Crochet Book Review: The Finer Edge by Kristin Omdahl

A few months ago, our good friend, talented crochet and knit designer Kristin Omdahl, released a fabulous book called The Finer Edge: Crocheted Trims, Motifs, & Borders. The book is published by Interweave/F+W Media at a list price of $22.95 for the paperback version. The book is currently (5/14/13) available on Amazon.

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This book is a combination of crochet patterns (12 garments) and stitch dictionary (40 stitch patterns). We’ll address each section separately.

Edging Stitch Pattern Dictionary

The right edging can make the difference between a good project and a spectacular one. Your projects will turn heads with help from the new book, A Finer Edge. But in this book, edgings aren’t just the icing on the cake; author Kristin Omdahl takes a fresh look at using edgings in exciting ways.

Kristin organizes the stitch patterns into four categories by contruction method: 1) top-down, 2) bottom-up, 3) side-to-side, and 4) miscellaneous. Each stitch pattern features a crisp, clear detailed photograph, a symbol chart, and written instructions. Kristen also suggests how large to make a swatch and provides the number of stitches required for each repeat of the pattern, making it easy for you to do a little math and determine if a particular edging will work if you wish to add it to a separate project.

Throughout the stitch dictionary section, you will find tips suggesting various uses for many of the stitch patterns as well as information on how to modify or adapt the patterns to work with whatever you are making. Kristin shows you how to use edging patterns “to create entire fabrics, reformatted to make individual decorative motifs, reverse-engineered from existing fabrics, and even used to create three-dimensional designs.”

Amy: I would love to use many of the stitch patterns as trim on a shawl or on the hem of a top or skirt. If you want a very quick project, some would make excellent headbands if you use a yarn with a bit of stretch to it, such as Cascade Fixation.

Donna: So many edgings in this book pique my interest, but I’ll choose some favorites.

My favorite top-down edging is Superior Flower, which happens to be used in the stunning project, Persepolis Top, where the edging is worked in diagonal rows across the front.

The bottom-up edging I like best is Faux Embellished 4-petal Flowers II, Offset. I really like the little flowers emerging from the rows, and it can be made as long as you like to create a dramatic edge, or even to use as a fabric.

In side-to-side edgings, I really like Flower-fringed Web. I’m imagining it crocheted with sparkly yarn or with beads added here and there. You can see this edging in action in the delicately beautiful Palimara Shawl.

There’s one more section of edgings, Miscellaneous, and my favorite from there is Mini-disc Motif. It has an understated beauty that I think would add elegance to a project.

Patterns

Amy: Now I’d like to share some things with you about my favorite patterns from the book.

I love the open airiness of the Ephesus Cowl. The floral motifs really speak of springtime to me. As cool as the weather has been in north Alabama this year, I could make this now and still have time to wear it before it becomes unbearably hot outside. Once the heat comes, I believe this would be wonderful to provide just a little added warmth in rooms that are overly air-conditioned.

The blue and green tones remind of the beach in Emerald Isle, NC, where we used to spend vacations with my extended family.

The 100% Merino wool Malabrigo Lace yarn seems to be averaging about $9.00 a skein. I love the quality of Malabrigo yarn, even though I haven’t used this particular one. If you haven’t used yarn from a local yarn store before, this cowl would make a very affordable first project for you.

I love flirty little lace skirts for spring and summertime. The Petra Wrap Skirt is no exception. The soft pleats add texture and some swing to the skirt, and the chosen yarn is soft enough so they don’t add a lot of extra bulk at your waist and hips. (Nobody wants details to make those areas look larger!) Kristin has chosen to construct this skirt fro side to side, which makes it very easy to modify for additional sizes or to add extra for the hips if necessary.

Watch Kristin’s Webinar

Download a free pattern included in the webinar at http://bit.ly/ZEYQe9

Enter our Giveaway Drawing

Thanks to the generous folks at Interweave, we are giving away one free paperback copy of The Finer Edge. No purchase is required.
 

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Winner will have 48 hours to respond to our email telling them they have won. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected. This process will be repeated until a winner has been determined.

Disclaimer: Amy and Donna each received a complimentary digital copy for crochet book review purposes. For further information, please read our Review Policies.