150 Favorite Crochet Designs (Dover Needlework Series)

Rating:
Summary: This book is a treasury of patterns from the past.
Review: 150 Favorite Crochet Designs edited by Mary Carolyn Waldrep, is a treasure-trove of patterns gleaned from the past. All the patterns are made from thread and date bake to the 30's, 40's, and 50's. Many of the patterns can be easily adapted by today's modern crocheter. The charted "Eagle and Motto" runner with its' patriotic E PLURIBUS UNUM detail could be the basis for a great 4th of July afghan done in 4ply yarn. Pick out a motif from one of the bedspread patterns and do it up in yarn. Tack it to a tired old pillow for some instant decor pick-me-up. Worked in thread, many individual motifs can be used for snowflakes for a Christmas tree. There are also edgings that can be used to trim baskets and caning jars. Intermediate to advanced crocheters would find this book useful and beginners can easily grow into it.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Old-Fashioned Whitework
Review: I bought this book originally because of the three wide crocheted lace patterns. I love the heavy but dainty thick lace you see on antique pillowcases and sheets, but couldn't find any patterns until this book. I shy away from the cheesy multi-colored patterns you see so often in modern books, so this was a natural fit. The patterns in this book are vintage... and I'm so glad!

Rating:
Summary: When Crocheting was an art
Review: I learned to crochet about 30 years ago, but when I started again about 10 years ago it was hard to find the old patterns. I was happy when I found this book in 1997. The patterns in this book use threads in 30, 40 and sometimes 60 and 80. It's a fantastic resource for delicate and drop-dead gorgeous crochet projects like vanity sets, bedspreads, dinner sets, edging and insets. I prefer these older patterns because they really take the skill of crocheting to it's highest and most artistic level.

However, if you are used to following "symbols" instead of written instructions, this might be difficult for you. But what is art without a challenge? I highly recommend this book.




Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: I picked up a copy at the library, but now I know I'm going to have to buy it. I started dog earring pages to Xerox, and found that I had dog earred all but three pages. I have been looking for books that would tell me how to make lace, real lace, beautiful and detailed lace. I am bored by most modern patterns that claim to be lacy. These are true lace patterns for edgings, runners, tablecloths, bedspreads. The motifs and squares look amazing, even in fuzzy black and white pictures. I can hardly wait to see what they will look like when I'm holding them in my hands.

Rating:
Summary: For those who like old-fashioned crochet
Review: The synopsis is right on the mark. This book is very old-fashioned - from the patterns right down to the print. I dare to say, even boring. The designs are (as mentioned) from decades ago, so if you're looking for young, fun designs you won't get it here. The pictures are in black and white and the print is old, typewriter style. Out of the claimed 150 designs (I didn't check to see if there are really 150), only about 5 really interested me. Even my 67 year old mother remarked that none of the designs 'jumped out at her'. On the positive side though, the book is easy to follow with charts and abbreviation guides, crochet hook conversions and 17 basic crochet stitches. I will recommend the book for a beginner who wants simple designs, but for a seasoned pro who has done it all, something newer and more challenging is needed - unless of course you lost all your mother's old books and want one with old favorites for your home library :)