A Matter of Thrifting Part One

Although about half of the books in this 12-edition auction lot were those I didn't want, I decided to put in a bid to see if I could win it. A brief bidding war insued, and a last-minute sniper ended up winning the lot. I went back to see what it would have cost me with shipping if I had won it, which would have been $37.21.

Although I was disappointed, I then went on Alibris, my favorite site to thrift used books, and ordered 5 crochet books that I did want for a total of $35.19.

The first three books in that order arrived about a week later.

I chose these books because they offer multiple patterns and didn't look too difficult (while I can crochet almost any pattern, I'd rather go with easy patterns that don't boggle my brain.)

Crochet Patterns and Projects by Beth Taylor has 19 motif and stitch patterns, and 19 projects for which you can use them. Published in 2014, it's 64 pages long, the instructions are well-written and I wouldn't mind making every project in this book (the little octopus sold me.) I really like the spiral-binding, too, because the book lays flat when open.

The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet by Nancy Queen and Mary Ellen O'Connell was published back in 2008, but it too offers a lot (more than 30 "cool, easy" patterns, accrding to the cover.) This appealed to me because these ladies are crochet designers, and each project comes with a beginner's lesson, so if there are any techniques I've never done, I can easy learn them.

Vanna's Afghans A to Z features 52 of Vanna White's favorite afghan crochet patterns, and was published back in 1994 probably around the time she began her own yarn line. I'm not a fan of television but I do admire the lady for promoting a craft rather than a perfume or beauty product. I also like having another 52 patterns to make afghans.

The last two books I thrifted should be here shortly, and when they arrive I'll show them to you here at the blog. Stay tuned. :)

Image credit: The first pic in this post came from the original auction listing at ShopGoodwill.com

Comments

Eight Plus Numbers

When I was looking up the retail on the small lot of yarn plus a tapestry kit I got a lot of surprises. This Red Heart Roll with It Sparkle skein in "Diamonds" was actually a cake that sells $10.99 on Yarnspirations. The lot included two Red Heart Super Saver Jumbo skeins, which retail for $8.99 each, and stuck in the center of the buff color I found a 5.5 mm crochet hook. This is a skein of 100% Icelandic wool, which can be really expensive. It's marked with a price tag of $7.00, and I found it selling for $8.00 online. The needlepoint kit is the biggest surprise of all. It makes a pillow, and hails from the UK, where it sells for £45.00 ($60.76 US). Since it's flamingos I definitely have to finish it if I can. Altogether my eight plus lot retails for $125.04; I paid $21.30 total for the lot with the buy-it-now option and one penny shipping. I indeed got a very nice bargain.

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Thrifty Crochet

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