Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs: 144 circles, hexagons, triangles, squares, and other unexpected shapes

I had an electronic version of this book and it was so frustrating to use, but I love all the motifs, so I purchased a physical copy. I loved it so much, I bought it twice... The patterns are fun, give you good ideas on how to vary a pattern playing with color and shape, and are clearly written/charted. It's a actually a great way to learn how to follow a written pattern or a chart, since the projects are small with detailed pictures! Put a sticky note on top of whatever pattern type you're familiar with (chart or rows) and challenge yourself to complete the motif without peeking! The patterns are low stakes enough that messing up and frogging from the beginning isn't too bad and you can easily reference one or the other if you get stuck following the new pattern method. Great reference for all levels of crochet!

This is a beautiful, well written book. I can’t wait to try the patterns. The colors used for photos are pretty to enjoy even without needing to read the patterns. It’s something you could show to a young child like a storybook in a pinch. And it would be a great teaching tool for homeschoolers or children wanting to learn how to crochet pretty designs. My vintage books have a few pretty patterns, but they’re not as beautiful as these. The old books were in black and white. The colors in this book make it much easier to see the stitches and get ideas for projects. I already have other books by this author in my shopping list. She’s very knowledgeable and she explains things very well.

This could be anyone's bible of crochet motifs. As all such books do, this begins with a short course on how to crochet - I suppose it would not do to assume that anyone who buys such a book already knows the basics (better be safe than sorry) - but it is not only well done but also covers valuable information about guage in relation to yarn and hook size, so it does add to the value of the book. The motife patterns are separated into sections by shape, ending with some irregular ones, and also offers a number of practical ideas as to projects to make. IMHO the best part is there is basically one pattern per page and each pattern is rendered three ways - a just-about-life-size multicolor photograph, written instructions, and a round-by-round diagram for each piece. Each motif is created in at least two colors so that you can visually separate the stitches between rows. If the written directions get confusing, it is easy to parse out the diagram to determine what to do at any given point. Also it is simple to make your own modifications if needed. I am attaching a jpeg of the beginning of a project that shows a veritable sampler of motifs from this book along with a couple of my own creation. Together, between this book and its companion on joining motifs, I have everything I need.

Very nice book. A great addition to my library. This book is beautifully illustrated and Well produced. My one complaint is that the paper is too thin and rips easily on the spiral binding. Just leafing through it has given me several ideas for a new project. Can’t wait to start.

I had this book on my Wish List for a while and I finally decided to go ahead and purchase it. I’m glad I did! This book contains 144 patterns for making a variety of crocheted motif shapes, which include: • Circles • Hexagons • Triangles • Squares • Unusual Shapes The book is beautifully illustrated. The full-color photos demonstrate how each motif should look when finished. The patterns are easy to follow, even for the novice crocheter. The glossary of basic crochet stitches is invaluable for anyone learning or brushing up on their crochet skills. I’m sure crafters will find tons of uses for these motifs. Potholders, blankets, clothing accessories and home décor items come to mind. I do a lot of art journaling and purchasing these kinds of motifs to include in my pages can get expensive. Making your own art journal embellishments is much more economical and can be easily coordinated to a page. I’m even planning to attach some to my canvas art. At just 12.84, this book is an excellent value. The spiral binding makes it convenient when following patterns. Highly recommended!

This is a great crochet book. As an avid, experienced crocheter, most of the books I buy are so-so or plain awful. This book delivers. PROS: 1) Easy to read and use. Clear large colorful photos (motifs made up in easy to see yarns) and large easy to read type on a spiral bound book, for flat, no flip pages. Large diagrams and well written instructions. Love having both to go by. 2) Creative and unusual. Lots and lots of new motifs here in all sorts of shapes, from the traditional square to decorative motifs, like the star fish. Well organized layout by shapes. 3) Nice introduction with hints for use, and even aids for making up your own motifs. Well done. 4) Thankfully, the first half of the book is not dedicated to learning how to crochet. Sorry beginners, but there are tons of learn how to crochet books, and I hate spending my money on a pattern book that spends more time showing me how then letting me get at it. Yes, there are charts and a few reminders, and even a glossary, but it's not overdone. CONS: Okay not cons, I love this book, more like a wish list. I wish there were more squares. I am in need of new motifs for things that must be square, (hint: Title "Beyond-the-Square") and this book is chockfull of motifs, but fewer squares. There are a fair amount, but not as many as I would have liked. I wish there were photos of projects. Yes, the book will inspire you, and there are a few pages with cutesy, colored ink drawings, but no actual photos of projects. Just for the sake of eye-candy, because the colored motifs are so striking, I would have loved to have drooled over a few photos of put together projects. I wish the motifs had names, titles. It's a trend in books to label patterns by number, but it is an art craft book, let's have some names. I can remember names, but it's hard for me to remember "Oh, yeah I want to make number 72 or was that 27?" Summary: Great book, creative, colorful, fun, and well written. I have made up two motifs so far, and I am very pleased.

I really appreciate the foreword of this book. I have only been crocheting for about 8 months and most of what I have done has been from online, visual tutorials. I am trying to learn how to read written patterns so I can "make anything." This book has an extensive first chapter that has explanations of abbreviations, how much yarn you should use and how to tell that before starting your project, she explains how different types of yarn change the look of the project, and most importantly, she tells me how to read patterns. There is a glossary of abbreviations as well as one for the symbols used on the graphs and I am so very excited!! The best part is, these are small projects, so I can train my brain and get used to reading the patterns with a small project that generally has a repeat of the design in several rounds, reinforcing the use of the abbreviation for that stitch, as well as the symbols like ( ) * ** and [ ]. I am stoked!!

Don't think this is just another granny square pattern book. Edie Eckman has covered aspects of crocheting that no other pattern books manage to do. The patterns are in full colour with double-spaced text throughout. This makes it easy to read and even easier to find your place. All the patterns are printed both in word and illustrated diagram format. Edie has thought of everything from a quick symbol chart, to many side bars titled `Stitch it' which have tips, suggestions and advice that isn't always obvious if you're new to crochet. Colour photos are clear and close-up and some technique pages have been written over with highlighted marks to show how that particular stitch should look. This is a bonus for those beginners who prefer visual learning! Not only does Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs have 144 individual patterns, but it acts as a stepping stone towards creating and experimenting with designs of your own. After the introduction, which reads like you are sitting with the author and being shown the pitfalls and triumphs of learning to crochet, the book is divided up into a chapter on each geometrical numbered shape. A colour image accompanies the written pattern and there's an alternate line drawn diagram. The patterns suit all levels of crochet with some rather intricate designs in each section. The Appendix includes some polar graphs for those who wish to design their own motif, and tips for making non-circular motifs. The Basic Crochet Stitches section after the Appendix has every stitch abbreviation with its text explanation (no diagrams here) and then the Index, which is last, is followed by a universal stitch key. The pleasure of motifs is that they finish quickly giving rapid satisfaction and it's true - crochet motifs CAN be addictive!

Questo libro è fatto veramente bene! Le spiegazioni sono chiare, le Illustrazioni altrettanto, la struttura ad anelli lo rende comodo da sfogliare e tenere aperto… Sarebbe bellissimo se ci fosse un’edizione italiana per tutti coloro che magari alle prime armi potrebbero fare fatica a capire le spiegazioni in inglese… Ma se non avete problemi di lingua questo libro è una miniera di spunti!

Muy facil de entender aunque no se hable inglés. Los gráficos son muy buenos y útiles. Gran ayuda para principiantes

Fácil de seguir

Même si cet ouvrage est en anglais, les schémas sont parfaits et parlent d'eux mêmes, les photos complètent judicieusement les schémas et permettent d'avoir une très belle idée de la réalisation et aident à la compréhension et à l'exécution des motifs. Ce livre peut convenir à un débutant si il connait les points de base et si il sait lire les schémas. Les modèles sont variés : ronds, carrés, triangulaires.. Il est aussi plein d'astuces pour l'assemblage et la création d'ouvrages même si il ne donne pas de modèles d'objet à réaliser (on en trouve plein sur internet). Je recommande ce livre aux débutantes comme aux initiées car il est remarquablement fait. Je m'en sers très souvent. Et le format relié en spirale est super pratique pour maintenir l'ouvrage ouvert et le consulter à loisir ! Bravo. il ne va plus me quitter car j'ai des tas de pelotes qui me restent et je vais ainsi pouvoir les utiliser à loisirs et combiner des carrés et des triangles.... pour faire des plaids pour Noêl ! Allez, à vos crochets! Remettons de la couleur dans ce monde !

This is a great book of patterns...Some crochet experience absolutely needed... but lots to do and more complicate to work towards... Excellent