Book Review and a Giveaway
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I am so thrilled to be asked to take part in the blog tour introducing Edie Eckman’s newest book, Every Which Way Crochet Borders. I’m not ashamed to admit: I have every one of Edie’s crochet reference books on my bookshelf (and some also live in my Kindle app, so they’re always with me on my iPad). I was glad to have an early chance to get my hands on her newest book.
Every Which Way Crochet Borders (amazon)
Edie Eckman
Published by Storey Publishing
You may be familiar with Edie’s previous book on the same topic: Around the Corner Crochet Borders. As she says herself in the book’s preface, you might think that the 150 borders in that book would be enough for anybody. Well, they weren’t enough for Edie, as she has now come up with an additional 139 creative crochet borders. If you’re like me, you’re going to be very glad she didn’t stop with the original 150 borders.
1. You can browse the book for inspiration.
The fabulous borders in this book are not arranged in any particular kind of order. Edie did this deliberately, to encourage readers to browse through the gorgeous, colorful photos. You never know when you may just stumble serendipitously across the perfect border for your project, a border that wasn’t what you were originally envisioning at all.
2. You can search a table for specific border attributes.
Edie also recognizes that sometimes you might really need to find a border with a particular attribute. To make that possible, she’s included a wonderful little table in the back of the book to help you find the following types of borders:
- reversible
- wide
- medium
- narrow
- undulating
- straight
- motifs
- open/lacy
- layered
- fringy
- textured
3. You can find a border in a hurry.
Sometimes you may be in a hurry to finish a project, with no time to browse through the book. When that’s the case, you have no need to worry. Edie’s also provided a handy little border directory with thumbnail images of each design, making it very quick and easy to find the perfect border.
4. You will learn how to select the perfect border.
Do you have difficulty knowing what border might work best for your project? You are going to love the material in the front of this book, in which Edie walks you through a number of different things to think about when selecting a border for your project. You’ll learn the importance of:
- form following function
- scale
- the potential in color
- contrasting vs. complementary colors
- solid colors vs. multicolors
- yarn choice
5. You will learn how to customize your borders.
Sometimes it’s handy just to have a border ready and waiting to use, without having to come up with something on your own. Other times, you might want to exercise your creativity and come up with your own border designs. Edie walks you through things to consider and even provides a case study on creating a border design. She covers things such as:
- adding preliminary rounds
- adding new elements
- combining borders
- going 3-dimensional
- understanding border mechanics
- troubleshooting problems
- stitch multiples and why they matter
- fudging stitch counts (yes, sometimes in design you have to fudge!!)
Book Giveaway
Special thanks to Storey Publishing for allowing us to conduct a giveaway for a free copy of Edie’s book. At the publisher’s request, the giveaway is limited to US mailing addresses only.
Links to Edie’s crochet reference books:
Around the Corner Crochet Borders
Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs
Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs
Every Which Way Corner Crochet Borders
Follow the Rest of the Blog Tour
Seventeen other bloggers will also be posting reviews of Every Which Way Crochet Borders this month. Head on over to Edie Eckman’s site for the complete blog tour schedule.
I’m constantly looking for a border pattern for something I’ve made and stuggle to find anything I like. Just from the pictures shown in the review I have seen several that I love and would use in my next project.
I am from the Netherlands and crochet for almost a year, and i realy enjoying it.It is fun and relaxing, make mine head clear.I can use some patterns of borders and willing to learn as much and fast as i can.It makes me verry happy, and i hope for many more years.
Lovely regrats, Arja
I would like to receive a copy of this book because I am in the
process of making baby blankets and would love to dress them
up with borders, so they will look unique and beautiful.
I would love to win this to complete my Edie Eckman collection. I love how helpfu and beautifull her books are!
What a fabulous book! It would help me never give up a gift again without a border because I don’t know which one to pick!
I would absolutely love to win this! I make lap blankets for chemo patients and would love to make custom borders on them.
I’m always looking for just the right border, so I would love to win a copy!
I would love to have this book!! I don’t have anything like it and it would come in sooo handy for afghan making. It looks incredible!
I have several of Edie’s books and this would add nicely to the collection. Her books are beautifully done and super inspiring. She helps you to make your projects the best they can be.
This is such a book that has been a long time in coming. I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I can’t tell you how many times I sat and just thought about what border to do and often came up blank. This would be an asset to any crocheters arsenal. Thank you so much for offering one for free. I’m crossing my fingers!!
Thank you for the post! What a great preview of the book!
I am doing my first CAL this year and need to be inspired by a border for two afghans!!
I love her books! It’s so hard to pick a border sometimes and then spending a lot of time trying to figure out if the border you like will work…I’ve gone through that more times than I can count! This would be a wonderful resource to have to put a beautiful and unique finishing touch on any blanket project!
This book looks amazing. I have Edie’s other books and use them often.
I could use some NEW border designs. I make afghans for 3 different charities and I’m always looking for ways to make each one special!
I enjoyed reading the blog on Every Which Way Crochet Borders. I will have to look for it in the stores now.
this look like it may be a very interesting book to have on hand! would love to have it!
I’m always searching for borders, edgings to finish off projects. This book is perfect!
It would be wonderful to have a treasure trove of borders at my fingertips every time I need one!!!
I would love to win this book! I always have trouble deciding on borders!
Would love this book
Edie’s books are awesome!
I always seem to be looking for the perfect border for blankets/throws. This new book would be a wonderful resource for my searches.
I nearly always put a border on any blankets that I make. I love finding unique ones to use. This book looks like a treasure trove of information and inspiration. I would love to have a copy of this book. It’s going on my wish list right now!
This book would be really helpful! I LOVE crocheting different types of borders. I have a few that are my favorites, I’m always looking for something new and beautiful! Thanks for sharing this!
I love this book and that you can look up boarders in different way. The pics are gorgeous and 139 boarders …..wow!!
I am always on the hunt for great borders. Really need to get this book.
I would love to have this book in my library. My go to gift for new babies is a blanket. I don’t like to make the same thing twice so this would be the perfect way to mix up what I make. Thanks for the chance to win!!!
Borders are the hardest thing for me in my crocheting, this book would really help.
This looks like a very useful book. I want it
I frequently am looking for a border for crocheted and fleece blankets and would love to have a resource that works well anywhere I go! I also love to have a pattern on paper more than a screen.
My mother was a great crocheter and she can no longer crochet as she is blind and 94 years old. She left many projects unfinished (no edgings, flourishes, etc. I am trying to finish these projects without patterns or ideas and this book would be a salvation for my project.
I would love to add this latest edition to my crafting library. I already have Around The Corner and The Crochet Answer Book, so I know her books are fantastic. I am currently teaching my Muffins (aka grandkids) and this would be helpful for that as well. I think this would help me add more personal touches to my crochet projects. Thank you for the opportunity!
Thanks for doing such a great job describing how well organized this book is and how to best use it. I always struggle to find borders that are fancier than the simple, yet pretty, scalloped shells, so this book would be perfect to help me get past that block! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you for the very detailed review. Edie always has great patterns, but reading all of the other features of the book really make it a must have. Hoping to win!
This book looks fantastic! Edgings can completely change the look of your piece! 😀
This book looks amazing! I’d love to win this book because I think it would be great to add some flair to afghans!
I really enjoy learning new stitches and techniques. These borders look amazing!
I would love to have this book to add to my Edie Eckman collection. She is so creative. I look at her patterns and wonder how anyone can dream them up. Beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win this.
Thank you for the opportunity to win the book. It looks like an awesome resource.
I have a new found love of making blankets but I’m already getting tired of simple borders. I’d love to find something special for the newest one I’m working on for my niece.
I have crocheted on and off since I was a teenager. My initial teacher was coal miners widow who showed me some basic edging patterns before she died. From there I taught myself with the help of some books. I have always loved creative activities like needle work and sewing but life and ill health got in the way.
I am so glad I have found this web site.
My big issue is translating the thread / wool/ craft medium into Australian available products.
I know I ordered some wool from overseas just after Christmas but it hasn’t turned up yet. I have been too sick from the complications associated with my advanced RA treatment & other autoimmune diseases and busy caring for my 87y/o mother with Alzheimer’s plus multiple other diseases to follow this up. She has now progressed to a nursing home because I found caring for her too hard esp.. with my heart failure in late January.
In the mean time I want to be able to walk into a local supplier and purchase a suitable thread for some free projects I have adored on this and other sites.
Is there a table of comparative threads/ wool etc that I can use.
I would tryover the internet but the conversion of AUD$ to USD$s & Brt$s is a little steep for disabled retirees, especially when you add postage.
Any help from other members would be appreciated
Wonderful review Amy! Love Edie’s books too?
Wonderful review Amy! Love Edie’s books too?
Thank you so much!