Sharon Hernes Silverman

I was lucky to receive a copy of Delicate Crochet: 23 Light and Pretty Designs for Shawls, Tops and More. This pattern book is gorgeous. The creations are beautiful. There are 23 patterns here from 11 designers so there is a nice variety. The patterns range in skill levels from advanced beginner to the advanced crocheter. I’d say most of these patterns are more on the challenging side, but that is a good thing. The techniques and the yarns used give the pieces a delicate, sophisticated look. I love experimenting with stitches and yarn because the possibilities are endless.

One of my favorite patterns is the Yveline Wrap made with the Tunisian stitch. Frills are added on top of the Tunisian stitches for a finishing touch, I love that idea. Tunisian is one of my favorite techniques and I would love to make this one day.

The patterns seem clear and easy to follow, there are plenty of photos for reference and help as you go. There are cardigan patterns, finger-less gloves, shawls, vests and cowl patterns all using beautiful stitches and techniques that are a little more on the advanced side.

At the end of the book there is a techniques section explaining the different stitches from single through triple crochet. Also, there is a guide to color changing and adding new yarn and a section explaining Tunisian crochet as well as blocking. There is a section on how to read the patterns and symbols as well, all with photos for reference.

Delicate Crochet: 23 Light and Pretty Designs for Shawls, Tops and More is a beautiful pattern book to add to your collection or to give as a gift to the intermediate-advanced crocheter in your life.

https://bookwormnai.wordpress.com/2018/12/20/delicate-crochet-23-light-and-prett...

disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received a free review copy of Delicate Crochet: 23 Light and Pretty Designs for Shawls, Tops and More via Netgalley/Rowman & Littlefield.… (més)

Many thanks to Netgalley, F&W Media, and Sharon Hernes Silverman for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advanced copy.

Delicate Crochet contains 23 patterns from 11 designers, focusing its designs on light and airy, and uses no yarn heavier than lightweight (#3). In the introduction, Silverman states that she assumes everyone using this book already knows the basics and at most might just need a refresher. The patterns range from easy to experienced, with some using Tunisian Crochet. There are some illustrated instructions in the back, with some attention being paid to the Tunisian technique. The patterns themselves are written out with charts and diagrams as needed. The illustrations of the patterns are okay, but nothing too inspiring. They mostly show off the design, but this is one area that could have been improved. Almost half of the patterns are wraps, shawls, scarves, rounded out with some cardigans, vests, tees, and one of each a skirt, gloves, and necklace thrown in for variety.

There are some heavyweight designers like Vicky Chan and Robyn Chachula just to name a few. Some of the patterns are cute, but overall I found it standard fare for what you see with crochet. There are some I would want to make, but I’m not sure if it would be enough for me to pick up and buy if I came across it in a store. As with any pattern book, it is how they fit that counts the most.

It is worth checking it out and if the patterns speak to you - happy crochet-ing!… (més)

Anyone who reads my blog regular knows that I've been rather hooked (pun intended) on tunisian lately. Besides devouring the net for patterns, hints, & tricks, I've been taking out books from the library, & so far I've been really disappointed with what I've been able to find. Most of them show the same 3 or 4 stitches that are easily found on the internet, & most of the projects are pretty much the same things: the scarf, the placemats, a plain bag, blah blah blah, using the same 3 or 4 stitches. They've all been so similiar I haven't even bothered to blog about them, because I had nothing positive to say. So when I took out Silverman's book, I wasn't expecting anything great.

but I was wrong & pleasantly surprised! Of course, there's the usual primer section with the same old boring basics & stitches that are in every crochet book on the market, it seems. But... the projects... are ones you'd actually want to make - using yarn you'd actually WANT to use!

yes, there is the usual scarf & bag (though the spin here is a felted clutch) -- but there's a very cute skirt, some nice wraps / shawls, a gorgeous duster (why are they called dusters, anyway? It's a cardigan) that I would actually wear, using affordable & easily found Lion Brand Cotton Ease. There are some very nice afghans & other wearables, too. I like this book enough I ordered one from amazon to keep in my personal craft library - and anyone who knows me, knows that's saying something!… (més)