Most crochet books have you follow a pattern, make so-many stitches of such-and-such a kind, and arrive at a predictable result. In freeform (also known as scrumbling), it’s anything goes: mix different stitches and yarns, trust your own creativity, and produce original works of amazing art! Freeform Crochet and Beyond shows how to make various stitches and use them with simple templates, then add novelty patches, floral designs, stars, tassels, and other decorations. It also explains how to achieve special effects with felting, beading, and other techniques. For inspiration, a beautifully illustrated gallery section showcases spectacular bags, hats, scarves, shawls, and other items. Beginners and experienced crocheters alike will welcome this irresistible introduction to the fascinating possibilities of freeform.
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Waterstones Newsletter:This is a wonderful book! I love the pictorial crochet cover photo, and on first flicking through the pages was disappointed to see a collection of instructions for motifs rather than anything so complex. However, as soon as I sat down to read the book, I was immediately drawn in by the author's friendly, engaging style of writing. She has a wonderfully refreshing attitude: if you're not sure about something, try it anyway! If it doesn't work, try something else! She is not prescriptive in terms of yarns etc, and actively encourages the reader to experiment wih colour, texture, and design.This is a far more intuitive book than Jenny Dowde's books on the same subject. Kirkpatrick provides information in terms of stitches and motifs and how to use them, alongside personal anecdotes and advice, and galleries of completed pieces showing the amazing effects you can achieve. The way she explains as she goes along makes everything seem achievable, no matter your level of experience. The final 20 pages cover the 'beyond' mentioned in the title (although knitting is included with crochet throughout). This section includes wet and dry felting, vilene, embroidery, and a fun few pages about weaving, using various self-constructed small, basic looms. These subjects are obviously not covered comprehensively but give sufficient overview that you can see the different ways they can be utilised to experiment further yourself.If you feel you need more explicit guidance before you begin 'freeforming', try Jenny Dowde's books ('Freeform Knitting and Crochet' and 'Freeformations') which offer a good range of projects to learn the different techniques. They also give a good grounding in colour and basic design theory, along with additional stitches and motifs that you can incorporate into your own pieces, so they make great companions to this book, regardless. However, if I was only going to buy one book on the subject of freeform crochet, Renate Kirkpatrick's would be the one. Although specifically not project-based, it provides all the tools and information you could need to embark on such impressive pieces as the cover design, but also to discover your own style and way of working. In addition to that, I found I simply liked the book, in the same way I might enjoy chatting with an old friend. There should be more books like that on everybody's shelf!
About the Author
Born in Germany in 1951, Renata Kirkpatrick grew up in windy Wollongong and in 1974 settled on the Sunshine Coast with her husband Glenn where they operate a small commercial Signwriting and Screenprinting business. Renate has experimented with pottery, exhibited and conducted workshops in papermaking, and has won a Fibre Art Award in rag rugging. Five years ago, as crochet made its huge resurgence, Renate's extensive knowledge in Traditional Tunisian (Tricot), Jacquard, Crochenit (double-ended hook) and more recently Freeform techniques has led to her conducting monthly workshops and weekly classes.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Imagination is your only limit.,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Freeform Crochet and Beyond: Bags, Cushions, Hats, Scarves and More (Milner Craft Series) (Paperback)
I want to make one thing very clear, this is not a book of crochet patterns. If you're looking for a book of patterns, move along, nothing to see here.
What this IS is a book of inspiration. Inspiration to move beyond pattern following, and create your own, fantabulous confections of yarn, texture and color. It gives you: Great directions on how to create motifs, using crochet, both regular and tunisian, knitting and felting. Clear instructions on how to join them together. Instructions for how to assemble a garment, hat or bag using a commercial dressmaking pattern or a pattern / form that you created. Suggestions for beading and embellishment. Tons of gorgeous photos of the author's own beautiful creations. But what it doesn't give you is clear, concise project instructions, that is not what this book, or freeform crochet is about. I don't even put this book away any more. I'm constantly referring to it, trying new motifs and patterns, and sometimes just gazing in awe at the pictures. Since purchasing Freeform Crochet, I've completed 2 freeform handbags, and 3/4ths of the way through a third, and have the beginnings of another 3 or 4 projects in my head. I'm constantly seeing color combinations that I want to explore in another project! If you're ready to move beyond patterns and let your creativity and imagination run wild, buy this book. Buy it now! Have you bought it yet? What are you waiting for?
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathtaking Crochet,
By CrochetQueen "Hook, Yarn and Needles" (Elko, NV United States) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Freeform Crochet and Beyond: Bags, Cushions, Hats, Scarves and More (Milner Craft Series) (Paperback)
Will give you a whole new idea on what you can really do with your freeform, the cover is just a small part of what you will find inside. The instructions are a very clear and easy to follow. If you are a beginner go ahead and grab this book as you will certainly be inspired to try more complex designs.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The absolute best freeform book,
This review is from: Freeform Crochet and Beyond: Bags, Cushions, Hats, Scarves and More (Milner Craft Series) (Paperback)
I have read a ton of stuff in books and on the internet about free form crochet, but this is the best by far. Instruction, inspiration, very easy to follow. If you are even remotely interested in free form crochet or just like to make up your own patterns, you'll want this book.
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