IT GIRL CROCHET by Sharon Zientara

This past summer has been a busy one for me! I had to prepare for my classes at the Crochet Guild of America's 20th Anniversary Crochet Chain Link Conference in July. As a Past President of CGOA, I was also responsible for one aspect of the celebration – CGOA sponsored a "Make and Take" on the Marketplace floor during the conference, and it was my "job" to get crochet designers and teachers to teach an hour session or two of some crochet technique that would be interesting, but also able to learn in an hour. The teachers had to provide the yarn, the pattern, some hooks (just in case), and their time. I volunteered to tech edit the patterns that needed tech editing – and with my tech editing Mentee (thanks, Edith), we were able to do that, with no trouble.  And then, of course, I taught a Make and Take session on Finger Crochet – and really had fun with that – preparing for the session and teaching it! Here's a picture of the scarf that I taught how to make with Finger Crochet. 

And here's a picture of some of the crocheters who learned how to Finger Crochet, and the scarves they made.

I wish I had the time to teach more sessions on Finger Crochet during the conference, but I had 4 other classes to teach, and a book/pattern signing to do, so I had no more time to spare. My 4 classes that I taught were so much fun! There was a lot of prep work that I did – making samples, swatches, editing my handouts, etc. But it was all worth it! Especially when one of my students, who was thrilled that I was going to be her Tech Editing Mentor, sent me a bottle of an adult beverage, on my last night at the conference!

While I was preparing for this conference, in the spring, I was contacted by Craftsy, and asked to film a class on Mastering Foundation Crochet Stitches. I love that topic, and love the techniques – the basic Foundation techniques, and the ones I've figured out for myself – so of course, I agreed! I had never filmed a video class before, so I didn't know just what was involved. I learned soon enough! Many, many conference calls and emails with my producer and the acquisition editor. Much crocheting of "step outs", swatches, projects, more projects, more "step outs", more swatches, etc. I probably made more than I would need, but I figured it would be better to have more than enough, than not enough. And still, when I got to the filming location, my producer asked me to crochet something else, for one of the title cards. Luckily, I had excess yarn with me, so I spent one evening crocheting. Not a bad way to fill my time!
Check out my class here: Mastering Foundation Crochet Stitches.

After I got home from filming, I had to fly to the CGOA conference after just a few days for R&R at home. After a week, it was home again. And then, I still had a big project to work on – sorry, I can't tell you about it just yet! But I had just about 2 1/2 weeks to start and finish it. Whew! When I was finished with that, I thought I could rest a bit, and do some blogging, but, there was still work to be done on that big project, and follow-up work on my video class.

Finally, my class launched, my secret project was finished, and I could relax – but not for long. I had promised a friend of mine, Jane Schwartz, that I would help her at Stitches East this year, in Hartford, Connecticut. She had a booth where she sold her knitting book The Next Step Knitting book, and some of her separate knit and crochet patterns. (Check out the book and her patterns here - Emerald Isle Designs. She suggested that I could also sell some of my individual crochet patterns. So I had to get ready for that! That was a fun, fun conference, and we both were successful. But we came home exhausted!

So now, I'm home, and catching up with other promises. One thing I said I would do is review a few new crochet books that have been sent to me by Interweave/F+W.  So this is a long, long introduction to the first book that I'm going to review: It Girl Crochet by Sharon Zientara.

IT GIRL CROCHET is a compilation of 16 designers and their 23 "IT GIRL" visions. Hats, capelets, shawls, fingerless mitts, scarves, purses, and belts (I may have left out something) are shown in fashion pictures and close ups, so you can really see the stitches.

You should know I have some guidelines for whether or not I want a book in my vast book collection. Here are some of them:

1. Does the book have designs that I want to crochet?  Even if I don't actually crochet them, they often inspire me in my design work.

2. Are the patterns written in "regular" crochet language? By "regular", I mean language that is standard to crochet patterns.

3. Do the patterns include stitch diagrams?

4. Do the patterns have schematics? And is there comprehensive information on how to join pieces, if there are any pieces to join? And how to finish the project?

5. Is there a section that explains how to make each stitch – with pictures and words?

6. Does it have some interesting stitch patterns?

So, I looked through this book, with #1 in mind. Would I want to crochet any of these designs? Yes, indeed! 

                                      The Rocksteady Cowl, by Sharon Zientara,

                                                 the Sienna Top, by Mimi Alelis, 

      the Psychedelia Mitts on the cover, by Brenda K. B. Anderson,

   the Op Art Reversible Scarf, by Robyn Chachula, 

      and the Greenwich Village Tote, by Yoko Hatta,

are only some of the designs that caught my eye and made me say: mmmmmm!

As for #2 – when I get a book, I look at who did the tech editing. That helps me know if the book will be written in "regular" crochet language. This book passes the test with the tech editor, Karen Manthey.

#3 – Karen, the tech editor, also did the technical illustrations (stitch diagrams and schematics) so I know that they are good!

#4 – there are schematics when needed, and comprehensive info is given on how to join the pieces. And how to finish the projects.

#5 – there is a section on how to make each stitch – with clear pictures and words. And in the pattern pages there are guides and tips and hints for the patterns. Everything you need to be successful!

#6 – Yes – it has some very interesting stitch patterns (see my list of some designs I liked in #1). So, in other words, this book can be used as a stitch dictionary!

So do I recommend this book? Yes – definitely! I think it will be a great addition to your crochet book collection, as it is to mine!

Here's info about the book, and where you can purchase it on-line:

It Girl Crochet

By Sharon Zientara

Interweave/F+W; $22.99

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