One of Leisure Arts’ most recent crochet offerings is Dora Ohrenstein’s Crochet Insider’s Passion for Fashion. This book is a real joy. The 23 designs in this book are all innovative and attractive. There are several that are on my WIM list for the near future.
Why innovative? The designer uses stitch techniques for shaping that are not often used in similar designs. The Peacock Skirt makes clever use of ripples to create a flounce on the bottom and hip and waist shaping on the top. The Mosaic Shells sleeveless top, worked from side to side has no actual shaping – but has visual shaping created by use of color and texture of the stitches. And, my favorite, the Toreador Jacket, uses an interesting yoke assembly to create shaping.
Ms. Ohrenstein demonstrates her fascination with the Catherine’s Wheel stitch, emplying it in several projects in this book. One of the most effective uses of this stitch is in the tiny, charming Preciosilla Purse where she turns the typical purse pattern on an angle to create an exquisite little bag.
Usually a lack of schematics will displease me. But, in this book, each project is pictured from several angles and close enough to see stitch detail. Thus the need for schematics is diminished.
Overall, this book is a must read. I must say that, again, I wish it has been published with a spiral spine so the pages would lie flat for easier use. But, I won’t hold that against it. The only downside to this book is the choice of some colors in the designs. My favorite pattern, the Toreador Jacket which is on my daughter’s Please Make It For Me Right Away List, is pictured in a strange and not particularly attractive color combo. I hope it was the photog’s filter rather than the designer’s eye which created this problem – but I don’t really like the combination of violet and green matched with rust. Doesn’t work for me.
Other than that, I’m all for this book. It will have a prized place in my library.
SPECS:
Leisure Arts #4542, 2008 by Dora Ohrenstein
8.5X11 inch soft cover, 189 page, lots of color pictures
ISBN 13-9781601407909 OR 10-1601407904
List Price $22.95 USD
