Customer Reviews

SweaterBabe.com's Fabulous and Flirty Crochet: Gorgeous Sweater and Accessory Patterns from Los Angeles' Top Crochet Designer (Quarry Book)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I do so appreciate SweaterBabe's Fab & Flirty book. There are beautiful patterns organized in the beginning pages by difficulty...find your page and go right to your level! The patterns are fun and wearable..some chunky yarn, some lightweight yarn...they'll take you from summer to winter.
I also like the fact the the yarn is first listed in the "type" of yarn eg. lightweight cotton blend, and then the specific yarn so that the crocheter can shop their local stores for yarns if the specific yarn is not available.
I truly appreciate the spiral pages..I can read the pattern, look at the picture and everything lays flat...wonderful!
A few of my favs (meaning patterns I'll put on my "to-do"list: The flirty skirt, the flutter sleeve top, the Macrame Belt (uses the bullion stitch to make the Macrame look) and the Evening scarf.

This is how crochet should be! The beauty of crochet is in the amazing range of textures possible, although most books seem to just feature single stitch boxy sweaters. Not this one! All of the projects are gorgeous! The book includes a wide range of fashion items: flirty but modest tanks, a yummy mesh wrap cardigan, a tonal purse with tortoise handles that I can't wait to make, awesome scarves, hats, sweaters, even a pair of booties! And each one is beautifully textured and the instructions are clear with full-color photos. The patterns are very modern, yet classically styled to wear for years to come.
I am so happy I have this book, the only problem is which one to do first!

I ordered another used book off of amazon, and the seller accidentally shipped me this book instead. So I decided to make the most of my time with my misplaced book and write a review of it, especially since because I'm a guy, and it's not the kind of book I'd ever buy on my own.

Well, the patterns in this book are definately sexy. I would recommend that if you buy this book you make: Morrocan Slippers, Shawl-Collared Wrap Cardigan, Macrame Belt, Flirty Skirt, Chunky Flower Hat, Bold Laced Cardigan, and Textured Cloche Hat. Make them in that order. They're listed in order of sexiness. Unless you're a beginner, and then make the hats first, because they're the easiest.

And, the cool thing about this book is that they would be sexy whether you're making something cool for your kids, or if you're a great grandmother, and you're making them for yourself.

And, I don't know anything about crocheting, but it seems like it gives a lot of good educational information about the art of crochet and it also has all of the complicated stuff that you who know crochet would know but that I wouldn't.

I hope you enjoy the book.

Just go my hot little hands on a copy of Fabulous & Flirty Crochet by Katherine Lee! Can you say gorgeous sweaters! Right now, I'm working on the Flutter-Sleeve top. What I love most about this book is its not a compilation book like The Happy Hooker, these are all by one desiger. You can tell this designs were created by a REAL crocheter. The instructions are everything that a crocheter, whether a beginner or advanced, could every want. Katherine has included not only concise written instructions but also symbols and schematics! In this book you'll find cute summer tops, and awesome cowl neck pullover, gorgeous cardigans, beautiful shawls, scarfs and hats and very fashionable handbags. These patterns are fresh, trendy and funky... all done in luxurious yarns. This book is definitely a winner!

Erica Bunker[...]

With the rising popularity of crochet, bookstores have been inundated with new, trendy pattern books. But Katherine Lee's Fabulous & Flirty Crochet, published by Quarry Books in Massachusetts earlier this year, stands above the rest.

With 20 designs ranging from tops, scarves, cardigans and accessories, Lee brings the stylish approach of her Los Angeles, California-based Web site (www.sweaterbabe.com) to the rest of the world.

Lee describes the patterns as "fabulous and flirty (designs)... inspired by the fresh and sexy Hollywood lifestyle." The Californian designer adds, "Numerous influences have inspired this collection: I have always been drawn to shaped, sophisticated silhouettes, enhanced by great detailing. Living in Los Angeles amidst the glitter and glitz of the entertainment industry, I am surrounded by the latest fashions worn by the glamorous Hollywood celebrities and the young and stylish hipsters."

While all the designs are trendy and fun, pattern difficulty ranges from beginner's level to advanced. The book is easy to navigate, as it progresses from beginner's level patterns to intermediate to advanced. Lee also includes a brief tutorial on crochet basics with handy charts on crochet hook size conversions and the standard yarn weight system.

Lee's patterns are easy to read and follow, with text and illustrated stitch instructions. While the yarns used are listed at the back of the book, and most of them are more expensive specialty yarns found at local yarn stores, Lee uses plain descriptors (such as "fine-weight mohair blend yarn" for the spaghetti-strap top) so that successful and easy substitutions can be made.

Pattern stand-outs include the spaghetti-strap top, Moroccan slippers, lush cowl-neck sweater, macrame belt, bold lace cardigan, ruffled-strap tank and flirty skirt. The cowl-neck sweater, ruffled-strap tank and flirty skirt are definitely on my list of upcoming works-in-mind.

For crocheters looking for new, stylish patterns, Fabulous & Flirty Crochet is a must-have. It is a great addition to any yarn addict's pattern library.

For more information on Katherine Lee and Fabulous & Flirty Crochet, visit Lee's Web site at [...].

This beautiful book has smart, well-fitted designs that will amaze anyone who loves crochet but who is discouraged from every finding any patterns that they would actually wear. There is something for every fashionista in this book. I can't wait to see Sweaterbabe's next book!

I am a beginner crocheter and my previous pieces have been pretty much limited to granny squares and simple baby blankets which is why I love this book. It is so refreshing to see someone design pieces that have that `I want to wear it!' look!

The author/designer clearly has an eye for color & texture as all her pieces come in such unexpected but wonderful colors in fun silhouettes. Her choice of stitches, colors and yarns really brings crocheting beyond what we're used to seeing in traditional crochet pieces.

A friend recommended this book to me after I told her I wanted to do some more interesting projects. Reading the reviews of Stitch `N Bitch which said the book was riddled with mistakes turned me off. As a beginner, I need something that is clear, concise and accurate which is what I found Katherine Lee's book to be. After getting the book and seeing the terrific designs, I went to check out her web site (www.sweaterbabe.com) & found even more great patterns. I hope she does more books so that crocheting can continue to be re-interpreted for young crocheters!

I am top heavy and cannot wear bulky knits, whether crocheted or knitted in technique.

I love these. They fit well and look good on. It's obvious the designer knows what she's doing in the fit and patterning area. I look like a woman and can show my curves---and I do not look like a yeti!

As with any book of patterns, there were some I definitely would not make for myself, but that might work for someone else I know.

I thought the color combos chosen were good and there were a wide variety of yarns used.

Since these are not too intricate, most will be faster to make than if I made something comparable by knitting it.

I loved the spiral binding; I can carry this with me and use closed or spread flat while working.

The price is excellent for the quality and number/variety of patterns.

colorful, concise book full of lots and lots of beautiful, flattering, contemporary garments and accessories. no frumpy leaflet sweaters in cheap, garish yarns here...

i especially appreciate the spiral lay-flat binding, and the stitch diagrams as an enrichment to the text patterns. big photos of both projects and 100% scale views of the sample yarns also make life easier. good reference section at the beginning, and the text is nothing more than you need (and clearly written).

the only drawback to this book is that the patterns for the lovely little tanks and tops will need to be altered or enlarged for women with larger bustlines, but a little math and experimenting with your gauge will fix that! the handbags, shawls, and scarves are great places to start if you are a beginner (or returning crocheter) and want a thrilling new fast project to work on.

i am very confused by the negative reviews of this book. the patterns are attractive and very well designed. (i'm 3/4 through the shawl collared wrap cardigan, and it looks fabulous. the complicated shaping is so worth the final product!)
people who think the patterns look cheap, need to use their imagination. some of the styling of the models and pictures looks silly/cheap, but the garments themselves can be fabulous in different yarns or other colors.
i disliked the slim-fitting cardigan (looked totally granny in white) until i saw it in a vivid tangerine orange on a crocheter's blog. it looked fun and funky!
this is a book for crocheters who like versatile well designed patterns and prefer to put their own twist on the project--not duplicate it exactly down to the color and button style.