Freeform Crochet and Beyond by Renate Kirkpatrick Publisher: Sally Milner Publishing Edition: Paperback Size: 210 x 280 mm Illustrations: Colour throughout Pages: 160 Book Description The aim with this freeform crochet book is to encourage the reader to tap into the hidden creativity that lurks within us all - to entice the true beginner with easy starting points that will then lead them on to explore other techniques and experiment with what they learn, free from too many rules and must nots - and, to inspire the more experienced to call upon all the arts and crafts that he or she has explored over the years, in some cases abandoned, and illustrate ways of bringing them together in a truly amazing art form. Varying degrees of difficulty to cater for beginners to the more advanced Huge range of projects to cater for all tastes Wonderful colour photographs Step-by-step instructions accompanied by detailed diagrams and photographs Gallery section to inspire further creative work Book Contents Introduction, 1. Skill requirements; Choosing colour and texture; Tools; Patterns and templates; Tension; Crochet or knit?; Markers; Blocking; Storing yarn; Staying master in control; Bringing in yarn; Changing colour when working stitches; Picking up stitches and joining motifs; Tying up loose ends; Joining patches; Mattress stitch; Filling holes; Lining; Beading; Material extras; Making a basic bag; Useful tips and tricks., 2. Starters and More: patterns and variations for square, rectangle, triangle, single and double circles, shells and scallops, basic spiral and surface embellishments, multicoloured spirals, mesh stitch, surface embellishments (chains, crab stitch, crochet/knit ruffles)., 3. Bullions galore: working directly on fabric. Working along a chain. Bullions in the round and variations. Odd shaped bullions. Spiral bullion. Bent bullions., 4. Novelty stitches: wings (lazy J stitch) and variations. Popcorns. Domes. Corkscrews and variations. Mini spirals. Twisted cable. Offset puff stitch. Basic Tunisian and cobble stitch. Limpet stitch. Coil stitch. Medallion stitch., 5. Florals: 12 different floral patterns and their variations. Two basic leaf patterns and their variations. Gumnuts. Two star patterns and their variations., 6. Tassels and dangly things: threading small beads. 15 different tassels and their variations. What to do with all those tailends. Knots., 7. A touch of felt and other interesting techniques: quick tutorials on:, o Felting (wet-dry/needle-wash/machine), o Vilene patches, o Weaving-stretcher frame/cardboard looms and basic techniques., 8. Stitch guide: crochet stitches and diagram symbol chart. Basic Tunisian. Knit stitches. About The Author Born in Germany in 1951, Renata Kirkpatrick grew up in windy Wollongong and in 1974 settled on the Sunshine Coast with her husband Glenn where they operate a small commercial Signwriting and Screenprinting business. Renate can't remember a time when she wasn't exploring the fibre arts. She has experimented with pottery, exhibited and conducted workshops in papermaking, and has won a Fibre Art Award in rag rugging. Five years ago, as crochet made its huge resurgence, Renate's extensive knowledge in Traditional Tunisian (Tricot), Jacquard, Crochenit (double-ended hook) and more recently Freeform techniques has led to her conducting monthly workshops and weekly classes. The Textile Directory Bookstore postal charges: UK 1 book = £2.50 2 books = £4.50 3 books = £7.00 4 books or more = £9.00 Overseas 1 book = £6.00 2 books = £10.00 3 books = £14.00 4 books or more = £18.00 Price: £20.99