A Review - Crochet That Fits ♥

What first drew me to look through and then buy the book Crochet That Fits by Mary Jane Hall was the beautiful dress on the front cover. Who wouldn't be drawn to it? It is classy, trendy and very unlike so many traditionally boxy crochet garments. What makes it unbelievable, though, is that according to the book, this pattern is easy enough for an Advanced Beginner to make. What?? Are you kidding me? How can that be? Apparently, it's Old Stitches, New Method that makes it possible.
Crochet That Fits introduces a "new method of graduated stitching to make flattering fashions the easy way". This is accomplished by using different sized stitches within the same row to shape the garment, eliminating the need for increasing and decreasing. This method makes the projects in the book perfect for the beginning crocheter, who have been reluctant to try crocheting garments before now.
Not only that, you can learn to crochet garments that are form fitting, soft and drapeable and flattering to the figure. In crochet? How cool is that?
Mary Jane says "several different pieces can be made from the same fundamental design". It all starts with Six Designs from One Basic Pattern, which shows the incredible versatility of this pattern! You can create a cape, skirt, arm warmers, poncho, hat and purse, all from the same pattern.
The book goes on to teach you how to adjust the patterns to fit any shape, all the while creating some lovely fashions and accessories. There are 33 in all in the book. Even non-beginners will have fun crocheting and creating items using this new method of shaping; especially since it will be so much easier to get the perfect fit with all of Mary Jane's helpful tips and techniques that are included.
♥ A+ I especially love that Mary Jane gives several suggestions for yarn choices for almost every project.
♥ Favorite Projects: Little Black Dress, Cap Sleeve Top, Shoulder Wrap with Edging, Ruffled Shrug, Long Flared Skirt, Little Girl's Dress
Crochet That Fits is also the winner of the Best Crochet Book for 2008, as voted by the members of the Crochet Liberation Front in their annual Flamies Awards.
You can read more about Crochet That Fits on Mary Jane's own website: MARY JANE'S CROCHET.

Interesting New Pillow Pattern

Most crocheters love new and interesting pattern stitches. I think a lot of you will love the new, complimentary pattern I just uploaded to my pattern blog at: Cute Crochet Blog Patterns. It is a lovely pillow pattern designed by Michele Wilcox that has a very cool stitch pattern, that once learned, is really fun to do. The stitches are called Embossed Roundels. Check it out HERE!

Heirloom Pillow

Heirloom Pillow
Design by Michele Wilcox
Heirloom Pillow is copyrighted 2009 Michele Wilcox and Cute Crochet

You may print it for your personal use, but you may not copy, distribute it, or sell it.

Heirloom Buttoned Embossed Pillow


Size: Pillow measures 13 inches x 17 inches.

Gauge: 7 dc = 2 inches; 2 dc rows = 1 inch.

Materials: Bernat Berella "4" worsted weight yarn by Spinrite, 10-1/2 oz. #894l Winter White;

Pillow Form, 12" x 16";

Assorted 1 inch heirloom-looking buttons, 5;

H (5mm) hook;

NOTE: This pattern is for INTERMEDIATE crocheters. Pillow is made in one piece.

PATTERN STITCH:
Embossed Roundels (abbreviation ERd)
ERd=work 1 (1 dc, 2 ch) 9 times all into same st, remove hook from working loop, insert hook from the back through the top of first dc of Roundel; keeping sts of Roundel at back of crochet piece, pick up working loop again and draw through to close Roundel.


PILLOW
Row 1: Beginning at one short end, ch 46; sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea ch across, ch 1, turn. (45).

Rows 2-7: Sc in ea sc across, ch 1. turn. (45). At the end of Row 7, ch 3, turn.
Note: Ch-3 counts as first dc.

Row 8: Dc in ea sc across, ch 3, turn. (45 dc).

Row 9: Dc in next 3 dc, *ERd into next st, dc in next 7 dc, repeat from * across, ending 1 dc into top of turning ch-3, ch 3, turn.

Row 10: Dc in ea dc across, ch 3, turn. (45).

Row 11: *Dc in next 7 dc, ERd into next st; repeat from * across to last 4 dc, dc in last 4 dc; ch 3, turn.

Row 12: Dc in ea dc across, ch 3, turn. (45).

Rows 13-56: Repeat Rows 9-12 consecutively.

Row 57: Dc in ea dc across, ch 1, turn. (45).

Row 58: Sc in ea dc across, ch 1, turn. (45).

Rows 59 & 60: Sc in ea sc across, ch 1, turn. (45).

Row 61: (Buttonhole Row) Sc in next 3 sc, *ch 3, skip 3 sc, sc in next 6 sc; repeat from * across, ending sc in last 3 sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 62: Sc first 3 sc, *3 sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next 3 sc; repeat from * across, ch 1, turn.

Rows 63 & 64: Sc in ea sc across, ch 1, turn. (45).

Fasten off. Fold in half, matching both short ends. Sew side seams.

Sew buttons under buttonholes.
Place pillow form into pillow cover and button.

This pattern is copyrighted by Michele Wilcox and Cute Crochet @ 2009