Blueprint Crochet Sweaters Book Review and Giveaway

Happy middle of summer everyone! Things are usually a bit slow around Cute Crochet Chat for the summer months, as I spend more time with family and less on business. Is it that way for you in the Summer months as well?

Today Cute Crochet Chat is offering a book review and  GIVEAWAY of the much anticipated "BLUEPRINT CROCHET SWEATERS", Techniques For Custom Construction by Robyn Chachula, published by Interweave/F+W.

Fans of Robyn Chachula have been waiting for this book. An entire book of NEW Chachula sweaters that beg to be crocheted! As a bonus this book also contains four sweaters designed by a few of our favorite crochet designers!

Not only is this book filled with beautifully designed sweaters, but Robyn gives us incite into her methods of garment construction. She helps us to begin to  understand the basics of crochet design.

The Introduction alone is chock full of information and tips, giving us an understanding of some of the essentials of crocheting a sweater that truly fits.

We are introduced to four basic garment types with techniques for several variations of each style. There are sixteen sweater designs in all. At the start of each pattern, we are told exactly how this garment will be crocheted and constructed, allowing for a deeper understanding of the design before we even begin to crochet.

A few of the designs are intricate, but are broken down into manageable steps to help ensure success.

Blueprint Crochet Sweaters is not a book on how to design sweaters from scratch, but is full of many helpful hints to get you started. I love Robyn's light, welcoming writing style. It can almost seem as if she is sitting right next to you, helping with each step.

Continue below to see a sampling of some of the projects in this book and read about how you can win a copy of this book from Interweave, then check out this link to Robyn's own BLOG, where she discusses SIZING for the book.

Burnt Plaid Dress by Robyn Chachula

Magnolia Top by Robyn Chachula

Cranberry Cardigan by Robyn Chachula

Smoky Cropped Top by Drew Emborsky

Ruby Cropped Cardi by Marlaina Bird

Stormy Lace Tunic by Robyn Chachula

Veronica Pullover by Kristin Omdahl (Cover Design)

Would you like a chance to win a copy of Blueprint Crochet Sweaters?  Comment below with your EMAIL ADDRESS.  PLEASE do not forget to leave me your email address. I cannot contact the winner without it!
One lucky winner will be drawn at random on August14, 2013.

DISCLAIMER: Interweave/F&W Media provided the review copy and also the giveaway copy for this blog.

Our Newest Giveaway from Robyn Chachula

Hurry on over to Cute Crochet Chat for a chance to win Robyn Chachula's new book, "Crochet Stitches, Visual Encyclopedia" published by Wiley.

Crochet Stitches, Visual Encyclopedia by Robyn Chachula

At Cute Crochet Chat, we LOVE any kind of giveaway! Today I am pleased to review (and give away) a wonderful new book by the incredibly popular crochet designer, Robyn Chachula. The book is entitled, Crochet Stitches, Visual Encyclopedia and is published by Wiley. It has been a while since I have seen a crochet book that is so visually appealing.

This book is beautiful. But Crochet Stitches, Visual Encyclopedia is so much more than that! This is a book that you will keep in your crochet library forever. This is a book that you will browse through when you want to be visually inspired. This is a book that you will pick up when you are looking for just-the-right-stitch-pattern for your latest design or project. This is a book that you will go to when you want to LEARN a new crochet stitch pattern or when you want to EXPERIMENT with new crochet stitch patterns. Not enough? There are stitch patterns in this book that I have not seen anywhere else!










Each crochet stitch pattern is accompanied by beautiful full color photographs and easy to read stitch diagrams. There are TIPS throughout the book, which will make learning and using the stitch patterns even more enjoyable!

There are a whopping 36 individual crochet stitch categories, encompassing nine chapters! Included are Simple Stitches, Textured Stitches, Lace Stitches, *Unique* Lace Stitches, Colorwork Stitches, Tunisian Stitches, Square and Hexagonal Motifs, Flower and Snowflake Joining Motifs, and Edging Stitches!

Some of my favorites are the Circular Motifs and the Partial Motif patterns.







Robyn was gracious enough to answer a few questions for our readers!

1. Do you have a favorite book that you have authored?

That is a hard question since I am in love or hate every book I have worked on.  It all depends.  Right now I am loving this encyclopedia.  I have one stationed upstairs in my office and downstairs in my living room.  I am coming back to it over and over while I am writing my new book.  And that is exactly what I wanted to do.  I really wrote this one for me, to catalog all my favorite patterns in one place. *  And so far I have been really using it.  But I am sure my mood will switch and I will get fall back in love with another soon.
* (Reviewer's Note) I love the fact that Robyn initially wanted to write the book so she could compile all her favorite stitches and motifs into one resource!


2. Which is your favorite crochet technique?

Again, it all depends on the way the wind is blowing.  I adore motifs when I am exploring a yarn for the first time.  I love simple stitch patterns to highlight more challenging garment construction.  I use Tunisian to relax after a stressful day; I just love the woven look some patterns can give. 


3. Do you ever crochet from other designer's crochet patterns and if so, do you prefer to follow the written instructions or a visual stitch diagram?

I rarely have time to do anything but my own work.  I think the last time was 18 months ago, when we were moving actually.  And even then, I made up my own pattern.  I do like reading patterns though.  I love to see how another designer's brain works.  For me, stitch diagrams are the key to reading.  I am dyslexic, and the abbreviations are incredibly difficult. That's why I love stitch diagrams.  I can follow those so much easier and really understand how a piece goes together.

Thank you, Robyn, for giving us a glimpse into your design world! If you would like to "meet" Robyn or learn more about her new book, she recently was interviewed on Getting Loopy podcast and Yarn Thing podcast and LB YarnCraft podcast.
Just for FUN, Wiley is giving away a copy of Crochet Stitches to ONE lucky reader of Cute Crochet Chat! In order to be eligible to win, comment on this blog and tell our readers how you have used crochet stitch dictionaries in the past to enhance your crocheting! If you have not done so before, HOW WOULD you use this crochet stitch encyclopedia? Please DON'T FORGET to leave a contact email address in your comment!
A thank you goes out to Wiley Publishing for providing the review copy to Cute Crochet Chat and also the giveaway copy of the book!
You may also purchase a copy of this book at Amazon.