Product Description

Crochet is back! Using the latest fabulous yarns with traditional techniques, this book is a wonderful collection of 40 glorious designs. The projects are divided into four chapters: Sweaters and Tops, Accessories, Children's Fashions and Home Accessories. Some of the items are remarkably quick and simple to make, such as the skinny scarf or the baby blanket, while others make use of crochet techniques such as working motifs, using charts or working in rounds. From simple sleeveless vests and tops to warm and cosy jackets and sweaters, as well as bags, scarves and capes, there is something here to suit every style. All the information for each pattern is clearly given, alongside beautiful photographs of the finished items. In addition, a section at the front of the book takes the reader through all the crochet basics, from choosing hooks and yarns to following patterns. All the patterns are simple and quick to make using the latest yarns, such as metallics, mohairs, ribbons, 4-ply and worsteds, in a fabulous range of colours.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #143661 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 176 pages

About the Author
Hilary Mackin studied fashion and textiles at college, specialising in knitwear. She now designs regularly for all the major knitting and crochet magazines. She is constantly in demand and is the author of Simple Stylish Knits, also by New Holland. Sue Whiting is an experienced crochet designer who regularly works for magazines and yarn companies. She is the author of Learn to Crochet and Party Crochet, both published by New Holland.

Customer Reviews

A crochet bible with a few ok patterns included.
As this is one of the most recent publications for crochet projects (at this time) I had very high hopes for the many designs in this book.

Some of the projects are in fact quite sweet, but there are also plenty of the usual crocheted accesories you'd never make in a million years plus some rather shapeless jumpers that my granny would have made me for christmas. Some projects are simply old-fashioned, and while the book tries to use the term retro, that would imply that the trends have come full cycle again - but I'm not convinced!

On the plus side, the bolero (see front cover) is lovely and there are some nice baby items too.

The beginning of the book explains crochet jargon and then goes on to fully explain the many crochet stitches, from the basics to advanced. I think this section of the book is brilliant (hence the comment about it being a bible), I think it has all of the information you need.

Whilst the book is written using UK crochet terms, American terms, techniques and wool are explained alongside the UK terms, which would be very useful if you need to attempt/translate an American pattern.

Patterns include:

Adult sweaters and tops-
Asymmetrical cardigan
Cool-weather capelet
summer breezes (sleeveless top)
casual cardigan
striped halterneck
casual jacket
lacy openwork tunic
tunic with lace borders
bolero
simple chic shrug
stripey round neck tank top
poncho
tie-front bolero
go-anywhere waistcoat
wrap cardigan

Accessories-
bag with motif border
scarf
hip hugger belt
ruffled boa
shawl
retro shopper (bag)
creamy cloche
skinny scarf

children's fashions-
mittens, bootees and bonnet
duffle coat and hat
baby blanket
fisherman's sweater
cream coat and hat
hooded gilet
lacy cardigan
sweater
ruffled cardy
zip-up cardy
rag doll

home accessories-
a rag rug
patchwork bedspread
rainbow throw
zigzag throw
furry cushions and rug
springtime table runner


plenty to get your teeth into!!

disappointing inside
the cover picture seems to promise stylish contemporary fashion but inside it's the same old ghastly stuff that gives crochet a bad name. Teva Durham is the best crochet designer I've found so far.

not for me
This book is very old fashioned you will find my copy in the second hand section of amazon. Nothing that I would want to make truly awful the sort of thing that gives crochet a bad name. The only vaguely attractive item is the shrug on the front cover.