Couture Crochet Workshop

I am always looking for information which will make my crochet look more professional. This book is full of it. The first chapter has information which will make your work look good by eliminating gaps and getting the foundation chain the correct tension. It also explains why you should do a swatch and what you should do to it before you start your project. It continues with how to read charts, planning your own patterns, refining fitting and making stitch patterns. The book also includes a number of patterns to help you get the idea. Although they are not the sort of thing I would wear they are certainly a foundation for patterns you want to make yourself. This book is not for the beginner as it does not show the basics for crochet such as stitches and methods but if you think you would like to make your own patterns this is a good addition to a book that teaches the basics.

Some of the fashions feel a little dated, but the crochet advice & pattern design is great. Not for beginners.

Gives plenty of ideas and instructions. Provides inspiration for creating my own designs. Great patterns included with easy to use instructions.

I love this crochet book and Lily Chin patterns. This book tells you how to create your own designs. Fantastic book

Amazing book so helpful, not just for the patterns. Need a good knowledge of crochet.

Ok!, it is an American book which means that you have to swop their terminology for ours - HOWEVER!This is a serious look at designing individual crochet garments that fit and look good. It encourages free thinking about design and how to make unique garments that are tailored just for you.Lily gives a number of tried and tested approaches from using dress making patterns to using garments from your own wardrobe to get that special look.But, if that all sounds like too much work! - She has included lots of super stylish patterns that you can work with straight from the book. I think this book is possibly unique for it's workshop approach in the crochet field - Well done Lily!

I am using this book, which says it all really. The course-side is very helpful. If I didn't have it, I would buy it.Patterns catering for american tastes. Using different colours could help. That is where the book lost a star.

This book is great for anyone who like me wants to design and make their own crocheted garments. Lily Chin has everything explained in an easy to understand way, so you can make your own garment that fits your size and shape how you want it to. If you don't want to do that, then there are lots of other gorgeous patterns to choose from and make. This book is really inspirational, informative and will definately encourage anyone who's into crochet to challenge themselves and take it one level further.

As described.

Bei einem Preis von mehr als 35 Euro inkl. Porto erwartete ich ein wirklich außergewöhnliches Buch. Ich hoffte, äußerst innovative Modelle zu finden, höchste Kunst mit der Häkelnadel.Was ich vorfand, war letzten Endes ein interessantes Buch mit einigen Modellen, die ich vielleicht sogar auch nacharbeiten würde. Allerdings fehlte mir auf den Fotos ganz eindeutig die Leichtigkeit der Modelle, die in der englischen Beschreibung so hervorgehoben wurde. An den Fotos lässt sich nicht ablesen, dass diese gezeigten Modelle eben nicht steif und etwas klobig und dick sind, wie viele andere Häkelmodelle. Die meisten Modelle sehen so aus, wie man sie auch in deutschen Häkelzeitschriften vorfindet, etwas altbacken und hausmütterlich, leider gar nicht besonders innovativ. Ich würde es als Großmutternchic bezeichnen.Allerdings denke ich, dass die Modelle in anderen Farben auch wesentlich frischer und jünger wirken würden. Hier ist also der eigene kreative Kopf gefragt. Da hilft auch Frau Chins Buch weiter, denn im ersten Teil erklärt sie, wie man aus eigenen Häkelmustern sein individuelles Modell häkelt. Sehr schön finde ich, dass sie veranschaulicht, wie man aus einem gekauften Kleidungsstück sein Schnittmuster bzw. seine Vorlage für das Häkelmodell erstellt. Sie beschreibt, welche Anpassungen man vornehmen muss, um ein wirklich gut sitzendes Kleidungsstück zu erhalten. Das alles macht Hoffnung, dass die Kleidungsstücke aus dem zweiten Teil des Buches wirklich wert sind, (mit seinen persönlichen Lieblingsfarben und schönerem Garn) nachgearbeitet zu werden.Das Größenangebot ist breit gefächert - von Größe S bis 3 XL (91,5 - 142 cm) bei den fertigen Jacken ist alles dabei. Die Häkelschriften (- wie man die liest wird auch beschrieben -) und Diagramme vereinfachen es sehr, die Arbeitsweise nachzuvollziehen. Zusätzlich liefert der englische Text weitere Informationen.Die mehr als 20 Modelle sind teils sehr einfach, teilweise etwas schwieriger in Rundhäkel-, Lace-, Muschel- oder Zickzack-Technik nachzuarbeiten. Für Häkelerfahrene stellen sie aber keine Herausforderung dar. Anfänger beginnnen einfach mit der Maiko Jacke vom Titel oder z. B. einem Twin Set mit selbstgehäkeltem Schmuck. Unter den Modellen befinden sich u. a. auch ein Rock, Täschchen und Armstulpen. Ich persönlich hätte mir mehr luftige Kleidung und mehr Ausschnittvarianten gewünscht - im Buch sind fast nur Rundhalsausschnitte zu finden.Alles in allem ist das Buch durchaus empfehlenswert (- allerdings eher für den amerikanischen Preis).

There are two parts to this book: information on how to make well styled and fitting crocheted clothing (40 pages)with some excellent tips, and then the patterns (24 or more) which show off the theory going into the first part. Pictures indicate all the garments fit beautifully. EAch pattern well written with full schematic and in some cases international crochet diagrams. My favorite patterns are the Tunisian crocheted sweater, the chevron tunic with matching hat, the mohair wrap, full circle vest, scallops bolero and hat. There are patterns for necklaces and some patterns include beading. Size range goes from small to 56" in some cases (others smaller though).Negatively: yarns used are somewhat pricey and no indication using the new yarn standards, or old, of what size yarns they are. Lily calls for smaller hooks but many of her patterns are larger hook sizes. Her colors are very boring. Book is well bound and printed. This book is the equivalent of Deborah Newton's landmark book for knitters on design, but it is written in a very nice easy-to-understand style with a sense of humor. It is not a beginner's book but meant for the serious crocheter who wants to understand how to make her garments fit better. I feel she has definitely accomplished what she wanted to do and therefore an essential purchase in this subject.

So glad I purchased this. I had the opportunity to meet Lily Chin at Yarn Fest this past April, and take two of her classes where she expounded on many of her tips and suggestions for improving crochet projects found in this book. I always have a hard time following along in any classroom settings where many voices lurk and interrupt the instructor, but having this book I now better understand the points where I got confused.BTW- if you ever have the chance to take a class with Ms. Chin I highly recommend it. She is a very patient, and fun instructor.

Some patterns I'm definitely not interested in, however there are enough good patterns for me to rate this at 4 stars. The ones I do like, are easy to relatively intermediate. Good pics, good patterns.