Magazine Review: Simply Creative Crochet

Simply Creative Crochet 2006
Better Homes & Gardens

Full disclosure: this blog is mentioned on page 11.

Once upon a time, women's magazines published needlecraft patterns of all kinds - clothing, layette sets, housewares, bazaar items (and yes, a few bizarre items). Better Homes and Gardens revived Simply Creative Crochet and relaunched it last year, and from what I can gather, this is going to be an annual special issue. Available at bookstores and yarn shops, this magazine is also carried in big-chain craft stores.

When I go to the magazine racks at a bookstore, I check out all the crafty magazines. You never know where you'll find something you want to make, and often the difference between a sweater in two supposedly very different magazines is really just about small things like color choices and styling. Many designers have their work appear in a range of magazines, from Vogue Knitting International to Interweave Knits to Simply Creative Crochet.

The bell-sleeved sweater by Doris Chan caught my eye, and has been a popular choice over at Crochetville. The lines are clean and simple; I'd like to see it done in a solid color. The red mohair coat by Gayle Bunn is another design with a nice clean silhouette. A section on embellishing clothing with crochet, by Kathryn Merrick, has a crocheted inset for the front of a tunic, a scalloped lace edging for a skirt, and a crocheted collar that I think would be really interesting worn over a camisole top and held closed with a pin or brooch. Animal Instincts features a lion, elephant, and hippo, all designed by Michele Wilcox. Larger than most of the amigurumi toys I've seen, they remind me of WWII-era toy patterns, the lion in particular. Very cuddly and I love the retro feel.

The magazine includes basic crochet instructions and a full page color photo of the yarns used with a second page listing the yarns and where to buy them. Many of the projects use yarns that can be found in most craft stores (Red Heart, Patons, Lion Brand), as well as yarns from companies like Mission Falls, Karabella, and Knit One, Crochet Too. Sizing ranges from XS to 3X, although not all patterns cover the full range (a lace cardigan, for example, is only in S, M, and L, but the fit is roomy and the L bust size for this pattern is 49"). The clothing patterns include schematics.

Check out the free patterns from Simply Creative Crochet 2003 for another stuffed elephant, a panda, and baby/child clothing patterns.

Comments

[Della]

I think that there might be a mistake on the green lace cardigan pattern listed in the simply creative crochet magazine 2006 page 80. The problem occurs at row #9. Can anyone help ?

[SILVANA GOSS]

I HAVE A QUESTION RE 2006 CABLE HAT, SCARF AND MITTENS IN CROCHET. IS THERE AN ERROR IN THE HAT PATTERN. I REALLY LOVE IT AND I AM FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW
THANKS

[Dave Renich]

Do you know if this is available for 2007.
Thank you for your help.

[mk]

Dave, I have no idea. The parent magazine has not been very responsive to inquiries, but this time of year is a good one to start checking the magazine racks. Perhaps you could check with your local bookstore to see if they have ordered it?