she’ll hook you up

Posted on annePosted in book reviews/events

since i’m rather busy every day this weekend, i thought it would be a good time to do another book review, and since i’m in austin, i thought it would be appropriate to do one that’s really different—a little crochet anyone??

you might think that crochet isn’t for you, but have you actually tried it??
it’s crazy fun, really, it is.

i have to be honest that knitting has solidly outrun it as my craft of choice, but there was a time in my 20s, yessirree, that i was very deep into crochet—very deep indeed. and i think of that time fondly.

problem was, that i hit a wall with it—at the time, there was very little innovation in the craft and very few modern designers doing anything creative or cutting edge with it. the crochet revolution of the 70s had passed (and believe me, it was fab in its own right), and if one wanted to explore the deeper depths of this fine needle art, one was pretty much limited to complex lace items for the home. which were interesting enough to execute, but mostly lacking in purpose for my everyday life. that being the case, i eventually abandoned the hook in favor of spending more time with the needle.

while i have been aware that much has changed to revolutionize crochet along with knitting, i’ve been lazy about reopening my exploration of the hooker’s art. why, i don’t know—maybe lack of time or the need to limit my horizons for a while.

then this beautiful book, crochet inspiration by sasha kagan landed on my doorstep from sixth&spring books and i had to say—WOW.

now available in paperback, this award-winning book is exactly as it claims in its title—inspirational. if you haven’t thought about picking up a crochet hook lately (or ever), now might be a good time to give it a go.

before opening the book, i thought i’d find what you find in most crochet manuals—lots of this

and it’s true that ms. kagan starts off with the basics. but only has a prelude to showing us what you can do, once you have those down. for instance, single crochet can, indeed, be lines across the fabric, but it can also be fun circles of all types

which morph into slightly more complex arrangements

and wait—what’s that, a flower? let’s explore that a little further in some filet crochet

or maybe free it up completely from the constraints of a linear background

or, while we’re at it, let’s just go whole hog and ditch that background completely

not exactly what you fancy? how about flowers another way?

or maybe you don’t like flowers . . . let’s take single crochet and really put it through it’s paces

i just love that maple leaf piece; i may have to make a set of coasters form that pattern. even if those are the only items i ever construct with crochet for the rest of my life, i’ll be happy; they will see a lot more airtime around my house than my old doilies ever have (they’re just too nice; i can’t part with them and i can’t use them either!).

the book features much, much more than single crochet technique—too many ways to do crochet than i have room to talk about here, but trust me—this would be a nice addition to any knitter’s library because of its depth and breadth.

as is so often the case, sixth&spring has generously offered to send one lucky reader of today’s review a gift copy of crochet inspiration. if you would like to be in the running to win it, please leave a comment at the end of this post by 9pm EST on tuesday, april 19th. we will announce the winner on wednesday, when we’re back in our home office.

i have one more teaching day here in austin and a travel day on monday. i’m hoping to write a post before i leave, to wrap up my wonderful tour of texas, because if not, i won’t be able to get back to you til after tuesday. if it doesn’t happen though (you know stuff happens, right??), be assured that i will be back in a few days . . . see you then!

250 thoughts on “she’ll hook you up”

  4. Your review of this inspiring book makes me want to pick up a hook again. Thank you, Sasha, for re-awakening the interest in so many of us. Would love to win.

  6. Like you Anne, I crocheted for many years..before I took up knitting again..I still incorporate crochet into many of my projects..This book would be a joy..I’d love it..Havea good, safe trip…Ruth G.

  8. A lovely book. I am crocheting more than knitting now so this book seems to have good new ideas.

  9. I confess your review has peaked my interest in crochet. I’ve checked out books at the library and watched many YouTube videos on crocheting. Alas my brain and my hands dont ‘get’ it. 🙂 I will eventually figure it out I’m sure – my crochet aspirations are to make snowflakes for our Christmas tree- but it may be awhile. Having taken a peak at my Ravelry queue (cough) that will easily keep my fingers occupied till 2014!

  10. It’s a beautiful book. I’ve enjoyed all of your pictures of your trip. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Texas.

  11. As a child I tried to teach myself to crochet, but just couldn’t get the hang of it. Soooo, I turned to knitting and taught myself to knit instead! The look and feel is very different from the crochet I remember from the 60’s and 70′ and that is exciting! Please toss my name in the virtual pick bowl.

  14. Oh, this is awesome! I saw this book awhile ago and I couldn’t remember the title! Thanks for the giveaway and reminding me of this book!

  16. What a great looking book and a wonderful addition to anyones library. I would love to win it.

  19. Wow. Amazing book. I’m an obsessive knitter who’s new to crochet and I’m in awe of some of the possibilities for it.

  21. I was looking at this book in my local store, it is beautiful. I would love to win it. New to your blog, reading through all the past posts, very enjoyable reading! I both knit and crochet so this would be a lovely addition to my collection.

  23. Just like you, I used to crochet a lot back in the day (in my case, it was more like the latter part of the 70s) and I abandoned it because it was very limiting. A couple of grannie blankets, an adorable crochet beach dress for my sister who was eight years younger, and yes, lots of doilies, which I think I still have tucked away somewhere. This book looks amazing — it would even make me want to learn crochet in English! All my crochet learning (as well as knitting), I did in French. The knitting terms took me a little while to adapt to in English, but 18 years later, I am very comfortable with them. Nothing like a beautiful book with the genius of Sasha Kagan to make one overcome this language hurdle…

  24. I haven’t been much of a crochet person either, but that mohair flower was lovely! I’d enjoy expanding my horizons with this book. Thanks,

  28. It would take a lot to drag me all thw way from weaving, spinning and kntting, back to crochet. This book could do it, it looks like a breath of fresh and inspirational crochet air!

  30. Lovely book and super review, Anne! I’m glad crochet is gaining attention these days. The pink angora (?) flower really got my attention!

  31. I would love to win a copy of Crochet Inspiration. From your review, it looks like it lives up to it’s name!

  32. I’ll throw my hat in the ring. I keep thinking I need to buy a basic crochet book just to have on file as a reference.

  33. I haven’t crocheted in years (since I was in middle school!), but this book looks like it has some really neat information. I could see myself both making instant-gratification projects (window doilies, coasters…) or maybe combining crochet with knitting for lace-backed sweaters or something! Very neat!

  34. I read my library’s copy of this book and loved it – now a chance to win it! Yes, please! In my teens and twenties I crocheted lots of worsted-weight afghans and rugs for my mother, grandmother, aunts and myself, but when I saturated my afghan market I dropped crocheting (home dec) for knitting clothing (so hard to crochet clothing that doesn’t have that seventies hippie look). But crochet is still amazing fun, and Kagan’s book is calling to me. . .

  35. Very exciting, that the innovation fiber design trend of current times is including crochet in airing out and revamping of fiber traditions! I’m leaving this window open to show to my son’s GF. She is a crochet devotee, and she will be fascinated.

  36. I’m inspired just by the pictures here! Looks like a nice book.

    Crochet was my first love as well, and I still crochet *and* knit.

  37. I’m an enthusiastic knitter who is also starting to get back into crocheting. I’m so glad to see that there are starting to be more great books and patterns for crocheters, and I’d love to have a copy of this one.

  42. I have never crocheted, but I would definitely love to learn!! This book would be a terrific inspiration, and I’d love to give it a happy home among my well-loved knitting books… 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity to be in the drawing…

  43. What a beautiful book. I am so ready to be inspired with all she offers. I would love a copy.

  44. Would love to have a copy of the book!! Enjoyed your presentation & trunk show fri evening and the adv lace knitting class sat morning. I especially liked seeing the swatch tour!!! Thanks. Please come back soon!!

  45. What a beautiful book! And I’ve been thinking a lot lately about crochet and how I miss it. It would be wonderful to win this book.

  46. That seems like such a great manual. If I don’t win it, I definitely want to look for a copy!

  48. Wow, that looks amazing! It’s true that crochet designers are doing some lovely things these days… I would love to get a copy of this book.

  50. This looks like a really beautiful book. I crocheted in the late 70’s after my Mom took a class then taught my sister and me. Lots of granny squares followed! This looks much nicer an anything we managed to produce…
    Thanks Anne,
    Betsy

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