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Amazing Crochet Lace: New Fashions Inspired by Old-Fashioned Lace
Crochet just got chic.
From the runways of Paris to the sidewalks of small towns, crochet has emerged as a cool and sophisticated fashion trend.
And nothing is cooler than doing it yourself–quickly and easily. Inspired by vintage patterns, Doris Chan presents twenty fresh, fantastic designs for beginner and advanced crocheters alike. Chan’s designs brilliantly translate old-fashioned lace patterns into fun, funky attire by substituting bright, chunky yarns for delicate fibers and increasing gauge and hook sizes. The result is a lovely, intricate lace pattern that only looks like it was difficult to produce. And because almost all the patterns are designed to be crocheted from the top down seamlessly, there is little to no finishing, piecing, or sewing required.
If you’ve never tried to crochet before, Amazing Crochet Lace is a wonderful introduction to the charm and beauty of lace. And if you’re a pro, you’ll be thrilled with the lovely, fresh designs you can create with the skills you already possess.
From the runways of Paris to the sidewalks of small towns, crochet has emerged as a cool and sophisticated fashion trend.
And nothing is cooler than doing it yourself–quickly and easily. Inspired by vintage patterns, Doris Chan presents twenty fresh, fantastic designs for beginner and advanced crocheters alike. Chan’s designs brilliantly translate old-fashioned lace patterns into fun, funky attire by substituting bright, chunky yarns for delicate fibers and increasing gauge and hook sizes. The result is a lovely, intricate lace pattern that only looks like it was difficult to produce. And because almost all the patterns are designed to be crocheted from the top down seamlessly, there is little to no finishing, piecing, or sewing required.
If you’ve never tried to crochet before, Amazing Crochet Lace is a wonderful introduction to the charm and beauty of lace. And if you’re a pro, you’ll be thrilled with the lovely, fresh designs you can create with the skills you already possess.
144 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2006
2 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Doris Chan
12 books6 followersThroughout my childhood I’d seen my mother do needlework and learned from her by example. I can’t remember exactly why I was home from school that week. I think I might have had the mumps, or was it after I had my tonsils out. Whatever. I wasn’t allowed to go outside and ride my bike, climb trees or pet the neighbor’s pony. I’d read all the books I had at home. I was bored to tears and probably so was my mom who was stuck at home with me. So mom put me to work with knitting needles, crochet hook and yarn. Frankly I was glad to go back to school.
Fast forward to nearly a decade ago when I went into early “retirement”. The radio station at which I was employed was sold to a Spanish language company, my insistence that I could learn Spanish fell on deaf ears, and I found myself in the absurd state of having no job, an empty nest and nothing to do. I put myself to work with needles, hook and yarn. This time the crochet spoke to me.
I was just a hobbyist, a dabbler in the craft, but well on the way to becoming an obsessive fiberazzi (fiberazza?). Like you I crocheted holiday gifts for everyone, afghans for every baby shower, sweaters for the dog. One day on a whim I posted an image of myself in a shawl that I had made (I didn’t realize then that I had “designed” it) on the Lion Brand Yarn customer gallery. It got so many hits that I was asked to submit the sample and a pattern. They even offered to pay me. Money. Well HELL YES!
Since then I have designed hundreds of garments and accessories for yarn companies, most recently Caron International and Tahki Stacy Charles, for magazines and books. I joined the CGOA, one of the most brilliant things I’ve ever done because it put me smack in the middle of the action, among people who spoke my language. I’ve written three crochet design books for Potter Craft. And now I am here on Ravelry talking and posting about it. As fairytales go, mine is still being written. When I get to the happily-ever-after part, I’ll let you know.
My latest venture and the scariest thing I’ve ever done is launching my own self-published pattern line, DJC Designs. Available exclusively at DesigningVashti.com, the ultimate crochet destination and pattern boutique owned by my friend Vashti Braha, DJC Designs lets me explore territory not possible in traditional publishing venues. Coming soon is the companion line, DJC Designs, Too!, a collection of seamless garments sized for girls, tweens and teens.
Fast forward to nearly a decade ago when I went into early “retirement”. The radio station at which I was employed was sold to a Spanish language company, my insistence that I could learn Spanish fell on deaf ears, and I found myself in the absurd state of having no job, an empty nest and nothing to do. I put myself to work with needles, hook and yarn. This time the crochet spoke to me.
I was just a hobbyist, a dabbler in the craft, but well on the way to becoming an obsessive fiberazzi (fiberazza?). Like you I crocheted holiday gifts for everyone, afghans for every baby shower, sweaters for the dog. One day on a whim I posted an image of myself in a shawl that I had made (I didn’t realize then that I had “designed” it) on the Lion Brand Yarn customer gallery. It got so many hits that I was asked to submit the sample and a pattern. They even offered to pay me. Money. Well HELL YES!
Since then I have designed hundreds of garments and accessories for yarn companies, most recently Caron International and Tahki Stacy Charles, for magazines and books. I joined the CGOA, one of the most brilliant things I’ve ever done because it put me smack in the middle of the action, among people who spoke my language. I’ve written three crochet design books for Potter Craft. And now I am here on Ravelry talking and posting about it. As fairytales go, mine is still being written. When I get to the happily-ever-after part, I’ll let you know.
My latest venture and the scariest thing I’ve ever done is launching my own self-published pattern line, DJC Designs. Available exclusively at DesigningVashti.com, the ultimate crochet destination and pattern boutique owned by my friend Vashti Braha, DJC Designs lets me explore territory not possible in traditional publishing venues. Coming soon is the companion line, DJC Designs, Too!, a collection of seamless garments sized for girls, tweens and teens.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 4, 2019
To someone who doesn't crochet, picking up a book like this and opening to a random page would probably show an array of confusing acronyms accompanying a photo of strange and complicated-looking stitches. But once you learn the language and basics of crochet, (and probably make your own glossary for terms and techniques you forget) the strangeness melts away and you realize "Hey, I can do this. If I WANT to make a blue TR pineapple shawl, I CAN do it now!" That's how I felt when I successfully found a copy of this book recently, a couple years after starting my journey into crochet, and realized that I could read it and understand the construction of these higher-level patterns. Executing them well is another thing, but I'm excited to try!
This book is full of somewhat daunting-looking lace in interesting arrangements, presented in a relatively no-nonsense matter for clarity and ease of reading. I do like a bit of nonsense and fluff in my pattern books, but I think it suits this book so you can more simply navigate lace row repeats and still enjoy reading the short paragraphs Doris Chan wrote about what inspired each pattern.
I agree that the lack of yarn weight information doesn't make yarn substitutions easy if you can't recognize each yarn by name, and it can be hard to find that information sometimes even by googling it if the yarn is discontinued. I do believe the Ravelry database has the book's basic information including yarn weights for each pattern (and may even have the information for each original yarn) so consulting there would be my recommendation if you don't have 5 balls of Filatura di Crossa "Baby Kid Extra" mohair yarn lying around or you can't slash don't desire to acquire it.
This book is full of somewhat daunting-looking lace in interesting arrangements, presented in a relatively no-nonsense matter for clarity and ease of reading. I do like a bit of nonsense and fluff in my pattern books, but I think it suits this book so you can more simply navigate lace row repeats and still enjoy reading the short paragraphs Doris Chan wrote about what inspired each pattern.
I agree that the lack of yarn weight information doesn't make yarn substitutions easy if you can't recognize each yarn by name, and it can be hard to find that information sometimes even by googling it if the yarn is discontinued. I do believe the Ravelry database has the book's basic information including yarn weights for each pattern (and may even have the information for each original yarn) so consulting there would be my recommendation if you don't have 5 balls of Filatura di Crossa "Baby Kid Extra" mohair yarn lying around or you can't slash don't desire to acquire it.
March 15, 2020
I've read a bunch of Doris Chan's books and this one, her first, still holds up. The styles are simple and graphic. I'm an experienced crafter so the directions made sense to me and I can't speak to the accuracy of any of the patterns as I haven't hooked any up. Many of the garments aren't to my taste, but two are on my to-do list: the Sambuca Jacket and the Abydos Vest. Both these are basic shapes and seem like quick and easy projects. There are lots of photos and adequate schematics and stitch diagrams. Can't wait to start.
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June 17, 2019Really beautiful patterns for when I improve.
December 31, 2022
Some cool things, some dated.
June 6, 2015
If you want to take your crochet up to another level Doris Chan is the tool to get there.
The part I loved most was the homage to her mother and sharing stories of crochet's connection to her Mom and their family history.
Doris a great writer as well as a designer ..what a spirit she has!
The part I loved most was the homage to her mother and sharing stories of crochet's connection to her Mom and their family history.
Doris a great writer as well as a designer ..what a spirit she has!
September 7, 2008
Love it!
Read
January 25, 2009Looked good, but I don't think that it really comes off all the well. I haven't tried any of them yet. They all seem too hard. Perhaps a more expereienced hooker would like this book.
August 23, 2011
I love Doris Chan. She is awesome. <--That is all.
November 9, 2011
After reading this book, i have considered crocheting again.
April 15, 2017
Inspirational book as I have tagged a few patterns that I will attempt in the coming months!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews