Hip to Crochet: 23 Contemporary Projects for Today's Crocheter (Hip to . . . Series)

Rating:
Summary: It's hip and it's crochet--fun, fashionable and trendy
Review: Crochet, right now when this book is just published, is very "in." If you are handy with a crochet hook or are motivated to learn, you can make some clothes that will look as if they came from some trendy boutique.

There is a granny square skirt--I've seen skirts and jackets just like it in catalogs going for a lot of scratch. There are hats, bags, capelets (a smallish type of poncho), gloves, and scarves. The book has a lot of instruction on fit and finish. For those who don't want to crochet clothes, there are plant cachepots, pillows and a very attractive, African-looking throw.

This should really appeal to anyone young who wants to crochet something decorative or fashionable that looks very trendy.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a book titled "hip" that really is!
Review: Having learned to crochet nearly 35 years ago, and having thrown crochet aside in favor of knitting for the last 10 years or so, I'm happy to see a book that offers cool patterns for those who like to crochet. I am making the block-on-block skirt for myself and the girly-girl capelet for my niece, and look forward to choosing more projects from this book. If you thought crochet was for geeks, this book may convince you to think otherwise.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful scarf on the cover is the highlight.....
Review: HIP TO CROCHET by Judith Swartz includes funky hats and mittens and nifty scarves I might actually wear and many young people would probably love. It also includes items I will never make or wear such as a crocheted suit. A lightweight caplet suitable for a mild breeze on the deck of a winter cruise ship is appealing, especially as you could wear it like a sweater under your winter coat and/or stuff it in your suitcase without using too much space.

The book includes some basic instructions in the front, but you would be wise to purchase the CROCHET COMPANION by Nancy Brown if you want a more in-depth explanation of the various stitches used in the patterns presented in HIP TO CROCHET

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: I first spotted this book in a local yarn shop, and dreamed about owning it for months before I finally picked it up with an Amazon gift certificate. Finally, a book with cool crochet patterns.

Well, don't waste your cash. I'm an advanced crocheter. I've never met a pattern I couldn't do. I check my gauge before I begin and everything. The problem is not that I don't know how to read a pattern. The problem is that at least 3 of her patterns are wrong. And not slightly wrong, we're talking wrong for several steps throughout the pattern. I've talked to others who have bought this book and they've had the same trouble with the patterns I've tried thus far, and a couple of others in the book. If you want to pick up the book to be inspired, go for it. But if you are looking for a book that will tell you how to make those hip, funky creations pictured, look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Crochet for everyone..
Review: I liked this book, I think it could have had a few "differently hip" styles such as Doris Chan's creations in the new Interweave Knits Magazine-Special Crochet Issue. The open weave one piece sweaters and one piece skirts were really hip! This book is good for beginners and would be better for beginners than the aforementioned magazine.
Overall, 4 stars!!

Rating:
Summary: Hot Stuff
Review: The patterns in this book are very colorful and trendy. I can imagine looking at it in 5 years and thinking things are hopelessly out of style, but for now, these are "in". Although I have approximately 10 halfway finished projects, the next one I do is going to be the granny square skirt. However, they don't provide instructions on what to wear UNDER the skirt- do you sew a lining to the crocheted part? Do you wear a slip under it?! There is a good mix of projects for anyone from beginner to expert and again, the styles are very trendy NOW.