Quick Crocheted Accessories: 3 Skeins or Less | Book Review

Quick Crocheted Accessories: 3 Skeins or Less

By Sharon Zientara
Interweave/F+W; $23.99
http://bit.ly/1K4tZgx

Quick Crocheted Accessories includes 23-crochet patterns, designed by 9-different Crochet Designers. Each project can be completed with 3 skeins of yarn, or less. These projects will work up quickly and they will also give you the opportunity to learn and practise a variety of crochet skills – for example half double crochet through the back bar (Corona Cowl, Brenda K.B. Anderson), Join-As-You-Go Method for Assembling Motifs into a Garment (Honeycomb Shawlette, Regina Rioux), Slip Stitch Crocheting (Long Winter’s Scarf, Brenda K.B. Anderson), Advanced Post Stitches (Entwined Bonnet, Anastasia Popova), Tunisian Colorwork (Oblique Cowl, Beth Nielsen), Adding Beads to your Crochet (Bedizened Brooch, Kathy Merrick), Working on the bias (Askew Scarf, Sharon Zientara), Linked Double Crochet Stitches (Zaftig Mittens, Brenda K.B. Anderson) and Tapestry Crochet (Transverse Mitts, Beth Nielsen).

Included designs are:

• Buttons & Lace Hat – Sharon Zientara
• Corona Cowl – Brenda K.B. Anderson
• Honeycomb Shawlette – Regina Rioux
• Mosaic Slippers – Cristina Mershon
• Long Winter’s Scarf – Brenda K.B. Anderson
• Arcadian Wrap – Kathy Merrick
• Entwined Bonnet – Anastasia Popova
• Flourish Cloche – Sharon Zientara
• Annulet Wrap – Cristina Mershon
• Oblique Cowl – Beth Nielsen
• Bedizened Brooch – Kathy Merrick
• Stellina Hat & Fingerless Mitts – Terri Keller
• Askew Scarf – Sharon Zientara
• Floret Cloche – Jessica Bolof
• Garland Wrap – Kathy Merrick
• Englid Mitts – Linda Skuja
• Tessellation Socks – Anastasia Popova
• Zaftig Mittens – Brenda K.B. Anderson
• Aperture Scarf – Kathy Merrick
• Wavelength Beanie – Sharon Zientara
• Cirque Shawlette – Cristina Mershon
• Transverse Mitts – Beth Nielsen
• Enmeshed Cowl – Jessica Bolof

Quick Crocheted Accessories includes full colour photographs for each design. The instructions are written in U.S. Crochet Terminology and follow a straightforward format. At the beginning of each pattern you will find a brief introduction to the design, along with the title and Designer credit. Directly beneath this is the number of skeins required to crochet the project, the finished sizes, yarn used, hook, notions, gauge and any important notes.

The pattern begins and is sectioned clearly so you know what part of the pattern you are working at all times. For example ‘hat band’, ‘body’, ‘crown’ and ‘finishing’ are the listed sections included in the pattern for the Buttons & Lace Hat by Sharon Zientara.

For special stitches you will see a Stitch Guide in the side margin of one of the pages within the applicable pattern. The Stitch Guide is framed by a colored box so you can find it quickly and easily.

Page 110 includes the Abbreviations used; the Glossary begins on page 111 and includes diagrams to show you how to work the specific stitches; the Sources for Yarns section is included on page 117; you can learn more information About the Designers on page 118 and a handy Index is included on page 119.

I really like a lot of the designs in Quick Crocheted Accessories – many I want to try to learn a new skill – like linked double crochet stitches and the JAY-Go Method. I am personally very drawn to the Corona Cowl by Brenda K.B. Anderson, the Annulet Wrap by Cristina Mershon and both the Askew Scarf and the Wavelength Beanie by Sharon Zientara.

I believe I could create many gifts from the patterns included in Quick Crocheted Accessories.

I am happy to report I was given the opportunity to interview Sharon Zientara, the Author of Quick Crocheted Accessories – 3 Skeins or Less. You can read the Interview Questions I chose to ask and the answers Sharon provided below. I hope you find them as informative as I did!

My Interview with Sharon Zientara:

1. When you decided to create the book Quick Crocheted Accessories, did you have specific designs in mind you wanted to include?

I had specific types of projects that I wanted to include in the book, but I always like to leave room for the designer’s creativity. I knew that I wanted projects that could be made in different colors or employ design tweaks in order to make them unisex. I also really wanted items that were fun to make over and over again as gifts. Moreover, I wanted a wide variety of techniques that would encourage newer crocheters to learn a skill which they may not have encountered.

2. How did you select the contributing Designers for Quick Crocheted Accessories?

Having worked with a lot of designers as the assistant editor for Interweave Crochet as well as on my book It Girl Crochet, those were the first people that I contacted. I have been incredibly fortunate to work with a whole slew of wonderful artists whose work I really admire. However, new and talented designers are popping up every day so I stalked a lot of people on Ravelry and sent them a call for submissions, too! Ravelry stalking is my favorite 🙂

3. How did you decide which designs to include from the contributing Designers?

The way I choose designs is pretty simple. I ask myself two questions: would I want to make this? and would I wear this? If the answer to both of those questions is yes, I know the design is right. Of course, I also need a variety of different pieces and as much as I’d love to have a collection of 20 awesome scarves, I have to edit the collection, too. Hmm…maybe a scarf book is next?

4. How long did it take to create the book Quick Crocheted Accessories; from the initial concept to the finished publication? 

The whole process from the call for submissions to the final book in my hands took about a year.

5. What is your favorite type of yarn/fiber to work with?

I love alpaca, especially when it’s blended with another fiber like silk or linen. I worked on an alpaca farm for a time and grew to really love the animals and their fiber. It can be a bit unpredictable, as it does stretch a lot. I recommend wetblocking your swatch and then hanging it somewhere like a clothesline to help predict how your fabric will grow.

6. Which type of crochet hook do you prefer to work with?

I prefer metal hooks with a deep hook head for most projects. If I am working with a slippery fiber like silk, I will pull out my ebony hooks.

7. What would we find in your crochet tool-kit?

I know it seems silly, but I take my “Knit Kit” everywhere. I have replaced the stitch markers with removable markers for crochet. It’s a wonderful tool for either knitting or crochet. I really love my Lantern Moon ebony hooks and for metal hooks I love Tulip hooks. I also have a lovely set from addi that converts to a Tunisian crochet hook set, too.

8. Of all the patterns you have ever designed, which one are you most proud of? 

Oh no! I’m my own worst critic, so this is a hard question for me to answer. I think the Flourish Cloche from this collection is the one piece that I actually wear the most. The design was one that took a lot of tweaking to make work, too, so I suppose I’m pretty proud of that.

9. What item(s) have you designed/crocheted for your cats? 

Hahaha! I love this question! I do have five cats and I am a crazy cat lady, but I really don’t crochet a lot for them. I guess I don’t want to go THAT far down the cat lady road. I have taken little wiffle golf balls and filled them with catnip as I crocheted around them. I make a little chain tail for added fun and the cats seem to really love them. My cats are all catnip lovers.

10. What is your favorite type of project to crochet? 

I love crocheting anything in the round. As someone who started out as a knitter, I appreciate the freedom of just one hook instead of a slew of dpns or a circular. I made a skirt that I really love and I also love making hats. Additionally, I am soooo not a sock knitter but I really enjoy crocheting socks!

11. What one piece of advice would you offer to a new Crocheter? 

The best advice that I can give is to make use of the vast amount of resources that are available to you. I learned fiber arts before the advent of the internet and was too shy to go into an LYS to ask for help. These days there are endless ways you can understand what’s going on with your crochet fabric or hone your skills. And most of all, welcome to the wonderful world of yarn and hooks! It’s filled with amazing people and things.

As an added bonus, Interweave has generously given me a snippet from Quick Crocheted Accessories, 3 Skeins or Less to share on my website!

Bonus Content: Zaftig Mittens by Brenda K.B. Anderson

PDF Excerpt: Quick Crochet Accessories (3 Skeins or Less) – Zaftig Mittens excerpt

[Tweet “Quick Crocheted Accessories Review and Excerpt Pattern”]

Zaftig Mittens

DESIGNED BY BRENDA K. B. ANDERSON

These chunky mittens feature a linked double crochet stitch pattern that minimizes the open spaces between stitches and creates a warmer  fabric. The bulky yarn means this project whips up in no time, and the no-frills design makes it perfect for men, women, and kids.

FINISHED SIZE
Mitten pattern is sized for Women’s S, Women’s M, Women’s L/ Men’s S, and Men’s M.
About 10 (10.5, 11, 11.75)” (25.5 [26.5, 28, 30] cm) from wrist edge to fingertip and about 8.5 (9, 9.5, 9,75)” (21.5 [23, 24, 25] cm) in circumference, not including thumb.

YARN
Chunky weight (#5 Bulky)

Shown here: Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky (85% wool, 15% mohair; 125 yd [114 m]/4 oz [113 g]): #VM245 dreamy nite, 2 skeins.

HOOK
Size I/9 (5.5 mm). Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

NOTIONS
Stitch marker; yarn needle.

GAUGE
12 ldc blo sts = 4″ (10 cm) and 7 rounds of ldc blo = 4.25″ (11 cm).

NOTES
This mitten is worked at a tight gauge in order to minimize the gaps between rows. The linked stitches are made into the back lps of previous rounds, allowing the fabric to be flexible even though it is worked at such a tight gauge. The mitten is made in the round without joins from the bottom up. When weaving in ends, twist yarn (in the same direction as it was already twisted) to strengthen it.

STITCH GUIDE STITCH GUIDE
Linked double crochet through back loop only (ldc blo): To make a ldc blo when previous st is a dc, insert hook from right to left through the middle of the post of the previous dc st (figure 1), yo, and pull through just this lp (2 lps now on hook), insert hook under the back lp only of next st, yo, and pull through to front of work (3 lps now on hook; figure 2), [yo, and pull through 2 lps] twice (1 ldc made). To make a ldc blo when previous st is a ldc, insert hook from top to bottom under the center horizontal strand across the post of the previous ldc st, yo, and pull through just this lp (2 lps now on hook), insert hook under the back lp only of the next st, yo, and pull through to front of work (3 lps now on hook), [yo, and pull through 2 lps] twice (1 ldc made).

Linked double crochet/ single crochet increase (ldc/ sc inc): Ldc blo in next st, insert hook from top to bottom under horizontal strand of ldc you just made, yo, and pull up lp, yo, and pull through both lps on hook to make a sc st.

Note: On the following linked st, you will insert hook under the same horizontal strand that you just worked into.

Linked double crochet two stitches together working through the back lps only (ldc2tog blo): This is a decrease st. Insert hook from top to bottom through horizontal strand of previous linked dc st, yo, and draw up lp (2 lps now on hook), insert hook under the back lp of next st, then insert hook under the back lp of the following stitch, yo, and draw lp through both stitches (3 lps now on hook), yo, and pull through two lps on hook, yo, and pull through 2 remaining lps on hook – this reduces your stitch count by 1 stitch.

Mitten (make 2)

Ch 24 (25, 27, 28).

Row 1: Starting with the 2nd ch from hook and working into the bottom bar (bump) of the chain, sc blo in the next st (place st marker in this sc st), hdc blo in the next st, dc blo in the next st, ldc blo (see Stitch Guide) in each of the next 20 (21, 23, 24) sts-23 (24, 26, 27) sts.

Note: The first st of the next rnd will be made in the first st of this row (the sc st). From this point on, work in the rnd without joining.

Rnd 2: Being careful not to twist ch, and beg with marked st, ldc blo in each st around.

Note: On the first ldc of this rnd, you will be inserting your hook under the horizontal strand of the last stitch of the previous rnd.

Rnds 3-5: Ldc blo in each st.

Rnd 6: [Ldc/sc inc (see Stitch Guide)] twice, 1 ldc blo in each of the remaining 21 (22, 24, 25) sts-25 (26, 28, 29) sts.

Rnd 7: 1 ldc blo in the next st, [ldc/ sc inc] twice, 1 ldc blo in each of the remaining 22 (23, 25, 26) sts-27 (28, 30, 31) sts.

Rnd 8: 1 ldc blo in each of the next 2 sts, [ldc/sc inc] twice, 1 ldc blo in each of the remaining 23 (24, 26, 27) stsó29 (30, 32, 33) sts.

Rnd 9: 1 ldc blo in each of the next 3 sts, [ldc/sc inc] twice, 1 ldc blo in each of the remaining 24 (25, 27, 28) sts-31 (32, 34, 35) sts.

SIZE WOMEN’S S ONLY

Sk Rnd 10 and go to Rnd 11 directly.

ALL OTHER SIZES

Rnd 10: 1 ldc blo in each of the next 4 sts, [ldc/sc inc] twice, 1 ldc blo in each of the remaining (26, 28, 29) sts-(34, 36, 37) sts.

ALL SIZES

Rnd 11: Ldc/sc inc, sk each of the next 9 (10, 10, 10) sts for thumb, ldc/sc inc in following st (don’t forget to link this to the horizontal strand of the previous stitch), 1 ldc blo in each of the next 20
(22, 24, 25) sts-24 (26, 28, 29) sts, not including thumb. Place marker (pm) in first skipped st.

Rnds 12-16 (12-16, 12-17, 12-18): 1 ldc blo in each st-24 (26, 28, 29) sts.

Rnd 17 (17, 18, 19): Ldc2tog blo (see Stitch Guide) 12 (13, 14, 14) times, ldc blo in the next 0 (0, 0, 1) stsó12 (13, 14, 15) sts.

Rnd 18 (18, 19, 20): Insert hook from top to bottom under horizontal strand of previous st, yo, and pull through lp (2 lps on hook), insert hook under back lp of next st, yo, and pull through to
front of work (3 lps on hook), yo, and pull through all three lps, sc2tog blo 5 (6, 6, 7) times, sc blo in the next 1 (0, 1, 0) sts-6 (6, 7, 7) sts.

Fasten off. Using yarn needle, weave yarn tail through the front lp of each remaining st. Pull tight to close top of mitten and weave in end.

Thumb

Rnd 1: Leave long beg yarn tail on outside of work. With WS facing, join yarn by pulling up a lp through the blo of marked st, ch 1, sc blo in same st, dc blo in next st, ldc blo in each of the next
7 (8, 8, 8) sts, make 4 ldc sts across the gap (where thumb meets hand), do not join-11 (12, 12, 12) sts.

Rnd 2: Ldc blo in each of the next 9 (10, 10, 10) sts, [ldc2tog blo] twiceó11 (12, 12, 12) sts.

Rnd 3: Ldc blo in each of the next 7 (8, 8, 10) sts, [ldc2tog blo] twice (twice, twice, once)-9 (10, 10, 11) sts.

SIZE MEN’S M ONLY

Rnd 4: 1 ldc blo in each st-11 sts.

ALL SIZES

Rnd 4 (4, 4, 5): Work 1 ldc blo st to shift the beg of rnd. The following st will be counted as the first st of rnd. Ldc in each of the next 7 (8, 8, 9) sts, insert hook from top to bottom under
horizontal strand of previous st, yo, and pull through lp (two lps on hook), insert hook under back lp of next st, yo, and pull through to front of work (3 lps on hook), yo, and pull through all
three lps, 1 sc blo in the next st-9 (10, 10, 11) sts.

SIZE WOMENíS L/MENíS S ONLY

Rnd 5: Sc blo in each st-10 sts.

ALL SIZES

Fasten off leaving a long tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn tail through the flo of each of the remaining 9 (10, 10, 11) sts and pull tight to close hole in top of thumb.

Finishing

Use yarn tail at thumb to sew any gaps closed near where thumb meets hand. Use beg yarn tail at wrist edge to sew closed the small gap at beg of rnds. Weave in ends. Wet block if desired.
Because this mitten was worked in a spiral, there is a small jog at the wrist edge. You can even out the wrist edge by blocking the mitten.

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About the Author

Sharon Zientara is a freelance crochet designer who has created designs for Interweave Crochet and Interweave Crochet Accessories, She is the former assistant editor at Interweave Crochet and former manager of Skacel’s Makers’ Mercantile in Seattle, Washington, and was a visual merchandiser for several large retailers. She is the author of It Girl Crochet.

 

 

 

 

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For the complete pattern including images, drawings and schematics please see the PDF Excerpt at the beginning of this section. Thank you!  

All images and excerpts are used with permission from Interweave, a division of F+W Media, Inc.
Photography © 2015 Joe Hancock. For more information about Interweave, visit their website, Facebook or Twitter!