Book Review: Crochet Lace Innovations

Being a member of the Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club, a Connecticut Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America, has it's perks. Along with getting to hang out with fun crocheters, we get to do cool stuff too. One of the things the Club does is it has various designers, instructors, speakers, and teachers come for meetings from time to time -- what a treat that is! In December 2009 the Club invited it's honorary member, Doris Chan, to talk to us about her newest book, Crochet Lace Innovations." Better yet, she gave us a sneak peek!

Upon falling in love with the book in it's proof state, Doris asked me if I'd be interested in giving it an official review on my blog. I gushed said yes, and not so long ago Mr. UPS was knocking on my door delivering the book hot off the press!

So why the delay in doing the review? Dang, Doris! You make this so tough! My Mini~Dee has a number of social events lining up for next year and in flipping through this book we can picture crocheting up nearly every pattern! As a self-imposed "crochet technique freak," (*because I believe the more you know, the more you grow) I love that Doris has expanded her exploded lace to include tutorials with smokin' hot patterns for the broomstick, hairpin, and tunisian crochet techniques!


Mini~Dee and I have been pouring over this book for days, flipping to this page and that, pointing here and there, and I think we've just about narrowed it down:

1. For her Confirmation: The Bozena Dress. In white. Maybe add crystal beads only to the bodice and to the bottom edging.

2. For the May Crowning: The Ling Collar, to be worn over (crossing fingers I'll win the ebay auction for it this time!) the dress Bella wore in the New Moon movie ...

3. For me: The Zhaan Wrap, of course Mini~Dee could borrow it for the 8th Grade Dinner Dance if the color were right for the dress she'd be wearing....

4. For the social dances: The Zoolin Belt, because Mini~Dee loves wearing belts and it looks like it would be fun for her to wear ...

Of course, the hard part, other than putting the book down, is deciding on which project to start first. Maybe it will be The Zoolin Belt because it would be a great project for us to do together (Mini~Dee could learn the broomstick lace technique, expanding her crochet knowledge! ... that and she has a dance to go to next month.)

As the book states, it has 20 Dazzling Designs; and I'm already hooked on 4 with more lusts to come! I rate this book a "must have" for those who love Doris' exploded lace look and are wanting for more -- in the exploded lace and other crochet techniques -- from this great designer! :)