Crocheting on the Edge: Ribs & Bobbles*Ruffles*Flora*Fringes*Points & Scallops by Nicky Epstein
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Book Reviews of Crocheting on the Edge: Ribs & Bobbles*Ruffles*Flora*Fringes*Points & Scallops
Book Review: VARIETY AND CREATIVITY -- BUT NOT FOR BEGINNERS!
Summary: 4 Stars
You can be sure that any book by Nicky Epstein is a good one, and this is one is good. Crocheters mostly use borders for trimming afghans, but many of the innovative ones here are perfect for embellishing clothing.
The frontispiece photo is of a gorgeous small afghan that is a true crochet tour de force -- but it is made up of a large variety of spectacular motifs and medallions and has little to do with borders. Once again the publisher has followed its policy of "don't tell the customer what is in the book" because the cover doesn't let you know tht you get not only borders but instructions for some wonderful garments, Many people now buy books on line and don't have an opportunity to see a contents page or glance through to see what's inside.
The book begins with one border which is photographed worked in many different types, textures and weights of yarn, which is a great graphic demonstration of how yarn choice changes the look of a pattern.
I think one of the author's intents is to show knitters how to use crocheted borders on knitted projects, so the next section is four pages of kntted squares, each edged with a different crocheted border. This too is a great idea, except that the borders were mostly worked onto the knitting in such a way that they distort the
shape of the knitted pieces. This might discourage some knitters from even trying to add a crocheted border.
There is a way to avoid distortion, but no help in doing this is provided.
Then the section on borders begins -- and not only are there written instructions, but complete symbol diagrams for each one. Thank you, thank you! The section starts with the most uninteresting borders,
but don't get discouraged: they get better as you go along. THe designs range from frilly to fun to elaborate to simple-but-lovely.
The garment patterns are near the end of the book. They are all crocheted, but the patterns are written in the typical knitting pattern style (tell them as little as possible) instead of the more expansive and detailed style crocheters are accustomed to. But with symbol diagrams also provided, most crocheters will
manage.
Unless the knitter or crocheter who uses this book is very experienced, they may run into trouble. Little help is given for how to work stitches such as reverse single crochet, a technique which gives many crocheters a lot of trouble. When this is called for in a pattern, there is just a cryptic note saying "see page TK". This page was referenced for technical help a couple of times,but I could find no page TK. Maybe it's just my bad eyesight!
On page 195 is a section headed TECHNIQUES where I assumed to find crochet technique help, but all that was there was how to make lazy daisy and French knot embroidery stitches. At least one border is done in Tunisian crochet, so you better already know how to do it if you want to make that border.
If you are not an experienced crocheter, better brush up on your skills before you add this beautiful book to
your library. And don't give it to your favorite knitter for Christmas unless you know she crochets!
Book Review: Very unique edgings in here!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book today at Michael's (with a 40% off coupon of course!), and just had to write a review about it. I just love it......so far. I own at least 4-5 other crochet edging books, but this is certainly the most creative out of the bunch. I especially like the "flora" section where there are numerous edgings with flowers, leaves, etc...that you just do not see anywhere else. There are some typical, or as the author puts it "classic" edgings in here that you will find in other books, but for the most part the edgings are pretty original. This book also features 9 original patterns created for this book, although I cannot say that I will make any of them becuase they are not my personal style (two jackets, a vest, two capelets, a scarf, a "hatband/bracelet", a t-shirt with an edgining, and a "medallion medly" (which looks sort of like a freeform style small lapghan) it was an unexpected surprise to find them at the back of this book.
I would like to mention that there is not a "how to" section in this book. While this is not a problem for me, for those of you out there new to crochet, or for Nicky's knitting fans, who just have to have all of her books, if you do not know how to crochet, make sure you pick up a book on how to crochet along with this book. Because unlike many crochet books which will at the very least contain some illustrations in a "refresher course" type section, to remind you of how to do crochet stitches, this book does not have that. She does however, provide a small explanation of special stitches at the beginning of patterns that use them (i.e. the popcorn stitch, etc.....). There is a photograph of a swatch as well as a chart for each pattern, which I really like. The symbols can be really helpful at times.
I would also like to say that having just purchased this book today, I cannot comment on how the directions are written, or if there are any errors. A lot of customers who reviewed her crocheted flowers book (which I do not own), complained that her directions are not well written. I cannot comment on this, so take this review for what it is....someone who has looked through this book several times, but has not made any projects from it.
My only "complaint" at this point is not the fault of the author, or even the publisher, but rather whomever printed this book. When I got home to go through this book I found that pages 49-59 are pretty messed up. They all have significant creasing, and ink spots, and places where the text is quite blurred. It looks as if there was a mess up during the printing process, so alas, I will be going back to Michael's to exchange this book for another (hopefully better) copy. Whatever company actually printed this book should have better quality control, especially for the $30 price tag of this book!
But so far, just from looking at all the unique edgings in here, I am really quite impressed with this book, and cannot wait to add an edgining to something.....anything!