Amazing Crochet Lace: New Fashions Inspired by Old-Fashioned Lace

The designs are great...really exciting and inspired. I am enjoying making things from this book. It should be noted, however, that there are errors in the patterns. Be alert and follow the diagrams more than the written patterns, and you should be fine. In addition to the first-row error mentioned by a previous reviewer, there is a flagrant error on row 10 of the cover pattern. Even so, I recommend this book. I like the author's introduction and I like the use of yarns and motifs. I look forward to experimenting with different yarns than those recommended, also. Lace is easier than it looks! What a brilliant idea, using big yarns and creating garments!

I agree with the other reviewers who gush that this is the best crochet book they've bought in a while - same goes for me. Total pluses include the clear instructions and figures, the detailed multiple view photos, the inspired designs, and the authors' self deprecating outlook. I've finished the cover shawl and moved on to a second project within a week. As someone who's an occasional crocheter - off for a year or so and then back on - this speaks to how motivating and lucid this book really is (and not how obsessive compulsive I am, mind you.)Note even the intermediate and experienced patterns could be tackled by a rookie with enough patience, the instructions are just that good.

This author is my kinda gal. She asks that you trust her to plunge into elaborate crochet designs with no gauge! But what happens is quite fun and a lesson in trust. Those who crochet must admit we are knitters who like to "fudge", but Chan takes the "fudge" factor I've always used and explains her stitching philosophy. The designs are the product I've been looking for for years: a puzzle like challenge that gives that wonderful period lace look. Feminine, but dramatic in all that it holds. Though most projects, I would say, are not for the novice, the detailed stitching chart graphics are very helpful. I've already done 3 of the patterns and they've all turned out wonderfully. Chan gives you courage to crochet in your own way. Want to change the look of a design? Use thicker yarn and a bigger needle. Experiment with other patterns in the same way. I love it. Best crochet book I've bought (and I buy lots) in years.K. Harris

I was a little disappointed that most garments are seamed as I prefer to work in the round for cowls and ponchos and such.It is clearly written and beautifully illustrated with a wide assortment of patterns.If you don't mind seaming, this is an exquisite purchase and I highly recommend it.

I have to admit...I am a crochet book and magazine junkie. I have seen many Doris Chan designs in magazines and a great Tahki Bell Sleeve Pullover pattern got me hooked on her work! I actually went on Amazon's site and looked to see if there was any books under her name last year. At that time, I saw that she had a book coming out, and immediately put it on pre-order. I have not ever bought anything on pre-order before, but I knew I had to have this one right away!This book is wonderful and is sure not to dissappoint...I would agree that beginners may have a little bit more difficulty with the patterns, but I say stick with them. They are worth it, and you will learn about Doris's MO. She has a way of starting things from the top down which is not common in the crochet world. She is truly amazing, and so is this book. And yes, I have also heard that another one will be coming out with sizing up to 3X later this year, so be on the lookout! Thanks Doris!

As an avid crocheter, I have been so thrilled to see crochet sweaters, skirts, etc. in department stores, catalogs, and on runways in recent seasons. Usually, I look at a beautiful and stylish garment, and think "I could make this," and at a fraction of the cost of buying the finished garment. For this reason, I have been on a quest in recent months for beautiful, stylish, accessible crochet patterns that reflect the actual trends in fashion that we are currently seeing.When I first saw the cover and description for Doris Chan's book, "Amazing Crochet Lace...", I was ecstatic. Finally, someone had taked the time to translate elements from beautiful, old-fashioned lace, and integrated it into the garments I was seeing all around me! So I ordered her book, sight unseen, and eagerly awaited its arrival, all the while planning my fall/winter crochet binge.When the book arrived, and I anxiously thumbed through the patterns, I was bitterly disappointed. These are not patterns inspired by doilies, they are actual doilies, blown-up to gargantuon proportions, draped over the shoulders and re-named a shawl. Or, in one case, doilies with large holes in the center that one is supposed to center on the waist and call a skirt. All in all, I believe I counted 2 patterns in this book that are not doily-wannabees, or at least ripped up doilies strategically re-sewn to intimate sleeves. Notably absent are the sweaters, halters, elegant skirts, jackets, and peasant shirts I had daydreamed about finding. In their place are shawls, a couple of skirts, shawls, a very odd-looking tank, and would you believe, more shawls!Perhaps my expectations were too high. Perhaps I am very particular about my choice of patterns. Perhaps I am simply frustrated from years of trying to justify my favorite craft as more than just a technique for making (you guessed it) shawls (or ponchos or shrugs) or as a finishing technique for knitting. I am so hungry for patterns that actually reflect what is going on in fashion today, and unfortunately I do not have the fortitude to simply buy the garments I like, copy the patterns, and return them (and yes, I have done that).Don't get me wrong; some of Ms. Chan's lace patterns are very beautiful and intricate. They just don't work as clothing. In fact, I am thinking of miniaturizing a couple to put on my coffee table as doilies.Please, someone, somewhere, get us crocheters some decent patterns!!!

I was somewhat apprehensive buying this book as I am a complete novice. However, it has idiot-proof diagrams that even I can use. I have had to research some of the stitches from the internet to work them out, but this is more a reflection of my ignorance than of the quality of the explanations.Thanks to the fact that it includes projects at various levels of difficulties, I have managed to make some very pretty pieces AND develop my skills at the same time. I couldn't be happier :-D

Je début au crochet, j'ai fait sans difficultés le modèle de la couverture. c'est très beau et original ce sont des modèles qui ne font pas mémé.

I thought the shawl on the cover of the book was beautiful, and based on another review here on Amazon, I bought the book. I was wowed by the garments in the book!!!! No disappointment--this was an excellent purchase.The designer, Doris Chan, has taken the inspiration of old-fashioned lace patterns such as doilies and takes them to a whole new level. She calls it "exploded lace". What Doris does is use chunky, thick yarns and really big crochet hooks. This blows up that little doily into a whole shawl. The affect is absolutely gorgeous.Featured in the book are 20 patterns - most at the intermediate crochet level, although there are at least 4 rated as easy and about 3 rated as experienced. There are shawls, capelets, tops, a vest, dresses, a skirt, a scarf, a jacket and a robe.The robe is absolutely stunning - rated experienced because of the slickness of the ribbon yarn used, but an absolute show stopper.The book does not cover crochet basics, but it does have a written description and drawings of the Base Chain Single Crochet stitch to use as a foundation, along with a description of why it's done in a certain way. Also included is an Abbreviation list.There are really nice large multiple photos of each garment so you can really appreciate the look and see how the finished garment drapes--I'm just itching to get started on these!!! (Unfortunately I'm still a beginner so it'll be toilet roll covers and bunny bags for a little while...)Yarns used are mostly Classic Elite, Lily Chin Signature Collection and Lion Brand, although other yarns are used as well - all yarn sources are listed at the back. Also listed are the author's recommendations for crochet books, links, and guilds and organizations related to crocheting.I particularly enjoyed Doris' story about how she had been quietly crocheting for 20 years and then one of her designs was featured on Lion Brand's website!I'm really glad I bought this book and can't wait to crochet some of those wonderful designs--The Plum Blossum Capelet is my current favourite.

かぎ針で編むレーシーなショール、タンクトップ、スカート、ボレロ等。作品数的には多いのでは無いでしょうか。うわぁ、素敵と思う物もあるのですが、総体的に目と目の開きが大きい「レース」なので、繊細と言うより大胆な印象の物が多いです。私自身、もうちょっと繊細な感じの物が好きなので、残念ながら☆3つです。でも、編みたい物、着てみたい物もそこそこ数がありますよ。和書ではかぎ針で着る物ってあまり載ってない物が多いですし、おばさん臭くなりがちですが、これは若々しい物も割合載ってる方だと思います。

I very rarely write reviews but this book has jolted me into action. I bought it for one pattern only thinking that the rest would be doillies used as wraps as in the cover shot. I was wrong. The more I look, the more you can ignore the doillies (like the author I was bought up with a lot of doillies but I still don't have a taste for them!). There are at least five patterns in this book that I'm itching to get my hooks into. The yarn is a bit of a challenge as it tends to be chunky and American so it's difficult to get a feel for any alternatives but I'm sure it will work out. Beautiful pictures too. Lovely lovely book.