Omdahl - Crochet So Fine: Exquisite Designs with Fine Yarns

crochet SO FINE

EXQUISITE DESIGNS with FINE YARNS

KRISTIN OMDAHL

Editor Katrina Loving
Technical Editor Karen Manthey
Cover and Interior Design Karla Baker
Glossary Illustration Ann Swanson
Photography Joe Hancock
Stylist Carol Beaver
Hair and Makeup Kathy MacKay
Production Katherine Jackson

2010 Kristin Omdahl
Photography and illustrations Interweave Press LLC
All rights reserved.

Interweave Press LLC 201 East Fourth Street Loveland, CO 80537 interweavestore.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Omdahl, Kristin.
Crochet so fine : exquisite designs with fine yarns / Kristin Omdahl.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-59668-198-9 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-1-59668-431-7 (PDF)
ISBN 978-1-62033-182-8 (ePub)
1. Crocheting--Patterns. 2. Shawls. 3. Hats. 4. Sweaters. I. Title.
TT825.O438 2010
746.434--dc22

2009052248

This book represents the talents and hard work of many people. The photography is breathtaking, and I wish to thank photographer Joe Hancock, as well as stylists Carol Beaver (wardrobe) and Kathy MacKay (hair and makeup), for their incredible talent. I wish to thank everyone at Interweave, especially Tricia Waddell for believing in my ideas, Katrina Loving for incredible attention to detail, and Jaime Guthals for enthusiasm and positive energy! Finally, thank you to Shiri Mor and Karen Manthey for their impeccable technical skills!

To Marlon, my inspiration. I love you with all my heart and soul.

Looking for more gorgeous and innovative crochet designs?

Check out these inspiring resources from Interweave

CROCHET IN COLOR

Techniques and Designs
for Playing with Color

Kathy Merrick
ISBN 978-159668-112-5

$22.95

WRAPPED IN CROCHET

Scarves, Wraps & Shawls

Kristin Omdahl

ISBN 978-1-59668-076-0

$22.95

WANT TO CROCHETME?

CrochetMe is an online community that shares your passion for all things crochet. Browse through our free patterns, read our blogs, check out our galleries, chat in the forums, make a few friends. Youll also get a free e-newsletter, event updates, tips and techniques, and more. Come in and crochet awhile. Sign up at CrochetMe.com

Crochet stitchwork, by nature, tends to create bulkier fabric than its knitted counterpart. Crochet So Fine is a collection of garments and accessories that focuses on lightweight yarns to create fine, airy garments that will complement a variety of body types. A lightweight, loose fabric with good drape can often be more flattering than a fitted sweater crocheted in a heavier yarn. Therefore, in this book you will find delicate-looking lacey wraps and shawls; soft, drapey sweaters; and a variety of lovely lightweight accessories.

I moved to Florida just before beginning Crochet So Fine, so I had the amazing opportunity to be inspired by my new surroundings while creating this collection. The pieces showcase many tropical, natural influences, including the orchids in my garden, the ripples in the Imperial River, the spirals in the waves at the beach, and the beautiful purple dragonflies in my yard.

Creating beautiful things with my hands is such an important part of my life. I am constantly searching for new techniques and ideas in crochet, and I love to learn and experiment as often as I can. My goal in writing this book is to share my enthusiasm for crochet with you. I hope I can encourage you to try something new. It may take a couple of attempts to become comfortable with new techniques and a variety of yarns; just relax, breathe, and, most importantly, have fun.

kristin

Shawls were my first crochet love, and they are still my favorite handmade garment to wear. There are so many options for making a unique shawl or wrap, with a multitude of different shapes, styles, sizes, and techniques. Each new shawl or wrap is a canvas on which I can create a story. For the stories in this chapter, I drew inspiration from many of the natural elements of my surroundings, such as orchids, dragonflies, and even the boundless sea.

My son and I helped save the life of a three-winged dragonfly that was drowning in my aunts pool a few summers ago. We scooped him out of the pool and gently blew on his wings until they dried. When he finally took flight, we were overjoyed. Ive had a special fondness for dragonflies ever since, and Ive always wanted to recreate one in crochet. This triangular shawl is worked in three pieces: two side triangles of a beautiful easy-to-increase lace stitch pattern and a center dragonfly gusset that is worked in one long row and joined to both side triangles with long chain spaces as you go. No seaming required!

Crochet thread (Size 10); 1,050 yd (960 m).

shown: Coats & Clark, Aunt Lydias Classic Crochet Thread (100% mercerized cotton; 350 yd [320 m]/3 oz [85 g]): 495 wood violet, 3 balls.

E/4 (3.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.

Tapstry needle.

First 6 rows of Triangle = 4" 4" 6" (11.5 11.5 16.5 cm).

60" wide 30" long (152.5 76 cm).

Download the diagrams for this project here.