Delicate Crochet: 23 Light and Pretty Designs for Shawls, Tops and More

Delicate Crochet is a new tutorial crochet guide collected by Sharon Hernes Silverman. Due out 1st Dec 2018 from  Rowman & Littlefield, it's 176 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.  This book includes 23 crochet designs from numerous designers, collected by Ms. Silverman, which include apparel and accessories designed to showcase the openwork patterns of the crochet.  The book includes several patterns worked with tunisian and broomstick lace.  There's also a project included which uses the crocheted fabric as a ground for further embellishment, guaranteed to serve as a good jumping off point for really making the item one's own.

The breadth of patterns included impressed me.  There are structured garments (including a cardigan) as well as very loose and flowing wraps (see cover illustration). Each project tutorial chapter includes both written pattern instructions as well as drawn diagrams. The projects are well photographed and each one includes yarn suggestions and materials.  There is a wealth of inspiration for gift ideas as well as must-haves for the crafter.

There are any number of luscious variegated yarns out now and many of these projects utilize those yarns with wonderful results.  This is a book with a fair bit of 'ooh' factor.  There were several projects which definitely went on my list.

I didn't complete any of the projects, but I did do several swatch tests and found the pattern diagrams easy to follow and mistake free.  The recommended yarn weights seem appropriate.  Delicate crochet also includes a few patterns for the more adventurous crafter.. I am not entirely sure about crocheting a skirt (at least not for myself), but there's one included here.

Many of the designs showcase crochet fabric's natural draping tendencies to an impressive degree.  The Ziggy Vest designed by Vashti Braha is a really lovely project with a surprising amount of structure and detail.

Lovely projects, luscious yarns, good detail photography, and well written instructions.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.