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)

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.

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.

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!

A colorful and contemporary collection of stitches, crochet techniques, and projects for creating rich and appealing texture in your work Crocheters looking for more texture, depth, and contemporary design will delight in this colorful new guide. Aimed at the experienced beginner to intermediate level crocheters with some extra ideas aimed at more advanced makers, the book covers a variety of textured crochet techniques--from the straightforward to the more complex and unusual --along with beautiful projects designed to showcase them. Get ready to explore the beautiful textures that can be achieved with crochet--Bobbles, Popcorns, Clusters, Puffs and more. Each chapter guides you through a new stitch or stitch progression with photos, detailed instructions and diagrams to ensure you can follow along easily. In addition to simple, on-trend projects perfect for gifting or use in your home or wardrobe, you'll find useful tips for saving time and troubleshooting, and additional ideas to explore.