Thursday, November 09, 2017

Book Review and Giveaway - Design Your Own Crochet Projects from Sara Delaney

It's been a while since I have posted an interesting new book. Fact is there haven't been many new releases that have excited me - especially in the textile craft world. So many books that have come across my desk seem to be repeats of things that have come before. Perhaps I have been around publishing and yarn too long? 


Finally, I have found a book that has just been released that is NEW - at least to these eyes. It is called Design Your Own Crochet Projects: Magic Formulas for Creating Custom Scarves, Cowls, Hats, Socks, Mittens and Gloves and it is written by Sara Delaney. That sure is one long title, isn't it? But it is pretty perfect as it tells the reader exactly what they will find inside its pages. Published just last month by Storey, this handy little book is spiral bound and will fit easily into a project bag. It has been sitting on my desk for a couple weeks now and I just have had time to crack it open and investigate. 


My first reaction to this book was - at last! Design Your Own Crochet Projects gives crocheters what they have been missing - a book to help them customize and design their own projects. This book breaks out into 7 chapters: Introduction, Scarves, Cowls, Hats, Fingerless Mitts, Mittens, Gloves, and Socks. The intro is very well done - giving the novice crochet designer what they need to begin. 

Each of the chapters introduces the specifics of what a novice designer needs to know when designing the project. It tells how to develop the project and then gives several pages of "templates" to use when designing each project. Photocopying of this template is encouraged which gives the reader the permission to design many projects of their own.


Each chapter then includes at least two designs with charts for plugging in your own gauge and yarn choice. The book also includes a link to an on-line calculator which will take your yarn choice with your gauge and plug them into each of the patterns given to automatically generate a pattern. Pretty amazing. 





There is even a small stitch dictionary of various crochet stitches at the end. That is such a nice addition giving new designers a chance to pick a stitch, swatch it and then jump into designing without having to purchase another stitch dictionary.


There is an excellent review over on the Crochet Concupisence blogFull disclosure here - I have published with Storey twice and I personally know Sara Delaney. That said, when I first saw this book I said to myself - YAY - newbie crochet designers now have a book that tells them how to design accessories. Knitters have had the marvelous series of "Handy Books" by Ann Budd for years but now crocheters have a great book to use to learn to design their own patterns too. Great job Sara and Storey.

Here's what I have for one lucky winner today - - their very own copy of Design Your Own Crochet Projects. Here's how you enter.....

Answer the following question in the comments: Tell me what you would like to crochet this winter season. Are you a knitter who is thinking about learning crochet? Or are you a crocheter who only makes flat things and you would like to learn to make socks and mittens and hats? 

Contest ends Sunday evening at November 12, 2017 at  11:59 p.m. Please leave an easy way to get a hold of you - Rav id, blog, or email address. US addresses only please. Good luck everyone. 

24 comments:

fracksmom said...

Wow I Knit and crochet, I love Knitting socks, but have never crochet them. I so love your blog each time you share something different.

Fracksmom on ravelry

Kathy said...

Hi Kristin,

I haven't crocheted in a while (it takes me away from knitting), but the gloves, perhaps made in fingering weight, may encourage me to get out my hooks. If this book finds its way to me I'm going to give it to a talented young crocheter who does every project with style. I'm sure it would be invaluable to her.

KEP on Ravelry

Carolyn said...

I have done knitting and crocheting since I was a child. It seems that currently I knit more than crochet, however, with the right yarn and inspiration, I enjoy crocheting more than knitting. This book should provide the much needed inspiration.
Carolyn
cclarke@xmission.com

Kerry said...

I am strictly a knitter but recognize the pros of crochet for certain projects. I would very much like to learn how as my young child is showing interest and I want to be able to help her, too! Kerry15 on Rav.

jean said...

I am a knitter who learned to crochet a bit ago. Love the possibilities of creating shapes with crochet, but mostly follow patterns, and would love to be able to create my own patterns for something other than conical hats.....this book looks fabulous, thank you for sharing.

jean said...

forgot to leave an address or whatever.
Baabaamoo on Ravelry.

D Louise said...

What a cool idea to provide templates. I can do this pretty effortlessly in knitting, not so much. I learned basic crochet stitches many years ago, but haven't been very successful in making most accessories.

Myettalisland on Rav

Auntie Shan said...

YAY! You can never have enough good CROCHET BOOKS around. Especially if they get People to go *beyond* "GRANNY SQUARES"!!

BTW -- To You NON-Crocheters out there -- with only the use of a couple of simple stitches, you too can make something with TEXTURE, rather than having to be fiddling with umpteen pointy sticks!
#There'sNeverAWrongSideWithCrochet
So, get HOOKED and give it a try!
:-D

Kathy said...

I mostly knit, but I do a little bit of crochet. I would love to learn the nuts and bolts of designing crocheted hats and cowls using my handspun. KTell on Rav.

Elizabeth D said...

I am a relatively new crocheter. Madly in love with knitting, and that will never change, but I am intrigued by the way crochet can go in any direction at any time. At this moment it's the gloves that are speaking to me, but who knows where this book could lead me? (BadInfluence on Ravelry.)

Ettenna said...

I learned to crochet before knitting but it hasn't gotten my creative juices flowing lately BUT when I saw this review I got a bit excited-- it's fast, it's easy & it's fun. I would love to start crocheting again!
Ravelry ID: Ettenna
Thank So!

Ettenna said...

Hmmm-sorry about the error- it was supposed to read 'thank you!'

Anonymous said...

I've had pretty good success with knitting socks;I've tried to crochet socks before but they were a bit wonky and this book might get me past the wonk;). Crochet stitch patterns and templates are very inviting. Love your posts.
loopology@ravelry

Hilda said...

I was a crocheter before finally mastering knit socks which is the only thing I've knit. This looks like s great reference book. Thanks so much for your blog and giveaway.

Nanaknits said...

My 14 year old granddaughter is designing her own crocheted hats. She asked for help (I am a knitter) and we figured out something. This book would be wonderful for her. And maybe I will learn how to crochet, too.

Debbie said...

Wow! Sounds like a great book. I am a knitter by heart. I do know how to crochet, a little bit. I would love to learn how to crochet socks. Thank you so much for this giveaway and for a chance to win, such a great book.
krazyknitter63@gmail.com

Anne said...

I would love to crochet the Volvo Gloves from the book! I am knitter who crochets a very little. Mostly to add and edge to a knit project. However, I have really been wanting to make a granny square project that looks fun and current, but my skills aren't up for it yet!

Spiffypaws said...

I knit and crochet. My plan this winter is to crochet a couple of market bags because I know they will be sturdier than a knitted bag.

J Lang said...

Thanks for your generosity and all your great posts. I crocheted many years ago but knit spin and weave a bit now. I would love to have this book to
relearn it and also to put this book in my guild to share.
Pyrpup in Rav

tjf said...

I have never seen a book like this for crocheting. I usually prefer to knit but have been crocheting more lately. I've never crocheted mittens, gloves or socks - blankets, hats, stuffed animals have been my projects. The local high school has a "Crocheting for a Cause" club who crochets projects for various charities. I help teach crocheting to the group - some are beginners and some are quite advanced. This book would be a great resource for the club! Thanks for the chance.

Tricia
tfankell6@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

An old lady, avid knitter I am. Have only used crochet for finishing and decorative edges. Maybe it's time to learn more (can you teach old dogs new tricks?) before it's too late. I think maybe crocheting goes faster then knitting and that could be an issue now. In any event this looks like an interesting book that perhaps could get me going in the right direction.
Thanks, Kristin, for your generous book give-aways! It's always fun to read others' comments, too.
Roxanne
RASmartWay@gmail.com

Chris said...

Maudie is a sweet and delightful movie. We would never have seen it without your recommendation. Thanks.

Kristin Nicholas said...

Glad I could share it with you Chris! It was sweet wasnt it? If a bit sad.

beth said...

I've been sewing more lately but with the colder weather feel the urge to have yarn in my hands. I knit. Used to crochet but haven't done it in a long time. I'd love to crochet a hat. Thanks for the giveaway. Looks like an excellent book!

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