Making Eyelash Crochet Leis [Spiral-bound]

Coryn Tanaka (Author), May Masaki (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2003

Making Eyelash Crochet Leis teaches readers how to create lifelike, permanent, multi-textured and multi-colored leis.

Included in the book are supply lists, step-by-step instructions, photographs and a list of school colors for colleges and Hawaii high schools making it easier than ever to create beautiful leis that will last a lifetime!

Instructions include basic 3- and 4-row patterns for head or neck leis in the lei ‘oni (spiral or flickery pattern) style as well as patterns for wristlets, anklets, hair scrunchies and specialty leis. In all, the book provides instructions for 51 different designs, arranged by color and style for ease of selection.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 48 pages
• Publisher: Bess Press, Inc.; Spi edition (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573061808
• ISBN-13: 978-1573061803
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #967,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make great gifts of aloha!, November 23, 2004

By 

Spinnermom (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Eyelash Crochet Leis (Spiral-bound)

I paid $35 for a beautiful red ginger "eyelash" lei while visiting Honolulu two months ago. I'm originally from Hawaii and hadn't been home in six years. I can tell you these leis can look authentic if you choose the right colors and yarn textures. This book is wonderful and easy-to-follow. However, it took me time to identify yarn types and figure out where to buy the yarns here on the Mainland. (Much of the book's suggestions on where to purchase yarns apply to Hawaii residents.) Specialty yarn shops in your area will probably carry the yarns, which is kind of pricey. It's worth it. However, I found the local Walmart (Fabric & Crafts section) has a great selection of the yarns mentioned in the book. I found this hobby can get quite expensive because of the yarns.

After you've done a few of the leis mentioned in the book, you will feel inspired to create your own designs. Trust your gut and have fun. I'm looking forward to "Making Eyelash Crochet Leis 2" when it comes out!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Leis are fun, August 31, 2004

By 

A. Marbach "badgroove" (Sometimes Sunny California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making Eyelash Crochet Leis (Spiral-bound)

The instructions in this guide are clearly written. The color pictures help a lot too.

Crochet experience needed I would say medium.

These are fun and can be used for more than just leis. Can be adapted to be purse handles or boas...instructions for that are not included but is easy enough to do.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic, Clear, Beautiful, June 8, 2007

By 

Wendi "Yarn Confectioner" (Pearl City, HI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Eyelash Crochet Leis (Spiral-bound)

This book is for people who know the basics. This book is for people who want to make a lei similar to the real, nicer, more celebratory type used and given by the people of Hawaii. This book is not for someone who wants to learn how to crochet even though the techniques employed are very simple, mostly single crochet. Ms. Tanaka and Ms. Masaki do not take up space explaining basics you can learn in another book. This is strictly geared toward the goal of producing an astounding variety of beautiful crocheted lei.

The finished effect of this type of lei is remarkably realistic if you know what the genuine article looks like. Tourists only see those leis on hat bands and during the Aloha Parade in Waikiki, on those special horse-riding people (can't remember what they're called or the symbolism). These are not the type of leis given dozens at a time to tourists stepping off a plane or boat. These are given to loved ones. To respected ones. To people we know.

Eyelash yarns can be expensive, so most of the lei in this book will run you about $30-35 in materials. I do not like eyelash yarns in other uses either, but for this, IT JUST WORKS. It really does. In Hawaii, recipients of these kind of crocheted leis are awed, appreciative, and often humbled by the work and time the giver put in and bestowed upon him or her. Often, after the leid occasion, the lei is put on display in the home or kept in the car as a reminder and for good luck.

Yes, children do like this type of lei too, but they are rarely recipients. You can see why.

A worthy purchase, but obviously not for everyone. You would not make one for someone who was not aware of its significance or the heritage of the lei-making craft.