Japanese Craft Book Review: Kyuuto! Lacy Crochet

Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts!: Lacy Crochet: Lacy Crochet (Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts)
Chronicle Books San Francisco
ISBN 978-0-8118-6058-1
$14.95 US
originally published in Japan as Kawaii Resu Ami Zakka, by SHUFU-TO-SEIKATSUSHA (popular Japanese lifestyle magazine)

Did you want the in-depth review first, or some teaser photos? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Coin Purse

Needle and hook case - instructions for sewing the case included; the back is entirely lace, not just an edging.

Baby Shoes

Step-by-step photos!

I'd show you snapshots of some of the project instruction pages, but I think I'd really be pushing the fair use for review purposes - you'd be able to make the project from just one page. I'm already a fan of the way Japanese craft books are laid out and the way the instructions are shown; to have it in a language I can read is fantastic. I got my book as a holiday gift (the buyer used Amazon - I haven't seen it in local bookstores yet).

After recovering from the kawaii!-induced blindness, I've taken a closer look at the book, and while I am still so happy with it that I still do a little wiggle-dance of joy when thinking about it, there are a couple of points that I would not have let escape my attention in other publications.

1. Yarn - or rather, lace thread, which is probably why the book is called Lacy Crochet but not all the projects are lace. All of the patterns call for lace thread, which, as it happens, can be found in different thicknesses, fibers, textures, and so on. I cannot find any recommendations in the book for a specific lace thread. Cotton crochet thread, pearl cotton, tatting thread, and fine-gauge yarns are all possible substitutes; I'm thinking that Hemp For Knitting allhemp3 would be a good choice for many of the patterns. If you are looking for the specific thread used in the book projects, you are on your own.

2. Gauge: the lack thereof. Hook sizes are given, but no gauge measurements. You can reverse-engineer gauge for the projects, thanks to the clear photos and schematics. Most of the projects won't suffer from being a little larger or smaller, though.

3. Notions: where to find.  The coin purse calls for a metal purse frame measuring 3" wide, 1.6" tall (7.5 x 4 cm), with 26 holes. Lacis.com has similar purse frames, but nothing with those specific dimensions. Baglady.com also has similar purse frames, and a selection of lace thread (specializes in crochet beadwork).

On the plus side, though, I have also noted that there is a section showing the symbols used with step-by-step instructions (text and illustrations) for each symbol and the techniques used in the book.

There's also a good number of projects here, and some of them can be done relatively quickly even though the gauge is fine (the coin purse, for example, and the baby shoes).

Contents:
Part 1: Small Crafts for Interiors
Coasters
Pot Holders
Tissue Box Cover/Placemat
Jar Covers
Baby Shoes 1 Ties
Baby Shoes 2 Straps
Doily 1 Round
Doily 2 Square
Multipurpose Cover

Part 2: Private Time for Favorite Handicrafts
Pincushion
Lace Basket
Scissors Case
Hook Case
Braid 1 Ribbon
Braid 1 Edging
Braid 3 Ringlet

Part 3: Fashionable Items for Everyday Life
Mobile Phone Case
Corsage 1 Gerbera
Corsage 2 Rose
Potpourri Sachet 1 Flowers
Potpourri Sachet 2 Leaves
Coin Purse
Decorative Strings 1 Balls
Decorative Strings 2 Tassels
Mini Bag 1 Petals
Mini Bag 2 Buttons

Pattern Lesson 1
Crocheting Rings of Circles Round Doily

Pattern Lesson 2
Crocheting a Flat Pattern from a Chained Cast-on
Square Doily

Lacy Crochet Techniques
How to Thread Over and Hold a Hook
How to Make the First Stitch
Making Chain Stitches
Cast-on Foundation
Picking Up a Stitch
Stitch Techniques and Symbols/Abbreviations
Using the Symbols/Abbreviations Chart

Comments

[wendi]

I also bought this book and was wowed by the intricacies of the various projects but thrown off by the symbol directions thing. I may make a shawl out of one of the table runners, if I can figure out how to do it.

[zoblue]

It also didn't escape my notice that the patterns don't mention a specific yarn weight. I think most of the patterns call for fingering weight. I may try the Mobile Phone Case for my iPhone. :)