Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Book Review and Giveaway: Simply Crochet

Ok, so it's not exactly fair that I'm reviewing this book... since I'm IN IT! It's Robyn Chachula's new book, Simply Crochet.  The book is now available in hardcopy and ebook formats from Interweave Press.

The book is based on the 1, 3, or 5 balls of yarn. My Dots and Dashes blanket, is 5 skeins of Caron Simply Soft.
Of Course Robyn has several of the 22 designs in the book, but she also included many designers you might also enjoy:  Rebecca Velasquez (the cover design! GO REBECCA!) Marly Bird, Linda Permann, Kristin Omdahl, Doris Chan, Margaret Hubert and several more.

All the designs are shown in both written and stitch diagram instructions. There are several accessories and several garments, a few kids garments, a few household items. All in all, there is a little something for everyone.

I love this little Natalie shrug by Megan Granholm, so SWEET!
Interweave Press is offering a prize for one lucky blog reader.  Leave a comment on this post by Thursday night at midnight Eastern, December 22nd with your first name and city. I'll randomly pull a name from the comments, and post it on Friday. The winner will need to email me ASAP, because you'll win a coupon for a DIGITAL copy of the book!  Which means the sooner you claim your book the faster you can start enjoying your prize. 

HAHA, I guess I didn't really talk about my blanket, did I? LOL.  I'm truly in love with ovals.  I just think they are so elegant and interesting.  Of course that means that they fit wonderfully into an oval box.  Paired with the circles in squares, it's almost like little exclamation points.
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38 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 21, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Robyn Like you is a wonderful designer!And this book has so many patterns! Look like fun!
    Deb S., NY

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  2. Kathie McGDecember 21, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    TY for the review! Looks like this is a good sampling of different creations and well worth a closer look.

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  3. AnneDecember 21, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    I'd love to win this book! I'm just starting to make a project list for 2012, so it would come in handy!

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  4. HaleyDecember 21, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    This book is amazing! I've been following Robyn's review of it on her blog and can't wait to get my hands on a copy!! My stash is crying out for a book like this - if I don't reduce it soon, I'll be put on a yarn-diet. Yikes!

    p.s. My copy is in the mail so don't include me in the drawing :o)

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  5. fatimaDecember 21, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    This looks like a book I'd like to add to my collection. You can never have too many ideas.

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  6. fatimaDecember 21, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    This looks like a book I'd like to add to my collection: you can never have too ideas.

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  7. AndreaDecember 21, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    I love Robyn's designs. Hope I win this book!

    Andrea

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  8. AndreaDecember 21, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    I love Robyn's designs.

    Andrea B.

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  9. DarsDecember 21, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Fun new patterns!

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  10. KatalinDecember 21, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Can I apply from Europe? I would love to have this book.
    Kata, Budapest

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  11. GreenmtnknitterDecember 21, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    There are so many things in this book I am dying to make!!
    Maureen, VT

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  12. TN teacherDecember 21, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Great patterns! Love your blanket, and only 5 balls of yarn!

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  13. KatelynDecember 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    I still can't believe that there is a blanket in this book! It doesn't seem possible to make it with 5 balls or less! Thanks for the great giveaway, can't wait to see the book!

    Kate, Fleetwood

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  14. SherryDecember 21, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    This book looks fabulous!

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  15. AshleyDecember 21, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    I've been eyeing this for awhile, love the patterns!

    Ashley : Flint, MI
    madaleysah at gmail dot com

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  16. Marie/Underground CrafterDecember 21, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    I love the design! Marie in NYC.

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  17. fracksmomDecember 21, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    wow a nice Christmas Present

    Marolee, Whittier, CA

    aka Fracksmom on Ravelry

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  18. AnonymousDecember 21, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    I've just picked crochet back up in the last year and would love to win this inspiring book! Thank you for this opportunity!
    carol
    lcconnallyATgmailDOTCOM

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  19. Crochet Addict UKDecember 21, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    The patterns in this book look fantastic. SusanD1408 from Bolton in U.K.

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  20. AnonymousDecember 21, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    Love the blanket. Really cute and colorful.

    Paula Annapolis MD

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  21. CarmelDecember 21, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    I love this book, and everything I've seen so far. I have a lot of 1-2-3 balls of yarn, so this is a book for me. :)

    Carmel in Newnan, GA

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  22. Anna BananasDecember 21, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Ohhh man! I'd love to win this book!! I LOVE your blanket!!
    Anna From Lebanon, OH

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  23. Stitch 'n FrogDecember 21, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    I love crochet patterns and crochet pattern books! So naturally I'd love to win the book~

    Being disabled now, I have a LOT of Sit 'n Stitch time, and new patterns draw me like a moth to flame. ~LOL~

    Gail E., Tifton

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  24. KacyDecember 21, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    I love the circles and rectangles together. And it only takes 5 skeins! Wow!

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  25. MarenDecember 21, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    I love all of the designs and really want my own copy! My 11 year old daughter was admiring your designs along the right side of the page....

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  26. Kimberly and AbbyDecember 21, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Looks like another great stash-busting pattern book. :-)

    Kimberly, Charleston, SC

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  27. TraciDecember 21, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    I have this book on my wish list so it would be nice to win it and save myself some money!

    Traci from FL

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  28. SpringSplndrDecember 21, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    I love the ovals! I was in B&N today looking for Robin's new Encyclopedia and other crochet books. Thanks for the review!

    Andrea G., Long Island, NY

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  29. JulieDecember 21, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    What a great giveaway, it would be a perfect Christmas gift for me!

    Julie in Ellicott City MD

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  30. AnonymousDecember 21, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    Hi Ellen! I'd love to get a copy of this book. One of my crochet goals for 2012 is stash reduction:) All of the projects I've seen so far look really great! Thanks for hosting the book give away! Sheila, Mount Prospect, IL

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  31. cbkDecember 22, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    Looks like a great book, I'd love to win!

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  32. IesadoraDecember 22, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    MMmmmmmm yummy book =D Keeping my fingers crossed!

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  33. StephDecember 22, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Really fun pattern! Great job! Looks like a terrific book.

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  34. Yarn TwinsDecember 22, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Hee Hee...It cracked me up that talking about your own project was an after thought. Love the colors. It's so cheerful!

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  35. KimDecember 22, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    I love the blanket- I want to make it in greys and blues for my nephew!

    Kim
    Nanaimo, BC, Canada

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  36. ZsuzskaDecember 22, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    Supercool pattern in a supercool bool. I would love to win it :)

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  37. DanielleDecember 22, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    I am so stoked for this book! Danielle H from Pocatello, ID :)

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  38. NancyDecember 26, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Does anyone have further explanation for the fan details on the flapper hat? The wording is a little unclear for an intermediate beginner (like me) help!

    Thank you

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