Learn to Crochet: Our November Book of the Month

Dionne    Book of the Month, Knitting and Crochet     crochet, crochet guidebook, learn to crochet

Cannot believe how fast this year has flown, this month has been especially quick.  I am horribly late with this posting but it does not diminish the regard we have for this months Book of the Month.  Learn to Crochet has sold out already this year and we have had to re-order.  With a range of projects covering chain, double crochet, treble, half treble and slip stitch, you can start from scratch and use the 20 easy projects to develop and build your skills.  At the end of your projects you have some fabulous homewares and wearable accessories. 

This book taps into a rising trend.  Crochet’s renaissance has been marked in our shop and across the fashion world this year.  This time last year we saw Granny hexagons as skirts on the catwalks of Europe, Jo Sharp has included a hexagon skirt in her new Knit 9 Get Cosy at Home: Warmth for Winter.  Patons have provided a great foundation book with their usual easy to follow instructions that are very well illustrated.  Here you have all you need to set off in a new craft direction and at a great price of $18.95, online and instore now.

Stitching Forums

Dionne    Cross Stitch, Embroidery and Crewel, Knitting and Crochet, Tapestry and Needlepoint     crochet, Cross Stitch, embroidery, hand embroidery, knitter, needlepoint, stitching, tapestry

Stitching has an unfortunate reputation for being a little solitary, this is probably the reason for the global success of the “Stitch and Bitch” gatherings.  If you are looking for online Forums to showcase and share your work while checking out others, and finding new inspiration, here are a few I have found and like.

Cross Stitch This site is MAD! incredibly busy, and has lots of  helpful advice, don’t let the heading fool you.  Members don’t, and there are postings and advice on other stitching habits arts as well as cross stitch.  No advertising or sponsored links.

The Hand Embroidery Network is a relatively new forum, it has a comprehensive directory of stitches and a rapidly growing membership.  Some limited advertising on the site.

Needlepoint.about.com This is not as busy a site as others, but it is very specific to needlepoint and tapestry and focuses on a very good techniques and terminology resource, free patterns and support.  There are quite a number of sponsored links and advertising for needlecraft and other products.

Ravelry is a monster!  This is a one stop shop resource for the knitter and crocheter which would explain the over two hundred thousand members.  There is advertising but you have to go hunting for it!  How novel!

Stitchin Fingers is a textile and fibres forum rather than a particular stitching discipline.  The Take a Stitch Tuesday discussion opens up a world of possibilities for you to try out new stitches then you can check out the photos of other people’s take on it, very cool.  There are a couple of Google ads but they are limited to the side bar.