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Book Review: Runway Crochet by Margaret Hubert

Runway Crochet
By Margaret Hubert



I’ve been watching crochet on the runways for years, twenty to be exact! Crochet came into its own in 1994 and rode a wave of fashion attention at that time. It wasn’t long until big-name designers as well as emerging talent jumped on the bandwagon to feature crochet in their collections. At the time I called it a “crochet sighting” whenever crochet got attention in the media because it was so exciting to see crochet elevated to that status.  Today, crochet on the runways is much more prominent, not just hit or miss. It is an accepted medium and inspires many a designer.

Over the years I’ve continued to collect many, many examples of crochet sightings from the fashion runways as they became more common.  In an effort to go “green,” they are now on my blog. What is not so common is a book like Margaret Hubert’s Runway Crochet. I often said, “I can’t afford the $5,000.00 the designer is asking for that.” “Why can’t I crochet that; where would I find the pattern?” Now, with Margaret’s new book, everyone has the opportunity to crochet like fashion designers and create their own runway fashions.

Margaret has teamed up with her colleagues and invited several prominent crochet designers to fashions for the book as well. Inside you’ll see lovelies by Doris Chan, Ellen Gormley, Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby, Shelly Allaho, Sharon Valencia and Tatyana Mirer, as well as an array of fantastic fashions designed by Margaret.
A 2012 Inductee into the prestigious Crochet Guild of America’s Hall of Fame, Margaret’s credentials are impeccable and the sources of her designs are too numerous to mention. Projects range from cardigans, tunics and shells to skirts, dress and neck wear, with a few other categories in-between and they include a full range of sizes and the instructional text and stitch diagrams are accompanied by stunning fashion photography.

My very favorite pattern in the book is Margaret’s Fiesta Convertible skirt, which is really two skirts in one. It is a unique and a sleek style, and you can wear one as a pencil skirt or attach the flowing flounce attached to a half-slip when it is party time! You’ll have a favorite too, but I’m sure you’ll be making way more than one project from this fantastic book!

Published by Creative Publishing International, RunwayCrochet includes 100 color photos and is Flexibound for ease in handling while crocheting. It retails for $24.99.

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