Book Review: Crochet Lace Innovations

Santa Kindly bought me a copy of Doris Chan's Crochet Lace Innovations. Santa also left a note in the book which reads "I like this one". I think that's a hint!!

The book legend reads 'Broomstick, Hairpin, Tunisian and Exploded Lace.' The main premise of the book is about using thicker yarn and larger size hooks than usual. My own crochet style is quite tight but I've been trying to develop a looser style for garments, so I thought this book might be helpful. It's a bit outside my comfort zone.
There is basically a chapter on each of the disciplines with a number of different garments to make.  If like me you are a bit unsure, there are some quicker makes, like belts, scarves and wraps. There is plenty of good reading if you like to curl up in bed with a good crochet book!
At the end of the book she offers a basic pattern template for a Jacket and a skirt. It is the one used for all the garments in the book. These patterns come with 'Fit Tips' so that you can add or remove sleeves, collars, tailoring etc. I really hate instructions that insist there is only one way to do things. I'm all about customising, we're all creative beings. So all this gets a big thumbs up from me!
As a dyslexic there is nothing more horrifying than page after page of abbreviated crochet instructions. Ms Chan has very cleverly kept this to minimum by offering stitch diagrams showing the basic pattern plus how it changes for increases, decreases and working in the round. 
 You don't have to have ever used any of the techniques before as there are excellent drawings to help. I thought I'd try out some of the stitch patterns.

 So working in order, this is my attempt at Broomstick lace. We all know that practice makes perfect but at first I was disappointed by my efforts. Eventually I started to get there and was inspired enough to have a go at some of the patterns in Betty Barden's Handbook Book of Crochet Stitches.

As for Hairpin lace, well I don't think it's for me! My own choice of bamboo yarn, (on the left) was probably a bad choice as it has a loose twist and splits easily.

  

Here's my attempt at Tunisian Crochet. It took quite a bit of practice to get use to handling that big long hook and I found I had to change my grip from pen to knife. Once again I had a go at some more examples this time from Robyn Chachula's 'Visual Encyclopedia'.

 The other chapters are quite straight forward, using much larger hooks than you'd expect, turning huge motifs and exploded doilies into stylish garments.
All in all Doris Chan has left me feeling inspired!
I'm afraid that was the last of my crochet inspired Xmas gifts so pop back in a fortnight for a tenuous link to spring cleaning!
(Don't forget to say Hello if you pop by!)

Book Review: Around the Corner Crochet Borders

I thought we'd take a break from photo tutorials and look at what I got for Christmas! So here's a review of Edie Eckman's Crochet Borders.

"150 colorful, creative crocheted edgings". That's all I need to say really, colour and alliteration, you know I love this book! I sat down with it the other night and tried out a few of the designs. (Please don't look too closely at my attempts as there may be a few mistakes and some are not exactly as written by Edie.)

The selling point for this book comes from the fact that all the designs come with full instructions for the corner. If you want to just add a frilly edging to a towel or a hanky, working back and forth, well that's covered too.

Edie is a knitting and crochet instructor, as you'd expect her instructions are clear and comprehensive. I learnt a lot just from the first few pages. I now know how to crochet into the selvage and how to add crochet to fabric. The actual instructions also include diagrams which is a plus for dyslexics and also avoids any confusion over stitch names.

The designs themselves are really creative. There is everything you can imagine from lacy to solid borders. And there is plenty of variety. I came across a lot of unusual stitches that I just had to try out. I even encountered the horizontal puff stitches I blogged about recently.

This seemingly frilly edging is actually Treble (UK) stitches made horizontally.

 There are some which use post stitches to give texture.

This one is folding stitches. Making little samples like these is a great way to improve your skills as well as trialing something before committing to a larger project. My problem is I never can choose one over another!

This edging struck me as really original. The post stitches are made around two stitches at the same time.

 This border intrigue me as it used a stitch called herringbone. After attempting the border I just had to try the stitch out as a swatch. The texture just doesn't come across in the photo. The inside is smooth. Unfortunately it can only be worked up from the right side, so needs to be made in rounds.

I wish I'd put this book on my wish list earlier. I feel really inspired to try out something new. Thank You Santa!

 

P.S. If you happen to pop by, please say Hello! It's very lonely here on my own!