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CROCHETED GIFTS – New From Kim Werker

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Interweave Press puts out another winner!  This new book by Kim Werker, an always reliable designer, has some great gift ideas with good photography and Interweave’s clear instructions.  There are schematics accompanying many patterns.  Wish they with all the patterns.

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In addition to the cool afghan on the cover, there are a couple of projects with which I’m IN LOVE.  First is a unique Sea Star Pendant on page 23.  It’s designed by Katie Himmelberg and is a really attractive piece of jewelry that can be worked up quickly.  You could make it in every color you need for your wardrobe!

Then there’s the Mesh Trellis Cardigan by Karen Drouin on page 13.  I GOTTA make this – however, I’m not a frilly type gal so I’ll eliminate the very attractive but impractible for me edging on the sleeves.

Another nifty garment is the Trinity Lace Shrug on page 43.  Designed by Annie Modesitt, it’s PERFECT for those of us who need some camouflage for our upper arms without the added weight of a sweater in the summer.  This little shrug will fit nicely in my wardrobe over some shells that I’ve avoided wearing for many seasons.

Other designs include items for baby, Dad, kitchen, bags, jewelry, etc.  There are several caps that could be quite versatile.  All in all, this is a nice collection of crocheted gifts that I think you’ll enjoy.

SPECS:

Crocheted Gifts, Irresistable Projects to Make and Give by Kim Werker.

Interweave Press, 2009

ISBN 9781596681071       119 Pages

List Price $21.95

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Fancy Pumpkin Cross Stitch Patterns

If you’re ready to move beyond basic, solid orange pumpkins, check out these pumpkin cross stitch patterns that are just a little bit fancier with some kind of pattern on the pumpkin. 

Keep it simple and rustic with this plaid pumpkin form Cross Stitch with Art. You can make the plaid whatever colors you want to match your decor, or keep with the Halloween color palette. It uses three colors and comes out to about 6 inches/15.24 cm square when you stitch it on 14 count fabric. 

Mamaida Pattern has this cute pumpkin with a vine in the negative space. Since that portion isn’t actually stitched (though you could make it green if you like) that makes this pattern pretty easy. It uses just two colors and measures 108 by 110 stitches. That’s about 7.7 by 7.9 inches or 19.6 by 20 cm on 14 count fabric. 

Speaking of negative space, this design by Tinsel Cross Stitch blows out the pumpkin a bit so the ridges are negative space and the colors here too have kind of a vineing effect. This design is 98 by 113 stitches and uses three colors. It measures 7 by a little more than 8 inches, or 17.78 by 20.5 cm on 14 count fabric.

Get even more detailed with the carving effect on this pumpkin cross stitch pattern from Anemone Patterns. This one is 85 by 83 stitches, which comes out to 6.1 by 5.9 inches (15.4 by 15.1 cm).

In a similar vein but a different color, there’s this pretty green pumpkin from Crystal Feather Crafts. Of course you could make it any color you like, but I always like to remind people that even in nature not all pumpkins are orange. This design measures 101 by 93 stitches, which is 7.2 by 6.6 inches/18.3 by 16.9 cm. 

And speaking of color, if you want to stitch a pumpkin with boho vibes, this one from Stitch Craft Creatives is probably the one for you. At 200 stitches square, it comes out to 14.4 inches or 36.3 cm square on 14 count fabric. It uses 14 colors for a very vibrant pumpkin!