book reviews
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Colourful Wayuu Bags to Crochet: A Guide to Making Tapestry
Crochet Bags
Rianne de Graaf, Search Press
The colorful, geometric-patterned bags of the Wayuu people, who are
native to Colombia and Venezuela, provided the inspiration for the
10 projects in Rianne de Graaf’s new book. Start your journey of mochilas
(Spanish for “backpack”) with the Small Hourglass Bag designed with
beginners in mind. Full-color photos guide you step-by-step through the
basic tapestry-crochet technique. Learn how to fi nish your bag with a
woven shoulder strap and kumihimo-braid drawstring. Rianne also
provides troubleshooting tips and advice on selecting cotton yarn and the
appropriate size of hook.
Paperback, 96 pages, $15.95, ISBN 9781782216742Crocheted Succulents: Cacti & Other Succulent Plants to Make
Emma Varnam, Guild of Master Craftsman Publications and Taunton Press
Cultivate your passion for houseplants and crochet and add a whimsical
element to your décor—no green thumb or watering required! Each of
the 25 projects is based on an actual cactus and succulent that you’d
fi nd at your neighborhood garden center plus instructions for crocheting
the pots and soil. Novelty yarns and beads add realistic-looking spines
to the plant replicas without the poke factor. The projects require basic
crochet stitches and a few additional materials available at your local
craft store.
Paperback, 144 pages, $19.95, ISBN 9781784945046One Skein Crochet: De-Stash Beautifully, One Skein at a Time
Ellen Gormley, Interweave
Is your stash suffering from single-skein syndrome? Designer Ellen Gormley
sees those solo balls and hanks of yarn as an opportunity to crochet
creatively. Learn how to measure your yarn, even when the ball band has
gone missing, and calculate how much is used in a row so you’ll know
exactly how much you have to work with. Select from 15 projects, which
include accessories and even a baby blanket. Each one demonstrates a
different design strategy aimed at maximizing every precious yard.
Paperback, 112 pages, $22.99, ISBN 9781632506689Get hooked by these imaginative crochet projects!
6 Interweave Crochet • Fall 2019