It's a Wrap

By Bernadine Graham

A collection of shawl and wrap crochet patterns that are modern, versatile and easy to make.

 

It's a Wrap is a beginner friendly modern crochet shawl pattern book, that uses a variety of crochet stitches to create stylish modern accessories that will stand the test of time. In this collection of exclusive patterns, Bernadine Graham brings you 20 exclusive crochet shawl and wrap patterns with a variety of shapes, lengths and textures that are easy to make, wear and share.

With written patterns, crochet charts and easy to follow instructions, this book is suitable for absolute beginners and more experienced crocheters.

Includes

• - information for beginners on hooks, gauge, and more
• - written pattern and charts for all patterns included
• - 20 exclusive crochet shawl and wrap patterns

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bernadine Graham
• Release date: Jun 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781739416614

Book preview

Its a wrap front cover

Copyright © 2023 Bernadine Graham

It's a Wrap

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

ISBN-13: 9781739416614

Contents

Copyright

Foreword

Welcome

It’s a Wrap

What to expect

Learn to crochet

Tools

Reading Crochet Patterns

Reading Crochet Charts

Standard Crochet Stitches

Tips & Techniques

Projects

Clarice

Gracie

Thelma

Miranda

Bridget

Minerva

Rebecca

Ginger

Frankie

Ana Mae

Ana Mae - Sideways

Gloria

Cleo

Vanessa

Josephine

Celie

Annie

Sadie

Trinity

Ripley

Vivian

Resources

Author

Thank You

Foreword

Random ideas are good.  Embrace them.

That’s how It’s A Wrap came to be.  

Do you ever just find yourself dreaming up new realities?  Summer 2022 I found myself doing this, again, and knowing that I needed a new PC to make any of my wild ideas come true.  At that point, the wild idea was to be a full time crochet designer.

I did not have the cash for the machine I needed and since I started to take myself, and my blog and design business seriously, I have strived to make sure it is at least self funding IF not able to pay me a living wage, yet.  Looking for ideas on how to raise funding, I fell upon Kickstarter and a very random idea was born - write a book and sell that.

Four days later the campaign was live, 58 days after that fully funded and the book was definitely happening.  I wish I had taken a video of me sitting under my desk rocking and laughing when the first £1000 was achieved - it was a hilarious moment in my house.  Maybe at some point I will get a handle on the marketing side of things and capture all the moments.  Maybe.

If I had waited or even really thought about the work involved or what this might mean I probably wouldn’t have done it.  People talk about fear of failure as the main ‘what If’’; I think fear of success is equally real, like, who would buy a book by little old me?

Obviously someone did, because you are reading this. 

The support I received, the faith in my ability even though I didn’t have a fully formed idea was and probably is still the best part of it all.

Thank you for helping me believe in myself and take a step to fly.

Welcome

I fell in love with Shawls when I made probably my second one.  I genuinely didn’t imagine when I began crocheting that I would a) - make shawls, b) - become a crochet designer.

Maybe 10 years ago now, I first picked up a crochet hook with the sole intention of learning how to crochet so that I could make a pouffe.  I had learned to knit as a child but it’s only been something I thought of doing randomly a few times ever.  Crochet though became a daily habit almost immediately.  

During the Covid Pandemic I began designing crochet patterns and haven’t ever really looked back.  I’m a thinker, probably an overthinker at times, and I had this cool way to get time to myself, centre myself and clear my mind.   It kept me working, mentally active or sane, depending on how you look at it. I needed to do something, and actually be productive. 

I fell into being a creative during this period fairly naturally.  I didn’t think this was something I could be or was, because I can appreciate art and beautIful things but not come up with them myself you know.  I can’t draw many things that are identIfiable and, while I played various instruments as a child, my enjoyment of music is now relegated to my many, many playlists. 

Over time, my projects have skewed towards accessories because they make great gIfts and 90% of the items I have made have been gIfts(ed), always. 

The rebel in me probably likes shawls because in the wider world they are sometimes seen as ‘old fashioned’ and disprove the people who say ‘who wears those’.  But honestly, ever worn a Pashmina?  A nice wrap over a dress to a wedding?  Desperately needed something to keep your shoulders warm in the office air conditioning?

Definitely the perfect project for me, just long enough to keep you interested but not as long as a blanket, because I generally get bored before the border if it is bigger than a baby blanket.  They are also fairly versatile in shape and construction and, with a little knowledge and crochet maths, a scarf becomes a shawl and vice versa.

Great for beginners, the shapes, stitches and techniques can be applied to pretty much any other type of crochet project.  So my hope with this book is to open your mind to the simple beauty and versatility of the shawl.

Overhead view of stack of shawls with yarn, hook and notions

It’s a Wrap

20 Modern Crochet Shawls

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Bernadine Graham

Overhead photo includes yarn crochet hooks and a selection of notions