Customer Reviews

Positively Crochet!: 50 Fashionable Projects and Inspirational Tips

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have to say up front, I've crocheted for about 35 years and knit for about 7 years. I learned to knit because I just didn't like the crochet patterns and yarns being offered to crocheters; knitters are offered better patterns, better yarns, and a better, nicer attitude from yarn shop owners, as far as my experience is concerned. I am a certified knitaholic at this point.

Mary Jane Hall's Postively Crochet! book pleasantly surprised me, so much so that I searched all the Yahoo crochet groups I'm on to find her name so I could contact her directly about it. This book might actually might make me put my knitting down long enough to actually crochet one of these projects, and that is saying something...LOL I've rarely put my knitting needles down long enough to work or eat since I've learned to knit.

As it is unusual for me to get excited about crochet patterns these days, this book has impressed me to the point that I have opted to write my first review of anything here on Amazon.

There is a nice variety of projects in it, shrugs, sweaters, scarves, hats, purses, some jewelry (wire and otherwise), and even some felted projects. They are pictured very well, and it shows the yarn size required, so you can substitute if needed. Special stitches are described and helpful hints can be found throughout this book. Diagrams are provided if needed.

I don't see anything in its' wording that gives me any negative impression at all. I think the words of encouragement given frequently throughout the book give it a unique "personality", most books just give you hook size used, yarn used, row 1, row 2 etc. and no more, but this book gives a little more than that, take what you can from that "extra bit" or leave it as you please.

Amongst the projects that are tempting me: Sari Silk bolero, the tangerine top, Swarovski crystal wring (I love wire and bead crochet), angel hair bolero, cloverleaf top, double breasted jacket purse, the cover pic (ivory shells sweater), bracelet watch (I have a hard time liking watchbands, this one I really like), the easy shrug, fun circles bag, and the circular shrug (I worked my way from back to front of the book to list these, I wish I could show you pics here so you could see the, but you will have to find a copy you can "flip" through so you can see for yourself, which I highly recommend that you do, if you are tempted by this book because of my comments above.

On the whole, this is a good book. It has some great ideas and many beautiful patterns. I can't say I love everything in this book, but, overall, the patterns here are are ones I can see myself wearing and using on a regular basis. Some of the patterns I will modify, most I look forward to making, and others I won't make at all, just as with every crochet pattern book I have come across. The difference, here, though, is that the majority (somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4) of the patterns I actually liked a great deal.

The book is organized very well. Each pattern has a difficulty level, a list of sizes given, and a yarn weight symbol next to the picture. The materials lists everything needed, including a reference to the yarn used for the model shown, as well as the occasional advice for a good substitution. The instructions are well-written and concise. On the more difficult or lengthy patterns, there is usually a hint or two provided in the margins.

The patterns are listed as beginner, advanced beginner or intermediate level. There are no expert or experienced level patterns, although nearly all of the patterns will keep the crocheter intrigued and having fun. Most of the patterns can be completed within a few days or a couple of weeks.

A quick run-down of patterns:
20 are beginner level
16 are advanced beginner level
14 are intermediate level
~
11 women's tops (shrugs, boleros, sweaters, etc)
1 little girl's outfit
1 capelet
1 wristwarmers
1 skirt overlay
1 mary jane slippers
11 scarves
3 hats
1 hat/scarf
2 belts
4 bracelets
2 rings
3 necklaces
1 watch
1 keychain
5 bags
1 iPod cozy

If you like to crochet and if you like to be fashionable and consider yourself hip or even just classy,then this book is one to add to your collection. It has patterns in it for all ages but is especially attractive for teens and younger ladies (20's & 30's, 40's)(as well as the older ladies who are young at heart!)
There is not a single bad design in this book. My favorite designs are her purses. They are unique and some of the cutest purses I have ever seen. There is a felted purse in here that is to die for. There are 13 garments in this book (sweaters, tops and shrug type of patterns) and in addition to those there are hats, purses, belts and some jewelry. And a darling 2 pc outfit for a small child. But if you are into purses, this book alone is amazing with just the purses.
And the positive comments throughout the book is an added bonus! Its about time to see something like this on the shelves. If you dont particularly care to read positive or encouraging things, well, your loss, but you still get the benefit of the chic patterns...Don't miss this one.
I am waiting for Positively Crochet II:)

To the point- this is a fantastic book. I'm a huge fan of Mary Jane Hall. This book is well laid out and has clear pictures of the finished items. The inspirational tips are a great addition to this book.

The patterns are well written, and easy to follow- no matter what skill level. They range from women's tops - the one on the front cover is on my list of "to do's", as well as a very cute Tangerine top (also, on my list of to do's). There are a few scarf patters- but not your ordinary scarf patterns. These have some amazing embelishments that make them truly unique and inspiring. The yarns suggested in the book are main stream, affordable yarns- which is always a huge plus.

This book would make a great addition to any collection- I highly recommend it.

Positively Crochet!: 50 Fashionable Projects and Inspirational Tips

I'm pretty picky when it comes to patterns for crocheted garments...I don't like boxy, unflattering sweaters, and for a while I thought those were my only options. "Positively Crochet" showed me otherwise -- the book is full of gorgeous, stylish patterns that I can actually see myself wearing (gasp!). :)

There are a lot of patterns ranging from accessories to full-blown sweaters, so even if you're not crazy about one, chances are you'll find something you like. Now, I'd recommend having a handle on the basic stitches -- chain, single, double, slip -- before picking up this book. But that aside, you shouldn't have any problem understanding the patterns. I found that they are clearly written and easy to understand. (Plus, there's a handy-dandy list of pattern abbreviations in the front, just in case you get confused!)

Another really cool thing about this book are the uplifting messages that come with each pattern. These "Words of Encouragement," as they are called, offer inspirational tips and calming words for the reader. I tend to crochet in order to de-stress anyway, so I found the "Words of Encouragement" tidbits particularly heartening.

One other thing that I really appreciated -- and it's a minor thing, but really helpful for me -- was that Mary Jane Hall gives suggestions for inexpensive yarns to use. I am cheap and have no problem whatsoever buying Caron Simply Soft for my garments, for example, instead of some super-expensive alpaca/cashmere/gold bullion blend that costs a dollar a yard. And it's a pain in the behind to figure out the proper substitution when that super-expensive yarn is the kind used in the pattern...I always end up forgetting to carry a 2 or something. So the fact that Mary Jane Hall uses wallet-friendly yarn in her patterns was a huge benefit for me, personally.

Finally, if there IS something you don't understand in her book, Mary Jane Hall makes herself very available to her readers, and that's something I haven't seen any other pattern designer do. Her email's listed on her website, so it's super easy to drop her a line with any questions. (Note: there are clarifications and some minor errata listed on her website, so bookmark that as well.)

The verdict: two thumbs positively up! ;D

I like this book. There were some really cute patterns in this book that my daughter and I both like. Some of my favorite aspects of this book would be the clear instructoins, photography and most of all...yarn substitutions. Not many books give you names of other yarns that you can use to come out with the same great look of the item. WTG Mary Jane!

I spent time looking through this book and I have to tell you, it is inspiring! I have two teenage daughters that love just about everything in it. I am motivated to make several of the designs for myself. But what really struck me were the "Words of Encouragement" that accompany every pattern. One in particular hit home with regards to my 13 year old who "was" having trouble with some of her strongly opinionated friends. Mary Jane refers to negative people as cactus's. They are hard to be around. The saying "Give them what they need, not what they deserve" was used as a conversation starter with my teen at dinner the last night and to my surprise, she said that she already had used that quote with her friends. The sweater on the cover is worth the price alone. Can't wait to get started!

As I was paging through the book, I was forming quick opinions and
saying to myself, love it, love it, love it, not sure about the "Chain
of Flowers" scarf until I turned the page... "Oh, I get it and yes
LOVE IT! You just have to see it for yourself!!

Positively Crochet! Preachy? If you want preachy, then you might want to go to church. This book is filled with wonderfully uplifting and encouraging bits of wisdom...certainly not fluff! It's just plain positive, and frankly a refreshing idea compared to some of the books I've seen (with nothing BUT patterns). Honestly, they can get a little boring at times. This one is definitely NOT boring! And the patterns are great!!! Sure, not every pattern is for everyone, but not every designer is for every person. I personally love this book! It's geared toward a younger crowd (20's-30's), or like someone else said, "for the young at heart," and I think it's going to be a big hit amongst them! So, if you want some fresh ideas with some refreshing thoughts to go with them, you need to get this book!

I have to say, I was really excited to get this book in the mail! My 16 year old daughter (who does crochet also) was really impressed by the Swarovski ring and the lacy overskirt! She also likes the Tangerine top. I myself want to make the Sari silk purse as well as the double-breasted purse. I am excited to see that Hall uses yarns that more traditionally have been used in knitting only. Her choices in yarns throughout is refreshing and I love the inspirational blurbs. This has cool designs that a 42 year old mom as well as a 16 year old teen are excited about! I also teach crochet at a local state university campus, and took the book to my last class and the feedback was unanimous; Positively Crochet rocks!

There are a couple of really cute projects, but most of them are very mom-ish. Also, I guess I wrongly assumed the "inspirational tips" were crochet-related. They are not. I probably would not have purchased this book had I known that. I understand some people enjoy the churchy feel-good life lesson stories, but I prefer my craft books dogma-free.