Kooky Crochet: 30 Remarkably Wacky Projects (Paperback)

by Linda Kopp (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Wacky, whimsical, clever, offbeat: these projects are guaranteed to make you smile. Maybe it will be the oddball idea, perhaps the unique appearance, or possibly the out-of-the-ordinary material. Every one’s the brainchild of a first-class designer, and will have crocheters of all levels completely hooked. Who could resist the kitsch of Sunnyside Up Potholders and the fun techno-geek tote bag embellished with emoticons? Or, rather than working with ordinary yarn or thread, try using nylon mason’s twine (for leg warmers), marabou boas, and even plastic bags. And don’t worry: as wild and way-out as the projects are, they all use traditional, familiar techniques and there’s a handy reference guide of basic crochet stitches at the back.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (July 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579909787
• ISBN-13: 978-1579909789
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #377,065 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wacky and wonderful, August 23, 2007

By	Patricia R. Andersen "redheaded booklover" (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I loved this book. It's not the most challenging crochet book in the world and that's great. After ruining my wrists by pounding a keyboard all day, I don't always feel like doing a "challenging" pattern. Sometimes I want fast and dare I say it, cute.
I found the fried egg potholders quick and cute. And the little amigurami birds are just darling. And yes, I even liked the crocheted fortune cookies. What can you do with them? Well, they could make refrigerator magnets. Or you could use them at a bridal shower for fun - it could be something as simple as "You will never burn the toast" or "Don't even try making a red velvet cake" to other wilder things, depending on the bridal shower. Or you could do the same for a bacherlorette party.
The leg warmers? well, not my particular style but my youngest sister did ask for a pair of them (for waiting for public transportation in the winter), so that's certainly handly. Not into the Medusa hat, but I have yet to find a crochet pattern book (or magazine) that was 100% patterns I liked.
This is a good book for a beginner crocheter as well as the more experienced crocheter who wants to have a little fun with the hooks and yarn. Make a few of those little birds and hang them around your place and it will brighten your mood. Sneak a crocheted fortune cookie into a loved one's lunch bag with a sweet message of encouragement. Just enjoy the book and the patterns, everything doesn't have to be so darned _serious_ all the time.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kooky crochet - OK!, June 15, 2007

By	H. McCarren (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had pre-ordered this book specifically because I knew my favorite designer had a pattern inside. I was so excited that on my initial read-through there were lots of patterns that I really liked and plan to make. There is a good mixture of accessories, toys, bags, clothes etc. I hate getting stuck with a one trick pony, and this book 'aint one of them. It's totally fun and a good bargain.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not another teen-targeted crochet book., January 12, 2008

By	Genevieve Hayes (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Kooky Crochet" is yet another book in a string of teen and young adult targeted craft books that started to surface after Debbie Stoller's "Stitch 'n' Bitch" series, and in my opinion, achieves only moderate success. The patterns in this book are divided into three sections: kitsch for home and self; wacky wearables; and madcap accessories.

The kitsch for home and self section comprises a number of patterns for toys and items that can be used around the house (such as a daisy potholder, a dice cushion and mixed grill placemats). The household items are both practical and fun. The toys, on the other hand, I can't really imagine appealing to all that many children. If you're looking for something to make for a child, you might like to look elsewhere.

Technically, the items in the wacky wearables section are all wearables, although, I seriously doubt that anyone would actually wear many of these items in public. These include a ski-mask that looks just like the mask worn by Nacho Libre, a Medusa hat (with snakes coming out of it) and a fig-leaf halter. However, I do think the fluffy flip-flop covers are cute and intend to make them.

The final, accessories, section of this book is the best part of it. This section contains a number of patterns, mostly for bags and most of which are both different but not too different so that you would be embarrassed to be seen with them. My personal favourite was the emoticon carry bag, and I also think the coffee cup sleaves look like they would make good presents for people.

In spite of the fact that this book contains a set of basic stitch instructions, I would say that many of the patterns in this book are probably a bit too ambitious for absolute beginners. However, for teenagers and young adults who have been crocheting for a while and are looking for slightly more challenging projects, this book is a reasonably good way to go.