Freeform: Serendipitous Design Techniques for Knitting
& Crochet Prudence follows in Sylvia Cosh’s innovative footsteps with new updated instructions for freeform crochet and knitting. Do read the introduction and basic concepts of how freeform works and you will find it much easier to understand her approach. Prudence explains her process of creating freeform with small pieces of crochet and knitting samples, teaching you how to group pieces together and build from one group of crochet or knitting to another and then combine them. The narrative is interesting to read and provides a slow step-by-step process into freeform before you know it. You will learn about color choices when combining pieces. There are so many little tips that make it very easy to make masterpiece heirlooms. Small projects ideas help get you started, making a beret, bag or pillow with grouped pieces rather than a larger project that takes more time finishing. The beret sounds like the perfect choice to me, and the color photos of a few beret tops will excite your imagination. There is an introduction to the patterns and 30 sample patterns are provided for small piecework. Both crochet and knitting patterns are included. Each pattern creates a different shape and these shapes can be combined together to work up what Prudence calls small scrumbles, which eventually become a larger project. In addition to shaping, some of the samples include color patterns within them. The directions are written in a friendly and easy to follow manner. Some of the samples include crochet or knit grouped stitches to make a scrumble. I can’t wait to try the crochet fairy wings. Although knitted cable patterned wearables are not for me, I like the four-stitch knitted cable motif that would be added in here and there rather than as a larger portion of the whole project. The knitted mitred squares are also inviting shapes. All these stitches will be fun to learn because you will be making small pieces, then you can decide if you like the pattern and want to use different fibers and for a larger piece. You can also add weaving and stitchery to the scrumbles. Embellishment can include any of your favorite materials including beads. Learning the characteristics of yarn types will help you to identify what will work with different type stitches. Switching needle or crochet hook sizes for shaping, keeping the project flat or adding texture are possibilities. Prudence will guide you and identify stitches that do not work well for working an expansive area of the project. If you need help with types of needles and hooks to use, you will find the information on page 71. There is guidance on filling stitches that will help in overall shaping. The plus and negative side of both crochet and knitting is discussed, as well as how to join one motif to another using both crafts. The last chapters are about assembling the pieces to make your final projects and care of those finished items. Both these chapters are very important for finishing. There are color photos of models in these scrumbled wearables throughout the book and little to large scrumbled pieces to peruse and give you more ideas. Prudence has authored the book I have been wanting for a long time. It is easy to see she loves what she is doing. If you like to experiment and work in freeform, this is the book for you. If you are usually structured in your work and want to loosen up and add new ideas to traditional, this is the book for you. If you want to sit down for a very enjoyable read, love visual creations and want to learn at the same time, Freeform: Serendipitous Design Techniques for Knitting & Crochet is the book for you. It is definitely the book for me! I am so overjoyed that I met Prudence at the CGOA crochet conference this year and was able to purchase her book! |