Reviews

Definately different! I just finished my first motif, the fourth floweret. I love thread crochet, and have recently done several modern renditions of "Irish Crochet", so I bought this book to add to my collection. I have worked from other material that was written using British terms, which takes a little getting used to, and I find myself easily adapting to the terminology. The terminology used here is similarly different, but not the same as british, however there is a "stitch conversion chart" and I found it easy to adjust. A major difference that I found was the "style" in which it was written. Modern patterns tell you what to do with the next stitch, then the next. You follow the direction, then you finally catch on what they are trying to do ex: (2 ch, 1 sc in the next loop) 4 times. Where as this text tells you what needs to be accomplished, ex: make four times: 2 chain and 1 plain on the loop beneath. (US sc = plain). It takes some getting used to, and when I first started I thought that I would need to re-write the instructions in "modern terms", but before I could finish the first motif, I began to actually prefer this method of instruction! Wow! Also, the design flows together much easier than the modern renditions that I have tried. (Which almost scared me away from Irish Crochet.) Also different is the cord foundation. I had never used a cord foundation before. Man, that took some getting used to! When I finally got the hang of it, I think it is genuis! The use of the foundation cord allows you to make sc stitches without working over a chain foundation all of the time. It also provides a wonderful contrast in thickness, which provides considerable depth the the motifs. Sort of like an outline. Which makes me realize that these motifs are expertly designed. The beginning instructions do a good job of explaining the use of the cord foundation. The only question I have unanswered is since the cord foundation is so thick, what is the best way to tie it off and work in the ends??? Several different weights of threads need to be used to accomplish the desired results. The original weights of thread specified are not readily available, and I am using No. 5 for a cord foundation as suggested in the adaptations in the foreword. I used No. 10 for the motif, and No. 30 for the ground (background) as I have it available to me. However this produces designs far larger than the templates in the back of the book. This is just fine for me, as No. 30 is really as small as I have the tools (and patience) to work with :) Next time I might switch to a No. 3 for the cord foundation??? If you have good thread crochet skills and some patience to get started, I think you should be very pleased with this booklet!

This is a very old book, so the instructions are in 'victorian' format - just text - but they are very detailed and informative. There are no complete patterns for artifacts here, just excellent building blocks for our own designs. Photography is very good, so whatever might look intimidating in the instructions becomes very clear in the picture. Also the introduction is excellent, providing a lot of facts and no gossipy dribble, so common in this type of literature. This book is fully sufficient to learn design of crocheted lace, I will definitely use it for many projects.

I have crocheted a long time and have done some Irish crochet. This book would be difficult for the average crocheter. I don't think the instructions are easy to understand, the photos are in black and white, very grainy and hard to see. An experienced crocheter would manage but there are better books out there. I do not recommend this.

This is a great book, it has easy to follow instructions and is put together in such a way that by the end of the book you can put together some wonderful works.

Although this book has very few pages I find it to be very informing about Irish crochet. And at a good price. The instructions might be confusing for a beginner as another reviewer has mentioned but with some effort and patience you can get results.

Reviews

I would recommend this book to the crocheter looking for some fresh and pretty designs. I want to emphasize the prettiness of the patterns. This is not your grandmother's pattern book as the designs are unique. I find too often crochet design books feature patterns that are stale or in some cases bordering on ugly and not something you'd want to actually wear. Some of these patterns may present a challenge, but the results will be worth the effort.

Very disappointing. I never would have bought this had I seen it first in a store. Not practical, messy looking designs. I'll never make a thing inspird by this book...and I love crochet lace.

I have been crocheting for many years and love to experiment with my work so when Myra Wood released this book, I was very curious about it. Myra's work in freeform crochet and her bead work are legendary so I had a feeling that her book would be very inspiring as well. I couldn't have been more right! Let me start by saying that this book is not a line by line pattern book, nor is is a stitch guide or any other traditional crochet format that you may be used to. It IS, however, a wonderful guide teaching the reader easy to follow techniques for creating totally freeform garments using your own creative ideas. She has outlined several styles of freeform crochet lace, given ways in which to shape and style the work, how to lay it out properly, techniques to join the smaller pieces you may have into a larger item, and things to consider about fit and drape as you work. This book is a beautifully laid out, easy read with gorgeous photography and lots of very good, sound advice for anyone wanting to get into the field of freeform crochet. Thank you Myra, for such a wonderful book!!!

I just got my copy of Creative Crochet Lace and I am in love. I have seen some lovely freeform crochet in the past and was intrigued by its beauty, but never wanted to try it myself because I thought its end use was limited, and how many wallhangings does one really need? This book not only shows a variety of freeform techniques, but also shows how to make items in freeform that are practical as well as beautiful. I'm hooked - pun intended!

A great resource for those of us who are bored with the same old patterns. Myra explains how to develop your own crochet lace and free yourself from the "doily" look. Just what I have been waiting for!

Reviews

My Irish grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was about 8 years old, encouraging me to learn a skill that "can carry you through hard times." Many of my Irish family of the great-times-4-or-more-generations survived that terrible potato famine in Ireland by creating fancy clothing and accessories in thius distinctive style of crochet. Irish Crochet: Crocheter's Historical Pattern Series, Volume Two, is a valued reference in my extensive crochet library. Melissa Johnson describes both the styles of Irish crochet and the patterns with her effective combination of text and illustrations, and the reprints of original 19th-century patterns are fascinating. As an experienced crocheter, I use this book both as an inspiration and a reference to design my own patterns. I believe that people who are learning how to crochet would enjoy this book as they read about the history, different styles, and pattern directions as they complete their first projects in Irish crochet.

I have been looking for patterns that were beyond the norm, something unusual and timeless, and this book contains more than I had even hoped for. I am delighted with this crochet book. These lovely creations were made during an era that wasn't congested with computer technology and television, perhaps this is why it seems so much more creative and, though time consuming, worth every moment of effort. I intend to use this book a lot, and I am so glad I ordered this one, it is filled with patterns that are so beautiful it's breath-taking. Worth every penny, I intend to buy every book from the historical series. I'm sure I will not be disapointed.

Another stunning book of Irish Crochet lace. Same setout as Masterpieces of Irish Crochet Lace. (photo of each piece and written out instructions) Lots of beautiful flowers and motifs. Challenging but well worth the effort. I have found this very inspiring and eventhough I may not make any irish lace I will definitly use some of the techniques and patterns in my crochet.

This is a treasury of exquisite vintage designs of breathtaking delicacy and intricacy, of wild roses, tea roses, old roses, passion flowers, ferns, narcissi, blackberries,trefoils, daisies, fuschia, chrysanthemums, numerous types of butterflies, a variety of leaves, thistles, shamrocks, acorns, and grapevines. These designs are amazing in their three-dimensionality, and many of these can be made into decorative pendants of nodding fuschias, dropping acorns, and alighting butterflies -- enchanting! There are instructions for making up -- using the various background and edge stitches -- into a variety of beautiful items, not only edgings, insertions, medallions, doilies, and baby bonnets and booties, but also more unusual items such as opera bags, curtain tiebacks, hatpins, jabots, bows, necklaces, brooches, buttons, and belt pins, and even stunning masterpieces such as portrait hats, shirtwaists, gowns, and coats. If you are a lace-crocheter and buy only one book this year, let this be the book and you will not regret it!