Book Review- Curvy Girl Crochet

Mary Beth Temple is a crochet designer whose work I've liked for a while. The reason is because she combines classic crochet techniques and stitches into contemporary fashions that are wearable. A lot of her designs are also relatively quick to stitch. Also being plus sized, I appreciate attractive crochet patterns that fit my build.

The patterns in this book are American crochet terminology with international crochet notation as illustrations for the stitch patterns.

It starts with detailed information about changing the size of the patterns, and adapting them to different yarn types. It explains how to shorten, lengthen and change the fitting of patterns, as well as swatching then testing the swatches for the method you plan to use for laundering or checking how stretching will affect the fabric. Handy if you're like me and generally prefer cotton yarns.

Then you get to the patterns, which are all shown on lovely women of different shapes and sizes. This book is heavy on the sweaters, pullovers, cardigans, shells and vests. There are also some outwear and accessory patterns and one gorgeous skirt.

The patterns start with suggested yarn types, but also include the Craft Yarn Council of America's sizing for that yarn and the gauge is listed so you can try it with a different yarn easily. They are all written in good detail and easy to follow. I'm better with charts than written instructions so I'll refer to the charts for the stitch pattern and use the instructions to know where to increase and get the right measurements and shapes.

The variety of patterns is good. My favorite long sleeves sweater in the book is the pullover on the cover. Her version uses spike stitches as colorwork accents on the yoke and wide sleeves in a nearly floral effect, and it has shaping around the waist to pull it in some and reduce bulk, then flares out to skim over the hips. The yarn weight and look of the sweater make it a great one for fall and winter months.
For sleeveless sweaters, the Perfect Base Tank Top is made using a fine yarn in a shell stitch and is nicely fitted. The fine yarn and shaping keep it from being bulky and the shell stitch help keep it from getting boring to make.
The Essential Cardigan is a basic cardigan great for all sort of winter and fall layering, and it's my favorite cardigan.
Other things I love in this book are the Traditional Cloak, the Sensible Shawl and lacy Wrapt Top. Andee Graves' skirt is just fabulous, a wrap skirt with a beautiful shape made from wool.

Good instructions, contemporary designs and the sizing goes from XL to 5X. The designs are handmade boutique in styling. Out of 25 patterns, there are only a few that aren't my style at all, and I believe this book will have designs that will appeal to most women who like fashion crochet with a good fit for larger body types.

Published by Taunton.

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review, my reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.

Greek Key Inspired Printable Box-

This box is inspired by Greek Key geometric patterns. I hope you enjoy it! There is also a black and white version to color yourself. Click for the larger version, print on card stock, cut out, score, fold, glue!

American Football Mandala to Color

I hope you enjoy this American football themed mandala!
Click on the images for a larger version to print and color.
Small JPG version:

Large Transparent PNG version:

So easy flowers for the whole year!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done. for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Curbside Chaos recently had a lawn makeover giveaway. The winner go to have her lawn made over with help from Tania Nayak. The video shows them discussing what they plan to do, going shopping and the start of the landscaping. Her yard is going to be gorgeous with flowers and colors. I'm a little envious! If I had $5000 dollars for a yard makeover, I'd plant more berries by the side of the house, and build a couple more raised beds for vegetables. But the big thing I'd do is the front, that would be a decorative garden, with fragrant plants. Perennials like a lilac and prickly rose bush, and lots of bulbs for early spring color after a long winter. 

They have a wonderful  Twitter donation promotion going on now, for every tweet that includes the hash tag #CurbsideChaos *Bulbs.Dig.Drop.Done* will donate $1.00 to the non-profit group Rebuilding Together. Rebuilding Together works with homeowners to rehabilitate homes and to modify them.

Curbide Chaos also has a planting guide that can help you with your fall planting for spring. You click on where you live.

Then you choose when you want your flowers to bloom, and it gives you a selection of flowers for that time period.

Click on the flower you're interested in, and it gives you advice and instructions for growing that bulb!

The neat things about bulbs is that you aren't locked into just those choices. Those are your best choices for fall planting but bulbs can be planted year round, even here! Because they are so easy to grow, they are popular for forcing indoors. You've seen the kits at the supermarket around the holidays for paperwhites. There are lots of other choices as well.

I plan to force tuberoses. They do best in zone 6 or warmer, so they aren't good for outdoors. But they will grow just fine in potting soil indoors if you have enough light. They smell fantastic! 

Do you have a favorite vase and very rarely get flowers to put in it? You can grow all sorts of bulbs in it. A single amaryllis bulb for example. Then you'll have color in the winter. You can find all sorts of information at Dig.Drop.Done. They are a foundation dedicated to promoting bulb growing, and showing how easy it is.

visit www.digdropdone.com to learn more

The thing I like best on their site is the Family Fun section, lots of great crafty ideas. Also there is a search available on the site, so you can search based on color. I searched fragrance, because the scent of flowers in the winter helps the house smell naturally fresh and nice when opening a window just isn't an option!

I also recommend checking out the About Us section, the Ladies.  There are three to choose from with short videos that offer tips. The videos are cute, funny and themed to the personality of the ladies. I expected to like Marcy The Super Mom best, with her cute apron and batter bowl, but as it turned out, my favorite was Julianna the Fashionista! The reason I liked her best is because she reminded me of some of my friends. Also because I hadn't thought about planting bulbs for spring in containers. I was thinking outside the box! Now I'm thinking in the box, or rather, in some tires. While I can't have the big yard makeover, I can set up tires in a sheltered spot for spring color!

I've planted some of my bulbs for spring, and we will plant more, but now it's time to start thinking about winter, and things to grow indoors.