For those of you who’ve been reading for a while, you’ll know that I’m a bit of a crochet fanatic – I’d been trying to learn to knit for absolutely ages (years, if I’m honest!), and was getting frustrated with not being able to get the hang of it. My Mum suggested I have a go at crochet, and just after Benjamin was born, we sat down together during naptime (his, not ours!) and she went through the stitches with me. It took a few days, but it clicked quite quickly, and off I went*. Since then, I’ve made cushions, blankets, garlands, motifs, scarves, hats, bags, collars…. the works. I’ve started working on my own patterns, namely the infamous crochet bobble cushion, and am working towards getting some stock together to do a few craft and vintage fairs, as well as making a ton of Christmas gifts. My name is Vicky, and I am a crochet-aholic.
So when I got an email from the lovely people at Lark Crafts, asking if I’d be interested in reviewing Crochet Boutique by Rachael Oglesby, I jumped at the chance. Rachael, of Softspoken, is famed for her beautiful crochet work, and has produced lines for both Modcloth and Etsy – I’ve been reading her blog for a while now, so I knew a book with patterns constructed by her would be a goodun.
I’m going to start by saying that this book is an absolute breath of fresh air to the crochet world. The patterns aren’t for anything out of the ordinary, but the huge difference is that they’re actually on trend and aimed at the modern craft world. So many times I’ve picked up a book, flicked through it and sighed, wondering just how many granny-square cardigans one person can need – as soon as I opened this, I started marking pages. It was like somehow Rachael knew everything I wanted to make and wrote a pattern for it. The scarves and cowls are my absolute favourites – huge, chunky and perfect for our lengthy winter months. Leafing through, I found patterns for hats, a shawl, a couple of bags and a few homewares – all simple to make, and all really, really lovely.
What’s even better is that right at the back is a stitch directory, and brief section on how to master the basic stitches used in the patterns throughout the book, meaning that even absolute beginners can have a shot at making something. In short, it’s ace, and I’m keeping everything crossed that there’s a follow up to come (Rachael, if you’re reading – I’ve always wanted to make a cable cardigan in crochet…!).
To celebrate the publication of Crochet Boutique, Lark Crafts have given me an extra copy to give away to a reader of The Owl and the Accordion – and for good measure, I’ve added a few titbits in as well….
As well as the book, there’s a set of crochet hooks in coloured aluminium, two balls of Sirdar Denim Sport Arun in cream, and one completed Cuddle Cowl, worked up from the pattern in the book.
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| The cowl is reversible – ribbed on one side…. |
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| …and bobbled on the other. |
To stand a chance of winning, follow these simple steps:
1. Follow me on Twitter or ‘like’ The Owl and the Accordion on Facebook.
2. ‘Like’ Softspoken on Facebook.
3. Leave a comment below to confirm your entry.
The giveaway is open until midnight Thursday 1st November 2012 – entries after this time won’t be counted.
And that’s it. Good luck!
*I still can’t knit, by the way.
I love your crocheted goodness, and although I learnt about the same time as you, Im just not artistic enough to design my own things! PS. Am so entering this competition 🙂
ahhhh, I feel your pain! I've been trying to learn how to crochet for years, knitting is so easy in comparison, if only we could swap skills!Maybe this give away s just what I need!
Please work, I will get round to learning been trying for a year now, just trying to find the time without some little person wanting something. Entered so if I don't learn this wibter I'll still have some lovely chrochetness to wear :0)
wow looks like a great book right up my street, a cowl is my next crochet project, liked both on facebook but under my husbands name (ha ha) i get him into so much trouble at work when his friends see cushions and girly stuff come up on his page, the reason i don't have a page and don't want one…yet sarah x
ohhh…I've been waiting for this snood to make an appearance! It looks lovely! Please count me in, I can crochet in straight lines and that's it! would love to learn to make things I could wear! X
p.s forgot to say that I really love your new picture! x
Oooo, nice. I'm just learning to crochet but this is the kind of thing I like. I also like simple! Time to progress fromt he granny square I think. I already liked your FB and just liked Softspoken. x
Amazing giveaway! Have liked, followed and am now commenting.count me in please x
Yes please! I really like your blog too. Very nicevisiting from http://www.crochethappy.com
i follow you on twitter, and liked softspoken on fb 🙂 that cowl looks so cosy!
Well, I did it, I did all the liking and everything. It was frenzied cowl-lust. I feel dirty.
wow.. that looks beautiful! I love 🙂 done all of the above too
I've been following your blog for a while but now I've liked you on Facebook and liked Softspoken too so I can enter your giveaway. I'm a yarnaholic too but my crochet has been limited to blankets, cushions and toys so far – 'fashion' patterns much too alarming! This book looks great – will definitely check it out if I'm not lucky enough to win.
Have been saying I want to crochet for ages and this seems like the perfect giveaway to start. Haved liked your FB page, liked Softspoken and have commented here so count me in. Woo hoo. Love reading your blog x
Count me in Missy! Bring on the crochet awesomeness 😀 xxx
hello, what a fantastic book! a great give-away. I have done the two likes on facebook and now leaving you a comment so fingers crossed! Heather x
What a fantastic giveaway! I started following you on Twitter (@pulpsushi) and liked Softspoken on Facebook. Marilynpulpsushi @ gmail.com
Hi Thanks for offering the giveaway. I have liked your pages on facebook too!. Look forward to seeing what you create next. Thanks Karla
Done all three! What a lovely giveaway. Crochet doesn't scare me as much as knitting so I'd like to try this book. Fingers crossed xx
Finally I have made it here to say how much I LOVE the cowl and you have inspired me to give it a go so the book would be a real help. Faye xxx
Ooh maybe this book might finally help me to get to grips with crochet. The little starter kit would be wonderful to get me going. As for the beautiful cowl – wow, you are a star!Please count me in – I already follow you on twitter and have liked Soft Spoken on FB.PS Thanks for introducing me to another lovely blog!
A modern, current crochet book is a rare thing. And that cowl, my goodness it is glorious. Lovely!
This giveaway looks perfect for giving me a kick up the bum to attempt crochet! (And that cowl looks perfect for keeping me warm in my drafty house!) My mother in law has tried in vain to teach me how to knit, but my brain just can't do it…so perhaps I am crochetbrained instead of knittingbrained?! Hmm…I've liked/followed etc, so please enter me in the giveaway! x
Love the look of this book! This winter I am (finally) going to get my hook on, so these patterns would be perfect to play with! Love the cowl's colours, btw. :)p.s. I can't knit, either. hoping I find crocheting more fun/easier! 🙂
p.s. I already follow you on Twitter, but don't have FB so can't Like you there. :)I'm @buttercupcaren
Oooh would love to get back into crochet again! Have liked you and Softspoken on facebook, and already follow you on twitter. Fingers crossed!
Can I enter please 🙂 I love your blog and have liked both fb pages. I am off to follow you on twitter and would love to win the giveaway, I'm a 'still learning' crochet fanatic and have embraced all things hooky since I started to crochet in August. The book looks fab and the cowl is so pretty.
I was at John Lewis Saturday – wish they'd had this book. Knitting is too time consuming for my low attention span, but alas the pretty patterns are always needle-induced! I've followed your rules and am now connected via twitter and have liked soft spoken on fb. Thanks!
This is an awesome giveaway!! I have recently learned to crochet and have been looking for some good books. I have been itching to make some cool stuff. I have followed and liked. I hope luck is on my side, fingers crossed.
That book looks so neat! @anchorandsing
Lovely giveaway :)I am a liker of both facebook pages (Hele Reith)milkpetalblog(at)gmail.comx
It has been too long since I did some crochet. The book looks lovely.
I think I'm cutting this a bit fine to enter but what the heck, thought I would still give it a crack! I have been lusting over this book for ages, already following you on twitter :)email:
I need to get back into crocheting some winter warmers, would love to enter your giveaway. 🙂 @minnybrioche