Review of Colorful Crochet Lace by Desert Blossom Crafts

Colorful Crochet Lace book by Mary Jane Hall
Review by Rachel at Dessert Blossom Crafts

• 🌲* Great Christmas idea for the Crocheter in your life! * 🎅

Colorful Crochet Lace

The feel of Colorful Crochet Lace is actually pretty similar to the previous book mentioned—but with all different projects! The patterns included, written by Mary Jane Hall, are simply stunning. I mean, just look at that pineapple lace top on the cover! This is only a small sample of the gorgeous lace tops, scarves, bags, and dresses included in this book.

The feel of Colorful Crochet Lace is actually pretty similar to the previous book mentioned—but with all different projects! The patterns included, written by Mary Jane Hall, are simply stunning. I mean, just look at that pineapple lace top on the cover! This is only a small sample of the gorgeous lace tops, scarves, bags, and dresses included in this book. Get yours here.

THANK YOU RACHEL! She has an awesome crochet blog HERE! Lots of crochet patterns and info. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook!

Library JOURNAL review of Colorful Crochet Lace

This is Library Journal's review of Colorful Crochet Lace. I got this ahead of time, so if you go to the link to read the review, it's not there yet, as it won't go public til Oct 1, 2015. Anywa, I've posted it here on my blog. As you can see I like collecting reviews and interviews! The more the merrier!. Thanks to all those who have given a review!

Colorful Crochet Lace
by Mary Jane Hall

Hall, Mary Jane. Colorful Crochet Lace: 22 Chic Garments & Accessories. Interweave. 2015. 160p. illus. index. ISBN 9781620336984. pap. $24.99. FIBER CRAFTS

Hall (Crochet That Fits) combines two of her passions—crocheted lace and vibrant color—in this collection of patterns, which includes both garments and accessories incorporating crocheted lace as an all-over pattern or an accent. The garment patterns feature a generous assortment of measurements, with a few sized from XS to 3X, and there are plenty of silhouettes included, allowing crocheters of all body types and sizes to find a style that works for them. Most of the patterns use lightweight yarn (fingering, sport, or DK), which lends itself nicely to the open, airy lacework. Patterns are both written and charted, and variations such as lengthening or shortening are provided. One of Hall’s areas of expertise is fitting crocheted garments, and she includes numerous tips for achieving the perfect fit without complex shaping, as well as a brief overview of her graduated stitch method, which allows crocheters to shape garments without using increases or decreases. VERDICT As Hall mentions in her introduction, crocheted lace is trendy right now, and this collection strikes a nice balance between homage to bygone eras and contemporary style.

Review of Colorful Crochet Lace at About.com by Katheryn Vercillo

Katheryn Vercillo is well known for her popular blog, Crochet Concupiscence. I'm honored she did this review of the book! Go to About.com to read the full review.
http://crochet.about.com/od/books/fl/22-Chic-Crochet-Patterns-in-Colorful-Crochet-Lace.htm

Crochet designer Mary Jane Hall has released a new book called Colorful Crochet Lace that highlights the stunning contemporary use of lace in crafting with nearly two dozen fresh new crochet patterns. Additionally, it incorporates the use of a special crochet technique created by the designer to help make it easier for crafters to shape their garments to their own size and style.

About the Crochet Book

Colorful Crochet Lace is a 2015 crochet book published by Interweave.

Examples of the Crochet Patterns

It includes 22 truly chic crochet lace projects, giving us a little bit of information about the history of lace making but more importantly showcasing how lace really fits in with a modern way of life. Author and designer Mary Jane Hall really loves color and she capitalizes on that love by incorporating bold hues into her patterns. This shows us the varied potential of lace that we might otherwise overlook when viewing more classic white/cream and other neutral lace designs. Of course, those kinds of lace have their place but it's great to see the other options in crochet lace as well.

The crochet patterns in this book are a mixture of accessories patterns and clothing patterns. You'll find crochet patterns for belts, bags, scarves and shawls. You'll also find crochet patterns for beautifully lacy boleros, capelets and shrugs to wear over outfits all throughout the year. And with the patterns in this new book you'll also be able to make crochet shirts, dresses and tops of all shapes and sizes.

Graduated Stitch Method
It's an impressive collection of different types of designs. You could make a whole wardrobe for yourself using this book and a little bit of your own imagination!

The most unique thing about this wonderful new crochet book is that it incorporates the Graduated Stitch Method, which is a a unique shaping/ and sizing technique created by the author. She teaches us the technique so that we can get the right size and shape to suit our own needs as crafters without having to rely solely on increases and decreases, which have long been the standard method of shaping and sizing in crochet. The designer has been using this technique for several years to great success in her patterns.