For those who are looking for some craft ideas and how-to's for Christmas gifts or decorations, here are some of my related posts and articles.
Decorations:
Get Spicy: Here is a step-by-step of the fragrant decorations we made for our tree in 2011.
Quick and Easy Garland and Easy Crochet Garland: Two versions of a spiral crochet garland with contrasting edging.
Temari: This is a link to a series of posts, which you will find in reverse order. These step-by-step posts were done in 2011 using 3 inch cores, but they can be made in a variety of sizes - our Christmas tree has them in 1 1/2 inch and 2 inch cores. They make great gifts as well as decorations.
Christmas Sachets: These step-by-step decorations go back to 2008 (posts are in reverse order). We don't have many left, but their scent still lingers.
Apple Cinnamon Cookie-cutter decorations: These were our 2009 decorations. You'll find the step-by-step to make them in Part One, then finish them in Part Two.
Eight Point Star ornaments: these yarn wrapped ornaments are fast, easy and addictive!
Plastic Canvas ornaments: A step-by-step for two different plastic canvas shapes.
Crochet Covered Christmas ornaments: A free pattern.
Christmas Light Luminaries: Step-by-step instructions to modify a string of Christmas lights, these can be used all year, by just wrapping them with seasonal garlands.
Hand Crafted Gift Ideas:
3 Hour Crochet Cowl: A free pattern for a simple cowl, with ideas for modifications.
Simple Lap Blanket: Another free crochet pattern.
Salt Jar Luminaries: A step-by-step for candle luminaries.
A Pot of Roses: These everlasting flowers will be sure to bring cheer to a loved one!
Gift Idea Product, Move and Book Reviews:
Over at Squidoo, writers have been given quest challenges to do reviews on various themes. Here are some of mine that might inspire some gift-giving ideas.
Endhiran (Robot) Movie Review
Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Disney's Missing Princess
Star Wars Original Trilogy - Unaltered
For the Well Rounded Crocheter - Plus Size Crochet
The Philosopher's Kitchen, for the Historical Foodie
Wabash Familiy Farms Popcorn Maker
Recipes to Enjoy:
Making Chevre de Provence (you'll need to start these a week before you need them)
Tourtiere
Mulled Wine
Christmas Goose step-by-step, Part One, Part Two, Part Three
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Book review: 1-2-3 Skein Crochet
Yesterday I took my younger daughter to the yarn shop we got her crochet Christmas gifts from. She was hoping to find another rosewood hook in a larger size. No luck with that, but she did buy 3 skeins of the same yarn we got her for Christmas, in purple. She's already started another shawl, using the same pattern as the one she made for herself. It'll be a bit bigger, since she used 2 skeins for that one. She just LOVES using the rosewood hook. :-D
As much as we loved the yarn shop, the prices often left us in shock. There were a few that were more reasonable that I would have loved to get, but had no real idea of what I'd make with them. I don't want to make more hats and scarves, and I'm not the sort to make purely decorative items. So what can you make when you can only afford a couple of balls or skeins of some gorgeous yarn?
Instead of yarn, I bought myself a book that might just fit the bill.
Title: 1-2-3 Skein Crochet
Edited by Judy Crow
All the projects in this book use, at most, 3 skeins of yarn. At the top of each new project's page, there's the title of the book with the number of skeins needed for that project highlighted, so you can tell at a glance how much is needed. The only thing to keep in mind is that if the project is a 2 parter (ie: hat and scarf, pillow and matching lapghan), that number is for only one project, not both. It's still handy, though.
The book is organized into 6 sections; Just for Men, Just for Women, Just for Babies, Just for Fun, Just for Home and Just Throws & Pillows.
First, my peeve. While I love that there is a section of items that would appeal to men, the whole men/women thing in craft books really irritates me. I like the stuff aimed for men more than for women because the patterns for women have an overabundance of fluffy, ruffly, "feminine" things. Men wear camo-socks. Women wear fuzzy mohair hand warmers. Men wear scarves with cable patterns, women wear scarves with lace and ruffles. Men's slippers are a cool basketweave pattern in brown. Women's slippers are pink with buttons and popcorn stitches (I'd hate to feel those popcorns under my feet while walking!!). Little girls wear lacy dresses. Little boys wear hoodies with Sheriff stars.
This sort of gender assignment is common, and it's why I search out patterns for men whenever possible. I find the stuff designed for women rarely appeals to me.
Which is one reason why I think this book will be quite useful. I like pretty much everything in the For Men section (though the Man's Black Hat looks like a strange combination of military wedge cap and a toque), and most of what's in the Throws and Pillows section. I can see making stuff from the Babies section for some friends who've had children recently. The Home section has the best toilet seat cover set I've ever seen. I don't normally care for those in general, but this set, I'll be making! About the only thing in the For Women's section I'd make is the glasses case - if I used one in the first place, which I don't.
Most of the projects are made using worsted weight yarn, which is pretty convenient. Specific brands used for each project are listed, along with the materials. The recommended yarns range from quite reasonable and easy to find, to brands/materials I wouldn't be willing to spend the money on, even if it's just a couple of balls. There's a skill level rating for each project as well, which is nice. Some of the instructions for projects that take more than a 2 page spread (including photograph) are split, with the remaining instructions continued at the end of the chapter. This is something I'm not too keen on, though I understand why it's done that way. It's not consistent throughout the book, though, as others have several pages of instructions before moving on to the next project.
All in all, this looks to be a useful book for attractive projects that use smaller amounts of yarn. There's a good variety of projects, too. I like it, and would recommend it.
As much as we loved the yarn shop, the prices often left us in shock. There were a few that were more reasonable that I would have loved to get, but had no real idea of what I'd make with them. I don't want to make more hats and scarves, and I'm not the sort to make purely decorative items. So what can you make when you can only afford a couple of balls or skeins of some gorgeous yarn?
Instead of yarn, I bought myself a book that might just fit the bill.
Title: 1-2-3 Skein Crochet
Edited by Judy Crow
All the projects in this book use, at most, 3 skeins of yarn. At the top of each new project's page, there's the title of the book with the number of skeins needed for that project highlighted, so you can tell at a glance how much is needed. The only thing to keep in mind is that if the project is a 2 parter (ie: hat and scarf, pillow and matching lapghan), that number is for only one project, not both. It's still handy, though.
The book is organized into 6 sections; Just for Men, Just for Women, Just for Babies, Just for Fun, Just for Home and Just Throws & Pillows.
First, my peeve. While I love that there is a section of items that would appeal to men, the whole men/women thing in craft books really irritates me. I like the stuff aimed for men more than for women because the patterns for women have an overabundance of fluffy, ruffly, "feminine" things. Men wear camo-socks. Women wear fuzzy mohair hand warmers. Men wear scarves with cable patterns, women wear scarves with lace and ruffles. Men's slippers are a cool basketweave pattern in brown. Women's slippers are pink with buttons and popcorn stitches (I'd hate to feel those popcorns under my feet while walking!!). Little girls wear lacy dresses. Little boys wear hoodies with Sheriff stars.
This sort of gender assignment is common, and it's why I search out patterns for men whenever possible. I find the stuff designed for women rarely appeals to me.
Which is one reason why I think this book will be quite useful. I like pretty much everything in the For Men section (though the Man's Black Hat looks like a strange combination of military wedge cap and a toque), and most of what's in the Throws and Pillows section. I can see making stuff from the Babies section for some friends who've had children recently. The Home section has the best toilet seat cover set I've ever seen. I don't normally care for those in general, but this set, I'll be making! About the only thing in the For Women's section I'd make is the glasses case - if I used one in the first place, which I don't.
Most of the projects are made using worsted weight yarn, which is pretty convenient. Specific brands used for each project are listed, along with the materials. The recommended yarns range from quite reasonable and easy to find, to brands/materials I wouldn't be willing to spend the money on, even if it's just a couple of balls. There's a skill level rating for each project as well, which is nice. Some of the instructions for projects that take more than a 2 page spread (including photograph) are split, with the remaining instructions continued at the end of the chapter. This is something I'm not too keen on, though I understand why it's done that way. It's not consistent throughout the book, though, as others have several pages of instructions before moving on to the next project.
All in all, this looks to be a useful book for attractive projects that use smaller amounts of yarn. There's a good variety of projects, too. I like it, and would recommend it.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Book review: The Crochet Dude's Designs for Guys
Since coming back from visiting family, I've mostly been working on my daughter's blanket, and haven't got around to taking photos of other projects I'd been working on. So I figured it's about time I did another book review.
Title: The Crochet Dude's Designs for Guys. 30 projects men will love.
Author: Drew Emborsky, aka The Crochet Dude
I was really happy to stumble on this book! While looking for crochet patterns, there's all sorts of lacy, frilly wearables for women. Even things like hats, scarves and slippers tend to be rather feminine designs. The few designs for men... well... the infamous clown sweater comes to mind. *L* Seriously... few designs for guys actually look like something guys would want to wear, but they do anyway. Either because they're male models and getting paid to, or because they want to stay out of the doghouse at home. ;-) Good guy-friendly designs were few and far between.
Which makes this book a real treasure. While there were still a couple of designs that made me wonder (honestly, do guys really wear crocheted ties? They're like the crochet bathing suit: people keep making them, but I can't imagine anyone actually wearing one), this book is filled with fantastic patterns. Heck, not being a lacy, frilly kinda girl myself, I'd happily make a lot of the sweater patterns for myself!
There's a good range of sizes in the clothing patterns. Size smalls range from about 38" to 42" (a hoodie), while the XXL sizes run from about 47" to 50". Personally, I'd like to see sizes 3X and up, too, but hey, I'll take what I can find. ;-) Other patterns include slippers that can be made in an evening, golf club socks, an ipod cover and so on.
The instructions and stitch diagrams are clear, easy to read, and there are assembly diagrams as well, to make things extra understandable. What makes the book even more enjoyable is Drew Emborsky's sense of humour that comes out in names of his patterns (Paw Warmers, Calvarium Skullcap, To Aran is Human), as the little blurbs included with the patterns. It's fun to get a giggle while going through a pattern book. :-)
This is a book I can quite heartily recommend, even for people who might not be too confident in their crochet skills.
Title: The Crochet Dude's Designs for Guys. 30 projects men will love.
Author: Drew Emborsky, aka The Crochet Dude
I was really happy to stumble on this book! While looking for crochet patterns, there's all sorts of lacy, frilly wearables for women. Even things like hats, scarves and slippers tend to be rather feminine designs. The few designs for men... well... the infamous clown sweater comes to mind. *L* Seriously... few designs for guys actually look like something guys would want to wear, but they do anyway. Either because they're male models and getting paid to, or because they want to stay out of the doghouse at home. ;-) Good guy-friendly designs were few and far between.
Which makes this book a real treasure. While there were still a couple of designs that made me wonder (honestly, do guys really wear crocheted ties? They're like the crochet bathing suit: people keep making them, but I can't imagine anyone actually wearing one), this book is filled with fantastic patterns. Heck, not being a lacy, frilly kinda girl myself, I'd happily make a lot of the sweater patterns for myself!
There's a good range of sizes in the clothing patterns. Size smalls range from about 38" to 42" (a hoodie), while the XXL sizes run from about 47" to 50". Personally, I'd like to see sizes 3X and up, too, but hey, I'll take what I can find. ;-) Other patterns include slippers that can be made in an evening, golf club socks, an ipod cover and so on.
The instructions and stitch diagrams are clear, easy to read, and there are assembly diagrams as well, to make things extra understandable. What makes the book even more enjoyable is Drew Emborsky's sense of humour that comes out in names of his patterns (Paw Warmers, Calvarium Skullcap, To Aran is Human), as the little blurbs included with the patterns. It's fun to get a giggle while going through a pattern book. :-)
This is a book I can quite heartily recommend, even for people who might not be too confident in their crochet skills.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Book Review: Cute Dolls
Title: Let's Make Cute Stuff by Aranzi Arono! Cute Dolls
The girls and I made our weekly library trip yesterday and I grabbed this for my elder daughter. I had just glanced through it and, while I wasn't sure she'd be interested in this style of doll making specifically, it has detailed instructional diagrams and patterns for every one, which I thought she might find useful.
The book features instructions for 18 different dolls ("jersey-cloth mascots" is how they're described in the book) with names like Sprite and Panda, as well as more interesting names like Mr. Tad and Mr. Pole (which count as one type of doll, even though there's 2 of them), Alien, and Bad Guy.
It wasn't until we were home and my daughter started reading the text for each doll that we discovered something. This book is completely surreal! LOL Each design has a prosaic description. The very first one, White Rabbit and Brown Bunny, reads:
That was funny enough, but this one, for "Liar," has had us going for the past two days...
In the photo, the doll is in, what I assume to be, a squid basket. Ever since we've discovered this one, we've been spontaneously calling out, "I'm stuck in a squid basket!" Or looking woefully at each other and saying, "woe" in long, drawn out voices.
'cause we're weird that way.
Then there's this one... Kidnapper.
I mean... WTF?!??!? LOL
So for instructional value, the book is really great. The graphic instructions are quite clear and details, and the patterns are easy to copy to work with.
It's the prose, however, that sells it for me. What a hoot!
The girls and I made our weekly library trip yesterday and I grabbed this for my elder daughter. I had just glanced through it and, while I wasn't sure she'd be interested in this style of doll making specifically, it has detailed instructional diagrams and patterns for every one, which I thought she might find useful.
The book features instructions for 18 different dolls ("jersey-cloth mascots" is how they're described in the book) with names like Sprite and Panda, as well as more interesting names like Mr. Tad and Mr. Pole (which count as one type of doll, even though there's 2 of them), Alien, and Bad Guy.
It wasn't until we were home and my daughter started reading the text for each doll that we discovered something. This book is completely surreal! LOL Each design has a prosaic description. The very first one, White Rabbit and Brown Bunny, reads:
White Rabbit and Brown Bunny
are girl bunnies and best friends.
They're fluffy girl bunnies
who can't live without cute stuff.
"Make us cute or we'll be angry!"
That was funny enough, but this one, for "Liar," has had us going for the past two days...
Liar lies. He tells woeful lies.
"Somebody, help me!
I'm stuck in a squid basket!"
Liar can only tell woeful lies.
In the photo, the doll is in, what I assume to be, a squid basket. Ever since we've discovered this one, we've been spontaneously calling out, "I'm stuck in a squid basket!" Or looking woefully at each other and saying, "woe" in long, drawn out voices.
'cause we're weird that way.
Then there's this one... Kidnapper.
Kidnapper is tall and trim.
He's always wearing a tight black suit.
It's so tight that it's like
a part of his body now.
Kidnapper is always wearing a black hat.
He doesn't have hair underneath his hat.
Kidnapper is always holding a white bag.
That's because his job is to kidnap kis.
He's off to work again today!
I mean... WTF?!??!? LOL
So for instructional value, the book is really great. The graphic instructions are quite clear and details, and the patterns are easy to copy to work with.
It's the prose, however, that sells it for me. What a hoot!
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