Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today's Top Crocheters

This book gives a short description of various crochet forms. Each section gives a brief bibliography of the featured master, a very clear and fully illustrated review of the stitches and technique, and then provides a pattern to help you practice. True, as some of the other reviews have pointed out, it doesn't get into the knitty gritty to make you a top artist of a particular method just by reading this book. But, I got this book because I wanted a book that would plainly show me the differences between each crochet technique, expand my knowledge, and help me learn to do more unique crochet forms, such as Irish crochet - something not well published. The book even provides you with these master's e-mails, websites, workshop information and more so that you can pursue the next steps if you feel you've mastered the basics provided. This book was EXACTLY what I was looking for.The patterns provides are simple and range from beginner to more experienced. I'm usually picky about the patterns that I like and was happy to find that I liked over half of them as is, and would probably like the rest with different color schemes. I am REALLY excited to make the Overlay Mandala Pillow Cover (shown on the cover), and the painted crochet technique for the hearts and roses centerpiece. I normally don't like to display doilies, despite finding them fun to make, but this one is GORGEOUS and might even find itself in a frame to hang on the wall.I would HIGHLY recommend this book if you are a beginner crocheter trying to find which technique you like best, an intermediate crocheter (like me) who has been looking for a way to bridge the gap to become advanced and well-rounded, or an advanced crocheter who wants to test their skills and knowledge.

I usually buy anything Jean and Rita does. They again prove me right to do this. This wasn't what I expected because I didn't know anybody was thinking about this. You can find books that talk about well known knitters and what their story and specialties are, but this is the first one I have seen with crocheters. This is a snapshot of many of the movers and shakers of our time. Not necessarily the ones you see on tv, but some of the ones that are innovating and rediscovering old techniques.I have seen most of these crocheters at conventions and took classes from some of them. It is so good to see these different techniques in one place and have a way to search further for more info.There are some basic instructions in the back and a beginner that has followed one or two patterns before should be able to try many of these techniques. I love the tips from the masters, they have helped me already explaining where I have gone wrong in the past.Not just another crochet pattern book, but one that is being added to my library permanently.

Love this book!!!! The book itself is well written, gives a description of the designers, their type of specialty crochet technique, and show pictures of other projects they have created with their technique. Absolutely wonderful!!!! Then there is one project in the technique to make. I am a little disappointed though because some of the other pictures they show are not written in the patterns and I truly love some of the other designs in this book. I will have to research some and see if I can find these particular patterns. All in all, this is truly an amazing book!!! Even if you don't crochet, this is a gorgeous book just to keep on your coffee table.

I love this book, it is soft cover full size with many beautiful photographs. Each section is filled with so much helpful historical and modern information. It is a great read all on that alone. The pictures show very clearly how an item is constructed and variations are endless with the instructions and imagination. Each master really knows their craft. With Pinterest and Ravelry out there the things you can make are endless but a book like this is so much easier to understand and how to improve your crafts. The book makes you want to make beautiful things.

A beautiful collection of patterns and techniques to work to one day master and become proficient at. These are works that you see, wish you could do and never thought someone would even think about teaching you. Thank you ladies for giving us all a shot at it!

The problem with this book is the unavailability of the now obsolete threads required to reproduce the patterns as pictured. As far as the stitches, they are explained with great detail and each pattern is given a 'heads up' as far as difficulty from easy, intermediate, expert. What I have discovered as the 'problem' is finding the exact threads. The photos are exquisite, but let it be known that the photos are of the EXACT THREADS used, not substitutions. If not using the same threads the same 'sheen' will not be there.Threads become as obsolete as patterns - meaning if one likes the picture the exact sheen of thread must be utilized to get the same effect and 'show' as the finished pattern photographed.It is very easy to 'substitute' as long as one can get the gauge and close to the 'color'...the pictures one sees is not the product that can be produced unless the same threads are utilized in making the item.Filet crochet will never go out of favor, nor will Irish. Free-form crochet (perhaps musically, it could be called jazz) does look like a skin disease. It may or may not appeal to some, to me it elicited a gag reflex.The most beautiful creations are by Ferosa Harold. Having never known painted crochet, this lady is a true creator if of an ancient art form.

I absolutely love this book! It has tons of popular techniques that are currently being taught, and it teaches in depth each technique. There is one pattern per technique. I would have preferred more, but the book is already huge as it is. I understand why they limited it to one pattern. It teaches the more difficult techniques that you may have had to pay to take a class for, but instead of that, one can read the book and learn on their own!