Crochet, like its sister craft knitting, is enjoying a resurgence thanks to the rise of craft blogs, online communities and artisan yarn companies. So Pretty! Crochet, a fresh, breezy set of patterns collected by editor and blogger Amy Palanjian, gives it an image makeover.
Celebrating crochet's mix of traditional roots and infinite possibilities for innovation, Palanjian gathers patterns from 12 designers, plus stories from each contributor about learning to crochet or gathering design inspiration. The anecdotes cover a range of subjects, from Italian grandmothers to art school to magazine tutorials, and the patterns--colorful, fashion-forward and meticulously detailed--provide a full set of home and personal accessories, from a chunky scalloped neck wrap to a light-as-air necklace. This is crochet as artistic embellishment: no scratchy afghans or baggy sweaters here, only accessories designed to show off lush materials and intricate-looking (though often simple) stitches. Each pattern reflects the style of its designer but offers variations to fit the reader's preferences.
The book contains both charts and written directions, as well as handy glossaries of crochet terms, tools, and yarn weights and fibers. Several more lists--of helpful blogs, fiber festivals, independent yarn shops and even yarn and fiber CSAs--make up the last section. Luscious, magazine-style photographs will please even readers who have yet to pick up a hook, but the chic jewelry, sweet home items and easy-to-read patterns may send even reluctant crocheters scurrying to the yarn shop to whip up these pretty accessories. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams