Product Description

From Art Deco–inspired geometric designs to traditional checkerboard stripes and elaborate motifs, this guide helps crafters rediscover crochet with more than 200 fabulous block patterns. Employing traditional styles and contemporary colors, crocheted blocks inspire crafters to create a dynamic palette of color, pattern, and texture by mixing, matching, and combining. Step-by-step instructions accompany each pattern, along with stunning photographs that encourage crocheters to explore a range of color combinations and coordinates. A directory of blocks is cross-referenced with symbols that describe the techniques used and the degree of difficulty, and each pattern is designed so that finished blocks are the same size when they are worked in yarn of the same weight. A useful refresher course of crochet stitches and techniques is included, as are patterns for edgings and instructions on making fringes to finish off afghans in style.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13155 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781931499682
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"A must have for your crochet library." -- Eva Owsian, BellaOnline

"An ideal reference for groups who are getting together to crochet squares... There are great photographs of all 200 blocks." -- Knitting News

"Get rid of ‘crocheter’s block’ with this brand new sampler of fast, fun and fabulous designs…this book is a must!" -- Country Afghans

"I’m a huge fan of this book. It’s simply brilliant…Get this book and put it on your shelf." -- Crochetme.com

"The inspiration in this book is overwhelming (in a good way!)…You won’t ever run out of ideas." -- Better Homes and Gardens Simply Creative Crochet

About the Author
Jan Eaton is a professional needlecraft and textile designer who owns Tom Pudding Designs, a company that produces her exclusive range of cross-stitch and needlepoint chart packs. She is the author of The Creative Guide to Cross Stitch Embroidery and Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches.

Customer Reviews

Interweave Press Books Corrections on the Web
After reading the reviews, I hesitated to buy this book. I was concerned about the errors people talked about. So, I got it from my local library. Then (why I didn't look before) I realized it was an Interweave Press book. That made up my mind - one of the HUGE benefits of every Interweave Press book is that they carry Corrections to any/every book that they print on their web site. It's phenomenal. While we might say that there shouldn't be errors, there are in every book unfortunately. But, the benefit of Interweave books is that they do something about it. Check out their web site, click on Crochet Books on the left hand side, and then click on Corrections. Click on this book's name, and you'll find all the corrections - complete with highlighting of the part being corrected. I simply love Interweave Books, and I love them all the more for this feature.

Some of us just want a sofa blanket.....
Okay, now I'm getting somewhere. As a life long crocheter who was becoming a little frustrated by all the 'HIP' offerings, I have found 200 CROCHET BLOCKS for blankets, throws and Afghans, incredibly helpful for making traditional items. Sure, if you wanted to be ornery you could say all crochet blocks devolve to a granny square, but they don't, really.

Using a combination of colors and stitches, Jan Eaton has given crochet a new lease on life as far as I am concerned. The book layout includes a six-page block directory showing the reference points for all the blocks (respective numbers and pages) as well as several pages of designs (how one might assemble the blocks into a specific pattern). Eaton also includes directions on how to use the book for those folks who do not possess a logical or rational approach to life. Included in these pages is a chart with the unique symbols that give the reader clues as to the assembly of an item as well as the level of difficulty. Patience is the byword with these projects.

The one criticism I have of this book is the list of suggested suppliers Eaton provides is pathetic. I tried to locate several of them on the web, and had little success. The major supplier she mentions is located in Canada, with no outlets in the US. Again maybe it's just me, but I order almost everything I buy over the web, and I have not experienced this difficulty heretofore. (I've used the Yarn Market link Amazon supplies.) Fortunately, I live in an urban area well supplied with fiber stores, so I think I will be able to find what I need at the shop where I am taking knitting classes.

Nice book
The squares in the book are really nice and the book is well written. I do have two critiques. One is that the colors of the squares are a bit muddy. I am not too crazy about some of the color choices. Another is that a friend of mine went nuts trying to figure out how to start a circular run and the drawing of how to start a circle (chain, then link the chain in a circle) was incorrect. I thought she was exaggerating, but the drawing is, indeed, incorrect. It shows the thread of yarn coming from the wrong end of the short chain. Fortunately, it only took a two minute explanation to clarify it. (Novices might want to consult another book or a friend in case they get confused.)