Couture Crochet Workshop

by Lily Chin

A review of crochet standards, chart reading, and technique is combined in this guide with a course on sizing crocheted garments to fit like a glove—all in the interest of encouraging crocheters to try their hand at lace fashions that look as though they came straight off a ready-to-wear runway. Patterns include a metallic ribbon Chanel-style jacket, a lace shift dress with a mohair lace camisole, a cowl-neck trapeze tunic, and a chevron wedding dress with matching fingerless gloves. Those who want a gorgeous look in a smaller project will revel in the striking designs for hats, jewelry, and spangled evening bags. Explanations of accurate measuring, silhouettes, circular construction, shell and chevron stitches, and custom detailing demystify the more advanced designs, and beautiful photographs showcase all the finished pieces.

Genres: Crochet, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Published as Lily M. Chin and Lily Chin

Lily Chin, named a “Master Knitter” by Vogue Knitting International, has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for nearly 25 years, and she has worked with designers Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, and Isaac Mizrahi. Her work has been on the backs of celebrities and super models, from Racquel Welch and Vanna White to Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. She is the author of Knit and Crochet with Beads, The Urban Knitter, and Mosaic Magic, and she has written the “On Designing” column for Knitter’s Magazine and the annual “Focus on Fibers” report for Knit ‘n Style.

Lily also is the reigning champion fastest crocheter in the world, a title she defended in October 2004 at the world championships in London. Lily Chin regularly appears as a spokesperson for the yarn industry in media across the U.S., including Time, the New York Times, USA Today, the David Letterman Show, the CBS Early Show, DIY’s Knitty Gritty, E! Style Network’s Craft Corner Death Match, Lifetime’s Handmade by Design, HGTV’s Sew Much More, and CNN.

Lily Chin has lived in New York City nearly all her life and has been involved in some aspect of the fashion industry since age 13. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, and was educated at Queens College, City University of New York.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all her tone is kind of unbearable. She comes off as super judgy and haughty even. Also I know the book is not exactly recent but for someone who name drops Sports Illustrated and Isaac Mizrahi the patterns she chose to include are hilariously frumpy and hideous.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for step-by-step pattern instructions, this is not the book, but if you want to know how to design and express patterns for the craft market, here is your source. A master crochet teacher gives point by point ideas how to make your creations look couture: adding fit, finishing techniques, fiber choices, undergarments to make them distinctive. Good stuff. But I still wish she had written patterns for the sample garments she used. I'm guessing they are proprietary and she wants to sell that info to the crocheter.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I real must read if any crocheter wants to make wearable crochet items, the laying out of patterns and the putting together of the garment is detailed and complete. I wasn't really impressed with any of the patterns in this book but the "how to" of starting garments is a 'must read'.

[Cutecrochet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful reference book.