Crochet Inspiration

by Sasha Kagan

Celebrated designer and renowned colorist Sasha Kagan has created a distinctive crochet reference that showcases her unique sensibility. Containing more than 200 swatch designs in her signature style, this is a must-have manual for beginning and experienced stitchers alike. Special chapters on fabric, motifs, grannies, and flowers highlight a myriad of patterns, including beautiful lace, shell, and cluster stitch variations, and gorgeous circular and hexagonal designs. Each chapter also includes stunning garments, such as a classic Chanel cropped jacket in woven mesh, a lacy shawl with leaf embellishments, and a 1920’s cloche cap covered in crocheted blossoms. Every one has a special individuality that transcends “here today, gone tomorrow” trends, so crocheters will enjoy these for a long time. A Main Selection of the Crafter's Choice Book Club.

Genres: Crochet, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, Knitting

256 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2007

Reviews

[Cyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a few crochet patterns with clear instructions. This book includes well known patterns along with the unusual.

[MD · Rating 2 out of 5]

A knitter wrote a crochet book. Ok. And I guess that’s what it feels like. It’s a combination stitch dictionary and motif book. It doesn’t try to teach you how to make individual stitches (sc, hdc, dc, etc.) but it does show you swatches of various ways of working these stitches and variations to get different fabrics and looks. Like most, the stitch dictionary section assumes you are making a rectangular work and includes no information about shaping or working in the round. The sections with motifs and patterns for specific shapes (circle, triangle) include some nice patterns. Patterns include both written instructions and charts. The samples are worked in lovely yarns that are different than I typically see in crochet books - the knitter influence I suppose. There are patterns for a few projects.

There are a few things that keep this from being as useful as I’d hoped. One is the lack of stitch dictionary information I already mentioned. Another is the lack of a finding aid, such as a couple of pages of thumbnail photos, so you don’t have to page through the entire book every time. In the Projects section I saw something that sounded like it might be a good use of some mohair I have - and there is actually no photo of the completed project, only its embellishment. That seems to be true of at least one other project too, and a couple of others are photographed in a way that doesn’t give a very good idea of what the piece actually looks like when it isn’t being artistically photographed.

I know at least one person who likes this book much better than I do. Maybe it’s a matter of taste, maybe it’s a matter of how many other stitch dictionaries, motif books and other references one already has. I will continue to recommend others.

[Dana Renee' · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the time (early 2000s) when I bought this book, I found it very useful. It gives you instructions for aot of stitch combinations along with the counts you need so that you can do your own projects based on that. It also has several patterns for complete projects.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the pictures.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful reference book. However, it is not for a beginner. If you are a beginner, start with something simple and use this as a reference after you have learned and practiced simple projects. I found the flow of this book somewhat difficult. Some wonderful projects were pictured at the beginning of each chapter. However, it took me some time to find the instructions for them. I finally decided to relate the pictures to the various project instructions in the back of the book. The pictures were not the same pictures. Maybe I am slow, but it was confusing. That said: this book entices me to pick up my crochet hooks again. Knitting is on my "not gonna do"* list; crocheting may have gotten a reprieve. *When you reach a certain age and believe me "you will", there are certain things you have to let go. There is just not enough time to do it all.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I were to give in to the desire this book elicits in me, my house would be covered from attic to basement in all things crocheted, I would never leave the house without some sort of crocheted accompaniment and every gift I ever give would end up being something made out of yarn and a crochet hook.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm undecided as of yet how much I really like this book. It is an excellent and beautiful display book. The pictures are wonderful and the diagrams are in color and easy to read. To me, it kind of jumps around and didnt have a whole lot of "new" in it. I am primarily a knitter although I crocheted first; for some reason crochet pattern instructions make my eyes cross.

[Kiirsi Hellewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gorgeous in style, design, patterns, colors, and execution. I couldn't put it down. It's loaded with beautiful motifs in both charts and patterns and in many different kinds and weights of yarn.

I enjoyed making the "Woven Scarf" for a friend, though weaving in all the ends in the mesh was really annoying.

[Dani0010 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book is quite apt. It's the book I pull out when I just want some inspiration. The samples remind you how unique and beautiful basic crochet can be. There are some great stitches and motifs in here that are not in most stitch dictionaries. I use this book often, but I have never and doubt I will ever work any of the projects. They're a small part of the book, though.

[Megan Winston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome. The photographs are beautiful and crisp, the stitch patterns are well written and wonderful. I highly recommend it for crocheters of all skill levels, it's a wonderful addition to your library.

[Ybgenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book. <3
So many ideas. I love this book so so much. Amazing patterns and a book that is just fun to go though.
If there was ever a house fire this is one of the things I would grab. ^^

5 Stars for usability, easy(ish) to read and for having a impress amount of patterns.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for any passionate crocheter...

[Bliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feb. 16, 2010

Re-reading. lol

__________________________________

Jan. 15, 2010

Reading this one again. Love it!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful - lots of stitch patterns and motifs.

[Marie]

Big, beautiful, lots of great ideas lushly photographed.

[Dana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the most creative crochet books I have come across. Excellent use of granny squares and flowers.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some of everything. Textures, motifs, fillet, squares, flowers... You get ideas just by looking through the book.

[Katherine]

Scarf pattern pattern 37

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful. Nice patterns.