Part of the fun of crocheting is finding and experimenting with new types of stitches. Learn how to add texture and embossing to your crochet, pick your favorite stitches, and begin creating new and exciting projects.

This wonderful collection of 50 innovative square designs will quickly become a much-used volume in your personal crochet library. Whether you are looking for a colorful square for a child's afghan, a square suitable for your favorite man, or a dramatic flower design, you'll find it here. The squares, ranging from 5 to 12, are all shown crocheted using worsted (medium) weight yarn. However, you may make the squares in any weight yarn or thread you choose, which will of course change the size and appearance. You should also feel free to change colors to suit your own taste and decor. Different colors can completely change the way a square looks. Patterns include Water Lily, Coral Coneflower, Ruffle-Go-Round, Pineapples, Whirligig, and more. 50 Fabulous Crochet Squares (Leisure Arts #4420)

WOW! Ninety-nine tempting textures to crochet! Your favorite hobby comes alive with real depth and richness in Darla Sims's latest collection of exciting pattern stitches. Post Stitches are the simple magic giving these patterns their extra pizzazz! Choose from patterns worked closely for warmth or others yielding a light and lacy look. You can make afghans, scarves, shawls, table runners--anything your creative spirit desires--with these lovely and touchable Post Stitch patterns. Instructions are included for working with multiples and planning an afghan. 99 Crochet Post Stitches (Leisure Arts #4788) includes these patterns and more: Little Boxes, Beads on a String, Angel Wings, Basket Weave, Eyes of God, Chinese Puzzle, Dip Stitch, Sharp Chevrons, and Snug as a Bug.

Like the frosting on the cupcake, or the tiara on the bride, a beautiful border is the finishing touch for a lovingly created afghan, whether knitted or crocheted. Borders can be elegant or whimsical, can match or contrast with the afghan, and can lift even the simplest afghan from "ordinary" into the "very special" category. If you usually depend upon fringe as an accent, you'll have fun experimenting with these 50 crochet borders by Jean Leinhauser. The borders can be worked with any weight of yarn that works well with the body of the afghan. For some designs, the number of colors used in a border also can be varied. General instructions are included for how to use the borders, work with stitch pattern multiples, and estimate yarn amounts.

100 Colorful Ripple Stitches to Crochet by Leonie Morgan is a wonderfully illustrated and easy-to-use guide to making and using ripple stitches in delightful and inspiring colorways, perfect for blankets, throws, and accessories. With 75 original stitch designs to choose from, using color and texture to create stunning zig-zags, ripples, and waves, there is plenty here to appeal to every crocheter. Each design has a clear written pattern, an easy-to-follow chart, and a color variation to try out. The designs range from simple to more advanced patterns and also include ripple stitches worked in the round for unusual and eye-catching projects. It even includes five great projects as inspiration for how some of the designs could go together!

Create sensational crochet throws and accessories with this indispensable guide to mosaic crochet. Mosaic crochet is a cutting-edge technique that allows you to work two-colour patterns without having to change yarns in one row. You simply skip stitches in one row and connect them by filling in with the alternate colour two rows later. This produces incredible modern geometric patterns that look amazing as throws, blankets, afghans, pillows, rugs, bags and other accessories – using a much easier method than other crochet colourwork techniques. One crochet hook and two balls of yarn are all you need to get started. While it might look complex, mosaic crochet is actually incredibly straightforward once you learn the basic techniques. If you can work a chain, a double crochet (US single crochet) and a treble crochet (US double crochet), then you can mosaic crochet (...and if you can't, don't worry, all the stitches you need are covered in the book). And what's even better is that there are minimal ends to sew in because it works on a two-row method with the yarn carried up the side of the work. In the only book on the subject, crochet designer Esme Crick of Red Sparrow Crochet, shows you how to make 12 bold, statement throws and then how to use the same pattern to create a further 12 spin-off designs for smaller projects, showing how using different yarn colours with the same pattern can create completely different results. In Mosaic Crochet Workshop, Esme shares her skills, passion and gentle humour with you, so that you too can create beautiful throws and stylish homewares whatever your crochet level. And it's not just about slavishly following a pattern, but about building your confidence to make these designs your own, exploring the possibilities of colour and being inspired to start your own design adventures along the way. With full step-by-step guidance on the mosaic stitch, charts for all the mosaic crochet patterns, and 24 projects to make with full written patterns, this stylish modern crochet book will change the way you approach crochet colourwork forever and give you a wealth of beautiful throws and accessories for your home.