Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee Podcast, Episode 4 - Show Notes

   
This episode features Yarn and Craft Book Hauls, Vintage Book Reviews, completed projects and works in progress.

Topics:
Where to find me on the internet:

Ravelry-SusieQ57

Ravelry Podcast Group-CrochetKnitAndMoreWithSuzeePodcast

Instagram-SuzeeMakes1

MyBlog-CrochetKnitAndMoreWithSuzee.blogspot.com

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Free Bathroom Tissue Roll Crochet Pattern:

To download the free pattern for this cozy, please go to:

Have A Cuppa Coffee Bathroom Tissue Cozy - Crochet Pattern




Recent Finished Object:

Chic and Strong Crescent Shawl by Rohn Strong
Free pattern from Red Heart Yarn -- also has a Youtube tutorial presented by Marly Bird

Yarn and Craft Book Hauls (Hobby Lobby, JoAnn and Dollar Tree)

Hobby Lobby Haul -

1. Baby Bee Chunky Yarn - Colorway:  Toy Elephant
2. I Love This Chunky - Colorway:  Peacock Tails
3. Baby Bee Hushaby Solids - Colorway: Baby Sage

The clearance price for each skein was $1.49; the regular price for each was $4.99

Craft books:

1. Fringe Benefits by Melissa Leapman - Clearance Price 99 cents; regular price $9.99
2. Big Knits Hollywood Style - Clearance Price 99 cents; regular price $9.99
3. Learn Easy Sewing Skills - Clearance Price $1.19; regular price $11.99
4. Quick & Simple Sewing Accessories - Clearance Price 99 cents, regular price $9.99

JoAnn Fabrics -
Purchased three packages of buttons that were on sale for 97 cents each. See podcast for more information.
 
Dollar Tree - Massive Yarn Haul

• Purchased 10 -  3.5 ounce skeins of Premier EverSoft Yarn for $1 each - regular price $2.79 ea.
• Purchased 10 - 3.5 ounce skeins of Premier Dream Yarn for $1 each - regular price $2.59 ea.

Podcast Shout Out to "It's Crochet O'Clock Podcast" I have enjoyed this podcast and I recommend it to other viewers.

The Vintage Corner

Vintage Crochet and Knit Book Reviews

Tired of paying $30 or more for crochet or knit books at Hobby Lobby, Michaels or JoAnn Fabrics?  Have you ever considered used crochet or knit books?

Used books are an excellent source for crochet and knit, stitches, techniques, how-to's and patterns.  When it comes to crochet and knit there is really not much new, except for the things you have never seen before.

I have been crochet and knitting since the 1970s and I have seen styles come and go.  The Corner-to-Corner Crochet stitch was popular in the 1980s and made a come back recently, Fair Isle style cardigans and pullovers with color work collar detail have never been popular on/off since they first appeared in the 1920s; and are currently enjoying a resurgence due to the "retro" look.  The same can be said about crochet motifs; granny and similar types of squares, triangles or circles sewn together to make an afghan, throw, pillowcover, shawl or sweater.  These motifs haven't changed much since they became very popular in the early 1970s thanks to the hippie, boho look.

The one constant in crochet and knitting is the underlying stitches and techniques used in creating garments, accessories, afghans and home decoration styles.  Updating normally involves using current yarns and colors to create new styles and designs with stitches and techniques that have been around for years.  Occasionally new methods are developed to streamline or improve the process, however these are usually applied to existing stitches and techniques.

In the past five years or so, I have been looking for and finding great crochet and knit books at thrift stores and garage sales.  Occasionally, if I am looking for a particular book, I will try Amazon or Ebay.  I usually prefer thrift stores as the price is usually $1 or less; but it is a challenge to find a particular book.

An excellent Knit and Crochet Reference book I found at a third store recently is the "Reader's Digest, Complete Guide to Needlework."

This book was published in 1979 and is recommended by many subject experts on the Internet. This book has extensive stitch, technique information, stitch patterns and projects for crochet and knitting along with sections covering Embroidering, Needlepoint, Quilting, Macrame, etc.

This book has been reprinted at least 8 times since its original 1979 issue, and I would encourage you to get a copy at a local thrift store or online.  This is a  fantastic resource for EVERYTHING related to Crochet and Knitting along with many other needlework crafts.

This book goes into considerable detail on the following Crochet and Knit Topics:

• Supplies
• Hooks, Needles and other equipment
• Yarns
• Buying & Winding yarn
• Crochet and Knitting Aids
• Basics
• Chaining or Casting on
• Crochet or Knit Stitches
• Elementary Stitch Patterns
• Tension
• Binding Off
• Attaching new Yarn
• Following Instructions
• Terminology
• Gauge
• Increasing and decreasing
• Picking up stitches
• Circular crochet and knitting
• Crochet and Knitting Stitches
• Using a pattern stitch textures
• Crochet Stitches
• Shells, Clusters, Motifs, Motifs/patchwork, Meshes, Filet, Irish Crochet, Tunisian Crochet, Loops, Multi-color stitches, working with a color chart, charted stitches
• Knitting Stitches
• Ribs, diagonals, laces, crossed stitches, cable stitches, novelty stitches, smocks, knotted stitches, charted stitches
• Crocheting and Knitting Garments
• Taking and Using measurements
• Designing
• Assembling and Finishing
• Blocking
• Joining sections
• Duplicate Stitch
• Edgings and Trim
• Crochet and Knit Patterns
• Scarf, pullovers, cardigan, sweaters, hats, socks, mittens, skirt, top, shawls, trims, bags, totes and afghan

This book will keep a novice to expert crocheter or knitter busy for months, completing and trying out the many stitch patterns and projects it offers.  I paid $1 for the copy I found at a local thrift store and it is worth its weight in gold.  I hope you will be able to get a copy soon, so that you will be able to benefit from this book as much as I have!

Knitting for Dummies by Pam Allen

Knitting for Dummies is also an excellent, comprehensive knitting reference I purchased a couple of years ago from a local thrift store.  It can be used by beginners to expert knitters. This book was published in 2002, and is still very relevant.  I paid 75 cents for my copy.

This book has extensive reference information on practically anything that anyone would ever want to know about knit stitches, techniques, finishing, etc.  It also has a lengthy list of other knitting books the author recommends.  The book also features quite a few knitting patterns for pillows, hats, afghans, etc.  You should be able to find this book at garage sales or thrift stores for approximately $1.  If this isn't possible it may be available from Amazon, Ebay or other used book dealers.  Used copies should be available from these sources for around $5.  I recommend this book and hope you will be able to find a copy to add to your collection.

If you prefer a new book, an updated version of this book was written by Marly Bird and released in 2013.  This new book retails for approx $20.  I cannot comment on this book as I haven't reviewed it, but based on my knowledge of Marly Bird, I would assume it is very complete and well written, too!

The Complete Stitch Directory - 1988

I purchased this book from the Doubleday Book Club in 1990; and have used it considerably over the years. I paid less than $1 for this book as it was bought as a membership offer to join this book club.  If I remember correctly; the membership offered prospective members 5 books for $1.99, plus shipping.  To get these books at this price the member had to agree to purchase 5 more books from the club.

This book contains extensive stitch patterns for both crochet and knit, techniques, tools etc.  It has a great instruction section on Tunisian crochet that rivals many other books I have seen just on that subject alone.  If you can find this at your local thrift store, get it!  If you can't find it there I have seen it offered on Amazon and Ebay for under $10 and it is well worth the price!

Completed Object and Works In Process

Lattice Stitch Hat - Free pattern by YaYa Loves to Knit on Ravelry









My Shawl Design - Work in Process - will be a free download from this blog when the design is        complete. Please go to the podcast to see my progress.

End of Episode 4 Show Notes.  Please watch my podcast -- Crochet, Knit and More with Suzee on YouTube, please comment, Like and Subscribe.

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