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Book Review & Giveaway: “Crochet Adorned” by Author Linda Permann
Crochet played a key role in my development as a young crafter. I got “hooked” around age 5 at Great Grandma Case’s Sunday night craft table where I learned to stitch granny squares with the crafty women in my family. I still LOVE to whip up projects with my old set of aluminum needles. (My gold “G” hook remains my favorite crochet tool of all time.)
Because I had such a positive childhood experience with crochet, I reserve a special place on my bookshelf for crochet books that take me back to the initial excitement of learning the craft. Recently I welcomed a copy of Linda Permann’s inspiring, new book “Crochet Adorned: Reinvent Your Wardrobe with Crocheted Accents, Embellishments, and Trims” to my home craft library. Linda’s book is vibrant and fun, and exactly the sort of thing I’m looking for as a veteran crocheter with limited time to stitch.
In addition to providing readers with 20 projects to embellish clothing and adorn the home, Linda opens with a great crochet primer covering everything from hooks, yarn, basic stitches and pattern and diagram reading. This information is great for beginners, but helpful to experienced stitchers, too. (I learned to read written patterns as a kid and have less experience reading diagrams, so I found the stitch key on p. 31 very helpful.)
The projects featured in the book range from lovely doily earrings and trims to the Floral Motif Yoke Top pattern on p. 61 that I can’t wait to make. And adding crochet trim to a raincoat (p. 58) is not something I’d previously considered, but what a great way to add a little handmade spunk to a trench.
Linda’s book gives readers abundant ideas about how to use crochet to enhance their warerobes without having to stitch complete garments. I love this Modern Harlequin Dress trim project on p. 50 that takes the standard store-bought black dress up a notch:
And this Breezy Tunic project with embellished sleeves on p. 42 is lovely, too:
Even if you don’t love all the projects in the book, the stitch dictionary at the back makes it worth the $24.95 cover price. This section includes patterns and diagrams for loads of trims and motifs to inspire embellishment and adornment projects of your own design. As a hexagon enthusiast, I had fun whipping up the Granny Hexagon found on p. 130.
While there are a couple projects in the book that don’t fit my fashion sense (or lack thereof), I give Crochet Adorned high marks. If you crochet, or want to learn, this book is worth checking out. Congrats to Linda and her contributors for giving us a great collection of hip crochet patterns to embellish our lives.
Leave a comment below to enter the random drawing for a copy of the book. The deadline to enter is Aug. 30, 2009. Good luck, everyone!
Update: I forgot to add a link to my interview with Linda in episode 26.
Posted: August 26th, 2009 under Books, Crochet, Giveaway, Review.
Comments: 73
Comments
Pingback from Lindamade » Whipup Review & Book Project Roundup
Time: August 26, 2009, 8:12 am
[...] Ackermann-Haywood of Craft Sanity–she’ll be reviewing the book and giving away a copy. Here’s a link to the post! August 25th, 2009 | Category: Blatant Self Promotion, Crochet, Crochet Adorned | 2 [...]
Comment from Sophie
Time: August 26, 2009, 8:29 am
On, wonderful! I would love to try so many of these! Sounds like a great resource – really useful. I’d love to try the yoke top or the tunic- and earrings? Sounds great!!
Comment from Michelle A.
Time: August 26, 2009, 8:41 am
This looks like a fabulous book! Thanks for the chance to win.
Comment from Rae
Time: August 26, 2009, 8:41 am
Ooh, those granny hexagons make me wonder if this could be the book that could get my head wrapped around crochet
Comment from Maya
Time: August 26, 2009, 8:42 am
I love to crochet! Looks like really fun book!
Comment from Bonney
Time: August 26, 2009, 8:47 am
I love those hexagons too. I’ve always like the granny squares but not all the holes. Looks like there’s a lot of neat stuff in this book!
Comment from jan olmstead
Time: August 26, 2009, 8:53 am
Looks like a beautiful book. My friend’s mother taught me to crochet when I was a teen and I still love it. So happy it’s “cool” again to crochet.
Comment from Jennifer Erickson
Time: August 26, 2009, 9:07 am
Wow, great book. Inspiring ideas ~ great sense of style!
Comment from Joan
Time: August 26, 2009, 9:17 am
This book looks great!!! Crochet was my first craft. Still love it today.
Comment from Aik
Time: August 26, 2009, 9:26 am
This book looks beautiful! I really want to learn crochet! Please give me the chance! Thank you! <3
Comment from Helen
Time: August 26, 2009, 9:48 am
I can’t wait to get a copy of this book! With three little girls and a granddaughter, the embellishment opportunities are endless!!
Comment from Betsy
Time: August 26, 2009, 9:54 am
Love these ideas! I know I wouldn’t crochet a whole garment, (gauge troubles) but adornments I think I could do!
Comment from Turtle
Time: August 26, 2009, 10:05 am
what a wonderful looking book!
Comment from Sarah L
Time: August 26, 2009, 10:48 am
My friend taught me to crochet while I was trying to finish graduate school, and it saved my life! It was the perfect antidote to the stress of writing a thesis. I haven’t stopped since! I love Linda’s work and have been reading her blog for awhile now. This book looks amazing; Linda has a great sense of color. And I would buy it for the stitch dictionary alone!
Comment from MelodyJ
Time: August 26, 2009, 10:56 am
I really want this book. I am just learning crochet and am loving it so far.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
Comment from Wendy
Time: August 26, 2009, 10:58 am
I’d love to win this book. Thanks!
Comment from egater
Time: August 26, 2009, 11:15 am
Lovelybook and great giveaway :) I hope I win it ;)
Comment from Kacy
Time: August 26, 2009, 11:23 am
I love to crochet, and I’m always looking for new ideas and inspiration. This book looks awesome!
Comment from Pauline
Time: August 26, 2009, 11:33 am
I only just started crocheting and would like to get better at it and be able to follow patterns. This seems like a good book to learn from so I would love to win a copy!
Comment from Ellyn
Time: August 26, 2009, 11:46 am
I love to crochet! this looks great, count me in
Comment from Ariel
Time: August 26, 2009, 11:57 am
Looks like a great book to get some crochet inspiration from.
Comment from Jan
Time: August 26, 2009, 12:06 pm
I think this book looks great and would love to win it. Please count me in the giveaway
Comment from Dana Smith
Time: August 26, 2009, 12:50 pm
Thanks for the review. I’ve been toying with the idea of learning how to crochet…this book looks well worth it.
Comment from Heather H
Time: August 26, 2009, 1:07 pm
Crochet was my first craft as well- also at the knees of my grandmother. I love the idea of adorning items with bits of crochet- it gives items a personal touch without the time commitment.
Comment from sarwat
Time: August 26, 2009, 1:16 pm
wow love the displayed crochet designs … do include me in the competition and i hope i win
Comment from Sheri
Time: August 26, 2009, 1:23 pm
This book looks great! I’d love to have a copy. :)
Comment from jane
Time: August 26, 2009, 2:35 pm
Well, I’d love to win this book just like everyone else. Looks like a great reference & I do like to crochet. Thanks!
Comment from Diane
Time: August 26, 2009, 3:01 pm
Thank you for the book offer – please add my name to the list of people who would love to win this really nice book. Although I learned to crochet long, long ago, I would very much like to learn to read patterns.
Thank you!
Comment from Salihan
Time: August 26, 2009, 3:03 pm
I would love this book! Thanks for the giveaway. P.S. I’m giving away an amigurumi pear on my blog http://salihan.com. Drop by and leave a comment. ^_^
Comment from kelli
Time: August 26, 2009, 3:05 pm
Ooh, pretty. That makes me want to learn how to read crochet schematics.
Comment from Michelle
Time: August 26, 2009, 3:12 pm
This book looks like it could be a real timesaver in that you get to enjoy crocheting without committing to a large project. Definitely consider me entered! :-)
Comment from Care J K
Time: August 26, 2009, 3:16 pm
The blog tour for this book has been so much fun! I love getting to check out craft blogs like this one. Thanks so much for the giveaway; Linda’s book is a real must-have.
Comment from Karen
Time: August 26, 2009, 3:44 pm
ooh this looks like such a cool book!
Comment from Weedwacker
Time: August 26, 2009, 3:46 pm
I’d love to win this book. Please enter me in the contest. I enjoy crochet work, and it looks like the book has some interesting designs.
Comment from Patricia
Time: August 26, 2009, 3:56 pm
Looks like a lot of great ideas in this book! c: Has me rethinking my wardrobe already.
Comment from Charlotte
Time: August 26, 2009, 4:02 pm
What a great idea for those of us just working our way into crochet! I love mixing up crafty techniques to get something totally different.
Comment from Catherine
Time: August 26, 2009, 4:03 pm
That little yoke top is too cute!
Comment from Victoria
Time: August 26, 2009, 4:06 pm
Every time I see this book, my keyboard is in serious jeopardy of damage by drool. I want Linda to come to my home and teach me more crochet skills, since I’m seriously lacking. But I’m sure she’s busy, so I’ll settle for this book instead.
Comment from miriam sappington
Time: August 26, 2009, 5:08 pm
What a great book! Looks very inspiring!
Comment from Di
Time: August 26, 2009, 5:34 pm
That pink tunic with embellished sleeves is adorable! Would love to get back into crochet and this may give me the kick in the butt I need. My great grandmother taught me many many years ago (she’s since passed on) and I’d love to create something to wear! Thanks for the chance to win!
Comment from kristen
Time: August 26, 2009, 5:53 pm
so funny, i am at this very minute listening to your interview with linda permann…. this book looks like a lot of fun, i’d love to check it out. thanks!
Comment from Sarah
Time: August 26, 2009, 6:31 pm
Crochet was also my first step on the road to a rabid fiber fascination, and also at my Great Grandmother’s knee! I like the idea of these bitty projects that I can do, it *has* to be bite-sized if I’m going to accomplish it in under 12 months.
Comment from Sierra
Time: August 26, 2009, 6:59 pm
What a beautiful book! One of these days I’ll get around to learning more than one crochet!
Comment from Megan
Time: August 26, 2009, 7:49 pm
I can’t wait to get this book. I learned to crochet because my grandmother did it and we didn’t have much else in common. I make gifts mostly, and think this will help broaden my horizons :)
Comment from Philipa Core
Time: August 26, 2009, 7:54 pm
I learned to knit as a child from my mum. She couldn’t read patterns but I learned to from pattern books. I never did learn to knit though! Now I mostly patchwork or cross stitch for my craft fix although I have also just started scrapbooking
Comment from Kitty
Time: August 26, 2009, 10:00 pm
What a great giveaway! I knit, but I can’t crochet. I tried a couple of years ago for I wanted a pair of pot holders like my granny used to make and it just curled in a cap.
Comment from Dawn
Time: August 27, 2009, 2:57 am
Ahh, I want this book!! Thanks for the chance to win it!
Comment from Salma Majeed
Time: August 27, 2009, 5:06 am
Crochet is my favorite craft activity and this book will give me more ideas for interesting projects … thanks for having such a nice giveaway :)
Comment from Tara
Time: August 27, 2009, 5:25 am
I just browsed through this book over the weekend at the bookstore. It’s fantastic! Thanks for the giveaway!
Comment from Michele at A House Called Nut
Time: August 27, 2009, 6:12 am
I love the idea of using crochet for embellishing fabric clothing–wonderful! Crochet is also the first handicraft that I learned. My mother taught me, her mother taught her, and I hope one day I’ll get to pass it on to children of my own.
Comment from Jabeen
Time: August 27, 2009, 6:56 am
love the displayed projects great work Linda
Comment from Sarah Donaghey
Time: August 27, 2009, 7:02 am
I absolutely love this book! There are so many wonderful ideas — I think I’ll have to try them all. In particular, that motif design on the red top – perfect for my daughter. And the trees for a cotton sweater of mine. And the birds for a mobile for my granddaughter. And that pillow. And earrings. And…
Gotta have that book!
Thanks for the give-away opportunity!
Comment from Beth
Time: August 27, 2009, 7:12 am
I really like the idea of crocheted trims, such as the tunic above. It just goes together and I bet the shirt would seem incomplete without it!
Comment from Judy
Time: August 27, 2009, 7:45 am
Good review, Jennifer. I’ve read others for this book, but the projects you’ve chosen to show and comment on, and the enthusiasm for the stitch directory have convinced me that I need to own this book.
Thanks! And thanks for the give-away.
Comment from EL
Time: August 27, 2009, 7:47 am
I’d like to make that floral motif yoke top. How cool to embellish a t-shirt with a unique design.
Comment from Stacey S.
Time: August 27, 2009, 12:39 pm
Fingers crossed. I want to make the embellished tank.
Comment from Dulce
Time: August 27, 2009, 5:14 pm
I would love to have this book. I have been crocheting since I was 4 ears old and would love more new ideas to add to my collection.
Comment from sam ls
Time: August 27, 2009, 6:57 pm
this book looks amazing. I like that it isn’t entirely made up of full-on projects like sweaters and includes things to add on to store bought clothes
Comment from Ramona
Time: August 27, 2009, 7:40 pm
I am just learning to crochet and this book looks great. Simple projects are my speed.
Comment from Sherri I
Time: August 27, 2009, 7:57 pm
The stitch dictionary is a fantastic “icing” for the rest of the book. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Comment from sassypriscilla
Time: August 27, 2009, 11:35 pm
I learned to crochet in college and would love to come back to it. What a great book.
Comment from tammy
Time: August 28, 2009, 6:51 am
The things you have crochet adorned look like Anthropologie. I love ALL of your things! Crossing my fingers.
Comment from T2
Time: August 28, 2009, 3:47 pm
Wow what a necklace on the cover…or is that stitched onto the shirt?
Comment from sheila jones
Time: August 29, 2009, 6:50 am
I really like the look of this book and a read another excellent review of it recently. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win a copy.
Sheila
Comment from melissa
Time: August 29, 2009, 8:28 am
Very up to date looks. Love it! Thank you!
Comment from regina
Time: August 29, 2009, 3:51 pm
THis is such a gorgeous looking book. I am so incredibly happy for linda!! THanks for the great review!
Comment from Jennie C.
Time: August 29, 2009, 4:10 pm
I want this book so BAD!
Comment from Emily
Time: August 29, 2009, 10:15 pm
This book looks amazing! I just learned how to do treble crochet and feel empowered! I’d love to get my hands on this book and learn all sorts of new techniques and make some of these fabulous designs you’ve been sharing.
Comment from Lori Young
Time: August 30, 2009, 8:55 pm
I haven’t crocheted in a while and just the other day I started a project. I’m glad crochet is making a comeback.
Comment from Maureen
Time: August 31, 2009, 10:48 am
I love it. Some good Christmas gift ideas in there.
Comment from Dittemore
Time: November 17, 2010, 11:57 pm
Hey There I am having a problem seeing your whole page on my Windows 7 machine.
Just wanted you to know.
Thanks
Comment from Piland
Time: January 1, 2011, 6:30 pm
Good point of view. Will come again. :-)
Comment from Serna
Time: January 1, 2011, 7:45 pm
Good article. Keep it up. :-)
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