Convertible Crochet: Customizable Designs for Stylish Garments Paperback – May 21, 2013

Doris Chan has done it again creating her signature lacey garments! If you are an intermediate or advanced crocheter who is looking for some new ways to use motifs, this is the book for you.As always, I took the book to my Fiber Fun Group of beginning crocheters. The designs and motifs were a big hit, but since they are mostly beginning crocheters, they felt at this point the projects were too difficult for them to crochet on their own.However, for an intermediate or advance crochet, these motifs present an exciting challenge. Each pattern can be assembled or styled into multiple looks. The 24 motifs are interchangeable, connectable and adaptable, creating 22 projects.Doris provides techniques for measuring, finishing and sizing so your garment reflects the real you. There are decorator suggestions on how to crochet buttons, rope and braids to add that designer touch. I especially liked the tip to use button studs to making your garments more versatile without committing to a button hole in a certain location.The instructions are clear and beautifully illustrated. My personal favorites are Titan Top page 75, T-Bird page 104, Kerry Top & Skirt page 120 and Andromeda Vest page 126.Doris designs beautiful doilies that fold, drape and grow into lovely items to wear.

I ran into the work of Doris Chan on Ravelry while looking for plus-sized sweaters to crochet for myself. I was so impressed with the resulting sweater that I came here looking for books she might have published.If you're a process person, this book is definitely for you. If you find yourself working on a pattern and thinking how you could adapt it to suit yourself, this book is also for you. If you've ever wondered how to design something with sleeves or how to add a collar to a piece, this book is for you. If you just want a book of patterns for Sweaters A, B, and C, you might be disappointed. "Convertible Crochet" includes several sets of motifs in square, pentagon, hexagon, and octagon shapes. Each motif and shape comes in two sizes--major and minor. The motifs have been carefully designed so that they are very easy to "join as you go," and instructions are provided for how to do that. There are also instructions for how to stabilize the motifs for use at stress points and joinings.The motifs will be familiar to anyone who loves or has admired the lacy thread doilies, bedspreads, placemats, and lace trims our grandmothers created with little tiny hooks. The magic happens when you take those tiny motifs and patterns and expand them by using garment-weight yarns.For me, I needed to sit down and read the book pretty much from cover to cover. I selected a design that was compatible with my size and shape, made a gauge swatch, and set to work. I'm delighted with the results. There are garments in the book that I'll never wear, but I can see myself making up my own garments from the motifs and instructions.Loved it!

I love this collection of convertible crochet patterns. It’s just what I was looking for and even was able to support the library with the purchase!

I adore Doris, I'm a Chan fan, and I love lace, especially crochet lace. You can see I'm an unbiased reviewer. I loved looking at the gorgeous patterns, yummy, yummy. I'm even tempted to try making a shawl. See-thru tops that require at least a camisole underneath are too fussy, not this old lady's style. But maybe I could use a stitch pattern or motif to make a convertible shrug-shawl...That's when I discovered the drawbacks of using an e-book as a reference. I can't riffle through the pages looking for a promising illustration. And when I do find one, it's hard to re-find it. Sure, you can bookmark the page, but where is the bookmark list? I finally found it, under an unlikely heading, which I've since forgotten. Yes, I'm a retiree, but I'm a retired information technology professional who can usually find her way around computers. Navigating e-books is something else again. So, I recommend this book, but only on paper.Forgot - clear instructions, love the charts (every crochet book should have them), love all the Chan narations.

I'm new to crochet and knitting but the designs in this book are the reason I wanted to learn. I love lacy wraps, covers, and shrugs. I'm also a big girl so they're harder for me to find. I want to make my own.Most of the instructions in this book go up to my size. I can't imagine crochet getting much more complicated than what's in this book but I've been working away at it and to my delight, I'm figuring it out as I go along. I'm still working on my first project from the book, a scarf, but once you figure this out the basics, it gets easier. The scarf is made with connected blocks, the block patterns alternate and you can pick which blocks you want to use. Each block I make is better than the block before it. I think I can do anything in this book after figuring out her basic approach through these blocks.

I really like this book and go back to it often. The motif approach helps less experienced people to make larger items because if you make a mistake you just swap the motif out for a new one. Projects can be broken out into making the motifs and then connecting them to make the garment.I really like how the author uses an astronomical theme. It helps with organizing all the patterns and brings some added fun to the projects.And the patterns are very pretty and unique. The focus is clothes - sweaters, skirts, which is exactly what I wanted. I will be looking for other works from this author. Thanks for a great book!