Many crocheters make mandalas as a meditative activity, while others love them simply for the wonderful opportunities they offer for mixing colors and stitch textures. A new take on traditional shapes, like granny squares or hexagons, these attractive crocheted circles are causing a real buzz in the crochet community.Included are complete written and charted directions for a variety of types of circular designs, plus a range of creative techniques and ideas to make yours stand out from the crowd. With full patterns and inspiring photos, a review of crochet techniques, a discussion of materials, colors, finishing techniques, and lots of project ideas including bags, shawls, blankets, and pillows, this book guarantees many hours of happy mandala-making.

    Her garments feature eye-catching construction based on very simple lines that come together in unexpected ways. Stitch patterns have central focus here, as the silhouettes or shapes are kept simple to emphasize the crocheted fabric. Yumiko's pieces are versatile enough that they can be dressed up or down according to your fancy.Yumiko takes her inspiration from the natural world-tide-swept sand, shells, coral, shale rock formations, the colors of sunset. Her nature-inspired palette is brought to life using luscious yarns that are as pleasing to the hand as they are to the eye. These designs will appeal to crocheters seeking a more upscale look in their garments. Rustic Modern Crochet features designs in subtle earth tones and warm sunset hues that hold a cross-generational appeal.

    Some of the flora looks realistic; others are beautifully fanciful, pure products of the imagination. A simple, well-photographed basics section explains how to create them all: specialty techniques include felting, stacking the flowers, stiffening the petals, and linking the flowers together. “Grow” daffodils, dahlias, ferns, firewheels, primroses, sunflowers, and violets—or even a fantastic blossom with layers of scalloped petals radiating out in increasing size from a crystal button center. For added inspiration, a series of showcase projects incorporates the blossoms, including hats, backpacks, pillows, and cards.

    All of this and much more appear in this bountifully illustrated beginner’s guide. Start out learning the 3 basic crochet stitches and quickly move on to making geometric forms, lace patterns, edgings, and seams. By the time you’ve worked your way though the large selection of stitches and weaves, you’ll have mastered over 50 fundamental techniques.

    From choosing the right hooks and yarn and crocheting basic stitches to joining pieces together, this easy-to-follow guide will have you hooked in no time. Our hands-on workbook gets you crocheting fashionable, fun designs in a focused, step-by-step manner. You get a review of the basic stitches and stitch combinations, along with a concise appendix containing easy-to-follow instructions for working these stitches. You'll find plenty of tips on changing colors and adding shape to your projects. Plus, you get full-color photos of every project--from potholders to afghans, belts to table runners, skirts to vests, and much more. You'll also discover how to:Decipher crochet lingo Make a gauge swatch, read a pattern, and understand garment sizing Work with the most common stitches and stitch patterns Crochet in the round or with color Shape a design through increasing or decreasing stitches Use new techniques like felting and working with wire Crochet pictures and words using the filet crochet technique There are also quick-and-easy designs that are great for kids to make, as well as handy hints on caring for your finished items. Featuring more than 50 fantastic patterns perfect for beginners or those wanting to take their skills to the next level, Crochet Patterns For Dummies is your one-stop guide to crocheting success!

    Presented with easy, step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and photos, these 23 projects include a bohemian coat sweater, a mohair hat, retro bed slippers, and an assortment of trendsetting bags. Projects are included for baskets, pillows, and a throw to add a stylish twist to a crocheter's home decor. In addition to introducing basic crochet techniques, this guide tackles more advanced projects using a variety of yarns, including mohair, merino, angora blends, and linen.

    Thats true of the 30 delightful items in Crochet Boutique. Crocheters will love this fashion-forward collection, with such projects as hats, scarves, shawls, trendy bags, a laptop cover, a granny-square pillow, and a lovely shell afghan. With a short basics section, irresistible photography, and an informative stitch guide, Crochet Boutique is simply indispensable!

    Crochet Noro presents 30 vibrant designs from such top designers as Lily Chin, Yoko Hatta, and Doris Chan, ranging from an adorable swirly hat and trendy bias miniskirt to a mohair motif blanket. These beautiful items, and the yarns they showcase--such as Kureyon Silk Garden and Taiyo--are sure to excite crocheters.

    But guess what? For every one knitter in the world there are three crocheters—which translates into millions of hip, crafty, 18- to 35-year-olds ready to be happy hookers with Stitch ’n Bitch attitude, sexiness, ingenuity, and cool. Written in the author’s cheeky chick style, this heavily illustrated book—featuring four-color photographs and instructional illustrations throughout—is chock-full of instruction, inspiration, and to-die-for designs, from a Fishnet Skullcap to a lacy evening wrap. For knitters and new crafters exploring the hook comes the primer: the advantages of crochet and the ways in which knitters (and nonknitters) benefit by learning this sister craft; a discussion of tools; all the cool yarns available, and what the different gauges mean; plus basic techniques and stitch patterns—including the chain stitch, picot, flowers, filet crochet, changing yarns, and finishing. Then come 40 fabulous, funky projects—the kind that make Stitch ’n Bitch rule—for crocheters: Pom Pom Capelet, Retro Clutch Purse, Anarchy Irony Hat, Ms. Pac Man Change Purses, Doris Daymat, Va-Va-Va Voom Bikini, Animal I-Pod Cozies, Kid’s Sock Monkey Poncho. No, these aren’t your grandma’s doilies.

    From a zenith carpet bag to a felted messenger bag to a delicate purse with handles made of bracelets, each project features gorgeous photographs and step-by-step instructions, and all techniques are explained in easy-to-understand detail. Whether an avid bag knitter or creating one for the first time, this book has all the inspiration, technique, and details crafters need.

    In "GET YOUR CROCHET ON!: Hip Hats"" and Cool" "Caps," Afya presents 20 step-by-step patterns of her most popular designs for women, men, and children. Chock-full of designs that are simple enough for a beginner but stylish enough for the most seasoned crochet artist, "GET YOUR CROCHET ON! "speaks to the crocheter in all of us and includes instructions for everything from choosing the right hooks and yarn to washing and caring for the finished piece.

    And it's now in paperback! Walk step-by-step from basic to advanced methods Learn the easy way with more than 1000 close-up photographs featuring real hands holding real yarn Fix mistakes, shape garments, and find the answers to almost any crochet questionAvailable to customers in the U.S. and Canada only.

    This book features easy projects, such as hats, scarves and device covers, and more difficult projects, including sweaters, wraps and blankets. Make the Hialeah Honey Baby Blankey to swaddle a newborn or create the Inisheer Sweater Wrap to stay cozy in cool weather. The Cables Meet Lace Cape is perfect for evenings out, and the Pennywhistler's Pack will let you carry your essentials on any day trip. These Celtic-inspired stitches and projects are the perfect addition to your crochet repertoire.

    From the alligator to the walrus, each of the 10 creatures can rest in the palm of your hand. Just think how much fun you'll have crocheting the whole zoo, especially when you use Vanna's Choice and Vanna's Choice Baby yarns from the Lion Brand Yarn Company. Enjoy the adventure of crocheting these winsome, wild creatures. They are wonderful to keep or to share! 10 designs to crochet using medium weight yarn: elephant, hippo, monkey, giraffe, alligator, lion, seal, walrus, penguin, and snowy owl. Sizes range from 4" to 8" tall.

    A crochet teacher and author with over 20 years' experience, Nicki has designed a series of patterns that will guide you through those initial stitches to producing beautiful projects incorporating a wide range of crochet techniques. Crochet Know-how explains all the stitches with clear step-by-step artworks and instructions. Next, discover three chapters packed with patterns to improve your skills. First is Starting Out, where you will find a simple springtime throw and a pretty hat for a toddler - you'll be amazed how easy and quick the projects are to create. Once you've mastered these, move on to something more challenging in the Practice Makes Perfect chapter. There are cute gifts for babies and young children, including baby blocks, bibs and blankets, or treat yourself to a pair of gloves in soft double knit yarn or the chunky seashells scarf to keep you warm on chilly mornings. Finally, Confident Crocheting has more advanced patterns, from a family of adorable Russian dolls to the cherub dress with decorative picot stitching.