Crocheting on the Edge: Ribs & Bobbles*Ruffles*Flora*Fringes*Points & Scallops

Wow. Just wow. This one offers so much inspiration and guidance. I have yet to work any of the patterns as it just arrived this week, but I found myself saying “Oooh – this one next…no wait…this one…oh but this one is perfect.” I can even say that the close up color photography is so well executed that you can “feel” the fabric in your mind to know if it is flexible, drapey, stiff, etc. Your creative brain decides upon viewing the photo if that edge is perfect for a sweater hem & cuff but not a neckline or for an afghan, but maybe not a baby blanket, but possibly a toddler throw. There is a pattern for a shawl & throw that is made of motifs that really looks like a scrumble piece that I cannot wait to make. I would say this would make a great gift for any yarn enthusiast (even a beginner who is “hooked”), but is best suited for intermediate and up skill levels. Great written instructions, great photography, great inspiration. Love it.

I don't know how I crocheted for years without this book...well, I do...I had ugly edges to things like throws, blankets, and shawls! I just finished a shawl where the top edge now has a very beautiful scallop edge, that was absolutely a piece of cake to make and looks so very elegant! Since this is on the edge that ends up across the front, it makes a huge difference in the first impression of the shawl. What is impressive about this book, besides the gorgeous layout and photos, the wonderful instructions, and the great binding, is the incredible array of borders. How Epstein dreamed up or found some of these totally amazes me. The level of complexity is great for any crocheter- the beginner can find easy but beautiful edges like my scallop, that was also quick to do. The intermediate and advanced crocheter will find edges that will delight, inspire, and amaze them and dress up their crochet to be works of art! Thank you to Epstein, you have helped bring crochet up several notches in elegance and artistry!

Like all of Nicky's books, this one is eye candy. Not only are the projects too gorgeous for words, but the pages are beautifully done, and the project instructions easy to follow. Another must-have book!

Besides great ideas for crocheted edging and an excellent format I was surprised to see several complete patterns for garments that I actually liked. Overall, a beautiful book.

How to finish it off? Sometimes plain is good. Other times, your garment or throw or whatever needs a little decoration to look right, but where to find the right pattern for an edging? Your problem is solved in Nicky Epstein's latest "Edge" book. No more standing at a shelf of pattern books looking for something a bit different, because you'll have more than enough choices (over 200) in this beautiful book. Those of you familiar with the Epstein's knitting "edge" books will recognize the book's organization right off. Borders are categorized by type (ribs, ruffles, florals, fringes and points) and color coded for each type. Many of the edges or borders will be familiar to knitters because they are similar in finished appearance, but plenty are new and quite distinctive. I can hardly wait to finish the knitting project I've got going now and get started on some crochet projects. Let's see - we could use new placemats; I'd like a new jacket and a dressy sweater, any of which can be made into a one-of-a kind item by adding an unusual border. What a treat! What a lovely gift for the knitters and crochet fiends on your list. I'd say "get this one." A gorgeous book, packed full of creative ideas and patterns. You can't miss! Five stars!

I bought this book today at Michael's (with a 40% off coupon of course!), and just had to write a review about it. I just love it......so far. I own at least 4-5 other crochet edging books, but this is certainly the most creative out of the bunch. I especially like the "flora" section where there are numerous edgings with flowers, leaves, etc...that you just do not see anywhere else. There are some typical, or as the author puts it "classic" edgings in here that you will find in other books, but for the most part the edgings are pretty original. This book also features 9 original patterns created for this book, although I cannot say that I will make any of them becuase they are not my personal style (two jackets, a vest, two capelets, a scarf, a "hatband/bracelet", a t-shirt with an edgining, and a "medallion medly" (which looks sort of like a freeform style small lapghan) it was an unexpected surprise to find them at the back of this book. I would like to mention that there is not a "how to" section in this book. While this is not a problem for me, for those of you out there new to crochet, or for Nicky's knitting fans, who just have to have all of her books, if you do not know how to crochet, make sure you pick up a book on how to crochet along with this book. Because unlike many crochet books which will at the very least contain some illustrations in a "refresher course" type section, to remind you of how to do crochet stitches, this book does not have that. She does however, provide a small explanation of special stitches at the beginning of patterns that use them (i.e. the popcorn stitch, etc.....). There is a photograph of a swatch as well as a chart for each pattern, which I really like. The symbols can be really helpful at times. I would also like to say that having just purchased this book today, I cannot comment on how the directions are written, or if there are any errors. A lot of customers who reviewed her crocheted flowers book (which I do not own), complained that her directions are not well written. I cannot comment on this, so take this review for what it is....someone who has looked through this book several times, but has not made any projects from it. My only "complaint" at this point is not the fault of the author, or even the publisher, but rather whomever printed this book. When I got home to go through this book I found that pages 49-59 are pretty messed up. They all have significant creasing, and ink spots, and places where the text is quite blurred. It looks as if there was a mess up during the printing process, so alas, I will be going back to Michael's to exchange this book for another (hopefully better) copy. Whatever company actually printed this book should have better quality control, especially for the $30 price tag of this book! But so far, just from looking at all the unique edgings in here, I am really quite impressed with this book, and cannot wait to add an edgining to something....