Sharon Hernes Silverman - Basic Crocheting: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started

Sharon Hernes Silverman

Annie Modesitt, consultant

photographs by

Alan Wycheck

illustrations by

Marjorie Leggitt

STACKPO LE BOOKS

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Part I: Basic Tools and Skills

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Part II: Projects

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Books

Yarn and Crocheting Supplies

Other Resources for Crocheters

eing invited to write Basic Crocheting for Stackpole Books was a dream come true. Many people offered help and encouragement:

Annie Modesitt, known for her knitting and crocheted designs and her own published work, submitted patterns for the hat, mittens, and scarf. Annie was a delightful collaborator. Her website, www.anniemodesitt.com, is an inspiration.

Photographer Alan Wycheck spent several days in the studio and at his computer making sure the pictures were just right. Beginning crocheters will benefit greatly from Alan's persistence in making sure every action is clearly visible.

Terri McClure demonstrated many crocheting techniques for the camera. Her neat work, helpful suggestions, and stamina in the studio are a big part of the project's success.

Illustrator Marjorie Leggitt produced the detailed drawings that appear in this volume. Marjorie has rendered illustrations that are technical and beautiful, and which are sure to be valuable to new crafters.

Thanks to Mary Colucci, Executive Director of the Craft Yarn Council of America, for permission to reprint charts of yarn industry standards.

The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) provides a wealth of information, including Crochet! magazine, newsletters, and online instruction. Their conferences offer crocheters a chance to take classes, share tips, and shop for yarn and related products. CGOA has been a wonderful resource for me.

Leigh Ann Berry Chow, editor of Basic Knitting, provided helpful project management advice.

Mark Allison, Editor, and Judith M. Schnell, Publisher and Vice President of Stackpole Books, were supportive and enthusiastic from our first meeting through the book's completion. The design wizardry of Tracy Patterson and Caroline Stover made this volume both visually appealing and easy to follow. Thanks also to Amy D. Lerner and Amy Wagner for their editorial expertise. This project gave me many hours of pleasure, both in the crafting and in the interaction with the staff at Stackpole.

Thanks to my husband, Alan Silverman, and our sons, Jason and Steven, for their love and encouragement and for putting up with all of the yam. Other family members and friends also lent their support, which means more to me than I can ever express. Special thanks to Janet Napoli, my forever friend, for her support and the chocolate.

I am grateful to my mother, Babe Hernes, for teaching me how to crochet when I was about ten years old. Thanks, Mom, for putting some yarn and a hook in my hand.

rocheting is an ancient technique that has evolved into the perfect contemporary craft. It's fun, easy to learn, and versatile. Basic stitches, used in innovative combinations with the fabulous variety of yarn available today, create stylish designs far removed from the doilies and granny squares of yesteryear.

Basic Crocheting is a comprehensive introduction to the skills you need to become a crocheter. The first half of the book teaches the fundamental techniques and stitches. The second half shows you how to use those skills to create actual projects. Skill workshops that accompany each project focus on specific techniques relevant to that item. Designs were selected to give you a wide range of choices for what to make, from apparel to articles for the home.

Even experienced crocheters are sometimes frustrated by patterns that are hard to understand or seem to leave out a key instruction. To make sure you do not experience this disappointment, Basic Crocheting provides detailed instructions for every step, supplemented with helpful photographs and illustrations.

Start out by working through the Basic Skills section, practicing the techniques until you are comfortable with them. Soon you will be ready to move onto the projects and create 'our own beautifully handcrafted items.

Yarn

COLOR

Yarn comes in a dazzling array of colors. Variegated yarns combine several hues in one skein, changing from one color to another along the yarn. A visit to your local yarn store or craft shop is sure to inspire you with its rainbow of colors.

Most yarn is dyed commercially in batches, or lots. The color can vary from one batch to another. To avoid color discrepancies, purchase enough yarn to complete your project. Check the codes on the skeins' labels to make sure the yarn is all the same color and is from the same dye lot.