Following the success of Knitorama, Rachael Matthews gets crafters hooked on the art of crochet. This new and exciting book tells you everything you need to know about the art of ?hooking? as well as the answers to lots of questions you never knew you needed to know. Recreate the time of Adam and Eve with a fig leaf bikini for her and a snake scarf for him, make fantastic Baroque costumes to wear out clubbing including a corset, and a mysterious eye mask, as well as easy-to-make essential accessories for the modern home such as saucepan handles, baguette warmers and a fruit bowl.
The patterns in this book are kooky, but fun. There are several of the "old style" crochet gloves, some fun costume pieces like a powdered wig, and plenty of inspiration for silly things to decorate the kid's room. I'd have to say my favourite items are the chemistry vest, with holes crocheted into the pattern, the bag shaped and coloured to look like a pineapple.
The instructions don't look hard to follow, but the patterns really could use some work. They are a little overboard, and detract from the items. The layout could be better, but it doesn't affect the pattern readability.
I have come across this book a few times in a LYS, and I've flipped through it. I know it's supposed to be funny and kooky -- but most of the patterns in this book are what people have in mind when they cringe away or sneer in disgust at the thought of crochet.
I do not understand why I found this in a LYS -- a LYS that didn't have a single book by Doris Chan, Dora Ohrenstein, or Kristin Omdahl. This is the sort of thing that perpetuates the myth that crochet is crap, and doesn't do a thing to attract crocheters to your store.
I am only giving this book two stars because I believe that crocheting needs a make over. However, the patterns in here were hideous. I am either not on the cutting edge or just really lame, but patterns for knee-warmers? French bread holders? Really? There were maybe two things that I would make and the patterns for them were drawn out vs. written out (I dont' know the technical term for this). Hookorama? Try Craporama.
Here's the thing...there are at least 2 patterns in here I'd like to do. BUT the patterns themselves aren't very clear and most rely on reading diagrams in very teensy tiny print. There are a lot of projects that are just sort of confusing to me as well. Baguette holder? Knee pads? The first 5 or 6 patterns are dedicated to Adam & Eve. Because all I've ever wanted in life was a giant snake and leaf-ed bikini.