With her beauty queen good looks, megawatt smile and even more brilliant design talent, Kristin Omdahl has rocketed across the crochet and knitting firmament, leaving the rest of us to flounder in her jet wash and wonder what the hell happened. From her heart-breaking backstory to her latest triumph, Seamless Crochet (Interweave Press, 2012), Kristin’s rise to stardom is the stuff of legend. She is the It Girl and, yes, I am more than a wee bit jealous. But if she wasn’t one of the hardest-working designers I know, if her heart wasn’t as huge as her talent, if she wasn’t such a genuinely lovely person, I would not be here wrapping up her blog tour today.
I met Kristin in 2007 at a TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association) industry show in Columbus. She had just flown in from Florida, totally frazzled, the beginnings of horrible blisters on her feet from unfortunate footwear, dying for an ice-cold fountain Coke. Other than that she was wonderful and I think we hit it off. I know these photos were taken while we were waiting for a TNNA fashion show to begin, but I can’t recall if this was 2007 or 2008. Maybe Kristin remembers which. Anyway, we were sitting next to each other but the camera was pointed at her then at me. You can see bits of us in each other’s photo.
Although our careers took us along different paths, we did collaborate once, in 2008. Kristin and I each contributed four designs for the Filatura di Crosa booklet Superior Crochet, which I understand is still in demand and difficult to get. Her work is stunning and inventive. It is clear that we both share a love of lace and we both think about crochet outside the box.
It will also be clear, once you have seen this new book, that she and I mean different things by the term “seamless”. In Seamless Crochet, Kristin has put her spin on a traditional way of working motif-like stitch patterns in one piece. From the book’s introduction:
“When I first discovered the technique of creating and joining motifs without the need for cutting the yarn between them, I wanted to squeal with delight. Over the last couple of years, I have been exploring the technique and coming up with new motifs to showcase fun crochet projects with a minimum of tails to weave in (often only two!).”
The results are very cool. If you haven’t been following the book tour, please visit any of the previous stops for insightful reviews and revealing interviews with Kristin.
SEAMLESS CROCHET BLOG TOUR
1/25
AllFreeCrochet.com
1/26
Crochetville.org
1/27
CraftGossip.com Crochet Guide
1/30
Crochet by Faye
1/31
About.com Guide to Crochet
2/1
She Knits When She Should be Writing
2/7
Yarn Thing Blog and Podcast
live interview with Kristin, 12 pm Eastern
2/8
Hook and I
2/9
Faina’s Knitting Mode
2/10
The Crochet Doctor
2/11
Stylish Knits
Seamless Crochet is available now as a book & DVD combo, and also as an eBook and DVD download that you can purchase online and receive instantly. Click here to learn more about the Seamless Crochet eBook & DVD download.
Please join me in congratulating Kristin. I’m thrilled that Interweave Press has allowed me to give away an e-copy of the book to one lucky reader here. Just leave a comment below for a chance to win, and check back on Wednesday evening, 15 February as I reveal the winner. Good luck to all!
Doris Chan Crochet 
Thank you for your blog. Ms. Omdahl has designed many lovely shawls and wraps. I look forward to reading her new book.
I think the concept behind this book is so freakin cool. The less end-weaving I have to do, the better!!
I have to learn this technique! I love the shawl pictured on the cover. I wonder what other ways this seamless technique can be applied. I’m learning so much on here!
I am a great fan of yours especially the seamless way of making clothes. I think its time to experience another great designer and if you are recommending Kristen Omdahl then I am up for it and would love to have her book.
Love love love it 🙂 I would be so so so happy if I would win it 🙂
Yes, it’s right, this technique is so attractive and interesting to explore and discover the secrets that a book is an excellent initiative. Thanks to Kristin Omdahl and thank you to give us the opportunity to win this book.
Misschou
I’d love to learn her seamless method, and her new book sounds like something I really NEED!
I have never liked making motifs but this book may have converted me.
So many times I’ve rejected a pattern because of all the fiddling with tails. Kristin’s technique is a gift to all of us crocheters who hate, hate, hate dealing with tails.
I love the idea of joining as you go and would appreciate having her book in my arsenal of information.
What on earth did we do before the internet and blog reading? I have learned so much about wonderful designers and techniques! I am a very new designer and have had a wonderful education right here on my lap! Thank you Doris, for all you do to teach us all! I hope to meet you at the Stitches West next week!
Sheila
I’ve got Kristen’s Crochet So Fine, where I first learned about her “join as you go technique” – I **hate** weaving in ends, so the book has been a favorite of mine, and the patterns are gorgeous! I’d love to have a copy of her newest.
This would be awesome! I really dislike weaving in ends so I often pass over motif patterns.
Love this idea- would love to try it!
Thanks for the review of this book. I can’t wait to see it, the 3D flower blanket looks amazing and it something that I look forward to making! Thanks for the chance to win!
I would love to win this book so I could make my mum something special for her birthday 🙂
I love crochet lace and lovely-to-touch lace appropriate yarns. I covet new patters for crochet lace wearables.
This book has great projects in it. I can’t wait to have my own copy.
Love Kristin’s other books and I would love to have a copy of her new book! Thanks!
Drooled (almost literally) when I saw this book at Barnes & Noble, but resisted from post-Christmas spending. Would LOVE a copy to get me off my knitting and back to crocheting!
What a wonderful opportunity. What a great tour and book.
Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity and for sharing your talent with us.
I hate seaming! I would love to read this book and find out more about Kristen’s techniques!
Would love to win this book!
Thanks for the opportunity! Good luck to everyone!
I would love to win this book!
I would love a copy of Seamless Crochet. Thanks for offering it to us.
I’ve always loved Kristin Omdahl’s work. The shawl on the cover of this book is enough to make me want it. I’m crossing my fingers. Thanks for the chance.
I have been avoiding motif-based projects for sheer hatred of weaving in ends. This book has been on my Want Really Badly list since I heard of it! 🙂
It would be really truly awesome to win this!!!
I’d love to win this book as it’s not in my crochet library yet! Thank you!
I, too, have been dying for this book! Weaving in ends puts be behind on all of my projects!
I would so like to win this book!
Me too please! I love Kristins Designs! 🙂
I would love to win this book!
I’d like to win. I love making motifs but hate the slog of joining them and weaving in ends.
Congratulations, Krisitn! I can’t wait to get my hands (and hooks) on that book!
Continued to success to both of you! The world is fortunate to have so many talented crochet designers.
I keep trying to win a copy although I’ll certainly buy one if I can’t win one!
It’s funny that you are writing about Kristin because in the past couple years when I have bee scouring the internet for “cool” crochet patterns, I am always drawn to your’s and Kristin’s designs! And I even bought one of her books….just from the cover! We, who crochet, are so fortunate to have you both designing wonderful garments to create! I would love to have her new book!
On another note, I have almost accomplished my New Year’s desire (not resolution) to crochet a garment. The Lightweight Zen Jacket is nearly done! 🙂
seamless is so much fun!! I would love to win a copy of the book! 🙂 Thanks Doris!
It would be great to finish something and only have a couple of ends to weave in!! I’m all for joining as you go too.
I didn’t like doing motifs because of the sewing involved but I recently learned how to make one and joining them to the next motif before it was finished. That was painless. I would love to win this ebook and learn more.
Love motifs, hate ends! Look forward to adding this book to my crochet wish list!
Gee, it’s fun to be friends with another creative soul. That is a challenge and inspiration to be even more unique.
I would love to win this ebook! Thanks for the oppurtunity!
Today is the first day I’ve heard of this book. How did I miss this?
Personally, I don’t mind seams. They add structure and are not that hard to do. I wouldn’t want to sacrifice good fit just to avoid them.
However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t mind if I have to do less of them. I have Kristin’s book “Crochet So Fine,” and think it is brilliant.
I have her book Crochet So Fine and would love to win the Seamless Crochet Book. Keeping my crochet hook nearby in case I win. Thanks for the opportunity.
The less weaving-in-ends, the better. I don’t even like making sweaters that aren’t worked in the round.
You and Kristin are my favorite crochet designers, so I’d love to win this book!
The seamless concept is great for folks like me with wonky hands! ( Crocheting is good, but yarn needles are not so friendly when having to weave in lots of ends.) I am a fan of your work Doris,
but have not done anything by Kristin. Thank you for the opportunity to win a book like this. 🙂
See you on Rav.!
The idea of crocheting the look of motifs without all those ends is so very intriguing! I can’t wait to learn how it’s done. Both Doris and Kristin have forever changed the world of crochet with their innovative designs and techniques. Thank you!
There are lovely designs in this book. It went onto my “wish list” as soon as I flipped through it.
Beautiful work Kristin.
I’ve wanted this book ever since it first came up on my radar. Thanks for the option to win a copy.
What a wonderful book! Thanks for the giveaway – and for having a fun blog!
This would be so great to win, thanks for the chance!!
Tammy
I saw this book on my sister-in-law’s bookshelf but didn’t get to really to look at it. Now I wish I had. I have been cocheting for over 30 years and am still looking for new ways to do it!
Huh, this sounds interesting. I’ve done the “join as you go” before, but this seems slightly different if you don’t have to weave in lots of ends. Even when I’ve joined the motifs in the last round I still had to cut the yarn and start over new with the new end.
I HATE weaving in ends. I always try to avoid patterns that involve motifs and such. If it’s clothing, it better be worked in the round, or else I’m skipping it.
So excited about this book! So many gorgeous and genius pieces in this book, can’t wait to make these beautiful projects! Thanks so much for sharing this book!
I am still new to crocheting, but I have seen the reviews and I love the patterns in this book! Thank you for the chance to win!
This would be such a great book to win, thanks for the chance!
I would be thrilled to win this book. I have some projects I have never completed as I cant stand all the sewing and weaving in that has to happen. I avoid patterns where this is the recommended way to join. I need to learn how this is done the seamless way. Thank you for the opportunity.
seamless crocheting? I’m in! thanks for this opportunity, and congrats to Kristin!
I absolutely hate weaving in ends! Must get this book!
I love the motif look, but hate the ends and joining, I’d love a chance to read this book.
When I come across one of your designs I freeze in my tracks.
This book is a must have for my collection. How exciting to learn a brand new technique! Congratulations Kristin!
I am currently engaged in a CAL for another popular design of Kristin’s, the Infinity Wrap, which I think is an amazing and lovely project.
I would love to be able to make some of her seamless designs, as well. I think her work is creative and lovely. Congratulations, Kristin!
I hate weaving in ends so this would be a welcome addition to my ever growing library of crochet books! Thanks for the opportunity, Doris!!
I’ve stayed away from projects that require a bunch of pieces to be sewn together because of all the ends afterwards – I would love to learn this seamless technique! The shawl on the cover is absolutely gorgeous – would love to make it! Thank you for the giveaway!
This would be the *best-est* Valentine’s Day gift I could receive~no calories! just lots of yumminess patterns to make. ❤ the chance to win a copy~
I’d certainly do more with motifs if I knew how to connect them as I go. Maybe I wouldn’t end up with so many orphan pieces in bags
This is a huge gift to those of us who really dislike weaving in all those ends! I’ve drooled over the book a couple of times, but can’t justify buying anymore books till… oh… what the heck!
I have followed both you and Kristin’s career path for several years now and my library of crochet books has become larger for it. Big Thanks to both of you for keeping crochet in the forefront of fashion and fun.
You both rock. I would love to have this book!
I love motifs, but hate sewing them together so the concept of working from one motif to the next without cutting the yarn intrigues me no end. I’ve been looking forward to this book since the first promotions appeared and will add it to my library for sure and for certain. 🙂
My top two designers. Win or not, I’m a fan of you both for sure.
I borrowed the book from my library, and would love to have my own copy!
Hello from blustery Scotland. I love you both, and truth be told, I think I buy your books as much for reading pleasure as for the patternS! When is your next book out, Doris!!!
I’m so happy to have found your blog!!! I have your Pearl River Lace Wrap & the yarn- have been trying fsc on my own and fumbling- your directions here on your blog are making it so much clearer. Thanks again! I also love the designs in Kristin’s book- would love to have a copy to call my own.
another fine review of another equally fine design book!
This book looks so wonderful, I wish I had a copy, so I could curl up, read it, and become inspired tonight, instead of sleeping…OK, then I would have to raid my stash and start…what is a crocheter to do????