Couture Crochet Workshop [Paperback]

Lily Chin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2007

A review of crochet standards, chart reading, and technique is combined in this guide with a course on sizing crocheted garments to fit like a glove—all in the interest of encouraging crocheters to try their hand at lace fashions that look as though they came straight off a ready-to-wear runway. Patterns include a metallic ribbon Chanel-style jacket, a lace shift dress with a mohair lace camisole, a cowl-neck trapeze tunic, and a chevron wedding dress with matching fingerless gloves. Those who want a gorgeous look in a smaller project will revel in the striking designs for hats, jewelry, and spangled evening bags. Explanations of accurate measuring, silhouettes, circular construction, shell and chevron stitches, and custom detailing demystify the more advanced designs, and beautiful photographs showcase all the finished pieces.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Enthusiastically recommended for all public library crochet collections for its combination of solid instruction and excellent selection of crochet designs."  —Library Journal

"Especially helpful for anyone who would like to create garments that fit like a glove and are highly fashionable."  —KLIATT

"A self-appointed agent provocateur of the knitting world, Chin clearly strives to shock. But she also aims to educate."  —Vogue Knitting

"Lily Chin is never one to shy away from the public eye. Her 15 minutes of fame seems to have lasted about 15 years."  —Yarn Market News

"An absolute 'must have' for anyone wanting to know more about crocheting in general or considering going into garment design."  —BellaOnline Crochet Editor

"A killer section on pattern-making. . . . There's also much good info about the small details of how garments are constructed so they hang well on the body."  —Craftypod.com

"[Chin is] the Eddie van Halen of frumpy sweater making."  —MSNBC

"Merges Lily's modern fashion sense along with her keen pattern-making skills to help the rest of us understand the importance of fit. This is a must-have book for any crochet lover."  —Craft magazine

About the Author

Lily M. Chin is the first American designer to bring out her own line of yarn. She has crocheted runway pieces for Diane von Furstenburg, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, and Vera Wang; her patterns have appeared in Better Homes & Gardens and Woman's Day; and she has been a guest on CBS Morning News, the DIY Network, HGTV, The Jane Pauley Show, Late Show with David Letterman, and The Martha Show. She is the author of Knit and Crochet with Beads, Mosaic Magic, and The Urban Knitter. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680083
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680081
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.6 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #924,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

LILY CHIN was named a "Master Knitter" by Vogue Knitting International and has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for more than 25 years. She has worked alongside several of the world's most accomplished fashion designers. She is the author of four previous books. Visit her online at lilychinsignaturecollection.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars essential purchase January 22, 2007

By M. Poller VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

There are two parts to this book: information on how to make well styled and fitting crocheted clothing (40 pages)with some excellent tips, and then the patterns (24 or more) which show off the theory going into the first part. Pictures indicate all the garments fit beautifully. EAch pattern well written with full schematic and in some cases international crochet diagrams. My favorite patterns are the Tunisian crocheted sweater, the chevron tunic with matching hat, the mohair wrap, full circle vest, scallops bolero and hat. There are patterns for necklaces and some patterns include beading. Size range goes from small to 56" in some cases (others smaller though).Negatively: yarns used are somewhat pricey and no indication using the new yarn standards, or old, of what size yarns they are. Lily calls for smaller hooks but many of her patterns are larger hook sizes. Her colors are very boring. Book is well bound and printed. This book is the equivalent of Deborah Newton's landmark book for knitters on design, but it is written in a very nice easy-to-understand style with a sense of humor. It is not a beginner's book but meant for the serious crocheter who wants to understand how to make her garments fit better. I feel she has definitely accomplished what she wanted to do and therefore an essential purchase in this subject.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great resource for crocheters and knitters alike February 11, 2007

By A. Bish

Format:Paperback

The bad stuff first - Yes, the colors that Lily chooses for her garments are ugly. Yes, most of the yarns are her brand (just like Debbie Bliss, and Jo Sharp do in their books). But I've seen all of these garments in person and I can tell you that they do not photograph very well. In person these garments were stunning and breath taking. They were flattering on many differently shaped women. Maybe Lily just needs the help of a professional stylist.

The good stuff - The information about fitting and shaping is invaluable. The technical material is presented very well and is essential information for any would be crochet or knit designer. I'm very happy I bought this book. This book is a bargain compared to taking a TKGA, CGOA, or Stitches course. THis is going on my shelf of favorite knitting books right next to Sally Melville, Barbara Walker, and Elizabeth Zimmerman.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Crochet garments that fit February 26, 2007

By Joanna Daneman #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

The nice point of this book is you can learn to crochet garments, rather than afghans and boxy jackets. Lily Chin, who is known for fitted knit and crochet designs, shows you how to crochet swatches and then draft a pattern for anything you might want to make.

As to patterns in this book, there are all kinds of suits, dresses, jackets as you'd expect. You actually are making fabric in a way--some open, some densely crocheted, some even rippled like those inevitable couch afghans.

Some of the dresses in here had me laughing about an incident years ago; a colleague in a lab where I worked had crocheted a VERY open dress of bright blue yarn (not ALL that different than the dress here) and then worn it over a leotard in order to attract the attention of a male colleague. When she walked in our lab wearing the dress, our eyes grew round and our mouths all took on the shape of a wordless "o." "Don't all exclaim," she purred, "I made it myself." The object of her desires, however, a crusty bachelor, stated his opinion loudly and unfavorably about this new couture, and she was seen the rest of the day, a lab coat buttoned tightly around her. Who would guess that 30 years later, this dress might be considered fashionable? And that brings me to my point; execution and materials are EVERYTHING. If you practice swatches and get your technique up to snuff, these not-that-difficult patterns will look stunning. But nothing less than good fit and finish will make these worth wearing. Pay attention to the good advice Ms. Chin provides. Also remember, dense crochet takes MUCH more yarn than knitting, so consider mill ends and other sources of good designer yarns if you are on a budget.

This book is a MUST for anyone who wants to do clothing from crochet. This will take those rippled afghans to a new level.