Customer Reviews

150 Crochet Trims: Designs for Beautiful Decorative Edgings, from Lacy Borders to Bobbles, Braids, and Fringes

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have many knitting and crochet books so I was reluctant to get this one thinking that it would be like all the others. I was so WRONG!! It was exactly what I needed! Many different finishing stitches and very pretty ones too! I can really use this book and the intructions are very clear. Absolutely Great!! Can't spot any stitches that appear to be very hard to work. I love color and this book is has it. Pictures are very nice! Buy it --you won't regret it! I'm well pleased with this purchase!!

I loved this book. Beautifully illustrated, has detailed instructions, and even has a basic skills instruction section in the back. It showed how to do beaded crochet trims, textured trims, fringes, and motifs. Also in the back, it showed how to do textured crochet, crochet in the round, working spike stitches and more. It is an excellent book for anyone who crochets because everyone needs to trim something at one point or another when creating a crochet project.

I love crochet books! But I was getting a little disappointed with what was out there. The same old same old. However, 150 Crochet Trims really delivers and then some. There are trims, braids, motifs, plus projects to put your new skills to work. I enjoyed the beaded, sequined and dangly-bits that can be crocheted with a minimum of time and effort but looking like what you'd see on a designer's drawing board. I highly recommend this book for you needlework reference library.

150 Crochet Trims by Susan Smith is a wonderful and helpful collection of trims and edgings and motifs. I recommend it to anyone who is wanting to add a beautiful touch to any outfit. I was glad to find a recent book with so many trim ideas. This book has also been very inspirational in giving me ideas of some new edgings that I had not thought of.

The book is very nicely packaged with good color photos of each trim followed by instructions which give the skill level, material used in the photo and the written instructions. The final section is good with instructions on how to work all the stitches including a section on adding beads. The patterns use American terminology but if you hop over to Amazon UK you'll find the same book with a slightly different title and that one uses English terminology. I used the book last night to make #90 luxurious braid which is described as challenging/complex. I found it to be extremely simple and I discovered two things: there are no symbol instructions and second, there are only 90 edgings. I bought the book for the edgings. Then come 35 motifs which is followed by accessories which means things like making buttons and buttonholes, 5 collars, 2 belts and a beaded belt tie. The last section has 5 projects showing how to add these trims to bought items such as a beret, skirt, pillow, etc.
But I was disappointed because I wanted edgings. So then I pulled out my old copy of Schapper's Complete book of crochet border designs. This book has 342 edgings. Enough said.

Even some of the simple trims are not easy to follow: when she uses three colors they are very close shades of the same color and the contrast doesn't always show up.
It is very hard to figure out what she means when she uses an unusual technique, and would be so much simpler if she even just had an arrow pointing at where for instance you insert the hook to begin the contrast rows in #36, parallel lines, which she says requires only beginner's skills. I've been crocheting for a long time and it is far easier to use a Japanese Magazine with international symbols, and no I can't read Japanese, than to follow English with no diagrams and poor photos.
Any number of better books exist, and while not all of them have diagrams for EACH example, they do for a new or difficult technique. Listing, in no particular order: Dora Orenstien's Creating Crochet Fabric, Robyn Chochula's Blueprint Crochet, Lesley Stanfield's 100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet, Annie's Attic's Crochet on the Edge, Betty Barnden's Super Finishing Techniques for Crocheters, Melody Griffiths' 201 Crochet Motifs, Blocks, Projects and Ideas, Lily M. Chin's Couture Crochet Workshop, Jan Eaton's Encyclopedia of Crochet Techniques..... Long story short: don't waste your money.

Updated and modern look of the stitches make them look fun to try. Clear and full of gorgeously colored illustrations. Actual examples of finished garments and accessories at the end of the book made me want to start on a project right away.

It would be great if the author could include a note on how many stitches it uses per repeat for the pattern. It's a great little book, though, one I keep picking up for inspiration.

If you're into crocheted trims, this is an excellent book. There is nothing not to like about this book. The trims are detailed but the author is very thorough with her recommendations and easy instructions.

I highly recommend due to the beautiful array of crochet borders. Borders can be used on many crochet;knit and other crafts. A must for your collection. I would purchase it again!
J Porter, Jefferson, GA

great book for adding trims to everything. Not your typical old fashioned book. must have for crochet addicts.