This book review is part of a blog tour* to celebrate the publication of Edie Eckman’s new book: Every Which Way Crochet Borders.
Waaaaaaaay across the Atlantic in the US, is a woman who likes to live life on the edge. She’s based in Virginia** (which is on the edge of the US, you’ll note. Coincidence? I THINK NOT.) And this month, she’s brought out her second book about ornamental crochet borders. Y’see? Life on the edge. This woman adores borders. Can you imagine living in her house? Borders. Everywhere. I bet even her fridge has a perfect little fringe of picots across its top.***
But for just a few moments, I shall be serious.**** This is a book with charts and written instructions for 139 different crocheted borders. (Don’t be fooled by the fact that the numbered patterns only go as high as 125: there’s also designs A-N to top up the total.) You can apply these motifs to your crocheted, knitted, or fabric projects. That’s great, but what I really like is that the first thirty pages are devoted to the principles of creating the right border, in the right yarn, and the right colour(s) for your project. It will not tell you that your knitted washcloth must be edged with three rounds of purple puff stitch, but it will show you how to design an original border that’s just right. I like the fact that it’s not prescriptive, but instead empowers you to be creative.
So of course, I had to have a play. Time was short and the twinnage were tetchy, so I’ve only made one border for this post. But I’ve followed Edie’s patterns/charts in other books before, so I know that they’re reliably clear and accurate.
She advocates working a base round in the same colour as the body of your project, in order to neaten away a multitude of wobbly yarny sins, and prepare for the ambitious stitchery ahead. This woman talks sense, and I wasn’t about to disobey:-
I do like the fact that there’s a photographic directory at the back. Experience has taught me that I’ll never again buy a stitch dictionary without a photographic index. Look at all the pretties!
It was so hard to choose. But 68 is a nice number. Let’s try 68. (Yarn = Stylecraft Special Chunky. Hooks = Clover Amour: go speak to Janie Crow if you fancy some these super-speedy hooks. No that’s not an affiliate link – I just think that Jane is brilliant at what she does.)
Now I’m immediately sinning by working a border that’s bigger than the fabric it encloses, but this is just a swatch, so I hope that you’ll forgive me.
The written instructions combined with the charts should ensure that everyone is catered for, regardless of whether you’re a visual or a verbal thinker. There’s also an adapted chart that you can use if you want to work each design in back-and-forth rows, rather than in rounds.
Each design requires multiples of a specified number of stitches, but I warmed to Edie considerably when I saw that she’d included a brief note on fudging stitch counts. (Is it me, or does ‘fudging stitch counts’ sound like something you’d mutter under your breath when your mum’s visiting and you can’t swear properly?)
The range of designs is enormous, from very simple edges, to clever and elaborate borders:-
It’s written using US crochet terms, so those of us on the Brit-side will have to remember to adjust accordingly (unless you’re like me and show a rare disloyalty to the UK by using American crochet terms). In case you need a reminder, Edie includes a brief table of translation.
But between bouts of flicking through these fabulous finishes, I completed #68. Here y’go:-
Delightful, no?
Sorry folks, the final gong has sounded and the giveaway has closed. But a’fear ye not, there’ll be plenty more giveaways on this site soon…
A-n-y-w-a-y, did I mention a giveaway? I do believe that I mentioned a giveaway. Would you like to win a copy of this marvellous book, regardless of which corner of planet Earth you currently call home? Yes? YES? Well read on, Macduff.
To win a copy of Every Which Way Crochet Borders, leave a comment below. To gain a sneaky additional entry, you can also ‘like’ the Yarn’s Facebook page here, and leave a comment under the Facebook post for this blog post. (For Facebook comments only, you’ll need to include some way of reaching you in case you win – your Ravelry username would be just perfect.)
The competition is open worldwide, from RIGHT NOW until noon UK-time on Saturday 25th February 2017. After the gong sounds at that very moment, all the entries will be gathered up and a winner will be chosen randomly with assistance from the marvellous yet inscrutable folks at random.org. The winner’s contact details will be passed to Storey Publishing, so that they can arrange for your prize to be sent out. Don’t worry, neither they nor I will spam you.
And if you’re not lucky enough to win, you can buy a copy right now (£13.99 in the UK, and, um, other prices in other places). Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book for review, so obviously my shallow and fickle mind has been swayed by a mere freebie, and you cannot trust a single word I say.
∗See yesterday’s post at Not Your Average Crochet, and tomorrow, hop on over to Petals To Picots.
∗∗No, I’m really not her stalker. I just read the blurb on the back of her book.
∗∗∗With apologies to Edie if your home is actually a temple to white Scandi minimalism.
∗∗∗∗No I don’t believe that, either.
Shelagh says
It looks amazing. I have the first book and love it. Even when I’m noy specifically looking for a border, I enjoy browsing through it 😀
Marilyn B. says
I have Edie Eckman’s first crochet border book, and would love to have a copy of this book too! Thank you for the giveaway. 🙂
Shelley Dawson says
While I believe you could make dusting sound like fun this book seems just like the perfect addition to my bookcase! Cheers.
EllieRaine says
Wow! I didn’t realise Edie had a new book out. Thankyou for such a great review. I’d love to win this, it looks awesome!
My rav name is EllieRaine:)
wendelika says
I am a sucker for beautiful edgings. And stitch dictionaries. And pretty pictures. 🙂
Joy Aitman says
I never know what to do on the edges of my blankets, so this would be an amazing prize.
Kathleen Williams says
Please enter me in the give-away. I would love to win this colorful book full of charts for edgings. Thank you! te
Cindy Sherwood says
I love her fist book and I’m sure I’ll love the second.
Karen Lyons says
I’m always looking for a different border for the baby blanket I mak. I’m tired of th same old shell stitches.
Linda Ellis says
This would be a great addition to my small but growing library of crochet books
Adele Sullivan says
Looks really good, would love to win x
Michelle Wulf says
This books looks wonderful!!! I love your flare for embellishment–stories and crochet. 😉
Jill says
Your socks look lovely, I am knitting my first pair with the same wool, in between knitting said socks I have finished two jumpers and a cardigan for my sister. Am about to start picking up stitches for about the sixth time. Bought no wool since before Christmas as I am determined to finish even one sock!!!!!!
sarahy75 says
This looks like a great book, thanks for the giveaway
Lucy Pittwood says
Well I have spotted 70 borders I MUST try just from your picture of the photographic index! I seem to repeat the same three borders over and over so I would love some inspiration for some new ones….
JULIANNE TERRILL says
I would love to give this to a friend who is obsessed with crocheted borders
Sylvia Frazer says
What an amazing book! Sounds like a must have!!!
S. Stewart says
I am a knitter but this looks great! And now, so will, my knitted things! Thanks for the chance to learn the “perfect” finish.
Ann Sheehan says
Wow looks fantastic.
Ali Bamford says
I have three of Edie’s books. Love them. Thanks for the oppo to add another one to the collection……?
Ruby Opaltones says
What a Delightful post and review. I’ve just begun following your blog and am looking forward to more quips, and content (as above). Please enter me in the giveaway if you would.
Frances McHugh says
I’m always stumped as to what kind of border to use…. with this, that never need be a problem again!
Kathleen says
I love your writing, I love crochet, and I would love this book. Thanks for a great review!
Kerry Wallis beluke on Ravelry says
Thanks for reviewing this book. I’m not sure which feature I love best – the pictorial index, the heading I spied of “How to Fudge Stitch Counts” or the fact that the patterns are documented for both “in the round” and “on the flat”.
I’d love to win this book, thanks. And failing that will add this to my wish list!
Sandy says
I would love to win this!
Donia says
This book looks like so much fun! Thank you for the generous giveaway contest – I hope I win 😀
Laura Jane says
Ooh I’m always looking for new borders to edge baby blankets! Fingers crossed. X
Kate says
I would love a copy of this. Crochet borders are my nemesis and I would like to do better.
Fizzgig says
Oh wow, all those borders look magnificient ! Il would very much like to have this book 🙂 I love borders, so much I must be the hidden daughter of President Orange.
Pam says
Being new to your blog I was immediately captivated. Lovely humour and great review. Hope I’m lucky enough to win my own copy
saraelin says
How lovely! I’m keen on borders, and keen to learn more! Fingers and crochet hooks crossed!
Carly Orris says
The right border makes (or breaks) a blanket! Thanks for the chance to win!
Ellen Shaw says
I would love this book, a border can really bring a whole project together. Unfortunately I’m not allowed to buy it. I managed to grab a huge yarn haul from a closing down wool shop earlier this month so OH is keeping an eye on my spending 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity!!
Terrie Faria says
Would love to add this to my collection. I think this is awesome, might even help me learn charting, Thanks
Crystal-Lynn says
I’d love to win a copy but even if I don’t I’m so getting this book one way or another 🙂
Patty S says
This looks like a wonderful book that every crocheter needs!
Lori S. says
This book looks positively drool worthy! The pictures look so clear and easy to understand even I couldn’t mess the borders up! I really, really, really would love to win this book.
Joan M says
I’d love to add this book to my library. Thank you for the generous giveaway.
savannagal says
What a great book. There are so many lovely edgings from which to choose. This is a great reference book.
mplemel says
A great review I would love to win a copy of this book, one can never have too many edging patterns I have used edging patterns and turned them into crocheted jewelry Thank you for this giveaway
Jean says
After what felt like miles of a htr border on my latest oeuvre (that’s an hdc border to you, Mme Twisted. I think…), I’m praying to the yarny gods that this will land in my lap…and since I’m on a weight loss mission, fudge of any variety exists only in my dreams!
Heather says
I loved the review and the book looks very good as well.
Thanks for running the giveaway.
Pamela says
The photo index is amazing! Love the green border with the rainbow rings in it. Magical!
Nina R says
I have Edie’s first border book and it is my hands down favorite crochet go to book! I would love this one too!
Patricia Nance says
Oh I love this book. It’s going into my Amazon wishlist and my birthday’s coming up!! Thanks for the Giveaway.
Sarah says
Looks like a great book to have on hand. Lots of good information. Thank you for the give away!
cubbyknot says
Just what I need and want (obviously). I often having a hard time with ending on my project. Thanks for the give a away.
Deborah Archer says
This book would be perfect for me I love borders
Crafty Math Chick says
This book looks SO COOL! I love how there are little pictures in the index of all the different border patterns to help you identify them if you forget the name too. Thanks for the chance to win!