Customer Reviews

Around the Corner Crochet Borders: 150 Colorful, Creative Edging Designs with Charts and Instructions for Turning the Corner Perfectly Every Time

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, this book is a pleasure to browse. It has nice colors, good type, and great schematics. There are truly 150 borders, and if you see one on the cover you like, it will be in the book (I checked four of my favorites, and they were all there). Unfortunately, the border you like may not be easy to find. This book would have been improved with a picture index of the borders available collected on a few pages at the beginning OR a numerical index of which borders are found where on the covers (as some doily books are known to do). Before you buy, you should note that the book is oddly dimensioned. The picture Amazon shows is the entire cover...not the top half of a full-sized cover, which makes the number of pages in the book twice what an ordinary sized pattern book would have with the same number of patterns. The book itself might also have benefited from a spiral rather than a standard paperback-type binding.

Next, the borders are different from what I have seen in other books. I have at least 10 border and edging books, and the ones here were different. These edgings used front and back loop construction to get ridges in creative locations. They had clusters, chains, lacy, and solid. There was a great deal of variability in style from border to border, yet virtually all were worthwhile. Even if I made an afghan a month, it would take more than 10 years to use all the designs I really liked. Most of the borders were not more than 4 rounds, though many had suggestions of how to make them wider. The colors were varied more than the author's previous motif book, and I thought they were prettier.

Then, there are a few things I would have changed. At least half of the borders have what I would call a "good" corner--a special treatment of the corner to make it stand out or a true right angle corner. The other half of the borders do say what to do at the corner, but the corner treatments are basically to work the border along the entire edge, add a few very boring stitches to keep the corner from cupping, and then start the next edge. (Basically, the corner would be "flat." Think of a 5dc, skip 2 stitches, sc in the center of a 3sc corner group, then continues with skip 2 stitches and 5dc group again.) Several of the borders with arches did this instead of having some "design" or short arch at the corner. (With the border described, I might put 9dc in the center of the 3sc group and have the skip 2 stitches before and after the border preceded by a sc, then 5dc). I would have added a few stitches to the pattern and created a true design for the corner...every time. Then, an option could have existed to have a pointed or flat corner depending on how many stitches were worked along the edge. Thankfully, with even 75 good corners, I am not likely to use up the design ideas any time soon.

Finally, I do highly recommend this book. Despite the suggestions for improvement given in this review, this set of patterns is one I can see using for years to come. The vast majority of the borders are lovely, well-written, and well-diagrammed. The charts are helpful for seeing structure, and they are given for both a corner and for a straight edge. The colors are pretty; the tips for working and introduction are well-done and helpful; and the overall presentation is top-notch. This book would be a great addition to any crochet border library.

The first reviewer gave a fantastic view of this book with which I can only agree. I also have several border books but nothing that also gives the corners which is always a problem. Each pattern is written out as well as with a big schematic and also an insert showing what the repeat is alongside a full color picture of the stitches. Also, each pattern has a chart showing the colors for each row. The first section of the book explains everything needed in order to work the edging patterns. There are also several sections at the back covering crochet punctuation, the symbols with actual photos illustrating them, glossary and abbreviations, index and chart stitch key to the symbols. The index does not give the stitches as each one only has a number. The stitches have been crochet tested by a panel of 10 and the book looks to have been thoroughly checked for mistakes. The book lies flat, is very attractive and well printed and must have been a work of love. It really fills a gap in crochet books and recommended to all crocheters.

First, I am not a crocheter (well, I should say "novice" and/or "wanna be").
I knit and enjoy knitting.
But some things are just meant for crocheting, and I think borders is just one of many that fit that category. And, I found it`s very helpful to have 150 illustrations of how to crochet borders that go around corners.

Most of the borders are shown on 2 pages, facing each other.
There are a few that are continued onto a 3rd page, and then a few that use just one page: i.e. p. 116, 117 & 118 are for border #51; p.119 is for border #52.
Each border is beautifully photographed and the instructions are both written and charted.
And the text and charts are easy to read (well printed and good sized).

And while I prefer spiral binding, the paper stock is quality and the binding is sound enough (so far) to allow me to lay the book out flat... which is probably the reason for the odd size...
It is short and wide. At first glance it makes one wonder why... then when actually using the book and reading a 2-page border, it becomes obvious: it stays open to those 2 pages - well done.

The first 26 pages contain information on "Maintaining a Flat Edge"; "Calculating the Number of Stitches"; "Adjusting the number of stitches"; "Crocheting Borders on Woven Fabric" (also on Felted Fabric); "Reading Crochet Patterns" (as well as crochet charts), and more.

There are tips, one being a "Note to UK Crocheters" about the difference in US vs UK terms.

#1 border starts on p.28; #150 border ends on p.303.
"Crochet Punctuation" is p. 304-305.
"Crochet Symbols" are p. 306-307.
"Glossary and Abbreviations" are p. 308-311.
"Index" is p. 312-313.
"Chart Stitch Key" is p. 314-315.

This was just what I was looking for; yes, very pleased.
And, I`m looking to put my crochet needles to work - on some of these borders... and some other items as well... some things are meant to be crocheted.

Good luck.

This is my review for this book. I also posted this review on my blog at [...]

Why is this edging book different from all other edging books? Corners! The majority, if not all, edging books out on the market show how to work a long and flat crocheted edging. That's fine if you just want to trim the bottom of a towel, but what if you want to edge an afghan? or a scarf? or the whole towel? That's where this book comes in. It has patterns for 150 different crocheted borders, each one showing you how to turn the corner. The book essentially has two main parts: section 1 talks about the logistics of crocheting borders and section 2 is filled with patterns for 150 different borders

Section 1 - Edgings and More

Many people will buy this book just for the edging patterns, but this first section makes the purchase price worth it all by itself. It has information every crocheter should know. It discusses how to evenly crochet around a piece as well as methods of joining and changing colors. I especially love the fact that this section is full of color photos showing you exactly what Edie is talking about. It's one thing to read about how to create an even, flat border, but it's quite another to see bright, clear photographs illustrating what to do and not do. When I was reading through this section, I was a bit confused by the explanation of a single crochet and double crochet join, but with the aide of the photos I was able to figure it out.

Since most borders can only be worked over a certain multiple of stitches, this section walks you through determining how many stitches you have and which borders will work. If you are math phobic, don't worry. Edie explains what to do step by step and even includes an example that you can look over.

I have to say that I love the method she gives for working edges on a piece of regular (i.e. not crocheted) fabric. If you have ever spent hours, like me, punching holes in the hem of a fabric in order to crochet an edging, then you will absolutely LOVE the method in this book.

Section 2 - The Edgings - 150 crocheted designs, instructions, and charts

Ah...the patterns :-) There are a stunning variety of edgings to choose from, and you can find one to suit any project. Some are dainty while others are bold and showy. Some use simple stitches, some use more advanced stitches, some use beads or buttons, and some use innovative techniques to create a fabulous edge. Oh, and some are fabulously 3 dimensional. Clear sample photos show you sections of the edging, including a corner, of course. The samples are worked in the beautiful array of colors that I've come to expect from Edie's work in her previous book, Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs.

Some of my favorites: #123 is perfect for edging a Breast Cancer Awareness project. #142 has a fantastic variation of the single crochet, #27 looks regal while using mostly basic stitches, and #65 if my daughter saw this one she'd make me crochet her a blanket just so it could have this edge.

Each pattern is written for a border crocheted in the round. Accompanying each written pattern are two stitch diagrams. The first is simply the symbol "translation" of the written directions. The second chart shows modifications that may be necessary if you need to work the pattern back and forth (flat) instead of in the round. This would come in handy if you wanted to make tied headbands or bracelets using the edging patterns. There is a stitch symbol key located in the back of the book to help you decipher the charts. In addition to that, there is also a spread showing some of the basic symbols and explaining some of the logic behind symbol diagrams.

Overall, I'd say this book is a great addition to any crocheter's library, and a must have for anyone who wants to really learn how to make fantastic edgings.

The pros: Colorful, creative borders (including corners and stitch counts!) - complete with written instructions and charts. There are a lot of options, from simple to complex, from chunky to lacy, which offers a large amount of good options for all your projects. They instruct you how to add these borders to knit/crochet projects, and even fabric and felt!

The cons: The physical book is oddly shaped, and isn't spiral bound like Beyond the Square. The book won't lay flat, keeps closing on me, and is difficult in that manner.

Sum up - good patterns, bad physical book.

I specifically ordered this book as I have this author's other book on crochet design and throughly enjoyed that book. I was not aware until I received this book how small this book was, only 5x7" 7" being the width and 5" the height. It's hardly worth even putting in the bookcase, it'd get lost. Maybe I will have to store it in a drawer. Were the publishers trying to cut costs or what? I knew it was a paperback, unlike her other books and I was willing to overlook that as I liked her other book. As to content it is good but you can imagine that it had to be shrunk to fit this small book so definately plan on wearing reading glasses or using a magnifying glass to read the symbols! This author's book deserved better service from the publisher, story publishing!

I crochet lots of afghans -- for family, friends, and charity (Project Linus) -- and am always mixing and matching blanket and border patterns, and sometimes looking for a unique idea for finishing off an afghan of my own design. After buying and being somewhat disappointed in several other books of crocheted borders, I think I've found just the one with "Around the Corner." This book has a great variety of edgings, from tailored to frilly and everything in between -- many of them different from any I've seen. The book is organized beautifully, with one border and its instructions on facing pages, allowing me to easily flip through and browse until I find just the one I want. Though, of course, spiral binding would be wonderful, at least the pages lie fairly flat because of the publication's horizontal format. And, the yarn colors selected are rich and harmonious so that they inspire.

This is the best crochet border book that I've ever seen. It has an amazing assortment of ideas and the patterns are well written and also include a stitch diagram for those of us that like a good crochet chart. I love that it shows you how to do the math to find out if a border will fit into your project or how to make it fit. BUT, my favorite aspect is that the patterns show you how to turn a corner. This is something I've never seen in a borders book before. Sooooo awesome. My new favorite crochet book - hands down.

I just love this book. It has so many different borders for all kinds of blankets.

This book includes 150 stitches, with instructions for turning corners on edgings.

What I like:
There is a large, well lit photograph of each stitch in vibrant, colored yarn(s). (This booklet is fun to flip through!) The book includes a great range of stitch designs for borders, many of which you are unlikely to have in other stitch guides. The special stitches are described within the pattern so you don't have to do a lot of flipping to the back of the book. Each stitch includes both pattern abbreviations and stitch symbols. There is a glossary and guide to stitch symbols in the back. Many of the patterns incorporate different stitches, so that a multiple row border will not just repeat the same pattern each row. Many stitches can be adapted for using throughout the project, rather than solely as a border.

What I don't like (or what's missing):
There is no pattern difficulty rating listed. The binding doesn't lay flat, so it is difficult to crochet and read the pattern at the same time.

Overall, this is a really great book, and a wonderful stitch guide. Even though it would be awesome if the book would lay flat, many other crochet books don't. Similarly, many stitch guides don't include a pattern difficulty rating, so I'm still giving it 5 stars.