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Have you seen Alessandra Hayden’s (Just Be Happy) new book? Modern Tapestry Crochet was published in 2017 and is available from Interweave. It includes 20 bold colorwork tapestry crochet patterns, along with easy-to-follow written instructions and tips and tricks to master this unexpectedly easy technique.

Title: Modern Tapestry Crochet
Author: Alessandra Hayden
Publisher: Interweave Books, an imprint of F+W Media Inc.
ISBN: 9781632505644

Modern Tapestry Crochet

Modern Tapestry Crochet includes a collection of 20 bold and colorful projects for you to crochet. Each of these designs is crocheted with regular crochet tools (like your favorite crochet hook) and simple stitches (single crochet).

Starting on page 11, we begin to learn about the Materials & Tools we need to use to make projects using Tapestry Crochet. Alessandra explains her preferences for fibers (such as natural fibers vs. acrylics and medium weight yarn vs. bulky, or fine weight yarns) and her reasoning behind these choices. The tools required are simply your regular crochet hook, stitch markers, scissors, yarn needle and needle and thread.

The Techniques Section begins on page 15 and this is where we are introduced to The Basics of tapestry crochet. This section includes important information about how we need to work over our unused yarn for every row/round, even when the row/round is working in 1 color only. We are shown the visual difference between tapestry crochet worked by crocheting through both loops vs. crocheting through the back loop only and why one method is preferable to the other. We are also shown what a float is and why we will not be crocheting our color changes using this technique.

Reading Charts and Changing Colors is explained beginning on page 17.  Every pattern included is crocheted from both written instructions and a Chart which shows us where to change our colors of yarn. The charts are easy to understand and each square represents 1 sc stitch in the corresponding color. The charts are worked starting from the bottom right corner and they are worked from right to left. The instructions for changing yarn colors are very easy to understand and diagrams have been included to demonstrate how we need to do this. We will only ever be working with 2 strands of yarn for any given row, with one color of yarn being crocheted and one being crocheted over.

Some of the patterns included are worked flat and this means we will need to finish off at the end of each row and then begin again on the same side of the project (without turning). When the project is worked flat we always work on the right side (RS). If you are right handed this means we will always be working from the right side to the left side of the project. We will have yarn ends on both edges.

When we are working in the round, we do not need to finish off, instead, we need to use a stitch marker to mark our position.

Tips are included for maintaining our Gauge and we are cautioned to remember to leave some slack in the yarn we are working over, to prevent our projects from becoming asymmetrical.

Finishing and Blocking are also discussed in this section. Blocking is recommended for all projects in Modern Tapestry Crochet and we do need to weave in the yarn ends left behind in any project we are not using these yarn ends as fringe.

The Patterns begin on page 27 and the first section includes the following  Scarves, Shawls & Cowls:

• Route Maps Scarf  (64 1/4 inches by 6 inches) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4.5 mm hook
• West Wind Shawl (74 inches by 34 inches) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4.5 mm hook
• Evergreen Country Cowl (26 1/2 inches by 9 1/2 inches) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4.5 mm hook
• Crossroads Scarf (74 inches by 6 1/2 inches) Worsted Weight Yarn and 4 (G) mm hook
• Landscape Cowl (51 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches) Worsted Weight Yarn and 5 (H) mm hook

The next section of patterns begins on page 49 and includes the following Hats & Headbands:

• Horizon Hat (20 inches circumference and 10 inches tall – fits up to a 23 inch head) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4.5 mm hook
• Point A Slouch (20 inches circumference and 14 inches tall – fits up to a 23 inch head) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4 mm (G) and 6 mm (J) hook
• Happy Trails Headband (13 1/2 inches wide [not counting ties] and 3 3/4 inches tall – one size fits all) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4 mm (G)
• Wayfinding Hat (21 inches circumference and 8 inches tall – fits up to a 23 inch head)  – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4.5 mm hook
• Garden Detour Beanie (21 inches circumference and 9 inches tall – fits up to a 23 inch head)  – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4.5 mm hook
• Passenger Slouch (20 inches circumference and 10 1/2 inches tall – fits up to a 23 inch head)  – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4.5 mm hook and 6 mm (J) hook

The Bags & Throws section (p. 75) includes the following patterns:

• Quick Stop Clutch (9 inches by 7 1/4 inches tall) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4 mm (G) hook
• Switchback Throw (55 1/2 inches by 42 3/4 inches long) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 5.5 mm (I) hook
• Provisions Tote (11 inches by 11 1/4 inches tall) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4.5 mm hook
• Distant Mountains Throw (35 inches by 41 1/2 inches long) – Aran Weight Yarn and 4.5 mm hook
• En Route Bag (11 inches by 12 inches tall) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4 mm (G) hook

The Socks & Mittens section begins on page 97 and includes the following patterns:

• Northway Mittens (8 inches around palm and 8.5 inches from fingertip to wrist) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4 mm (G) hook
• Seaside Slippers (8 1/2 inches circumference and 9 inches long) Aran Weight Yarn and 4 mm (G) hook
• Scenic Overlook Mitts (7 inches circumference and 7 1/2 inches long) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 4 mm (G) and 6 mm (J) hook
• Cross-Country Socks (6 1/2 inches, 7 1/4 inches, 8 inches, 8 3/4 inches foot circumference and 4 1/2 inches leg length from top of heel) – Worsted Weight Yarn and 3.5 mm (E) and 3.75 mm (F) hook

The Stitch Glossary begins on page 118 and includes written definitions, diagrams and instructions for the different stitches and techniques used in the patterns. The yarn brands used in the patterns are included on page 123 and include Berroco, Big Twist Yarns, Cascade, Knit Picks, Lion Brand, Malabrigo and Quince & Co. Website information is provided for each Yarn Brand.

By using simple crochet stitches and following the instructions provided in Modern Tapestry Crochet you can make bold geometric designs you can wear, or use to decorate your home. It is hard to believe these bright and beautiful designs can be crocheted with only single crochet stitches and a regular crochet hook.  The instructions included in Modern Tapestry Crochet guide you through every step of the process and make what appears to be a complex and difficult project, both simple and achievable for all levels of crocheters.

Would you like to win a copy of Modern Tapestry Crochet, by Alessandra Hayden?

Here’s how you can enter for a chance to win!

This Giveaway is open worldwide where allowed by law.

Start Date: August 15, 2017; 12:00 am ET
End Date: August 22, 2017, 11:59 pm ET

If you can not see the Rafflecopter Widget, please ENTER HERE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are not the winner of the Giveaway and you would still like to have you own copy of Modern Tapestry Crochet by Alessandra Hayden, you can purchase your book directly from Interweave!

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I would like to thank Interweave Books, an imprint of F+W Media Inc. for both the Review and Giveaway Copy of Modern Tapestry Crochet by Alessandra Hayden.

For more information about Interweave, visit their website, Facebook or Twitter!

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