I got my copy of Doris Chan's new book "Everyday Crochet" and I love it! Maybe it deserves a flashier title, but on the other hand, it might be just what it says: crochet for garments I will actually wear. I'm starting with "Jewel." Doris Chan "Everyday Crochet" on Amazon.com [Array]
I have never been a fan of following a "recipe" and making something just the way the book says (how would I use up my stash?!). I've made only a few garments: baby sweater using Maggie Righetti's wonderful book "Crochet in Plain English" (if I only had one book on the shelf, that might be it). The design process Righetti presents is top-down raglan style, and I was hooked -- it is more like "how to cook" than "make this recipe." However, I have been having trouble trying to invent myself a sweater using this approach; fitting requires a LOT of trial and error because I don't know what I'm doing.
SO -- TA-DA! Doris Chan's brand-new book is JUST what I needed. It gives me theme and variations, all using the raglan/top-down (fit-as-you-go) approach. But unlike me, SHE knows what she's doing, so the right combinations of yarn, stitch pattern, and shaping has been worked out. So I'm going to jump in. Once I have made one garment according to plan and feel more confident of my skills, her book gives many ways to adapt, alter, use different yarn, modify body shaping, and customize. (I do wish there was something about collars -- my neck gets cold! -- but it does seem like it would be relatively easy to add a collar).
So, in an unprecedented move (for me) I'm actually planning to buy exactly the yarn she suggests for "Jewel," a simple pullover with 3/4 sleeves, and make it, just for the learning experience (and to have a great top to wear!). That is, if I can find Classic Elite Premier (cotton/tencel) in a color I like. Luckily she gives very useful notes on yarn substitution and how you can go in adapting other yarns (and how far is too far ... !). But I'd like to stick to the plan
Anybody want to play along?