It's been such a long time since I last reviewed a book. But I am excited to share with you, Olena Fedotova's 'New Ways with Crochet'.
I'd more or less given up hope that there would ever again be a really interesting crochet book that I wanted to talk about. The crochet book-shop shelves are groaning with Amigurumi, the usual Learn to Crochet and sadly, AI offerings. In fact, I almost didn't buy this one, but 'the Researcher' bullied me into it! Did I really need yet another stitch dictionary? But as it turned out, this isn't just another dictionary.
Let's begin at the beginning...
The book is divided into 5 Chapters. Each one explores a different grouping of ideas, and each one finishes with an original Shawl pattern showcasing these ideas. So, besides the 50 stitch designs you also get 5 Shawl patterns.
Chapter One: Simple Stitches
In fact none of these designs are simple, instead they take familiar stitches and offer them back to us with an unexpected twist in each. Be prepared to work into stitches backwards or sidewards. Suddenly familiar techniques take a surprising turn!
It's described as a warm, textured, squishy fabric. It was those strong horizontal lines within the stitches which fascinated me. It's created by using a variation on a 'sc2tog' that you have never made before!
A squishy, stretchy ribbing.
The instructions for the Rib st are to be found at the back of the book. If you have an imagination you can view it as yet another kind of 'sc2tog'!
Both of these samples introduced me to simple but surprising new ideas, and there are still another 8 designs in the chapter to discover.
Shawl
The accompanying asymmetrical Daydream shawl pattern uses a combination of stitches from the first chapter in a single colour.
Chapter Two: Linen Stitch Variations
The title is very misleading! Linen Stitch is just the vehicle to carry a new variation on Raised stitches producing light weight and fluid fabrics. There are even 5 variations in two colours. These are my favourite stitch discoveries in the whole book. And a revelation when used for rib and cabled designs.
Linen Rib stitch
Made into a linen stitch foundation, the raised stitch are made into rather than around the stitches below. The ribs created are soft and nothing like the stiff post stitches we are all used to.
Diagonal Drift
This time the raised stitches are placed at an angle forming softer, wider ribs.
Shawl
The symmetrical Golden Hour shawl continues to explore these textured themes in two colours.
Chapter Three: Texture, Lace, and Colorwork
The chapter title makes it sound as if there will be no relationship between the next ten designs. Not so. Olena takes us into a watery world of rippling stitches. She starts off slowly by introducing the idea of 'eyelet' stitches. It's as if we have stepped into the designers mind as she leads us through a progression of ideas.
Mini Eyelet Ridge stitch
I was thinking that there was nothing surprising about this sample. Unbelievably it uses yet another 'sc2tog' variant to create the eyelet. The variant is used again in this chapter.
This sample demonstrates the main technique used in the other designs. The swatch appears to have been made using short rows. It isn't!
Shawl
The chapter is resolved with the symmetrical 3 colour Drop by Drop shawl.
Chapter Four: Single-crochet Ribbing Variations
Explore low relief textures, using nothing more than stacked Single-crochet (Dc-UK) and chain stitches. You'll be using extended stitches in a very novel way.
Fine Linen Rib stitch
The rib here is very subtle made with extended single-crochet. The technique takes a little practice.
I preferred this version in which two rows of the stacked stitches are run parallel.
Petite Honeycomb stitch
I really struggled with this stitch, the design is so subtle. In the end I used the largest gauge of yarn I had so that you could easily see the pattern.
Shawl
The single colour symmetrical Heartstring shawl draws on the same patterns you've just learnt.
Chapter Five: Crochet Cables
You may have already met these twinning cables before. Here are ten to play with. The technique is quite straightforward once you have been taught the secret. This is by far the largest chapter in the book because it incorporates the tutorials.
While a number of the cable designs are already screaming for my attention I haven't made any samples for you today. Instead I have two cowls I made back in 2020. I think I have been obsessed with cables and ribbing since I first picked up a crochet hook!
Shawl
The finale is an asymmetric Morning Mist shawl made using a softly variegated yarn which draws together other themes from previous chapters with a gently curving cable.
I remember that having learnt to crochet I was ready for a new challenge, but when I asked for books to take me beyond beginner I could find nothing. If you are ready to take the next step, love to learn and ready to take a new challenge, this is the book for you.
fastening off...
