Carol Meldrum is a textile designer, workshop tutor and author of many popular knitting and crochet books, including Easy Crochet Accessories, Funky Knits, Easy Beaded Crochet, Knitted Icons, Love Crochet and Knitlympics.Since graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, she has worked within the textile industry as a designer for many High Street fashion outlets as well as internationally renowned hand knit label Rowan, and her unique take on all things textile can be found online at www.beatknit.com and in selected boutique shops in Scotland.Carol's main goal is to give others the confidence to create handmade objects of their own, by sharing skills that have been handed down through generations to produce new and exciting projects that will inspire others to do the same.
I received this book a while back. All in all, the book is great!
As a complete beginner, I thought that this would be a gateway in
to being able to create my own projects and designs. I can see how
this WOULD be great for someone with a bit more knowledge of the
art but a lot of terminology etc was lost on me and I found myself
having to rely on other media to understand what I was trying to
achieve. I will absolutely be revisiting this book once I have
improved my own skills in this craft, as I do think it is a really
helpful book- it's just not really a thing for self-taught
beginners!
*Customer Review*
"Unlock the secrets of patchwork, spirals and lace". If you like to
do your own thing, and love shapes and colour, rather than the
uniformity of a fixed pattern, then this is the crochet book for
you. As the author, Carol Meldrum says, you can use the patterns in
his book as suggestions to spark your own imagination.
Divided into five sections: patchwork and squares, circles and
spirals, organic shapes, openwork and lace, and trims, edgings and
fillers; each section starts with simpler projects and then builds
on the techniques learned in the previous one. But it also contains
basic "how-tos", so even if you only have a rudimentary knowledge
of crochet, you can find inspiration to expand your repertoire.
All 30 projects in the book use Rowan yarns; however by its very
nature as a freeform resource, you can literally use whatever takes
your fancy - or happens to be in your stash. Great examples of this
are the floral shawl and mittens, which use up all those colourful
odds and ends of yarn.
With patterns for clothes, accessories and homewares, beautiful
photographed and with clear written instructions, this book will be
a fantastic addition to any fibre crafter's library.
*Kazzy B Knits*
I love to crochet but have always been scared of freeform crochet.
This book is here to give you and me the confidence to be able to
not only follow patterns
of freeform but to also create your own. Freeform take the rules
away and lets
you create with individual styles and techniques. Carol takes you
through step-by-step so even if you haven't crocheted before you
can give it a go. There are clear instructions with pictures to
make it easier to follow. The start of the book is taken up with
the instructions of the different stitches. Then it's straight into
the patterns. The patterns vary in difficulty and show you how
you can do something as easy as changing colours at random through
a project or use different designs to create unique styles. The
patterns are varied and give you a fantastic overview of what you
can create. The projects are all fun and use an amazing array
of colours. The patterns are all in written format and are easy to
follow. The writing is a bit small for me for the patterns. I love
how Carol gives you support within each pattern to make it easier.
The little hints about how to put the projects together etc. make
them easier to complete. This book really does offer great value
for money. It teaches the techniques you need to create your own
freeform as well as providing you with and amazing array of
projects to make.
http://www.crochetaddictuk.com/2017/05/freeform-crochet-search-press-book.html
*Crochet Addict UK*
This book is about style. Not Carol Meldrum's style. Your style.
Carol will just help you find it. Each chapter of the book teaches
a specific technique and provides patterns and projects to help put
that technique into practice. Then it's over to you. How you
embellish your projectm how you tailor make it to fit your own
needs and tastes, it is up to you. The book is just as perfect for
beginners to the craft as it is for those with experience who want
to learn more, so no one need be left behind on this adventure.
There are ideas for everything you need, starting points and first
steps on your very own crochet journey. From circles and spirals to
open and lace to patchwork squares. The choice is yours...
*Knitting & Crochet - Woman's Weekly*
Explore creative crochet with this book through 30 easy projects.
Take a look at what you can do with shapes and stitches to create
practical projects. Most people attempt freeform when they have
mastered all the basic stitches. There are step-by-step
instructions for the basic stitches at the front of the book and
you will need to be confident with these first. This book
concentrates on simple freeform ideas to build your confidence.
Like changing colour or adding a stitch or motif ad hoc. These
projects are fine to learn the basics. The chapters on Organic
Patterns and Lace are what I really think of as freeform crochet. I
love the cream scarf and the lace scarf. The mix and match cardi
looks interesting and I like the flower shawl too. The basic ideas
can be used to form your own patterns.
*yarnsandfabrics.co.uk*
Issue 87 This fun book is all about learning to take an extra step
into creativity with your crochet, moving away from strictly
following patterns. It begins with clear photographs demonstrating
techniques such as working around corners, filling in gaps and
joining pieces together, then moves on to 30 colourful projects, in
sections such as 'Circles & Spirals' and 'openwork & lace'. You're
encouraged to see all these patterns only as a starting point, and
all come with tips for 'freeforming' them, such as introducing
random colour changtfes or adding edges and surface detail.
*Inside Crochet*
I found this book a beautiful addition to my crafting collection,
being relatively new to crochet (self taught over the past 2 years)
I have been able to learn new textured stitches- popcorn and puff
easily by following the clear descriptions and bright pictures. The
book contains many unique projects which I look forward to
completing as gifts for friends and family, a lot of which will use
up the many bits of left over balls of wool.
*Customer Review*
I was very excited to receive this book, having been fascinated by
various freeform crochet projects on Pinterest but not really
understanding how to get started myself. This book covers all the
basics required to get started and instructions for various
projects to get you going but not limiting your imagination.
I don't think it's suitable for an absolute beginner, the initial
instructions aren't that explicit but once you have the basic
stitches under your belt this is ideal to get you into the Freeform
Crochet genre.
Overall I am really happy with this book and can't wait to get
started, I have a couple of empty coffee jars crying out for a
freeform cover
*Customer Review*
Good explanations giving clever clear instruction and ideas...very
interesting
*Customer Review*
I received this book a few days ago and already I have learnt the
basics of freeform crochet : spirals, offset circles and spikes
(which look like paint splatters). The book is very comprehensive
in guiding you through these methods and then takes you on to
patterns, all the while encouraging you to branch out and do your
own thing!
Basic crochet stitches are explained, but I think this is more for
an intermediate, or at least an adventurous beginner, but it
definitely takes you beyond standard patterns and gives you the
tools to start creating with crochet, producing individual pieces
you can be proud of. I look forward to many future adventures in
freeform crochet with this book!
*Customer Review*
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