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.
harmelodie says
I love the sample you’ve done, I need some inspiration for finishing the blanket clubs I’ve signed up to this year.
Zeens and Roger says
Her first book is invaluable. A border book without corners?! Not going back to those!! Corners are an essential part!!
Debbie says
I’d love to win a copy of this book. I’m just crocheting my first blanket border and a border book would be great (although probably would mean I spent all my time choosing and no time actually crocheting it!) chocomocco on Ravelry.
Mags Hobby says
Could be my next challenge!
Shirley says
I’d love to win this! If not, I shall certainly be buying myself a copy.
WeimerMom says
What a great book…I NEED it! R = WeimerMom
Claire. Sans. Tete. (@clairesanstete) says
Oh I’m already plannng my borders and the colours I’ll use for my current projects… what a lovely looking and glorious book!!
Maxine says
Looks like my kind of book and one to add to my wish list. 🙂 Great review thank you for the chance to win!
Fliss Stevens says
Love this review its really made me want this book even more than before….!!!
Jackie says
I would love to win a copy of this book, it looks perfect for finishing of my blankets. I liked the way it was set out and watching the sample you did was interesting and very pretty.
Jane Porter says
Simply fabulous!
Maureen Richardson says
Wow this is just the book to give me the inspiration I need to finish off many of my myriad pile of WIPS, lol. If I am not lucky enough to win one then I will have to drop some heavy hints to my nearest and dearest for my birthday in April, xxx
Rachel King says
I’m seeing this book everywhere, and if I can’t win it, I’ll just have to buy it!
Jannette Mann says
I chuckled all through your blog post. Nice way to start my day.
Veronique says
I would love to win that book! It looks fabulous and i am sure i will use it a lot!!
daisy3619 says
Thank you for the giveaway opportunity – I have her first book and I would love to have the second one. I love crocheting and it is almost all I think about. I’ve been crocheting for over 30 years. <y ravelry username is strandjss
daisy3619 says
Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. I have Edie’s first book and would love to win the second one. I love crochet and have been crocheting for about 32 years. My ravelry username is strandjss.
daisy3619 says
I love crocheting and have been crocheting for about 32 years. I have Edie’s first book and would love to win the second one. My ravelry username is strandjss
daisy3619 says
sorry it posted 3 times – i had to keep trying because i was getting an error and when it finally posted it posted all my attempts – weird
Andrea K says
Can’t wait to get my hands on this book.
Susanne says
I’m very new to crocheting and need all the help I can get so a book with advice on edging would be great!
Claire Boorman says
This book looks awesome, I never know what boarders to put on my blankets and i love a challenge. I think this would be brilliant!
Jackie says
What a wonderful book
doyleajackie AT gmail DOT com
Lisa Hooper says
I love your little sample! Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks ??
Shannon Sechler says
I think I need this book.
njh2729 says
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. I have her first border book and love it.
Jane Davies says
Always struggling with borders. I would love to win a copy of this book. ❤️
Mrs Squiggle says
Would love to win this! Not that I need any encouragement to start any new projects, ahem ?
Mrs Flower says
I’m so glad you’ve reviewed this book – I had no idea there was another one coming out! I really like that the publisher used a spiral binding so there’s no need to use your wine glass to prop the pages open while following the pattern. A huge win for practicality 🙂
sarah oswald says
I would love to win this AWESOME prize thanks for the chance.
sally0630 on Ravelry
sanja says
Oh wow. That book sounds good. I always knit plain baby blankets and could use special borders to spruce them up.
Jennifer Ashbridge says
Oh that looks like a great book.
Helen McLean says
The book looks wonderful. I just adore your photo’s showing your progress working with the book. How lovely!
Jennifer says
I would LOVE to win a copy of Edie’s new book!! I just wish God blessed me with the gift of designing like all you ladies…just incredible! You never fail to absolutely AMAZE me! Thank you so so much for sharing your incredible “Gift” with all of us! I’m completely addicted! 🙂
britbobbi says
I fudge all the time, I believe I am creating my very own version of crochet! I am from the UK living in the US and constantly get the names of the stitches muddled up – creating some interesting patterns in the process! I would love a copy of this book, it would help me SO very much!
(And congratulations on your award, I love reading your blog and your sense of humor! Takes me right back home!)
Carrie says
I have been a fan of Edie Eckman’s books for years and would love a copy of her latest book. I wish more book reviews (and blogs) were as much fun to read as yours!
Yolanda Chavez says
What a great book. Thanks for bringing us this giveaway. 🙂
Maggie says
I would live to win this as I’m still quite new to crochet and only have a very few books so far. It is such a beautiful book, and would be lovely to create my own borders.
carrie thomas says
Thanks you for the opportunity to win this awesome book.
Erin Mawer says
I would love to win this, and your review was brilliant!
Tara Forrest says
Looks like a great book. I love to knit, but need some extra help with finishing my projects.
The Basket Fairy says
It looks like a nice book, please count me in! Thank you ; )
Wolfie10 says
I agree – love photographic indexes!
Lenore Rhodes says
I would loovvveee this book. My crotchet blankets would llooovvvee this book. Please, please let it be me. I will cherish and keep you and treat you gently.
Carolyn says
This looks like a super book.
Linda Williams Stirling says
The right border can really finish off a piece of crochet work and really make it look special. This book would be wonderful to have!
Twiglet says
I would love to win this book to give to a special someone. C’mon random picker, pick me!
Paula says
Spiral binding, how to fudge stitch counts, index with photographs – who could ask for more?! Looks like a great book.
Isabel Naudé says
Its great that it empowers the individual. To give them confidence to reach higher creativity. Lovely!!!!