Uncommon Crochet: Twenty-Five Projects Made from Natural Yarns and Alternative Fibers

by Julie Armstrong Holetz

Black leather granny squares are anything but square, and hot pink organic hemp gives crocheted vases a decidedly modern cachet. In Uncommon Crochet, designer Julie Armstrong Holetz applies new ideas and unconventional materials--like wire, raffia, jute, sisal, recycled belts, fabric strips, and felted beads--to twenty-five patterns for bins, baskets, totes, handbags, clutches, jewelry, and more. Step-by-step instructions, detailed how-to photographs, and essential advice about creativity, design, and experi-mentation encourage you to play with fiber, add funky embellishments, and use your creative spirit to customize any pattern--even the ones in this book! From practical containers like Red's Goodie Basket (a stylish home for your WIP--works in progress) and Vintage Satchel (a sturdy retro messenger bag) to just plain fun projects like Petite Fleur Vases (tiny bud vases that hold water) and Sushi (crocheted California rolls, anyone?), Uncommon Crochet offers fresh twists on old-school techniques that turn simple projects into gift-worthy creations.

Genres: Crochet, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Mya R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful for basic crochet concepts, and understanding how to modify them to take a design approach. Don't know if it would work for a complete beginner, but I may add this to my bookshelf as a resource. (The copy I just read is from my library.)

Note to self : tube bag pattern and modifications, magic circle, foundation stitches (fsc, fdc, etc.), forming triangles and rectangles, and some of the basket designs.

[Sharon Shoemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncommon Crochet features nice projects created in creative ways. It is definitely worth reading.

[Christine Fiordeliso · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as helpfu as I thought.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting projects though most of them I think would be a bit out of my league. It had good detailed photographs to show how to do things, but I still don't really understand how to read a crocheting panel, which is my fault and not the authors. I would love to do the Tube Bag, Hong Kong Bag, Jute Filet Bag, the Goodie Basket for yarn, and Pacific Coast Basket. I would love to own this book so I could have time to do everything.

[Bliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing to wear in this one.

Why? Because it's full of must-make accessories and projects for home or any other place that could benefit from beautiful and interesting crocheted items.

There are three chapters on how-to and with-what before the patterns start. Good information to have, for beginners as well as more experienced hookers.

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to crochet and this book offered a lot of different kinds of projects: baskets, purses, boxes, vases...lots of fun. I've made a small box already.
This is a book I would buy. The colored photos were detailed and helpful and it had good instructions, no only on doing these pieces, but also on designing your own.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun projects, and the guide to beginning crochet was so helpful. I am a self-taught, continental style knitter, and according to some, I should be able to crochet. Nacht. This book helped inspire more practice.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It shows crafts using crochet that use different types of fibers. Not sure I would want to use it all the time, since I like the soft fibers flowing through my hands, but might make something from it if I ever come across hemp yarn.

[Deneen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Julie did a fab job with this book-don't know what I am going to make from it yet, but well written with lots of new ideas.

[Dale Edmonds · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic designs and uninspiring. Maybe just not my taste.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

same patterns, different fibres. not worth the money if you already are familiar with techniques and love to experiment.