Lily M. ChinReseñas

I have been crocheting for less than three months and I was ecstatic to find a copy of this book. Just what I needed! I had been trying to learn from an older crochet book (1980), which doesn't cover today's basics such as magic ring. I'd rather not have to depend on an internet connection (always nice to have but not always available in the back of beyond) for crochet instructions, so a good book on the fundamentals of crochet is a necessity. My only quibble (so far) is that although she has a good sidebar on US vs. UK crochet terms, neither "US" nor "UK" is found in the index. For some reason it's "British stitch names", which is not how people refer to the phenomenon ever. Props for covering UK hook sizes (and props twice over for recognizing that it's UK/Canadian: I shall have to be aware of that when I sort through my collection of loose hooks, anything of my step-grandmother's will likely be sized differently from the ones I've bought recently). A nod to the existence of the British and Canadian standard DK yarn (which we call wool) would have been appreciated when discussing yarn weights however.

Best quote from the book so far: "Never spit splice after drinking coffee or red wine... for obvious reasons." I'm looking forward to crocheting in the company of Lily Chin.

I think the book might have been a little oversold, both in the publisher review and by the author herself. I had heard lots of things about how this was *the* book to get if you wanted to take your knitting to professional level. Unfortunately, a good part of the beginning of the book was taken up with very simple things that an intermediate or advanced knitter would already be familiar with. I don't even know if I would call myself an intermediate knitter yet, and I found it a bit too easy.

Where the book shines is near the end - Chin writes extensively about swatches and why they're important, and also what to do with a swatch once you've made it and BEFORE you start your project. Her advice will be familiar to anyone who also sews (as I do), but it boils down to treating the swatch the way you intend to treat the knitted garment, i.e. washing, drying, pulling in to shape. She does this to see how much the knit shrinks, whether it felts easily, etc.... all things you'd want to know before spending $100 and 6 months on a sweater, only to have it come out doll-sized in the wash. There are some other useful tips in there as well, but the gauge swatch information was what I found most useful.

If you're beyond the beginning stages of knitting, you might be better off getting this book from your local library (I couldn't find it at mine) and making notes.

The ultimate guide to knitting inventive cables

Lily Chin's Knitting Tips & Tricks: Shortcuts and Techniques Every Knitter Should Know½

Easy to follow instruction on all kinds of intricate cables and how to incorporate them into knitting projects. I've read through it and now I'm working on knitting swatches for some of my favorite patterns. Then I've going to make the socks with reversible cable cuffs.

I have never met Lily Chin but I think she's wonderful. She is a knit and crochet designer and a teacher of these crafts. Her classes always fill up at national events. This book is a long time coming. Ms. Chin introduced reversible cables to the knitting world sometime ago. This book has all sorts of cable knitting techniques. I already have flags all over the book for projects and techniques!

This is a book that beginners will no doubt find useful, but for a cover price of $17.00, which I paid in order to be supportive of my local, independent bookseller, I didn't feel I got my money's worth.

The graphics are good, but the information contained is not that substantial, and at least 1/3-1/2 the book is exactly the same text as is contained in "Lily Chin's knit tips & tricks." Granted the words are most likely Chin's own so she's not technically plagiarizing, but it was more than a little dispiriting to find that the books had such huge chunks of shared material. What made me suspicious and caused me to check was that the editing was sloppy, and in at least three places Lily referred to "knitting" in the crochet book when it should have been crochet or crocheting.

This definitely does not make my desert island crochet book cut, but if you are new to crochet and can get it at a good priced used, (should be less than $10, ideally around $5), you might be able to learn something that you can use.

Knit and Crochet with Beads by Lily M. Chin is everything you would expect from this talented author. Included patterns for knitting with beads include socks, a necklace, a tank top (my personal favorite - stunning), vest, purses, sweaters, pillow, collar, and other miscellaneous designs. The photographs are beautiful, the instructions clear, and diagrams informative. There are also pages to design your own. I highly recommend this book for any knitter who is ready to add a special touch of class to your work.

Lily M Chin takes 20 people (or HYUKs - Hip Young Urban Knitters) and designs an item for them. While some of the designs are timeless there are others that are really for that person specifically and no other.

It's an interesting book, interesting patterns and the discussion of design made me think about patterns and how to modify existing patterns. Still it really is nothing spectacular.

Very cool book with Lily Chin. She doesn't take credit for the patterns but doesn't exactly (I think anyway) give it to young urban knitters. But I have found several patterns I really like and am casting on for. OMG! Good reading and writing.

This is not the best learn-how book on the subject, there are other books with larger and better illustrations and more thorough explanations.

OK - though, I was overall disappointed with the book. There aren't any projects in here that I would actually make.

Handknitting and crochet are taken to a whole new level with the fashion-savvy designs provided in this book. Stitch techniques for knitting and crochet include prestrung and hoisted-atop stitches, single- and double-crochet, and half-double crochet. Each technique is then demonstrated with an exciting range of masterful designs that feature a sparkling array of beads strategically nestled among the stitches. Beaded projects are accompanied by easy, step-by-step instructions and illustrations and include Fair Isle and cabled tunic sweaters, a short-sleeve pullover and vest, felted slippers with a beaded-star pattern, and dazzling jewelry. Also shown are ways to mix techniques and add beaded accents to pockets, collars, scarves, socks, vests, and even pillows. Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels will find inspiring projects and a feast of possibilities for one-of-a-kind garments and accessories.½

From simple to sculptural, the original cable patterns explored in this must-have resource create a foundation of techniques for designing signature knitwear. Basic twisted stitches, complex interpretations of cables, reversible cables, adding texture and color, turning stitches around, constructing cables with I-cord, and wrapping stitches to create the illusion of cables are some of the integrated techniques detailed in this guide. Contained within are more than 15 original cable patterns for pullovers, jackets, bags, socks, and accessories. Also included is information on a new charting system for predicting cable behavior as well as tips on cabling without a cable needle, choosing the best yarns for specific cable effects, and designing original cable patterns.½