Freeform Crochet and Beyond: Bags, Cushions, Hats, Scarves and More

by Renate Kirkpatrick

Most crochet books have you follow a pattern, make so-many stitches of such-and-such a kind, and arrive at a predictable result. In freeform (also known as scrumbling), it’s anything goes: mix different stitches and yarns, trust your own creativity, and produce original works of amazing art! Freeform Crochet and Beyond shows how to make various stitches and use them with simple templates, then add novelty patches, floral designs, stars, tassels, and other decorations. It also explains how to achieve special effects with felting, beading, and other techniques. For inspiration, a beautifully illustrated gallery section showcases spectacular bags, hats, scarves, shawls, and other items. Beginners and experienced crocheters alike will welcome this irresistible introduction to the fascinating possibilities of freeform.

Genres: Crochet, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2008

Reviews

[Allison Jones-Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information about techniques for making organic freeform projects! I tried several techniques as I was reading. I am using these ideas in my current freeform project and I love the results I am seeing.

[So (Much) for Media]

This was a really fun read! I don't crochet (yet), but my mom does so I bought this for her for Christmas, and annotated it. I think she'll have a lot of fun going through this and discovering crochet that's a little outside the box from what she normally does.

[Bookish Enchantment (Katherine Quirke) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book for explorers of all things crochet.
This is a book that offers really good ideas for freeform crochet plus stitches and styles.
A reference you will use often.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome inspiration in many of the projects presented. Lots of stitch types too, also stitches I don't recall having seen in many other places.
Even if you know just basic (chain, single, double) crochet you can get far - Tunisian is easy to learn, and if you have done any other yarn or fabric crafts (knitting, stitching, felting, looming etc) the better. Forget the rules. Wait, first learn a lot of rules so you can break them all. Learn and have fun.
The pictures for how to do step by step some stitches were a bit confusing looking to me; they would have worked better if they had some extra color to show how and what. Or maybe a video...
This book is so far the best I've seen about freeform crochet. Get inspiration, get new techniques, and get hooked (ha!). The author has also a blog at http://rensfibreart.wordpress.com where many of the basic and fancy stitches howtos and ideas for projects are available.

[Bliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if I'll ever dig the whole concept of freeform crochet. It looks beautiful but for me it's a bit too much effort.

But I did learn a new technique: how to crochet a corkscrew.

I made several of them a few hours ago in the school colors of "High School Musical". My daughter had a date with my husband to see HSM3 and she wanted to wear them as bracelets. They are adorable. :o)

This book has a ton of useful information and beautiful illustrations.

For those who are tired of the same old crochet -- whether or not one decides to make anything shown in the book -- the book is worth reading.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great inspirational book, but I do not like the stitch diagrams, as they are not the best to follow. The Photographs are wonderful of the projects.