Customer Reviews

Crochet Me

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, the cover is what had me hooked. I love the sweater on the front and the lacy sweater at the bottom. The projects are mostly new, creative, and fun! There isn't a cheesy striped scarf in the entire book, which is a great plus for me. So many of these books pack in scarves and cheesy jewelry. Even if they include tons of projects, there are very few you'd choose to make. Not so with this book. There are very few projects I wouldn't want to make, probably the cocoon bag, thigh highs, and mini wrap are my least favorites, but here's a list of the projects to help you decide:

"Babydoll Dress" - this is just an adorable dress that would look great over jeans. Author gives suggestions on lengthening sleeves or modifying dress length to suit style. Definitely on my to-do list.

"Icelandic Turtleneck" (includes arm warmers) - super cool turtleneck worked completely in rounds. Uses a stitch I'm unfamiliar with, but I'll learn.

"Victorian Shrug & Wrap" - this is the teal sweater from the front, the shrug is the top half and sleeves, you add the lacier part to create the wrap. Directions could use some work where it separates the instructions for the shrug from the wrap instructions, but it includes both a diagram and the stitch pattern in graphical form.

"Mini Wrap Skirt" - a slightly tapered rectangle with some ribbing. More for a younger person and meant to be worn over leggings.

"Messenger Bag" - very cool felted bag. It has circles cut out of the front flap so you can see through to the colorwork on the interior pocket. One of the few projects that doesn't have a diagram with measurements, which is a bummer. Probably due to the fact that they put in a color chart for the interior piece. I really would have liked measurements for this so that it would be easy to modify the size. Otherwise, it's just lovely.

"I'm a Convert Sweater" - this is the two-toned green sweater on the front. Not quite as pretty as you'd think from the picture. I think it would have been prettier if the bodice was worked from top down instead of side to side. Still, it's a nice top.

"Style Moderne Jewelry" - I'm not a big crochet jewelry person, but even I have to admit that this set of necklace and bracelet is pretty nice. It would look elegant with a nice dress. I'm definitely going to make the bracelet.

"Mesmerize Sweater" - the lacy webbed sweater from the front. Holy cow! This thing is just gorgeous!!! Beautiful swirly designs with a loose bodice and kimono sleeves. I'm in love. Of course, with all that beauty means a fairly complicated pattern, so it's not for the faint of heart. You make a few round motifs, then modify them with row work to add shape. There is a lot of FLO/BLO to keep track of and gauge swatch and project must be blocked. Still, if the result of all that hard work is something this beautiful, I'm in.

"Shades of Plaid Scarves" - I've never liked plaid until now. They did a great job creating a mesh panel with woven chains. They even included a picture in a different color scheme to give readers inspiration.

"Leaves Sweater" - honestly, not a big fan of this one. Maybe I'd like it better if it were longer. It's a fairly fitted bodice with "leaves" forming the edge of the 3/4 sleeves and the waist. It has potential, but it won't be on my list.

"Thigh Highs" - from the front. Um, yeah. If I was hip and 18.

"Comfy Cardi" - like a lot of people I know, I'm sick to death of shrugs. That said, this one is quite pretty, but in a more romantic, old-fashioned way. It is worked with #2 yarn, so is lacy, plus has ribbing around the edges and cuffs. I'll probably give it a go.

"Five O'Clock Tank" - definitely for the younger generation, like teenagers. I'd love to wear it, but I'm not so sure that it would pass even on my fairly fit form. The entire tank is done in Tunisian, which is a plus, because you can wear this without something underneath it - a rarity in so much crochet clothing. Of course, you need to be fairly versed in how to work Tunisian before you attempt this. One other plus, it gives instructions not only for chest measurement, but cup size as well, allowing for a nice fitted garment. Recommends zipper because of the lack of stretch of Tunisian.

"Cocoon Bag" - yup, not a big fan of market bags, but to each his/her own.

"Variations Baskets" - pretty cute little felted baskets in tapestry crochet. Worked completely in rounds.

"Circle Rug" - at first I thought, big deal, a bunch of circles joined together, but I've grown more fond of it with each viewing. It's probably not for everyone. It's circle motifs that are joined after completion with a slip stitch border.

"Doug & Gordo Dolls" - these are just so funny and cute. Little stuffies with goofy arms and hats. Did I mention cute?

All patterns contain basic stitch instructions, yarns used in project, substitute yarn weight and yardage, and any additional materials as well as little tips on modifying or finishing.

The patterns are accompanied by diagrams that give measurements for all sizes, which is something I love!!! I think all clothing projects should have diagrams.

There are pages called "Technically Speaking" which go over techniques that you'll need for the book such as blocking, Tunisian, shaping, reading stitch diagrams, etc.

A page is devoted to each designer called "Designer in Profile," where you get to learn a little more about them and the author's experience with them. I also like that with each pattern, there is a little paragraph right off the bat that tells you the inspiration for the design. It's nice to get a background peek into the creative process.

One final bit, at the back of the book you get websites for the designers featured in the book, abbreviations and a chart for standard weight system (with recommended hooks, gauge, etc), small stitch glossary, and a supplier list complete with websites.

All in all, a job well done!!! :)

The first review was really thorough leaving not much more to add. But I give the book a well deserved 5 stars even though I doubt I'll make much from it. There's a lot of interesting personal material from the editor which I enjoyed reading and also tne material given on each designer. The cover sweater is gorgeous and I also loved the swirled motif sweater by Kristin Omdahl. The comfy cardi by Robyn Chachula made to wear at work, is really pretty even though it is a sort of shrug and I agree I don't much care for shrugs. I love Tunisian crochet and also like the five o'clock tank which is a sort of vest top. And I love the two little dolls at the end of the book. One more point: these patterns are all very wordy unlike most magazine patterns. For example, the comfy cardi has a pretty color picture and close-ups followed by 6 pages of instructions which include a schematic and a chart for the stitch pattern. All patterns have a "concentration rating" instead of a difficulty chart and also each yarn is given the yarn standard number plus a description so one can substitute a different one. In this particular pattern, it's written that it's meant to be close-fitting. After reading this book, I'm now looking forward to seeing the new crochet magazine that Kim is editing for Interweave Press. One of the best crochet books this season.

This is a very good book in many respects. It is long overdue for a book to come out that gives crocheters the respect and ability to create beautiful, wearable items. Along with being a fun, informative book about crochet, it is user friendly. In between the patterns are teaching pages for learning new techniques related to the included patterns. It details the contributors to the book as well, which adds a nice touch.
I was able to go the the first book signing in Northampton, MA and Kim described each item and how it came to be. (She actually had them with her so we got to handle them.) In describing the items, she broke the idea that these patterns were 'too hard' or only for experienced crafters. Go ahead and try these patterns--I believe that after hearing her talk about them that they will work up quickly and become favorites. I can't wait to try them and experiment with new and different yarns. Well done Kim! Good luck and I will be looking forward to another. And of course a big thank you to all the contributors for their hard work and creativity. Cathy Moses

I recently started crochet after teaching myself to knit three years ago. I bought this book on a whim and it's paid off. There are several patterns on my to crochet list and the patterns are easy to follow.

The first review covered it all, really. But I wanted to add that I had anticipated this book for many months and I wasn't disappointed when it arrived. INCREDIBLE book. INCREDIBLE. I was giddy flipping through the pages. It's pure eye-gasm (and crochet-gasm!) Nice job Kim.

This book will help crochet to continue it's current "comeback" and take it to the next level! Reading about the designers and what inspired the creations in the book was interesting and reading the suggestions for making each crochet project your own was nothing less than inspirational! I look forward to using some of the things I learned in this book for my own crochet revolution!

This book has some great patterns to crochet, and they are more modern and up to date. I immediately had to begin on them. The book is beautifully laid out, and appealing to look at. I definitely feel that it is a great addition to a crocheters library!!

I haven't indulged my Crochet Book fetish in quite a while, so I read through the reviews and picked this one to renew my "I'm-not-going-to procrastinate-and-start-my-Christmas-presents-early" resolution.
I love this book. I have 5 nieces 23-30 years, a daughter-in-law and a few biker friends who I'd like to crochet something for this winter.
What I'll start with in this book (my favs)
1. The Victorian Shrug/Wrap. The instructions are given so that you can do the shrug alone, which is what I'll start.
2. The Felted Bag..love it!
3. I'll make a few of the Plaid Scarfs...the mesh pattern looks easy...I should be able to complete a few of these in various colors during crunch time.
4. The Comfy Cardio...very pretty and feminine.

There are a few patterns in this books that beginners would enjoy, but I think most are for Adv. Beginners and up. The patterns are pretty enough so that if you want to crochet beyond your skill level, it would be worth it to try.
A keeper!

This pattern book has been the "end all, be all" on many sites. However, it wasn't what I thought it would be - not that it's a bad thing. I thought it was all clothes for women, but it has a little bit of lots of things. I am not into little bits of lots of things, so when I buy a book I want it to be what I thought - women's clothes. I love the dress by Amy O'Neill Houck, but could have done without the stockings, the swirly sweater, the scarf, jewelry, or the toys. Not that they are bad - they are for younger people and I'm as old as dirt! Also, the patterns tend to be for flatter chested ladies, of which I am not one. That being said, they do try to make some amends by giving hints on how to remedy that. Of course, anything in tapestry by Carol Ventura is worth the buy. For me, however, the book lends itself for more toward gifts for others rather than something for me.

I had a chance to thumb through this book and ordered it for the patterns that I saw in it. I completed the wrap skirt and found that the pattern measurements were incorrect. I made it for a small person and ended up giving it to a plus size person. I plan to redo it and adjust the pattern.