Customer Reviews

Vintage Crochet: "30 Gorgeous Designs for Home, Garden, Fashion, Gifts"

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

 

 

This book has some very beautiful patterns in it. I love the way the patterns incorporate embellishments such as buttons, etc...and there is a very nice variety from wearables to items for the home. Even a doggie sweater! I am not sure how many of these I will actually make, but they are just so beautiful to look at, I enjoy just flipping through this book. There truely are some gorgeous photos. However, the reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I feel the cover photo is misleading. On the cover you see 5, possibly 6 crochet items. There is a filet pillowcase edging, 3 crochet pillows, a bedspread, and also the green pillow in back that I cannot tell if it is knit or crochet. Well, I expected the book to have patterns for these pillows....wrong! Out of these 6 handmade items on the cover there is a pattern for only 1 of them...the bedspread. So just beware, if you love the pillows like I did...forget it, you will not find those patterns in this book! Otherwise though, well done.

I am really enjoying this book. Not only are the pictures beautiful, but the patterns are a little off-beat and unexpected, also quick and sweet. In particular, I love the baby blanket with pom-pom corners and the bobble scarf by Juju Vail, but could easily find a use for all other patterns in the book. I did have some issues making the bobble scarf. I do wish there was a site for any errata, if only to share my fixes. Despite this, it is one one of my favorite crochet books for the style, simplicity, and elegance of the patterns, much like Erika Knight's books.

I really love this book as the patterns are unusual and very inventive. The Ava Shawl is one of my favorites, so when I started it, I was very saddened to find a problem with row 3. Since the book only gives written instructions there isn't a way to look at jus the pattern and fix it.

If anyone has figured out how to fix the errors, please let me know! I'll try something else and see if the pattern works.

I had hoped that this book would share some lovely updated patterns for vintage style crochet items. I expected crochet trimmed pillowcases, dresser scarves, kitschy potholders, granny squares - things with a vintage feel that have been brought into the next century.

Unfortunately, this book only partially delivers. There are a few cute purse patterns I will likely try, a scarf that looks interesting and a round sofa pillow (all featuring the bobble stitch) but the clothing featured isn't too exciting and the home section is too small.

This is the kind of book that I like to browse at the bookshop but that I ultimately don't purchase. Now that I own it, I won't bother sending it back because I might make a few gifts from it, but for those looking for a book with fresh though vintage styled projects, I would suggest you keep looking.

I purchased this book because I enjoy crochet and wished to make the grey shrug. I can't look up the name of the shrug as I had to leave the unfinished sweater with an expert to figure out how to put it together. There are not enough diagrams for the average person to solve their own difficulties. The directions in general were extremely difficult to read as well. The size of the finished shrug is way smaller than what is stated in the pattern. This was not due to my crocheting tightly or the wrong hook or yarn. I used the recommended size hook and the Blue Sky Alpaca yarn suggested. Crocheter beware, beautiful pictures can turn into a nightmare with this book.

I think this is one of the best crochet books I have ever bought. I was so happy when I recived it as I felt I could do all the projects in the book. And that's not something you always feel about a pattern book or magazine.
The chevron blanket is amazing and so easy to do and also the patterns from Alicia Paulson are so sweet!!!
I need more time in my life to be able to enjoy everything this book has to offer.
I truly recommend it to everyone that likes pretty, romantic, vintage style. You'll find a project for you here for sure!

I purchased this book especially for the Woodie Dog Coat. After re-reading and ripping out many times I became frustrated. I sought help from an on-line source. The woman responding stated that she has been crocheting for 30 years, and she basically threw out the instructions and followed the picture. The point is this: It is not a matter of experienced or not-experienced. The instructions should be free of errors. If errors are discovered, there should be an errata page somewhere.

Before this book, the only thing I'd crocheted was a hat, from a youtube video. I was given the book as a gift. The photos are gorgeous, and there is some explanation in the back of various techniques, including pom pom making, blocking, and some advanced stitches. It's definitely not a beginners book. That said, I'm muddling my way through the "Baby Blanket of Roses," which seems appropriate for an advanced-beginner, if you're good at figuring stuff out. The instructions were clear until we got to yarn C, and then things started ot go awry. The instructions were a little unclear; a more experienced crocheter would have had less trouble. I was able to figure things out, though, the squares are pretty. and I and look forward to completing the project. I wish the book stated for each project how experienced one needs to be to complete it. I have no way of knowing what other projects are within my reach, and which I need to stay away from for the time being.

Update: The blanket came out well. The instructions in the book for double-knot stitch were perfect, and the blanket is delightful. Not knowing what I might have success with next, I put the book aside, and recommend Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker for the beginners out there. Having tackled a few more projects, I'm ready to return to the more challenging projects in Vintage Crochet.

I was attracted to this book because of the unique designs. Though I have only just started crochet a year ago, I was able to complete the bobble scarf and hat pattern. It took a little getting used to the British English abbreviations. I can't wait to tackle another challenge from this book. Be patient with these patterns and I think you will be able to recreate these designs with beautiful results.

Not typically the crochet projects I usually like. However, it is a beautiful book. The afghan on the cover is what interested me. The pattern for the afghan is cute and well written.