Christmas Crochet by Edie Eckman - Blog Tour, Book Review & a Giveaway

Look at what you can win! Plus a super secret surprise gift!

Greetings Friends!

Welcome to the Christmas season! Now that Thanksgiving (in the US) is only a few weeks away we are feeling it in earnest.  In this (sometimes) overly politically correct world I often feel afraid to say the "C" word! Since I work with the public, I'm conditioned to say, "Happy Holidays" and "Enjoy the Season"! So boy am I excited to have the opportunity to shout it out loud in today's post about Edie Eckman's new book Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree. Rest assured you'll find projects that cross over and would be appropriate in any holiday home, but for the most part this one is about decking the halls for the big day - December 25!

What's inside: stockings, ornaments, garlands and more

Edie is one of my favorite designers. I've come to rely on her books for their bounty of information and consistent quality.  This collection does not disappoint. Although there are only 18 patterns, they lend themselves to being made with different yarns in various colors for unlimited versions of the original. This is a pattern book - not a how to book, and while the lesser known stitches are clearly explained, a basic knowledge of crochet is needed.  

The Hearth section features 9 unique stocking patterns. It is my experience that many crocheters underestimate their skill level and shy away from anything not labeled "beginner". The small size of these projects offers a great opportunity to be bold and try something new!  The Peppermint Pinstripes Stocking has the look of complex colorwork and is actually made using just the single crochet and chain stitch!  The Flame Stitch Stocking is intriguing and looks quite complicated, but according to the instructions it is, "easy to learn and works up in a snap!" 

Here's a look at what I made:

I always like to try at least one pattern from a book I'm reviewing.  This time I made a few!  I started with one of the mini mittens from the Advent Garland.  This is such a fun pattern.  Mini mittens and stockings to count down the days to Christmas! I found it easy to follow and an excellent way to use bits and scraps of leftover yarn.

Next I made snowflakes.  There are several to choose from.  Some are made with thread and others with yarn. This is another example of the flexibility of the patterns.  I love to make snowflakes and then stiffen them with glue. I use them as ornaments for the tree, to decorate gifts, or include them with cards.  Charts are included with all of the snowflakes, as well as with many other patterns.  

Finally I made the Small Angel Ornament. Although the pattern calls for 2 strands of extra fine merino held together I opted for thread. As you can see, she came out just fine.  A wee bit smaller, but lovely just the same.

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I'm a fan of small projects with big impact and that's just what Christmas Crochet offers.  The only weak point is the size and the binding (my regular pet peeve!)  This particular 6" x 9" design is a challenge, and I had no luck getting it to stay open to the page I was working from. Frustrating when you need to refer to a pattern often.  My hope in repeatedly sharing this concern is that the folks responsible for choosing the layout will hear me and offer spiral bindings that lay flat as the standard for craft books!! Regardless, I'm glad to add this book to my library and working on these projects is the perfect way to kick off the holiday - I mean Christmas - season!

Blog Tour Lineup

3-Nov Don't Eat the Paste
4-Nov Moogly
5-Nov Liberty's Yarn
7-Nov Rambling Designs
10-Nov Plus 3 Crochet
11-Nov Crochet Dynamite
12-Nov Jenn Likes Yarn
13-Nov Crochet Nirvana
14-Nov Yarning4aSmile

Are you ready for some Christmas Crochet? 
Enter for your chance to win this prize package!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be Blessed and Stitch with Love!