Simple Crochet [Paperback]

Erika Knight (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2003

Simple Crochet brings a modern twist to a traditional craft. Using a stunning range of natural materials—some unexpected—Erika Knight shows how to produce 20 elegant pieces for the home, ranging from cushions, throws and slippers, to boxes and baskets. What is more, you need no previous experience! Simple Crochet uses only a couple of basic stitches and step-by-step instructions give you all the know-how you need to master them. The appealing and original designs are worked in a contemporary color palette based on neutrals with touches of vibrant color, and will fit easily into modern interiors as well as more traditional ones. Simple Crochet is a must for anyone who wants to use their creativity to make simple but beautiful textiles for their home.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Simple Crochet brings a modern twist to a traditional craft. Using a stunning range of natural materials—some unexpected—Erika Knight shows how to produce 20 elegant pieces for the home, ranging from cushions, throws and slippers, to boxes and baskets. What is more, you need no previous experience! Simple Crochet uses only a couple of basic stitches and step-by-step instructions give you all the know-how you need to master them. The appealing and original designs are worked in a contemporary color palette based on neutrals with touches of vibrant color, and will fit easily into modern interiors as well as more traditional ones. Simple Crochet is a must for anyone who wants to use their creativity to make simple but beautiful textiles for their home.

About the Author

ERIKA KNIGHT is an internationally renowned textile designer and fashion consultant. Her highly acclaimed knitting books, Simple Knits for Easy Living and Simple Knits for Cherished Babies, have earned her an enthusiastic following. She trained in Fine Art in Brighton, England, and has worked as a design consultant for a number of leading fashion companies and retailers in the U.K. and America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft; 1 edition (September 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400050790
• ISBN-13: 978-1400050796
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.4 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a keeper..., November 19, 2003

By 

Trish "A Sun Salutin', Crochet Hookin' Chick!" (CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Simple Crochet (Paperback)

Although the word "Simple" is used in the title of this book, it is also quite inspiring. I am quite a hoarder of books and patterns and sometimes (okay often) buy books to drool over other crocheter's art.
I've actually been inspired to try different mediums by this book. I"ve made two projects because of the use of different materials, textures, and modern colors. The items are also very decorative and useful.
Beginning crocheter's will find a project in this book that they can actually complete and more advanced crocheters will find that the materials used and colors will be worth adding this book to your collection..loved it!!

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A homewares investment, March 25, 2005

By 

A. Crawford (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simple Crochet (Paperback)

This book checks all the boxes when it comes to doing something different in crocheting. I'm not a fan of dust-catchers, or anything twee. And I'm shipping to Australia so its got to be worth it.
You can get squares a dime-a-dozen, but interesting, tasteful and useful items for age-old activities can be hard to come by. This book's range of projects would fit into most shabby-chic, country or Ikea decorated homes and are fairly straightforward to undertake.
The only annoyance I have with the book, which is shared with many other publications, is that the images of the finished products are often photographed 'artistically' at the expense of giving a clear idea of what you're supposed to end up with. :|
Otherwise, I'm going to be using this as my source book for a few more projects yet - if I could afford all the materials, and had the time, I'd be making at least 11 of the 20 projects (and have made the slippers, yum), which is a good ratio for the cost.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beatiful designs, with a few functional issues., February 7, 2005

By 

K. Kasabian (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Simple Crochet (Paperback)

As an art director, I appreciate (and was drawn to) the cover, which accurately represents an entire book of beautiful, simple projects. The author obviously has an eye for color and cleverly showcases her finished pieces using an appealing palette of neutrals, offset by brighter pinks, oranges and greens. It's lovely eye candy and an inspiration for those seeking help breaking out of the 1970s color box.

There are also many patterns that use not just yarn, but raffia, material, leather, etc., something I hadn't considered before and have used as inspiration.

I was a little disappointed, though, that the aesthetic photos of finished projects aren't supplemented with a more functional picture that shows the piece in its entirety, especially the four throws.

There are 10 pages devoted to learning all the stitches used in the book. While the accompanying photos are helpful and clear, I don't think it's comprehensive enough for the complete beginner, especially the instructions for crocheting in rounds. I've found much better instruction in Leisure Arts' 10-20-30 Minutes To Learn To Crochet ($8.95).

One reviewer had mentioned she was looking for more beautiful projects like the ones featured in Simple Crochet. Candi Jensen has a few books that also help to bring crochet into the 21st century...check out Candy Blankies and Hip to Crochet.