If you can crochet, there are so many personalized gifts that you can handmake and they will be very thoughtful presents for many occasions. The Crochet Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask is one of the best resources when it comes to crocheting. There are lots of ideas and ways to create personalized gifts.

Crochet might be easily defined as creating a series of loops with hooks; to many novices, however, the craft itself might defy simple understanding. Eckman comes to the rescue with dozens of well-thought-out questions, comprehensible answers, and chapters on topics ranging from equipment needs to resources for more information.

She includes line illustrations and charts for added explanations; tools, for instance, and specific techniques (stitches, borders, and buttonholes) are well illustrated. Best of all, her can-do personality and gentle humor shine through, comforting the unsure crocheters among us.

Who could quibble with her response to the question "I put down my afghan for a year, and when I came back to it, my gauge had changed? What happened?" Responds Edie, "Life." Appended are standard crochet abbreviations, common crochet terms and phrases, standard body measurements and sizing, suggested sizes for accessories and household items, and yarn care symbols. Barbara Jacobs - Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

“Absent a live-in grandma or an all-night craft store? That’s where The Crochet Answer Book comes in. The handy volume addresses myriad issues that can arise in the middle of a needlework project.”

—    Knight Ridder News Service

Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs: 144 circles, hexagons, triangles, squares, and other unexpected shapes (Spiral-bound)

“Once you pick up a copy of Edie Eckman’s “Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs”…you may never what to put your crochet book down again, at least not until you’ve created one of the 144 fun-to-make colorful squares, rectangles, circles, hexagons and stars featured in the spiral-bound book.” –Detroit News

Product Description

Learn to crochet, make a granny square. It's a simple formula that has held true for decades. Crocheters love granny squares because the technique is simple to learn but the possibilities are endless. Vary the colors. Use the same colors but change their placement. Add unique images. Make the same square over and over but in different sizes. There is much to love about the classic square crochet motif.

But if it's hip to make squares, imagine the coolness quotient of circles, stars, triangles, and hexagons. Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs introduces crocheters to more than 150 designs of every size and shape. Full-color photographs capture the intricate details and color work in each motif, and the stitching instructions offer the flexibility of being presented in both text and symbol formats.

Each motif can be quickly crocheted and then used as a small embellishment on a larger item or combined with other motifs to create original pieces, from baby blankets to tote bags. Edie Eckman inspires readers to see the world of possibility in each motif. Master the technique, then let the imagination run wild.

Motifs give crocheters the freedom to play with shape, color, and texture in patterns that are small and quickly completed. Motifs — each one a tiny work of art — are at once addictive and rewarding. With its unexpected range of shapes, designs, and color ideas, Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs will keep enthusiasts happy for a very long time!

There are many personalized gifts that can be made by crocheting. If you have never crochet, you can learn fairly easily. There are many crochet patterns that are easy to follow and they make great gifts at the same time. This book called The Crochet Stitch Bible will teach you how to crochet from start to finish. By crocheting yourself, you can keep the cost of your gift low and yet make an amazing gift.

Author Betty Barnden shared her knowledge of needlecraft design with embroiderers in The Embroidery Stitch Bible--now she uses her expertise as a hand-knitter to bring readers The Crochet Stitch Bible. This is the book crochet enthusiasts have been waiting for. Hundreds of traditional and contemporary stitches are photographed and accompanied by detailed charts in this essential illustrated reference.

More than 200 crochet stitches are each clearly explained with a photographed sample, row-by-row instructions, easy-to-follow symbol charts, and comprehensive descriptions of all the associated techniques. Whether novice or expert, this book provides clear guidance for all skill levels with additional chapters on basic techniques and materials, a stitch identifier, and a how-to-use section.

* More than 200 photographed stitches accompanied by detailed instructions * Includes a stitch identifier for easy reference to all 200 stitches

About the Author

As a professional hand-knitter and needlecraft designer, Betty Barnden has produced patterns for numerous yarn companies. She studied at the London’s Royal College of Art. Her designs have appeared in magazines published in Britain. Betty is also author of The Embroidery Stitch Bible, published by Krause Publications in 2003. She lives in Shropshire, England.

Teach Yourself Visually Crocheting (Teach Yourself Visually)

Do you learn faster by seeing and doing than by wading through tedious instructions?

Then pick up some yarn and a hook and get crocheting! Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crocheting shows you the basics—photo by photo and stitch by stitch.

You begin with the basic tools and stitches and progress through variations, more complex stitches like Tunisian crochet, and techniques for reading patterns.

With designs ranging from a simple but practical baby rattle to a cozy, fluffy cardigan, you'll be creating masterpieces in no time.

Concise two-page lessons show you all the steps to a skill and are ideal for quick review

• Each skill or techniques defined and described
• Detailed color photos demonstrate each step
• Step-by-step instructions accompany each photo
• Helpful tips provide additional guidance

About the Author
Kim P. Werker is the founder and editor of Crochet me Online Magazine, where she publishes hip and funky patterns and articles by recreational and professional crochet designers and enthusiasts. After a couple of earlier flings, Kim got addicted to crochet in her mid-20s. She is a professional member of the Crochet Guild of America and The National NeedleArts Association, and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for the craft as a creative, stimulating, and relaxing medium of expression. Her next book will be published in the spring of 2006, and she’s looking forward to more crochet-related endeavors in the future. Originally from New York State, Kim now lives in Vancouver, BC, with her husband and their dog. When she sets down her hook and pen, she can be found skiing, reading, buying magazines, kicking back with friends, or knitting.

Cecily Keim documents her adventures in life, crocheting, and other creative endeavors at SuchSweetHands.com.
Throughout her life, regardless of the type of study or type of job, making things has always fascinated Cecily. Her great grandmother, Mama Mac, taught her to crochet at age 9. Cecily is mesmerized by the endless possibilities of crochet and loves passing on the enthusiasm as a writer, designer, and teacher. Cecily lives in Los Angeles, watches too much television and loves candy, her cats, and her boyfriend. She teaches crochet classes at Unwind. You can also find her demonstrating her designs on the DIY channel’s Knitty Gritty and Uncommon Threads.

Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet

Get hooked into the quirky world of Amigurumi! Crochet these irresistibly cute creatures today's coolest craze in crochet.

* Over 20 projects are super hip and super quick to make you need only basic crochet skills and small amounts of yarn
* Funky designs include mommy and baby owls, hedgehogs, and penguins, plus silly crocheted treats like cupcakes and ice-cream cones

* Find complete instructions for crocheting designs and adding facial features and other embellishments

About the Author

Ana Paula Rimoli hosts her own popular website featuring her crocheted designs. Her work has been featured in Knitting magazine.

If you are thinking of something personalized to make, then folding origami zoo animals is one way to make a personalized gift. You can use your folded origami zoo animals on gift tags or cards as well as gift boxes. Origami Zoo: An Amazing Collection of Folded Paper Animals - In Origami Zoo, two of the world's finest paper folders present an exciting collection of original origami animals. Their creatures, ranging from the exotic to the familiar, the elegant to the whimsical, will both inspire the beginner and challenge the most accomplished folder.

Choose among the dolphin, penguin, swan, owl, goose, kangaroo, praying mantis, or even the mythical Pegasus or extinct wooly mammoth. Each of these thirty-seven new projects is true origami-folded from a single piece of paper with no cutting or gluing-and is complete with clear step-by-step diagrams, instructions, and a photograph of the finished model.

Origami Zoo will challenge and delight anyone with a penchant for creating something wonderful out of (almost) nothing.

About the Author
Robert J. Lang, author of The Complete Book of Origami, lives in Altadena, California. Stephen Weiss is the author of Wings & Things: Origami That Flies, and is the designer of the FliteRings kit, distributed by AG Industries. He lives in Miami Beach, Florida.

If you want to make someone a beautiful personalized gift and you know that the person loves jewelry, then you can make him/her origami jewelry. You don't have to spend any more than a few dollar to be able to make pretty jewelry that screams someone's name. This book called Origami Jewelry: More Than 40 Exquisite Designs to Fold and Wear has tons of instructions of how to fold various origami jewelry.

With precise instructions and vivid, four-color photographs, Ayako Brodek shows readers how to create 40 elegant and unusual pieces of jewelry. Each project includes a list of materials, illustrated step-by-step folding and finishing instructions, a beautiful photo of the completed piece, and suggested color variations, paper designs and embellishments to make each piece exciting and unique.

The book opens with sections on choosing paper, equipment, basic folds and bases, and making the piece that then become building blocks for all of the modular and beaded origami jewelry designs featured in the book. There is a section on finishing techniques, followed by the main part of the book, the Directory. Author Ayako Brodek has organized the Directory by seasons and motif, and includes a section of Traditional Japanese Designs as well. Each project is coded by type: (F) Figure; (M) Modular; and (B) Bead.

For Spring, readers will learn to make the Butterfly brooch/pendant, hairpin, bracelet and earrings; The Flower Bouquet brooch; and the Chick & Egg brooch/pendant. Summer offers the Sunburst brooch/pendant and matching earrings; the Seashell brooch and earrings; and Beach barrettes. In Fall, there's the Leaf brooch/pendant and earrings and the Pinecone necklace and earrings; and for Winter, the Festive foil beaded bauble necklace and earrings, and the Star brooch/pendant and earrings. In Traditional Japanese Designs, readers will find favorites like the Crane brooch/pendant, tie tack and earrings; the Kimono brooch/pendant and earrings; and the Paper Fan brooch/pendant and earrings.

About the Author

AYAKO BRODEK's love of origami began when she was a little girl in Japan. Her fascination continued and after 30 years of folding for personal enjoyment, she founded OriCraft to introduce her origami creations to a wider audience.She also teaches origami to all ages at local libraries and schools. Brodek lives and works in New Jersey.

FABULOUS ORIGAMI BOXES includes:

• designs for nesting boxes,
• simple triangle and square boxes and
• more complex hexagonal and octagonal boxes.

Detailed illustrations provide step-by-step instructions on the correct way to crease and fold origami paper. Many of the designs are made of one sheet of paper, but some combine individual units with intriguing results.Both practical and lovely, these boxes can be used for gift-giving, storing trinkets, or simply for display.

About the Author of Fabulous Origami Boxes

TOMOKO FUSE is a respected member of:

• Origami USA,
• The British Origami Association, and
• the Japan Origami Association.

She is the author of the best-selling origami books ORIGAMI BOXES, UNIT ORIGAMI, QUICK & EASY ORIGAMI BOXES and JOYFUL ORIBAMI BOXES.

Written by experts in the field, Quick Easy Guides' How To Make Personalized T-Shirts share little-known trade secrets and helpful hints to get you moving in the right direction.

Quick Easy Guides' How To Make Personalized T-Shirts gives you books you can judge by the cover. Their books are short, sweet and cheap. You can see for yourself.

They specialize in publishing books in the following categories:

• Business,
• Marketing,
• Careers & Work,
• Consumer Tips,
• Finance & Real Estate,
• Computers & Internet,
• Electronics,
• Cars & Auto,
• Hobbies,
• Food & Drink,
• Education,
• Health & Safety,
• Sports & Fitness,
• Fashion & Personal Care,
• Religion & Spirituality,
• Family & Relationships,
• Home & Garden,
• Pets & Animals,
• Holidays & Festivals,
• Travel.

Quick Easy Guides -- helping people achieve success and happiness.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-These series entries are attractively designed and have eye-catching photos and lots of kid appeal. Each book contains a wonderful assortment of gift ideas and projects.

MacLeod's introduction covers:

• measuring (metric and imperial),
• baking tips, and
• other dos and don'ts concerning food preparation.

Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Reviewed with Biz Storms' Quilting .

Gr. 4-7. Books in the first-rate Kids Can Do It series continue to give children an opportunity to develop craft skills by providing projects that are both age appropriate and lots of fun. Quilting uses step-by-step instructions keyed to excellent color illustrations to present basics. Ten kid-pleasing projects of increasing difficulty follow--from an appliqued tee shirt to a full-size quilt--each as appealingly and clearly presented as the last. Gifts is a little different. It assumes that children are comfortable in the kitchen and puts as much emphasis on the package as on the culinary product.

Instruction for making fudge, for example, is accompanied by ideas for an inventive gift wrap for it. Even though many of the foods are no-cook (fancy salt, flavored vinegar), younger children will need adult help; older ones who like crafts and know cooking basics will do fine on their own. 

From a self-proclaimed shopaholic, Gifted identifies more than 20 different personalities-from The Curious Kid and The Sporty Adventurer to The Big Boss, The Quirky Pal, and The Sweet 16-and provides specific and original ideas for each one. The first gift guide to organize gift recipients according to personality type, Gifted:

- Provides essential shopping info, such as where to buy each gift online and how much they cost
- Inspires out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to gift ideas
- Presents unique services, stores, and products

- Introduces new and creative occasions for giftgiving, such as the Nouveau Divorcé, The Mommy-Any-Minute, and the Gay Hooray

About the Author of Gifted: 1,000 Gift Ideas for Everyone in Your Life

Sarah Weidman has been a producer and development executive in reality television at companies that include MTV, Sony Pictures Television, and the Style Network. She has been featured as the "Go-to Gift Guru" for KCBS News in Los Angeles. Ms. Weidman lives in Los Angeles and spends her free time on the hunt for the latest-and-greatest products and services.