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Monday, November 3, 2014

Christmas Crochet- giveaway, review and blog tour!




It's the season to start really getting ready for Christmas. Edie Eckman, the author of some of my favorite crochet books* has written a wonderful collection of patterns to start decorating. Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home and Tree is full of easy to accomplish, quick stitched patterns that look good and fit the season perfectly.

My favorite kind of crochet books have both written instructions and international crochet diagrams. This one has both. The written instructions are easy to follow, and the diagrams are clear, and easy to read. The patterns are good for all levels. For people who have been crocheting for a long time, things like the snowy looking 3 dimensional tree decorations will work up in an evening, and putting together enough socks and mittens for a sweet, homey advent calender can be done in a week of evenings. For beginners, they can get practice in following diagrams and simple shaping techniques using worsted weight yarns and simple stitches.

My son is just learning to crochet using another book from Storey, and he's going to help me make the Advent calender.

There are some wonderful Christmas stockings in here as well, and they are also made of worsted weight yarn. You'll find a pattern for everyone in your family so they can all have a different handmade stocking that suits their personality. Bright stripes, polka dots, a complex looking peppermint colored stocking done in seed stitch, some gorgeous single color stockings that use embellishments or texture for interest, and my favorite- the flame stitch stocking which has texture and great color work.

The Christmas tree ornaments are great. My favorite are the felted ornaments. They are worked in motifs and make a great take along project and a good project for beginners since felting is so forgiving. The little birds are another favorite, folksy and simply too cute for words.

The styles are on trend for a homey, comfortable Christmas. Bright colors and easy to find yarn are a winner.

I made one of the snowflake motifs from one of the stockings in thread to decorate a simple headband /bookmark made using 1/8th blue elastic and a button center.

I've been so busy working on a big project, doing some of the small and quick projects from this book is very relaxing.

Storey Publishing gave me a copy of this book to review, but will also give one of you a copy! USA only. Comment on this blog post with your crochet decorating plans for the season to enter or click the Ravelry link below and comment on this blog post with your favorite project. On Monday, November 17th, I'll put all the names in a stocking and let my daughter draw one winner to receive a copy. Don't forget to include some sort of contact information on the comment. Ravelry name, Facebook name or email address.

You can also check out the rest of this blog tour in the next couple of weeks to see projects from the book and get more chances to enter and win a copy!

Check out this book on Ravelry!

Facebook: Edie Eckman and Storey Publishing
Twitter: @EdieEckman and @StoreyPub
Instagram: @StoreyPub

4-Nov Moogly



37 comments:

  1. I think my comment disappeared. I'm making headbands for my 11 granddaughters. Hope I get done! Sally sjhackney at yahoo dot com

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  2. Love the advent garland! Currently working on a hired project of 10 roller derby hats. But that advent garland is beautiful!

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  3. Im crocheting all of the ornaments for my tree, my daughters tree and daughter in laws tree plus making crochet tags for their gifts, such a fun time of the year! My email is: body-bling@hotmail.com

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  4. I have been making hats, scarves, and fingerless gloves, along with toys for my friends. I also have plans to make mini Christmas stockings and hopefully a Christmas inspired afghan.

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  5. HI, must get started on my Bluework Snowman project! such a neat Advent Garland! Thanks for sharing!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  6. I plan on making my son's first stocking along with some ornaments and bunting decorations. Making sure my son's first holidays super special! My email is icy.fenrir@gmail.com. Thanks! :)

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  7. I'm making 2 CAL blankets as gifts for the holidays, along with a scarf, tree skirt, messenger bag and other assorted crocheted gifts for Christmas. Last year I made stockings! my email is mshussy@aol.com

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  8. Making some start and Christmas stocking ornaments for the tree.

    I would love to win the book!! looks great.

    If I win feel free to contact me by sending me a message at any of my links below, thanks

    Mayte Kassing
    Mun and Me Crochet
    www.etsy.com/shop/Munandme
    www.facebook.com/Munandme

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  9. I'm hoping to get crochet ornaments done this year. I think I should have started them in June!

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    1. I'm pretty sure my ravelry name is also nrdygrl, but I can also be reached at knitmeup@cox.net

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  10. I am currently making a crocheted round ripple tree skirt and then I plan to make crocheted christmas curtains for my kitchen.

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  11. I hope to crochet some decorations to repurpose a wreath and make snowflakes for the Christmas tree

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  12. I'd definitely love to crochet some of the stockings in the book - I like the look of the polka dot one and snowstorm one! Ravelry ID = PabkinsJ

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  13. The projects are sooo cute!!! I couldn't pick just one, but would love to decorate my little tree with the projects! :)

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  14. Crochet decorations are my favourite! Count me in pls
    Clareabo on ravelry

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  15. I plan to make some new ornaments for my tree :)
    margaret anne gibb (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  16. Love Christmas crochet
    Amandamcbrady at Gmail.com

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  17. I'm working on lap-ghans for both my brothers, and scarves for my aunts!I love making ornaments too, because they're so quick! bookworm-mar on Rav

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  18. I have been making cowls, also plan on some instant gratification ornaments. Crochet is so much quicker than knitting at Christmas!

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  19. I love making funny/weird looking santas, snowmen and reindeers. I also plan on making a mouse angel.

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  20. Snowflakes! I have a collection of patterns already but I love the giant circular pillow snowflake in this book and would love to try it! My big sister is hosting our family Christmas celebration this year so a few pretty pillows could be a great hostess gift as she's never been one to buy decorative pillows for herself. I might do some birds or ornaments this year as well, but that's only if orders and life allow for time. ;-)

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  21. I am participating in a local craft fair, so I'm making a variety of things. I'd love to make ornaments and stockings!

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  22. I plan to crochet some birds for the Christmas tree.
    Beanswife on Ravelry.

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  23. I love to crochet and am in the process of making various gifts and decorations for myself, friends and family. I would love to win the book and make some of the ornaments featured. Thanks for the giveaway...I hope I win!!!!! re834re@aol.com

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  24. I would make the stockings and mittens for the fireplace, I think they are the best!

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  25. The stocking mitten garland is the best idea... using up all my odds & ends

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  26. I love decorating with crochet snow flakes

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  27. I am hoping to make a few ornaments this year for my tree.

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  28. I'm trying to make it easy for myself this with a low-stress holiday. In other words, I'm not planning on making gifts or decorations. I still have a birthday present and baby shower gift to make in the next 4 weeks.

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  29. I'm working on a crocheted nativity set for my kids.

    sarah.m.lawson at gmail dot com

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  30. I am working on santas! i made three for myself and then I got asked for 4 more so I´m all up in red and white yarn here!
    drewke.erika@gmail.com

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  31. Crochet ornaments for a family gift exchange!

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  32. I do not decorate for the season, but I give as gifts to people who enjoy decorating. my rav id is yollma

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  33. i have been planning on making the minni mittens garland for a few years! maybe this time around i'll get it done! shelly easton @ wormlynn@hotmail.com

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  34. I love the snowman stocking. I hope I win. Contact me at ttrcy777@q.com

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  35. I may end up making tree decorations. If not, I'm making scarves, lots and lots of scarves.
    myoboe@hotmail.com

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