Everyday Crochet

Everyday Crochet - Wearable Designs Just for You

Everyday Garments Made it? Flaunt it! Crocheted clothes are not just for special occasions. If you crochet, then you can make garments to wear every day using the yarns you love. "Who would want to?" you ask. Well, think about it. You can't deny there's a great deal of pride and satisfaction in crocheting something, anything. To some extent we all seek the admiration, approval, and dumbstruck awe that skillfully crocheted objects inspire. But how many admirers can there be for pretty afghans and decorative items that stay at home? Or for those gorgeous but frivolous accessories you adore wearing, but that only come out during the holidays? I see many possible reasons for not putting your yarn stash on your back more often. Never crocheted a garment before? We will fix that. Haven't met the right crochet design? Maybe we can fix that. Can't find patterns in your size? Ditto. Think you can't wear or don't look good in crochet? It's not you, it's the crocheted garment that's either too clunky and thick, isn't your size, or has no shape. We can fix that, too. Aren't sure how to mix crochet with your own clothes? I can't give you a makeover, but I hope the photos of crochet plus wardrobe staples will give you some ideas. Extra Sizing Spoken Here Nobody, no body is perfect. To be human-especially to be a human woman-is to have bulges. From birth we are told that some bulges are sexy and desirable, worthy of flaunting, while some other bulges are unsightly, best kept disguised. Who made those rules? How are we supposed to maintain any kind of self-esteem when our fashion icons are size 4 and the average American woman is size 14? I am ashamed to admit that I totally bought into this worship of the slender. Until very recently I hadn't even considered sizing my designs larger than XL, with a finished bust around 44" (112cm). And for the most part, the editors and publishers for whom I designed were not much concerned about it. Today I am acutely aware of the need for good crochet design for other than tiny model figures. But, be assured, this book isn't for large sizes only. Every garment here is offered from small (to fit busts sized 32-34" [81-84cm]) through extra sizing (to fit busts up to 50" [127cm]), and some larger still. Many designs are Petite-able and Tall-able. If we aren't encouraged to rejoice in our various bulges, at least we can dress them in crochet. This book is about options. Each of the following design chapters offers a basic clothing item, then runs through a gang of variations on the theme. Your perfect sweater probably won't be like any of the samples I have crocheted, because you are going to shop for the bits to do for yourself, sort of one from column A, one from column B. Add up the parts you want for the silhouette that works best for your body, whatever your size. The Dreaded Raglan Understand that I design garments from the neck down with raglan-type increases in pattern to shape the shoulders and arms. Many readers will appreciate my MO for the technical crochet aspects but will immediately dismiss the thought of raglans as intrinsically unattractive. And normally that'd be correct. Most real figures will look best in a shoulder that's more structured, with a defined shoulder line and set-in sleeves. But in order to hang properly and look good, structured garments require precise calculation of various slopes, perfect placement of the shoulder seam, and skillful seaming. I never enjoyed crocheting garments this way because of the sewing. It's not that I dislike or disapprove of sewing or seaming in crochet; it's more that I've always been so lousy at it. And as for sewn raglan seams in crochet, they're the most horrible, unyielding, bulky, constricting, and restricting style imaginable. This raglan's different. This raglan is a gentle, almost invisible (or very pretty where perceptible) line of increasing st "Everyday Crochet" is your new must-have collection of crochet designs. Doris Chan, the author of Amazing Crochet Lace, presents 25 patterns for fresh and fashion-forward attire, this time with a variety of customizable options. With basic crochet skills, you can crochet tops, dresses, jackets, layering pieces, and accessories--a wardrobe of versatile garments that can be mixed, matched, and layered with the clothes women already have in the closet. Also included are techniques for shaping stitches in pattern and a special focus on shells of all kinds. Using a variety of closed and open stitches, yarns, and colorways, you can make wearable ensembles for any season and any mood. Many patterns offer simple fitting tips and options for adjusting length, sleeve, and neckline, as well as sizing for ample figures up to 3XL--52" bust or 54" hip--to help achieve a signature look. Whether you're a crochet newbie seeking inspiration or an old pro looking for a new take on this fun craft, Everyday Crochet is packed full of innovative designs for stylish, up-to-the-minute crochet clothing and accessories. The author of "Amazing Crochet Lace" presents 25 patterns for fresh and fashion-forward attire, this time with a variety of customizable options. Using basic crochet skills, readers can crochet tops, dresses, jackets, layering pieces, and accessories. The recent rediscovery of crochet and knitting has exploded into a hot trend, and is steadily growing into a do-it-yourself fashion phenomenon. Doris Chan responds to the call fro handcrafted, fashion-forward designs with a collection of fresh and funky crochet attire. Though crochet has long been seen as knitting's less popular cousin, it is quickly gaining momentum as the needle art in the limelight. With the publication of STITCH 'N' BITCH CROCHET: THE HAPPY HOOKER, many new faces will learn what dedicated crocheters have known forever: crocheting is fast and flexible. Using only one crochet hook instead of two knitting needles offers more freedom to create different stitches and amazingly textured fabrics. Those who couldn't master knitting but want to play with yarn have another opportunity to hand make one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories. The collection of crochet designs in EVERYDAY CROCHET explores the possibilities beyond the traditional suit or twin-set. Armed with basic crochet skills, readers can crochet tops, skirts, jackets, layering pieces, and accessories: a wardrobe of versatile garments that may be mixed, matched, and layered with each other or with the clothes most women will already have in the closet. The introduction will expand on the author's seamless modus operandi introduced in AMAZING CROCHET LACE, with techniques for shaping stitches in pattern and special focus on shells of all kinds. Using a variety of closed and open stitches, yarns, and colourways, readers can make wearable ensembles for any season and any mood. Many patterns will offer fitting tips and options for adjusting length, sleeve, and neckline, as well as sizing for ample figures up to 3XL--up to 52" bust or 54"hip to help readers achieve a signature look. Everyday Crochetis your new must-have collection of crochet designs. Doris Chan, the author of Amazing Crochet Lace, presents 25 patterns for fresh and fashion-forward attire, this time with a variety of customizable options. With basic crochet skills, you can crochet tops, dresses, jackets, layering pieces, and accessoriesa wardrobe of versatile garments that can be mixed, matched, and layered with the clothes women already have in the closet. Also included are techniques for shaping stitches in pattern and a special focus on shells of all kinds. Using a variety of closed and open stitches, yarns, and colorways, you can make wearable ensembles for any season and any mood. Many patterns offer simple fitting tips and options for adjusting length, sleeve, and neckline, as well as sizing for ample figures up to 3XL52 bust or 54 hipto help achieve a signature look. Whether youre a crochet newbie seeking inspiration or an old pro looking for a new take on this fun craft, Everyday Crochet is packed full of innovative designs for stylish, up-to-the-minute crochet clothing and accessories.