Simply Crochet: 22 Stylish Designs for Everyday [Paperback]

Robyn Chachula (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 17, 2012

Your invitation to pretty crochet.

Elegance can be affordable. Simply Crochet is packed with valuable designer advice and practical, yet stylish projects for crocheters who want to make the most of their yarn stash.

Inside this helpful resource, you’ll find:

*22 cleverly designed one, three, and five skein projects, including delightful patterns for scarves, a bag, shawls, vests, cardigans, home accessories, and children's items. These patterns—from top designers including Kristin Omdahl, Carol Ventura, and Doris Chan—will help you learn how to maximize the value of your yarn without compromising on style.

*Designer tips on saving money, stash busting and organization, and making your yarn go the furthest in a pattern with different stitch choices and stitch patterns.

Perfect for crocheters of all levels, Simply Crochet offers creative ideas and inventive solutions for making every stitch count.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Now that the crushing weight of holiday crafting has lifted, crocheters may be inspired to take up their hooks and make something from this lovely new book by Chachula (Blueprint Crochet). The premise of the book is that patterns are grouped into sections according to how much yarn will be needed -- from 1 ball to more than 5. It’s a neat organizational point, but the majority of readers may find that they prefer the patterns to be ranked by difficulty. Indeed, there’s a vast range here, from a simple Dots and Dashes Baby Blanket, which will take more time than skill, to the Amelia cardigan that takes up 12 pages of instruction and presents a test of technique. All of the patterns are modern in design and are presented in attractive, multiple, full-color photographs. The Spa Shawl Top, a lacy marvel, along with the intricate Iced Ascot and a Flapper Hat, show the author’s particular gift for feminine but still current design, which can be hard to find in crochet books. The standard basic instructions in the back won’t be enough for the new crocheter, but this book isn’t the right starting point in any case. The experienced crocheter will find a gratifying -- yes, even stash-busting -- challenge." - Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Robyn Chachula is the author of Baby Blueprint Crochet, and best-selling Blueprint Crochet, and a contributor to Crochet Me and Crocheted Gifts. She has been published in a number of magazines, including Interweave Crochet and Crochet Today! Robyn has been a guest on Knit and Crochet Today and on Knitting Daily TV. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (January 17, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781596682986
• ISBN-13: 978-1596682986
• ASIN: 1596682981
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #94 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Crocheting

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

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Some gems in this book February 13, 2012

By Rudy Fan

Format:Paperback

This is a pretty book to peruse. There are 3 sections. The first is for 1-2 balls of yarn, then 3-4, and then 4-5. The photos are first rate along with diagrams to the project showing the stitches and schematics when needed (such as for a larger piece like cardigans). The patterns are clear and easy to read. The yarns used are of higher quality, but you could easily substitute as the complete info of weight AND yardage is in the pattern. I especially liked all the tips throughout in sidebars on crocheting economically (how to acquire a stash, storing it, using it).

As for the projects themselves, there are 6 that are scarves or wraps along with 5 baby/child patterns, one lone household article (place mats), and the rest are women's clothing items (and one bracelet). Of these, I like the Spa Shawl Top in the longer style, the Linked Jacket, and the Giselle Vest. There is a cute purse and a neat felted basket (I really like the design of basket weaving that takes on a whole new dimension when felted). The kid's clothes are for girls with a little dress, a cardigan, and a sweater. This is a lovely book and there are some real gems mixed in with not so great ones (the shrug comes to mind) or just not useful for me (kid's clothes). I gave it 4 stars, but for someone else with different needs, this book could easily be considered 5 star. :-)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Clear Presentations, So So Patterns September 12, 2012

By Samantha Lancaster

Format:Paperback

This is a pretty good book for the price. I love how the sections are broken down by how much yarn you will need for each project. I have to say however, that I did not find many patterns in here that I love. Out of the patterns I have done so far the fan favorite seems to be the Spa Shawl Top. I have made both versions and my favorite,as well as others I have shown the tops to, is the tunic length. It was very big hit and I have people asking for me to make them a tunic as well. The instructions in this book are well written and it was nice to have the addition of the crochet charts as well. The pictures of what the finished product should like were very good. I like how they shot different angles/close-ups of the designs.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not all simple crochet patterns April 2, 2012

By Harriet

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am familiar with the author - she's great. I was not aware that so many of the patterns were so advanced and very intricate.