Product Description

In "Loop-d-Loop Crochet", author Teva Durham brings the same ingenuity, innovative eye and solid fashion sense that she's always exhibited in her knitting design to the world of crochet. You will find more than 25 novel designs that bear the author's signature modern, romantic appeal. And while many of the designs - for women, men, children and the home - appear unorthodox compared to most crochet patterns published to date, they are all based upon classic crochet stitch work steeped in tradition. Each of the projects, which range from purses, skirts, shawls and sweaters for the whole family to a hammock and a pair of brocade boots, epitomizes Durham's signature design sensibility, which she describes as 'a tension of opposites - rough-hewn yet delicate, stark yet feminine, organic yet structured'.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #210038 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

Customer Reviews

Lovely designs, worth a space on your shelf
Back in the day, when I was growing up, crochet was a craft reserved for doilies, or coasters. The hooks would be about 2mm in width, and the thread was gossamer fine. Lovely if you lived in a convent and used the craft as meditation, but it chaffed me as a little girl and I turned my back on it.

Durham has brought me back to the fold.

First point of reference: this book is not for the beginner. There are no 'how tos' and that is just fine. The patterns range from the fun (a hammock), to the frivilous (a crochet cloak, a pair of crochet socks!) to the drop down fashionable (three fabulous jackets and a pair of crocheted boots). The hook sizes start from 3.25mm and go up all the way to 7mm.

Durham is aware of the differences between crochet and knit. She gives herself over to the brief that crochet has holes, is open and a bit more free form than knitting. She is also aware of the limitations of crochet (in terms of the limited stretch) and because of that, her designs make use of yarns with stretch. She has also learned from the derision that greeted the Loop d Loop knitting book in terms of her model sizes.

The models in this book look healthy, zatfig. Substantial calves for the socks, generous breasts for a solomon knit shawl/top/jacket.

Durham does not stick exclusively to American yarns. She uses a lot of European yarns and the tension is such that subsitutes are easy to find and use.

The colour sensibility is wonderous in the books as well, it might not be your taste, but it shows what crochet is: a craft that extends beyond doilies and 2mm hooks.

Of course, there is one or two errata, but look on Ms Durham's website for details.

Wonderful designs!
I love this book! I took it from the library together with 4 other books I was considering buying, to make sure it was worth it before I spend money on them. This is the only one I will buy. I like a book that offers something new. Teva Durham's does. The rate of projects I am willing to spend my money on is higher than any other pattern book or magazine I have. Not only there are some beautiful creations I want to make to wear them, like the filet crochet pullover and the fan clover jacket, but there are also projects I want to do because they seem fascinating to tackle, like the Edwardian boots and the lazy-wheel coat. There is nothing in this book that doesn't make me feel excited about getting my hook and yarn! So in my opinion well worth the money, highly inspirational and stimulating. A true monument to our craft!

Crochet beautiful
A beautiful book with some unusual designs, which take inspiration from "vintage" pieces and uses them in a modern fashion. The book is more suited to the intermediate to advanced crocheter. Although it features a couple of easy designs, it is not meant as an introduction to crochet, as it does not have an extensive section on techniques. It assumes that you know the basic stitches, but provides instructions on some more unusual variations. It features a wide variety of tops (pullovers, jackets, capes and a coat), but also "lady-like" gloves, boots, a hammock, hat, shawl, belt, skirt, lacy socks and bags. I have not actually made anything from the book yet, so I cannot judge how well the instructions work...