Every Which Way Crochet Borders by Edie Eckman: Book Review with Excerpted Pattern (Border #32)

Every Which Way Crochet Borders: 139 Patterns for Customized Edgings by Edie Eckman | Book review, excerpted pattern (Border #32), and giveaway on Underground CrafterI’m excited to share a crochet book review with a giveaway today as part of a blog tour. I’ve also included an excerpted pattern, so read on for details!

This post contains affiliate links. A free review copy of Every Which Way Crochet Borders was provided to me by Storey Publishing. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review

Back in January, I had the opportunity to meet one of my crochet (and knitting) heroes, Edie Eckman, in person at Creativation. (I always forget to take pictures in moments like these, so you’ll have to trust me on this one!) I have several, well-loved books by Edie in my crochet library, including two of my favorite crochet books ever, Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs (reviewed here in my roundup of 10 granny square books) and Around the Corner Crochet Borders (reviewed here in my roundup of over 20 crochet stitch guides). When Edie asked if I would be part of the blog tour for her new book, Every Which Way Crochet Borders: 139 Patterns for Customized Edgings, I jumped at the chance. (Even though I’m nerding out, I did review the book thoroughly. Or, is that because I’m nerding out?)

Every Which Way Crochet Borders: 139 Patterns for Customized Edgings by Edie Eckman | Book review, excerpted pattern (Border #32), and giveaway on Underground CrafterEvery Which Way Crochet Borders is kind of a sequel to Around the Corner Crochet Borders, but each book is an independent work so you don’t need both to enjoy the one in hand. You also won’t find it a repeat in terms of the information presented.

If you like to nerd out on crochet, if you dream about what border to add to your project (and then wake up looking for your hook), or if you just wish you had a fabulous crochet teacher at your side to guide you through designing your next project, then Every Which Way Crochet Borders is a great book for you. Edie generously shares her years of crochet knowledge with readers in an understandable way, along with plenty of beautiful border patterns.

The book opens with 30-page section called Design Concepts where Edie shares tips for choosing a border to complement or contrast your project and on color and customization, provides photo tutorials and detailed explanations to help you place borders in crochet fabric (as well as knitted fabric, non-woven fleece, and woven fabrics), walks you through the math of stitch counts (in a very non-scary way, for all of you that are afraid of math), and shares several methods for joining a new yarn and ending rounds. This section includes plenty of detailed, color photographs as well as text and is written in a conversational tone. Edie also provides pattern reading tips at the end of this section.

There is also an 18-page Appendix section with more information about reading pattern abbreviations and international stitch symbols; a table of attributes which helps you choose borders based on width, reversibility, and several other options; thumbnails of each border; and an illustrated glossary of terms and stitches. The book also includes a helpful index.

But what about the patterns? The Border Designs section includes the patterns in no particular order (which is why you may find the table of attributes or thumbnails helpful). Each border includes stitch multiples for the base round and a note about where to begin the border (e.g., “Begin in corner st”), a large color photo of the border (including the corner and two sides) against a white background, and the pattern instructions in both U.S. pattern abbreviations and international stitch symbols. Each pattern also lists the attributes (such as “Narrow” or “Undulating”) that you will find in the table of attributes. Some patterns also include notes, like special stitch patterns.

The book is spiral bound with a hard cover, so you can keep it flat while reading and expect it to stand up to years of use. The border samples are photographed clearly and are in bright and inviting colors.


In her introduction, Going ‘Round the Bend, Edie says:

To encourage browsing, the borders are arranged on the following pages in no particular order. Browsing can pay off in a big way. You may think you want a ruffled edging, but when you see that textured border, you’ll realize it’s just the thing!

I debated with myself about the value of putting the borders in random order. On the one hand, it might have been helpful to have patterns with similar attributes (e.g., “Undulating” or “Straight”) together, and beginners might feel more confident if the patterns were ordered by difficulty. Ultimately, I think Edie’s logic about this actually makes sense. I know that from years of leafing through stitch guides, I don’t always end up using the pattern that I came in search of.

I’m giving this book 5 stars. It includes a lot of helpful information that will improve your crochet skills,  beautiful eye candy, and plenty of great patterns for every type of taste. The border patterns don’t indicate a skill level, but Edie encourages swatching and experimentation at the beginning of the book. Crocheters who have the basic stitches down will find plenty to work with in this book, and more advanced crocheters can dive into more complex border or experiment with design.

Find Join as You Go: Seamless Crochet Techniques and other online classes by Edie Eckman on Craftsy.

Border #32

Crochet Pattern by Edie Eckman

Excerpted from Every Which Way Crochet Borders

© 2017 by Edith L. Eckman. Photography by John Polak. Charts by Karen Manthey. Shared with permission from Storey Publishing.

Every Which Way Crochet Borders: 139 Patterns for Customized Edgings by Edie Eckman | Book review, excerpted pattern (Border #32), and giveaway on Underground Crafter

Stitches & Notes

  • The first two rounds of Border #32 are the same as Border #31, but the third round is more solid and substantial.
  • Picot-3: Ch 3, slip st in third chain from hook.
  • V-st (V-stitch): (Dc, ch 1, dc) in st or space indicated.
  • Pattern attributes: Reversible, Medium, Undulating, Open/Lacy

Pattern Instructions

Every Which Way Crochet Borders: 139 Patterns for Customized Edgings by Edie Eckman | Book review, excerpted pattern (Border #32), and giveaway on Underground Crafter
Click to enlarge chart.
  • Base rnd, each side: Multiple of 6 + 3 + corners.
  • Begin 5 sts to left of corner st.
  • Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 3, skip 2 sts, *V-st in next st, [ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 3, skip 2 sts, V-st in next st] to 1 st before corner, ch 3, skip 1 st, sc in corner st, ch 3, skip 1 st; rep from * around, ending last rep V-st in next st, ch 3, skip 2 sts, join with slip st to first sc.
  • Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 3, (dc, ch 3, dc) in center of next V-st, ch 3, sc in next sc; rep from * around, omitting last sc, join with slip st to first sc.
  • Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 3, skip ch-3 space, (3 dc, picot-3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 space, ch 3, sc in next sc; rep from * around, omitting last sc, join with slip st to first sc. Fasten off.

Giveaway

Every Which Way Crochet Borders: 139 Patterns for Customized Edgings by Edie Eckman | Book review, excerpted pattern (Border #32), and giveaway on Underground CrafterSo now that you’ve read the review and checked out the sample pattern, I’m sure you’d like to get your hands on a copy of Every Which Way Crochet Borders: 139 Patterns for Customized Edgings. The nice folks at Storey Publishing have set aside a copy for one lucky reader!

This giveaway is open to readers with mailing addresses in the United States, except where prohibited by law. Enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. One winner will be chosen at random from the entries submitted via the Rafflecopter widget. The winner will receive one copy of Every Which Way Crochet Borders, courtesy of Storey Publishing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you’re looking for other chances to win, follow along with the rest of the blog tour!

31 thoughts on “Every Which Way Crochet Borders by Edie Eckman: Book Review with Excerpted Pattern (Border #32)”

  1. Loved the review!❤❤❤❤❤
    The first project I think I would try since I’ve never done it before is something simple like a flannel scarf.

    Reply
  2. I will add a border to an afghan I’m currently working on. I’m pretty sure the patterns can be added to almost anything you make. Thanks for the opportunity.

    Reply
  3. I’m working on a baby blanket for a friend’s first grandchild. It is primarily white with elephants in three shades of grey (colors chosen by the mother-to-be). It needs something to bring it to life. One of these borders would be perfect. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.

    Reply
  4. I have a crocheted blanket that I am just finishing up and I am looking into putting an edging on it. This book would be perfect. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply
  5. I have a couple of Edie Eckman’s books…and this one is on my Amazon Wish List. Love her patterns!
    Thank you for the opportunity to win this awesome book! I need it!

    Reply
  6. I would add borders to all of the blankets I’ve finished that have very basic borders. I’m sure this book would help me make my ordinary, EXTRAORDINARY!!!!

    Reply
  7. I took a class on joining crocheted motifs from Edie at the first Stitches I attended about 5 years ago and have been interested in her crochet work and vivid colors ever since. One of her books would be very inspirational to me!

    Reply

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