AmyS
January 2, 2009, 10:19 PM
Amazing Crochet Lace (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307339750?ie=UTF8&tag=crochetville-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0307339750)
Doris Chan (dorischan (http://www.crochetville.org/forum/member.php?u=9404))
Potter Craft
List Price: $21.95; Current Amazon Price: $14.93
Please support Crochetville by purchasing your book through our Amazon Affiliate Bookstore (just click book cover):
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51E30W60EZL._SL160_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307339750?ie=UTF8&tag=crochetville-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0307339750)
If you were around Crochetville after CGOA's Chain Link conference last July, you may have seen some of my posts discussing the wonderful time I had at Chain Link. If so, you'll remember that I am a HUGE Doris Chan fan. I didn't even realize at the time that so many of the crocheted garments I took to wear at Chain Link were made from Doris Chan patterns! Several of the patterns actually came from this book. I'll post pictures as soon as I find where I've hidden them on my hard drive.
Amazing Crochet Lace is full of gorgeous garments made using traditional, intricate lace patterns. However, instead of being made with small thread so it would take a long time to create something, Doris has "exploded" the lace patterns to be used with heavier-weight yarns. Most patterns are made using yarn with a weight of 3 (light worsted or DK) and up, there are a couple patterns that use weights 1 (sock, fingering, baby) and 2 (sport, baby).
Doris's patterns are very easy to make as most are crocheted from the top down seamlessly. So those of you who don't enjoy finishing, piecing, or sewing, you are definitely going to enjoy these patterns.
Amazing Crochet Lace contains patterns for shawls, ponchos, capelets, vests, skirts, and jackets.
One of my very favorite patterns in this book is called the Risa Robe. Doris describes this jacket as having "a retro or ethnic feel to it, part kimono, part Victorian breakfast jacket." It's an open lacework, coat-lengh open jacket that rises to a high back neck, a deep V-neck in front, with half sleeves. There's even a matching sash to go with it. The sample garment in the book was made from Tess' Designer Yarns Microfiber Ribbon. (This yarn is fabulous. I have two skeins I purchased at Chain Link, but that's not enough to make this jacket. Someday when I have a spare $100 lying around, I am definitely buying enough of this yummy yarn to make this gorgeous jacket.)
Another of my favorites is an off-the-shoulder top Doris calls Lipstick on Your Collar. This top also features a very decorative detachable collar. I also haven't made this pattern yet.
Now on to the patterns I have made. Doris includes patterns for a matching Raspberry Charlotte Poncho and Skirt. I made the skirt out of Lion Brand cotton in a gorgeous raspberry/purple type of color, because that was what I had readily available at the time. I love this skirt! It's figure-skimming and very flattering!
Even though these two patterns hadn't been designed to be worn together, I thought they went together very well. Doris herself apparently thought so, too. She saw me coming off the elevator at Chain Link, and started pointing at me and telling me she liked the combination of those two garments together! She was really surprised to see what I had done.
I found Doris's instructions very easy to read, and didn't find an error in either of the patterns I made.
There are several other patterns in this book that I'd love to make one day and add to my crochet wardrobe. Now that I've found the Incredible ribbon yarn in Autumn Leaves and have it in my stash, I'm even going to make another Farpoint Topper!
Doris Chan (dorischan (http://www.crochetville.org/forum/member.php?u=9404))
Potter Craft
List Price: $21.95; Current Amazon Price: $14.93
Please support Crochetville by purchasing your book through our Amazon Affiliate Bookstore (just click book cover):
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51E30W60EZL._SL160_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307339750?ie=UTF8&tag=crochetville-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0307339750)
If you were around Crochetville after CGOA's Chain Link conference last July, you may have seen some of my posts discussing the wonderful time I had at Chain Link. If so, you'll remember that I am a HUGE Doris Chan fan. I didn't even realize at the time that so many of the crocheted garments I took to wear at Chain Link were made from Doris Chan patterns! Several of the patterns actually came from this book. I'll post pictures as soon as I find where I've hidden them on my hard drive.
Amazing Crochet Lace is full of gorgeous garments made using traditional, intricate lace patterns. However, instead of being made with small thread so it would take a long time to create something, Doris has "exploded" the lace patterns to be used with heavier-weight yarns. Most patterns are made using yarn with a weight of 3 (light worsted or DK) and up, there are a couple patterns that use weights 1 (sock, fingering, baby) and 2 (sport, baby).
Doris's patterns are very easy to make as most are crocheted from the top down seamlessly. So those of you who don't enjoy finishing, piecing, or sewing, you are definitely going to enjoy these patterns.
Amazing Crochet Lace contains patterns for shawls, ponchos, capelets, vests, skirts, and jackets.
One of my very favorite patterns in this book is called the Risa Robe. Doris describes this jacket as having "a retro or ethnic feel to it, part kimono, part Victorian breakfast jacket." It's an open lacework, coat-lengh open jacket that rises to a high back neck, a deep V-neck in front, with half sleeves. There's even a matching sash to go with it. The sample garment in the book was made from Tess' Designer Yarns Microfiber Ribbon. (This yarn is fabulous. I have two skeins I purchased at Chain Link, but that's not enough to make this jacket. Someday when I have a spare $100 lying around, I am definitely buying enough of this yummy yarn to make this gorgeous jacket.)
Another of my favorites is an off-the-shoulder top Doris calls Lipstick on Your Collar. This top also features a very decorative detachable collar. I also haven't made this pattern yet.
Now on to the patterns I have made. Doris includes patterns for a matching Raspberry Charlotte Poncho and Skirt. I made the skirt out of Lion Brand cotton in a gorgeous raspberry/purple type of color, because that was what I had readily available at the time. I love this skirt! It's figure-skimming and very flattering!
Even though these two patterns hadn't been designed to be worn together, I thought they went together very well. Doris herself apparently thought so, too. She saw me coming off the elevator at Chain Link, and started pointing at me and telling me she liked the combination of those two garments together! She was really surprised to see what I had done.
I found Doris's instructions very easy to read, and didn't find an error in either of the patterns I made.
There are several other patterns in this book that I'd love to make one day and add to my crochet wardrobe. Now that I've found the Incredible ribbon yarn in Autumn Leaves and have it in my stash, I'm even going to make another Farpoint Topper!