Unexpected Afghans Celebration Weekend

Today kicks off the Weekend Celebration of my new book, Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques.

I was lucky enough to work with not only friends by my crochet favorites in my new book.  I asked them all to envision their main crochet passion and have it come alive in the form of an afghan.  All the projects are unique and really speak to me about the designer behind each one.  The book is divided into 5 chapters, one for each crochet technique (lace, cables, motifs, color, Tunisian).  Every chapter starts with a pillow I designed for you to test out the technique, and some words of wisdom from me and the designers on how to take your crochet to the next level.  The introduction has other crochet tips and some insight into all the designers first crochet projects (just because I am super nosy).  I am really proud of this book.  It was a joy from concept thru editing.  I can not tell you how fun it is to collaborate with your friends whether you are picking out colors or fine tuning a crochet diagram (oh, yeah- there are TONS of diagrams- I mean it is my book afterall!)

So this weekend I have bribed a number of the designers in the book to blog, tweet, facebook about their design in the book.  I was going to tell you what I thought of each one, but I would rather let them tell you.  Keep in mind I just told them to go crazy on each of their afghans, it could have really been uh, "interesting"; but instead their projects are some of my favorite crochet projects out there.  I truly hope you enjoy the little tour this weekend.  At each stop (including over at Interweave), you will be able to win a free eBook copy of the book.  For me, go check out the preview (below) and let me know (in a comment here, in an email, over at facebook or twitter) what project speaks to you the most.  I will let CJ pick her favorite from the book on Monday and announce a winner on Tuesday.

Here are all the projects over at Flickr with each designer labeled.  Please go check out these designers, you never know, you might find a new favorite or two!



Meet Some of the Designers (in alphabetical order):

Annette Petavy - Annette Petavy Design

Annie Modesitt - Modeknit

Carol Ventura – Tapestry Crochet

Diane Halpern -Three Rivers Crochet

Dora Ohrenstein - Crochet Insider Newsletter

Doris Chan - Everyday Crochet

Drew Emborsky - The Crochet Dude

Edie Eckman – Edie Eckman   

Ellen Gormley - Go Crochet        

Jill Wright – Wool Crafting   

Kim Guzman - Wips N Chains

Kristin Omdahl - Styled By Kristin

Linda Permann - Lindamade         

Marty Miller - Not Your Granny’s Crochet

Mary Beth Temple - Addicted to Alpaca 

Megan Granholm - Loop de doo

Simona Merchant-Dest - Stylish Knits

Tracie Barrett – Tracie Barrett