Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree: Stockings, Ornaments, Garlands, and More

by Edie Eckman

Christmas stockings, ornaments, and more -- this is every crocheter's must-have holiday project book! Beginners will love Edie Eckman's useful technique tutorial, and experienced crafters will want to jump right in and start one of these 20 exciting projects. The book includes eight different stockings, festive ornaments for trees and tabletops, a tree skirt, and other decorations for the home. Each pattern includes a symbol chart and is labeled with the skill level required to complete it, so crocheters of all levels can pick the perfect project for their own holiday season.

Genres: Crafts, Crochet, Nonfiction, Christmas, Holiday, Reference

184 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2014

About the author

Edie Eckman has her hands in many aspects of the fiber artsteaching, writing, designing and editing. Her knit and crochet designs have appeared in many magazines, yarn company publications, pattern leaflets and books. Her books include: Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs, How to Knit Socks: Three Methods Made Easy, and The Crochet Answer Book. Her newest book, Around the Corner Crochet Borders, will be published in early 2010. Edie travels extensively teaching at conventions, shops and guilds. "

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! There are so many cute ideas in this book, and ideas that are different than what I have seen in other Christmas crochet books. There is a huge variety of Christmas stocking patterns, ornaments, tabletop decorations, garlands, a tree skirt... And more. The directions are great. For each pattern the specific stitches required are explained within the pattern (so you won't need to flip back and forth from the pattern to a special stitches section of the book). The directions are mostly written, but some patterns or portions of the pattern are also written in chart form. Some patterns include special directions for right or left handed crotcheters. Each pattern also has a beautiful color photo. Near the end of the book there is a stitch and abbreviation glossary and some basic crochet tips and how-tos. One of the stocking patterns even shows how to personalize the stocking by stitching a name. I am excited to start making some Christmas crochet! I received this book from NetGalley to read and review.

[Mya R]

Skimmed this to see if I want to make any of the ornaments in it. Most of the patterns are for different types of stockings but there are some that interest me, some small birds and some snowflakes. The directions and patterns appear to be clearly written. I will update if that proves not to be the case.

[MD · Rating 3 out of 5]

When it comes to crochet books, format matters. My favorite is the spiral bound. They open flat which makes them easy to work from. Next best are the large thin softcover books - as long as the layout doesn’t force you to flip pages constantly, or split up the patterns too badly. Those will often lay flat too, or can easily be made to do so. This book. It’s 184 small-sized pages. This forces patterns to be split among multiple pages, and it is difficult to keep the pages open to work from. Why not fewer, larger pages?

I am disappointed with the layout too. The chunking of patterns into multiple sections that each start with “Row 1” is ok sometimes, but when I tried one of the variations, it kept referring me to other parts of the pattern where the row numbers didn’t match up. Not to mention the constant need to flip pages in a book that does not want to stay open.

There are some nice patterns in here, but between the format and the layout decisions, I don’t think I will try any more of them.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crochet book for Christmas stockings, ornaments, garlands, birds, bows, tabletop trees, snowflake pillows, angels and a tree skirt.
The directions are very complete with instructions in writing for right-handed or left-handed crocheters and a symbol chart.
There is information on which size hooks and yarn to use. Pictures are in color and helpful.
The book also has abbreviations, symbol key, glossary, guide to weight yarns, acknowledgements and contributing designers.
Other books by Edie Eckman are: Around the Corner Crochet Borders, Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs, Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs, The Crochet Answer Book and Crochet One-Skein Wonders.
I borrowed this book from my library. I gave it a 4 star because of such details. I plan to crochet some of the items.

[Marti Dolata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a solid 4 stars for crochet beginners but more of a three for experienced ones. There are some nice Xmas stockings I liked but I am content to get this book from the library rather than own a copy.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really cute decorating ideas in this one!

[sidewalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's that time of year again. Everybody is getting ready for the holidays and for us, home made decor is always on the top of the "mood setters". So when I received Christmas Crochet for review, it came just at the right time.

This book is full to the brim with the most adorable crochet projects! Tiny mittens and socks for garlands, felted ornaments for your tree, little birds of hope and tabletop "trees", to name a few. I fell in love with the little birds and was going to make some to show with this review, but time ran away from me and BAM, it was Friday, November 7th and my turn to post in the blog hop. I started it though. I hope that counts!

The full size stockings for the chimney caught my daughter's eye and she might just make one, or four of them, to display around the holidays. The patterns in the book are well written and there is something suitable for all kinds of skill levels. So the three crocheters in the family (my son = beginner, my daughter = intermediate, and I = *master of the universe*) will find something to make, that will keep us occupied, without being boring.

One of the best things about the book: It has all patterns in both written and charted form. I am a chart girl all the way, however a lot of my students like to have the written form, just to check back.

I find the "Project notes" that come with each of the patterns a nice touch. You can see at one glance what techniques will be required for this project and know right up front what to look up, if you might need help with a sock heel, or crochet in the round. (youtube is your friend!)

Another nice addition is the different textures the projects offer. So many different stitches and even felted ornaments, there is something new to learn for everyone.

The projects are mostly small and can be finished in an afternoon. This is of particular interest to procrastinators, such as myself. Why hasten to make gifts , when you can wait until the last minute? Or maybe you are invited to a holiday party and just want a little something to bring as a hostess gift, that is not the predictable bottle of wine, or a third bouquet of flowers, the hostess will have to take care of.

The book is small enough to fit comfortably in your project bag and you can whip it out and get an ornament going while you wait for the bus, or sit at the doctors office. I like portable projects and books, that travel with me without weighing me down too much.

Want to know the best part about this review? There is a giveaway! You can win your very own copy of Christmas Crochet! Right here. All you have to do, is simply leave a comment and tell me a bit about what you are going to crochet this year! That's it. Easy as pie!

And since this is a blog hop, there are more opportunities to win! Just check out the other blogs and see their requirements to enter!
Here is a list of all participating blogs:
3-Nov Don't Eat the Paste
4-Nov Moogly
5-Nov Liberty's Yarn
7-Nov Rambling Designs
10-Nov Plus 3 Crochet
11-Nov Crochet Dynamite
12-Nov Jenn Likes Yarn
13-Nov Crochet Nirvana
14-Nov Yarning4aSmile

If you are on Ravelry and want to add some of the projects to your queue, here is a link for you:
Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sourc...
And in case you don't want to wait out the giveaway, here is a link to storey, where you can buy your own copy of the book:
Storey: http://www.storey.com/book_detail.php...

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree by Edie Eckman is a helpful pattern collect for Christmas crochet projects. The projects include Christmas stockings, ornaments, and more. Beginners and experienced crocheters will get a lot out of the useful technique tutorials and will want to jump right in and start one of these twenty projects.

Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree is a collection of projects that would be great for decorating you home for the holiday, or for giving away as gifts. Projects include a variety of stockings, ornaments and garland for trees, small tabletop trees, and embellishments for pillows and walls. I found the patterns to be easily understood and includes both the written pattern and a symbol chart. Each is also labeled with the recommended skill level, so crafters can decide what they want to complete. I was also very happy to see a variety pf stick techniques used, some of which add a special texture or look than the more ordinary crafts.

Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree is a well organized book, with very detailed patterns to help even the less experienced crafters successfully complete the projects. This is a solid resource for crocheters looking for holiday craft ideas.

[Mrs C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Edie Eckman and I own a few of her colorful books. Based on this advanced copy though, I feel like her color choices could have been better. I was only excited to make a few of the stockings, specifically the Mix and Match Stockings and the Colorful Stripes Stockings, and the Creamy Textured Stocking; the rest are not very attractive. As for the tree ornaments, I found the Bird Trio to be very cute and would likely make them. The Bows, Snowflake pillow and Advent Garland are very nice and unique. The rest of the decorations are standard designs that you can find in other books. Personally, crochet books are all the same to me except for a few specialized stitches like crocodile or Solomon's Knot for example; what draws me to the books are the color combos that this book doesn't have (not very much). The diagrams and illustrations in this book are nice to look at - detailed and crisp. I would still purchase for the library just for the author alone and the different variety of the stockings.

[Jennifer Lavoie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book with some simple and fun projects to decorate for Christmas. I was especially excited to see the tree skirt. Last year I had my first tree at my apartment, and while I crocheted my own garland, I didn't have a skirt. They were just too expensive! However, this pattern is simple to do and will be cheap since I have so much yarn already!

I decorated my tree entirely with snowflakes I crocheted as well, and it will be nice to add to it with some of the angels in here.

I'm also going to attempt to make the Flame-Stitch stocking because it looks really nice, and I can imagine a lot of great colors going together. It would make a great gift for someone as well for a dorm room or new home.

Overall I'd say the book is a winner. I saw the unfinished version from Netgalley so there are some pictures missing, which was disappointing, but overall a good book.

[Lynn Siler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the page layouts in this book--easy to read, easy to find what you need, great colors! Even if you're a novice crocheter this book will not only give you fun projects but will expose you to different types of crochet (crocheting with beads, tapestry crochet, thread crochet, amigurumi, felting crochet). The selection of Christmas stockings is impressive with patterns ranging from fun to elegant and tiny stockings (and mittens) that create an unusual advent (calendar) garland. I especially like that both written instructions and symbol charts are included. A great gift as well as a great addition to your needlework library.

[Anastaciaknits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edie does it again in this modern collection of crochet projects designed for the holidays. They are all designed in Edie's characteristic style of easy, modern, simple enough for a beginner (for most designs) but not boring in any way. Most Christmas craft books are filled with things that are only OK - but not anything you'd ever actually MAKE - but this one is different.

All designs are well photographed, special stitches are explained within the pattern itself, and some of the patterns include charts - a must in today's pattern books.

[Cas H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Crochet for the Hearth, Home & Tree by Edie Eckman is a book that really puts you in the Christmas spirit.
I love the colored drawings which show what type of stitches go where, along with the words which tell you what stitches go where.
This book gives lots of fun ideas and I would recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a great little book with Christmas projects for young and old, expert crocheter or beginner. There are 9 or 10 stocking to make and they are widely varied in skill and colors. One of the things I really liked about this book was the fact that many of the patterns were small and made from leftover yarn from other projects. A nice addition to your crafting library.

[Iowa City Public Library]

From Beth:

"Christmas stockings, ornaments, and more – this is every crocheter’s must-have holiday project book! Beginners will love Edie Eckman’s useful technique tutorial, and experienced crafters will want to jump right in and start one of these 20 exciting projects."

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice cheerful christmas crochet book with 20 projects to make for the holidays with simple to follow instructions.

[Leanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of cute stocking patterns

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of clear patterns for beautiful stockings. I loved the little Christmas bird ornaments and snowflakes. Very cute!

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of stockings and snow flakes

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book. I found a few ornaments to make. My favorite pattern has been the Christmas stocking. It was a basic crochet pattern that could be mix and matched with details.