Blueprint Crochet Sweaters: Techniques for Custom Construction [Paperback]

Robyn Chachula (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 9, 2013

Learn the must-have basics of sweater construction and ways to achieve better-fitting garments!

Best-selling author of Blueprint Crochet, Robyn Chachula presents an approachable resource on the basics of crochet design. This friendly introduction to sweater and garment construction will give you a deeper understanding of working with crochet and help you make better-fitting garments in the process.

In this collection of 16 patterns, Robyn focuses on four basic garment types and their variations-"classic" construction (including raglan, drop-sleeve, and side-saddle sleeve); unique construction (side-to-side or from the bottom up, around the shoulder, and back down); motif construction; and top-down (both round and raglan types).

The perfect introduction to the building blocks of crochet sweater construction, Blueprint Crochet Sweaters breaks down intimidating garment design into easily digestible parts, offering a deeper appreciation and understanding of how to create projects that reflect your own personal style.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robyn Chachula began her career as a structural engineer with a specialty in historic preservation and renovation, which uses her ability to take big projects and break them into little items anyone can understand. She is the author of Blueprint Crochet: Modern Designs for the Visual Crocheter (Interweave, 2008). Visit her blog, crochetbyfaye.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (April 9, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596688289
• ISBN-13: 978-1596688285
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Crocheting
  • #14 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Fashion

More About the Author

Robyn Chachula's winding path to a crochet career began as a structural engineer with a specialty in historic preservation and renovation, which uses her ability to take big projects and break them into little items anyone can understand.

You can watch Robyn in action on Knit and Crochet Now on PBS where she is a crochet expert. She can also be seen on Knitting Daily TV on PBS showing off some of her favorite designs. Her first crochet book, Blueprint Crochet: Modern Designs for the Visual Crocheter, Interweave Press Fall 2008, uses her engineering background to bring crochet symbols to everyone. Her second book, Mission Falls Goes Crochet, uses Mission Falls 1824 Wool and Cotton for the whole family. Her latest book, Baby Blueprint Crochet, marries her love of crochet symbols with adorable baby projects. Her designs have been published in Interweave Crochet, Crochet Today!, and Knitscene; as well as in other books, including Not Your Mama's Crochet, Catwalk Crochet, Vogue on the Go: Crocheted Shawls, Crochet Me, Son of Stitch & Bitch, Sensual Crochet, Crocheted Gifts and more. You can see all of her architecturally inspired pieces at www.crochetbyfaye.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars finally! April 3, 2013

By Kas

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A book that takes the mystery out of making sweaters with a crochet hook!

Pros
1) Gives 4 very different construction techniques
2) Explains each technique in great detail
3) Special stitches and how to incorp them into designs
4) How to read a chart
5) Buttonholes

All the above explained in great detail and more

Neuts
1) Some ofthe designs are very much neutral for me liking or disliking but the book shows how to change them so could be considered a Pro

Cons
I can not see one con other than book construction and binding being crafter unfriendly but that is the publisher's fault not the author, so no Cons

This is book is for any serious crocheter's library!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A good jumping-off point April 3, 2013

By allora619

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been crocheting for 8 + years and have recently been working on designing my own sweaters. Although not a true step-by-step for designing from scratch, this book does have a lot of hints and tricks, and provides several attractive sweaters for you to customize and tweak to fit you perfectly. With explanations on how to crochet sweaters in several different ways, there is definitely something for everyone who wants to take their crochet to the next level.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely sweaters for the intermediate crocheter April 24, 2013

By Tanis Galik

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book contains lovely creations by well-known designers such as Robyn Chachula, Drew Emborsky and Kristin Omdahl. The charts and schematics are plentiful and extremely helpful. The introduction also contains some useful information and suggestions. Don't skip it. The book is divided into four ways to construct a sweater: Classic, Top-down and In-the-Round, Granny Motif and Unique. Each section provides you with several options of great sweaters to crochet.

As always, I took the book to my fiber fun group which mostly consists of beginning crocheters. They loved many of the items but felt the projects were way above their skill level, even with assistance. So possibly the book would be best for advanced beginners, but mainly intermediate and advanced crocheters would love it.

My personal favorites are: Cranberry Cardigan by Robyn Chachula on page 12, Foliage Shrug by Simona Merchant-Dest on page 30, Veronica Pullover (the book cover sweater and a real winner) by Kristin Omdahl on page 138 and the Smoky Cropped Top by Drew Emborsky on page 60.

If you are up to the challenge of crocheting a sweater (maybe for the first time), this is the book for you.