Nicki Trench - Geek Chic Crochet: 35 retro-inspired projects that are off the hook

Geek chic Crochet 35 retro-inspired projects that are off the hook Nicki Trench Published in 2012 by CICO Books an imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd 519 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10012 www.cicobooks.com 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Text copyright Nicki Trench 2012 Design and photography copyright CICO Books 2012 The authors moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. eISBN: 978 1 78249 026 5 ISBN: 978 1 908862 05 1 Printed in China Editor: Marie Clayton Designer: Alison Fenton Photographer: Penny Wincer Stylist: Rob Merrett Technique illustrations: Stephen Dew and Kate Simunek For digital editions, visit www.cicobooks.com/apps.php CONTENTS Crochet fashion has certainly hit the fashion catwalk runways and Geek Chic Crochet brings you 35 vintage-style garments and accessories patterns to hand crochet. There is a huge revival in 70s and 80s styles and the designs in this book are inspired by the hippy, boho, festival chic fashion that is just everywhere right now.

Not since the crochet explosion of the 60s has crochet caught everyones attention. When researching this book, I have taken many enjoyable trips to Brick Lane, a trendy and fashionable area in east London, full of vintage shops, art galleries, and cafes. Here you can find a young, art-school sense of fashion and spot the sometimes outlandish dress styles worn by many of its inhabitants; this may not be totally represented here, but Ive tried to bring elements of this fashion into the designs and colors and hope that these will entice you into making the projects yourself. This book has an excellent illustrated techniques section to guide you through the stitches and Ive tried to keep the pattern terminology as straightforward as possible. Each pattern has been categorized into one of three sections of ability: Beginner, Improver or Experienced. Even the simplest pattern will have you drooling; take a look at the Chunky Patchwork Scarf on page 32 or the Tie on page 18 these are two of the very simplest patterns to follow, but will have you running for your crochet hook.

If you prefer more of a challenge, look at the Slouch Bag on page 104 or have a go at the Fur-collared Cardigan on page 64. There are plenty of patterns for the Improver level, toolook at the Peter Pan Collar Cardigan on page 72 and the Tweed Skirt on page 88. If you have not considered crochet as fashionable, now is the time to have a rethink so get your hooks and yarn out and join the crochet revivalyou wont be disappointed. Tie Lacy Collar Beanie Hat Turban Headband Neckerchief Ribbon Hat Tie Hair Bow Tassel Earrings Lacy Collar Cloche Hat Ribbon Hat Cloche Hat Neckerchief Hair Bow A MUST-HAVE BASIC BEANIE HAT, CROCHETED IN A SUPERSOFT BABY ALPACA AND MERINO WOOL MIX THAT LOOKS AND FEELS GREAT. MATERIALS 50% baby alpaca/50% merino mix sport (babyweight) yarn, such as Rooster Almerino Baby 2 1 oz (50g) ballsapprox 274yd (250m)of blue-green US size E/4 (3.5mm) crochet hook Abbreviationsch chain hdc half double crochet hdc2tog half double crochet 2 stitches together rep repeat RS right side sc single crochet ss slip stitch st(s) stitch(es) WS wrong side Gauge 18 sts 14 rows over 4in. Size One size. Finished measurement 7in. (18cm) deep 19in. (50cm) circumference. (50cm) circumference.

Hat Make 90ch, join with ss in first ch to form a ring. Round 1: 1ch, skip st at base of ch, 1sc in each ch, join with ss in first ch. (90 sts) Round 2: 1ch, skip st at base of ch, 1sc in each st, join with ss in first ch. Rounds 312: Rep Round 2. Round 13: 2ch, skip st at base of ch, 1hdc in each st to end, join with ss in top of first 2-ch. Round 25: 2ch, skip st at base of ch, *1hdc in each of next 9 sts, hdc2tog; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, join with ss in top of first 2-ch. (82 sts) Round 26: Rep Round 13. Round 27: 2ch, skip st at base of ch, 1hdc in each of next 8 sts, hdc2tog; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, join with ss in top of first 2-ch. (74 sts) Round 28: Rep Round 13. Round 29: 2ch, skip st at base of ch, *1hdc in each of next 7 sts, hdc2tog; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, join with ss in top of first 2-ch. (66 sts) Round 30: 2ch, skip st at base of ch, *1hdc in each of next 6 sts, hdc2tog; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, join with ss in top of first 2-ch. (58 sts) Round 31: 2ch, skip st at base of ch, *1hdc in each of next 5 sts, hdc2tog; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, join with ss in top of first 2-ch. (50 sts) Round 32: 2ch, skip st at base of ch, *1hdc in each of next 4 sts, hdc2tog; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, join with ss in top of first 2-ch. (42 sts) Round 33: 2ch, skip st at base of ch, *1hdc in each of next 3 sts, hdc2tog; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, join with ss in top of first 2-ch. (34 sts) Fasten off leaving a tail of approx 8in. (20cm). Finishing Working on WS of hat and using yarn needle, thread tail and insert needle through top of each st at top of hat, pull tightly to close hole, and fasten off. Finishing Working on WS of hat and using yarn needle, thread tail and insert needle through top of each st at top of hat, pull tightly to close hole, and fasten off.