Customer Reviews

Crochet Lace Innovations: 20 Dazzling Designs in Broomstick, Hairpin, Tunisian, and Exploded Lace

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Yes, there are beautiful patterns and very clear instructions. These designs are the first hairpin and broomstick patterns I've added to my queue - they just look like things I'd love to make and wear. I also wanted to point the section that really sets this crochet book apart from the others in my collection. Towards the end of the book is the Garment 101 chapter, where we are given templates called Jacket 101 and Skirt 101 to do our own lace garment designs. Doris leads us through choosing, designing, adjusting, fitting, and troubleshooting a custom item. That is very unique and elevates the usefulness of the book beyond "four new techniques" and "20 patterns" would imply.

I totally love this books, the patterns are so fashionable, and dressy, It has dress, scarves, tops, cardigans, skirts, a poncho, shawl, all of them very delicate pices. I love all the patterns in this books, I have so many crochet magazines, and books, but some times there some patterns that you don't like, it did not happen with this book, I'll try to do all the patterns, I have all the books fron Doris Chan I like the other ones, but this is far the best one of them. I always look for her patterns in magazines, and the internet, She is one of my favorite designers. One of the tops called: Rosalinda top, is a wide very boxy top, if you don't like this version, you can go to naturallycaron. com and you'll find a tight version called: Avalon top. This book is not for beginners, she uses techniques for more advanced crocheters.

I'm a big fan of Doris Chan's work. I've made a few of her garments from patterns published in magazines and she's the one who taught me how to "fit" a garment in crochet. When I heard about this new book by Ms Chan I pre-ordered it and it came last night. I spent half the night browzing and reading the patterns and little tid-bits behind each design and worked up a broomstick swatch. I think my favorite part of this book is that it's not the typical crochet book focusing on the same basic tecniques. Instead Ms Chan takes you on a wonderful exploration of some of the less known and less used forms of crochet (broomstick, hairpin, tunisian). The instructions are clear, easy to follow and as always easily adaptable to size, shape, length, etc.

there are new uses of familiar stitches in this book, the garments are fashion forward, it has charts as well as written directions.

This is not oldfashioned or dowdy granny square crochet. Doris Chan's other crochet books are awesome also.
Highly recommend to crocheters and knitters. Beautiful stuff, all clothing.

I was looking forward for this book, and was not disappointed. The patterns are beautiful, the explanations (at least those I've gone through) are detailed and clear, and yes - you can learn some new techniques.
While the book has mostly advanced patterns, there are a few simpler patterns, that even beginners can make, and from which you can learn a new technique. There is a gorgeous and rather simple broomstick lace belt (which I made in 2 days - and I certainly do not crochet all day long), some scarves and a lovely exploaded lace collar. There are very few tops - but there are several jackets, and if tops are what you are after then her former book "everyday crochet" is full of them. Also, unlike "everyday crochet" the jackets here have shaping at the waist, and the "nip" technique shown may be applied to other garments Ms. Chan designed.
I'd also like to mention the fact that the publisher did a great job with the styling, photography and graphics. Every garment is shown from several angles, which makes it easier to understand how it is constructed, and the book is generally very pleasant to look at.
All in all - a wonderful book which I highly recommend.

The patterns start simple yet go to the real dedicated crocheter. Broomstick lace takes a substantial amount of time to accomplish the pattern. Stitch diva has great video tutorials if you wish to learn. A few easy patterns yet most are at the minimum intermediate ones. Others are simply way way complicated yet are worth thetime and effort if you wish to devote the time necessary to accomplish. The photographs are excellent, the instructions are straightforward. The abbreviations are explained and there's lots of solid advice. There is also sections in the book about where to purchase yarn and other items to aid in your crochet hunt. Well worth the purchase for those who love to crochet.

-- As a crochet blogger, I received a free review copy of this book. I recently blogged my review of it at DesigningVashti. --

Crochet Lace Innovations is simply gorgeous--the photostyling, the layout, the production values. Potter Craft (publisher) pulled out all the stops on this one! Each page showcases the sophistication and elegance of Doris' crochet designs with lovely lyrical typefaces, chic photography, and refined color palette. This means I pick it up just to leaf through it for a hit of pure beauty. I get a delicious shiver, and then it happens again:

I take the long-range point of view about crochet's past and future, and I've got a thing about crocheted fashion. After the 1970's crochet somehow went from uber-trendy to fashionless--even anti-fashionable--in American popular culture! This isn't true in many other countries. It also isn't true in haute couture or in Hollywood. Yet even today, there's a big market in the USA for crochet patterns of non-fashion projects. For example, crochet designs for baby items and for home decor are in constant high demand; whereas crocheting modern fashion statements is low on the list. For some weird reason it's the opposite for knitting patterns. I like all crochet, I just don't know why there aren't more fashion crocheters in this country.

Crochet Lace Innovations doesn't just suggest some general wearable crochet style. It confidently, triumphantly presents crochet in the larger modern fashion context with a specific sense of style--and this gives me delicious shivers as a crocheter.

Shivers aside, I consider Crochet Lace Innovations to be an important contribution to crochet. It's not just daydream material, or a succinct answer to crochet's critics. It's also a friendly reference. It's one of those rare books that is as strong on clear, basic instructions of new techniques as on fashion context. I've seen knit pattern books that are so focused on conveying a fashion viewpoint that the hands-on how-to teaching side of pattern publishing is shortchanged. For me, those books are great as inspirational gallery-like coffee table books, but might not clarify new techniques.

Some crocheters seem to assume that Doris' crochet patterns must be challenging because they're beautiful. I hope people don't assume this about the patterns in Crochet Lace Innovations. Each crochet technique--Broomstick, Hairpin, Tunisian--has step by step tutorials, expert diagrams, and tips for success, all in a warm conversational tone. There's also a separate chapter just on the basics of garment construction.

CROCHET LACE INNOVATIONS: 20 DAZZLING DESIGNS IN BROOMSTICK, HAIRPIN, TUNISIAN, AND EXPLODED LACE offers innovations by the author, who took many traditional crochet techniques and modernized them to produce new, contemporary designs. From using a long strip of Broomstick lace to create a chic belt to blending traditional lace crochet stitches with accent beading, this packs in patterns, color photos, and outstanding lace creations in a top recommendation for any needlework library.

Before you read this review: I have not crocheted any of the patterns in this book. I am a beginner and I am trying to work on projects that are more suitable to my skill level.

That being said, this book is amazing and so are the designs in it. I love that Ms. Chan's vision for crochet designs are so wearable, timeless classics and beautiful. I had no idea crocheted garments could look so flattering and feminine. The photography and models make the book very pleasing to the eye as both are gorgeous.

I would recommend any beginner get this book as it is wonderful motivation to continue working to improve your skill set. There are several different techniques for crochet featured in this book and there are some tutorials as well. While there are just a couple of designs I would not wear - the majority of this book is wearable.

The patterns are wonderful, the book is beautiful, the instructions and illustrations are clear to me - even as a beginner and they are modern and classic all at once. I am very happy with Crochet Lace Innovations!

This book is so amazing, I went online and found more Doris Chan patterns. I taught myself to crochet using a beginner's book and have been looking for more advanced techniques to create more than just afghans. I have traditionally stuck to afghans because the sewing is minimal, whereas traditional crochet clothing patterns require you to understand how to sew the finished pieces together. Not Doris Chan!

In this book, she teaches you how to create a foundation single crochet stitch (fsc) with pictures at each step. Then, she uses that to create clothes in rounds. Each piece of the sweater is then crocheted together as you work. I was able to create a full sweater in less than a week.

Each section of the book teaches a different advanced crochet technique that creates beautiful results. I can't wait to try all the patterns.

My only critique would be the fact she primarily uses Tahki and Charles Stacy yarns, which are not found at standard bigbox craft stores. But even so, you can always make substitutions.