Smith - Best of Interweave Crochet

A COLLECTION OF OUR FAVORITE DESIGNS

marcy smith

Editor Marcy Smith

Designer Karla Baker

Production Katherine Jackson

Illustrators Cynthia Frenette, Karen Manthey

2011 Interweave Press LLC

Photography 2011 Interweave Press LLC unless otherwise noted.

All rights reserved.

All or most of the articles compiled in this collection were previously published in Interweave Crochet magazine, Interweave Press LLC. Some have been altered to update information and/or conform to space limitations.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Smith, Marcy.

The best of Interweave crochet : a collection of our favorite designs /

Marcy Smith.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-59668-302-0 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-1-59668-941-1 (PDF)

ISBN 978-1-62033-187-3 (ePub)

1. Crocheting--Patterns. I. Interweave crochet. II. Title.

TT820.S54424 2011

746.434--dc22

2011003666

For all the Interweave designers, who continually push the boundaries of crochet, and for all the intrepid crocheters who make Interweave designs their own.

projects:

Julia Vaconsin

Beyond the Basics:
Foundation Stitches

Marty Miller

Robyn Chachula

Beyond the Basics:
Linked Crochet

Kristin Omdahl

Amy ONeill Houck

Beyond the Basics:
Learn to Love Laceweight

Tracy St. John

Lisa Naskrent

Beyond the Basics:
Symbolcraft

Sandi Wiseheart

Kathy Merrick

Lisa Naskrent

Julia Vaconsin

Kim Guzman

Kathleen Power Johnson

Beyond the Basics:
Tunisian Crochet Primer

Kathleen Power Johnson

Annette Petavy

Beyond the Basics:
Finding Closure

Dora Ohrenstein

Lisa Naskrent

Jodi Euchner

Kathy Merrick

Donna Childs

Beyond the Basics:
The Adjustable Ring

Donna Hulka

Kathy Merrick

Beyond the Basics:
Sewing Stitches

Valentina Devine

Julia Vaconsin

Beyond the Basics:
Garment Construction: Seaming

Annette Petavy

Doris Chan

Beyond the Basics:
Shoring up on Shells

Doris Chan

Chloe Nightingale

Cecily Keim

Carol Ventura

Lily M. Chin

Long before I was editor of Interweave Crochet, I was an avid fan of the magazine. I was continually amazed by the many ways hook and yarn could meet to create innovative designs, as revealed on every page I turned.

So it was with both awe and trepidation that I approached the task of selecting the best of Interweave Crochet designs to put together in a single book.

You find here the blanket that launched a thousand crochet hooks: the Babette Blanket by color genius Kathy Merrick. Youll also find Lily Chins Lace Dress, guest of honor at many crocheters special events. Also included is Julia Vaconsins Northern Dreams Pullover, which marries fine yarn with clever stitching to create a classic sweater with modern detailing. And Kristin Omdahls Infinity Wrap, which uses basic math to create an infinitely clever motif.

Some of the projects, such as Kim Guzmans Luna Sweater, feature a new stitch pattern, some are new conceptions of established designs, the iconic Babette Blanket for instance. Robyn Chachulas Rosemary Sweater, Julia Vaconsins Big Bow Sweater, and Chloe Nightingales Seafoam Vest, among others, feature unconventional construction. Tunisian crochet, all the rage today, appeared in Interweave Crochets very first standalone issue in 2004 with Kathleen Power Johnsons Tunisian Vest, included here. And Carol Venturas brilliant tapestry crochet is represented with her Diamonds Silk Scarf, worked in two different yarn weights.

Individually, the projects provide an exploration into the possibilities of crochet. Together, these projects represent the kind of crochet that has come to define Interweave Crochet: bold, innovative, and, of course, very wearable. These designs fit into your lifestyle as easily today as they did when they first appeared.

In addition, throughout the book youll find several of our Beyond the Basics and Back to Basics columns to help you master crochet techniques and refine your projects. Enjoy your crochet exploration.