Doris Chan "Everyday Crochet"

Over on the Crochet-along forum I have started a topic on Doris Chan's new book. Here are three things I love about this book :

Top-down construction with little or no sewing takes advantage of the strengths of crochet, lets you fit as you go;

Advice on choosing a size and fitting to YOUR body, large or small, straight or curvy;

Great advice on what yarn you can use or substitute (not just "buy this brand") and she explains just how far you can go with substituting yarn and adjusting gauge or size.

Her approach is more like "how to cook" than just recipes you have to follow slavishly. I totally, totally need this approach -- adaptability! -- if I'm ever going to make a dent in my stash of gorgeous odds and ends and have them turn in to garments I will wear.

I am working on the "Jewel" top -- my first-ever crocheted garment (except for 2 baby sweaters -- luckily babies can't complain about funky stitches!). I freely admit that I am struggling a bit with the challenge of learning to follow instructions! I don't mind the struggle, though: it is clear that when I have worked through Doris Chan's approach once and figured it out, I should be able to sail through the other projects in this book, adjust, adapt, and make pretty much any kind of sweater I want.

So if you are considering the book or, better yet, you have it already, check in to the forums for the crochet-along (so far I am the only one crocheting! help me!!)