Finally! Crochet patterns for me instead of Grandma!

books:


	• Cool Crochet Melissa Leapman Watson-Guptill, 2005 - 128 pages average customer review:based on 27 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Super book

Very user friendly, great graphics, layout, and instructions. Love the drawings with measurements. Can't wait to make my first garment - choosing which will probably the most difficult part!

Cross the bikini off my list....

Trust me, there's no chance that I'm going to crochet a bikini -- not now, not ever. That being said, there are many absolutely wonderful designs here that are a bit more up-to-date than many of the things found in some crochet books.

Another reviewer mentioned, quite correctly, that the tops here are too short for many women. I second that opinion, and that has to be taken into consideration in working the patterns and in shopping for yarn (unless you use no-dye-lot acrylics.)

Most of the designs here are winners. The color choices are a big plus and will be sure to open your imagination to new and better projects.

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Crochet with caution

This started out as my favorite crochet book, but after making about six of the patterns from intermediate to advanced, I think it should come with several warnings.

1. The patterns really are too short. I'm no prude; I like my garments to be fairly form-fitting. But almost every single pattern is scaled to terminate at the waist. This isn't such a big deal for a summer tank like Helene, but why on earth would you want a long-sleeved, turtleneck aran sweater (Patti) short enough to show off your belly-button when you stretch? Aside from being fashionably silly, this negates one of the points of a sweater like this, which is to be warm. I've generally needed to add at least 1" to the bottom of the garments, often more.

2. Though the sizes go up to XXL, they're often scaled randomly. Don't just use your bust size; measure your body and check against the schematics (which are nicely provided and accurate). For example, the largest sleeve circumference in the Julianna lace cardigan is 13.75". I make a size large, and my arm is 13.5" -- with ease, even the XXL sleeve wouldn't fit me. I made the pattern on trust without checking this stat, and I ended up having to rip out the sleeves and improvise something that would fit.

3. Swatch swatch swatch. If you just buy an applicable yarn and crochet away, you're going to be disappointed. I've *never* successfully matched the gauge on any of these patterns. And not just by a little bit. Often I have to drop a yarn weight and 1-3 hook sizes, and I still end up crocheting a size smaller to match the schematics. Ms. Leapman must crochet very, very tightly. And tight crochet makes for stiff fabric and bad drape.

The patterns are still beautiful, and this is by far the best organized knit or crochet book I own; I don't understand why everyone doesn't do photo tables of contents of pattern books when they've already decided to spring for glossy color pages. Just crochet with caution.

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Finally! Crochet patterns for me instead of Grandma!

I was pleasantly surprised by the offerings in this book. Most of the patterns include plus sizes, a few even offering XXXL, something I rarely see in a pattern book. In addition to all of the patterns, there are also simple time saving tips, as well as a section on assembling sweater pieces.

This is a great book for an intermediate or advanced crocheter, or even an advanced beginner ready to graduate from scarves and afghans.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

These 30 patterns are not your granny's crochet - these projects are chic and stylish, mimicking the tight look of knitting with cables, ribbing, and more with gorgeous, fasion-forward photography. Repeat after us: Crocheting is easy. Crocheting is fun. Crocheting is fast. Okay, got it? Great! Now forget everything else you ever knew about crocheting, because Cool Crochet takes the easy, fast fun of crochet and dumps the frumpy afghans, lumpy hats, and bumpy scarves of the past. With this book, top-selling author Melissa Leapman moves crochet light years ahead, into exciting designs, dazzling patterns, and sleek shapes that are sure to earn the approval of fashion police everywhere. Tanks, pullovers, cardigans, halters, a skirt, a dress, even a bikini - theyr're all just a hook and a dream away! And how about coordinating those new outfits with trendy purses, hats, and jewelry? Practical as well as good-looking, Cool Crochet includes valuable tips on assembling garments, plus an appendix of stitches and guidance on yarn and materials. Every fashionista will want to get her hooks into this book.

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