro-hooking, cro-knitting, double-hooking, Crochenit or Crochet on the Double. I immediately fell in love with this cute baby blankie:
First, I've ordered long double-ended hooks from the UK, because I couldn't find them in German online-shops. I had my first go at the double-ended crochet technique and was thrilled (I've told you about that in a previous post)! Then I decided to make another blanket with that technique. But not just a small baby blanket, no - I want a huuuuuuge blanket for our living room! Unfortunately I couldn't see a way to make a 2 meter blanket with a 30cm hook, so I ordered some so-called "Crochet on the Double Swivel Hooks" (double-ended crochet hooks with swivel-mounted connecting cables) from the USA.
Meanwhile, I've played a little with different patterns and color-combinations (I've also told you about that) and this is the idea I'll use for my blanket:
This is the "girl's side": light, happy and colorful. After some mainly white rows I want to make stripes in many, many different colors. (Note: this is only a 15 cm sample). Have a closer look at the wonderful pattern, it's so soft and cuddly:
Oh, I think I haven't even told you about the backside, have I? The amazing thing about double-ended crochet is, that the backside looks completely different, when you use several colors! So here's the "boy's side" - grown-up, manly and serious:
Last week, I've started with my huuuuuuuuge, reversible, grey and white double-ended crochet blanket with multicolored stripes. But for the future I'm gonna refer to this project as the "Magic Blanket Ride". Hope you all join me on this ride, starting next week with Chapter One.
Have a nice sunday everyone, and don't forget that there's a giveaway on this site, open until friday!
Hello,
ReplyDeletewath a great book!!!!!
greatings send you Conny
I like your crochet
Looks like a neat book, I'll have to see if my library has a copy. The Overlay crochet pillow is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention. I would love for some people to work their way through the book with me! (It would also prevent me from becoming lazy and forgetting the project halfway through the year!) I love your double-ended blanket so far.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun book - I love a crochet challenge.
ReplyDeleteYou've chosen some great picks from that book. Makes me want to join in! I've got tons of projects going on right now, though, so I'm just going to have to follow Marie's journey and live vicariously on this one!
ReplyDeleteYour blanket is really looking good so far and different in a chic way. Well done!
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm super intrigued by the double crochet. My mom told me something about it a long time ago, but I have never been brave enough to try. I hope you'll post more on it as you make your afghan.
ReplyDeleteHi girls and thanks for all your comments, I'd really recommend this book to anyone who loves crochet!
ReplyDelete@ Scratch: oh please, give the double-ended crochet a try! Once you've learned the basics you'll be thrilled about the possibilites and you won't be able to stop :) it's quite easy, too!
I've just done the overlay crochet cushion cover. It used an awful lot of embroidery thread so I was using a stash I already had, slightly different colours. Didn't tale long but the long diamond shaped bits are tricky to do while keeping neat. I don't think I'll get around to the painted crochet doily for a while and, again, expensive to buy those threads from new. I'd like to try the Irish lace. Looking forward to seeing everyone else's efforts too. Love your blog.
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