Today we’re looking at Filet Crochet to Wear: Beginner-friendly patterns for filet crochet clothes by crochet designer Lauren Willis. We’ll dive into this collection of designs to discover what’s included in the book, what skill level is needed, included sizes and more.
Thanks to the publisher, I’m giving away a copy of this book to one lucky winner. Keep reading to learn more about the book and how you can enter to win.
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About the Author
This is the first book for author Lauren Willis. After dabbling with various crafts, Lauren states in her book that she found crochet, was a competent beginner by 2020 and continued to build her skills with crochet through the Covid-19 pandemic.
She fell in love with filet crochet and filet crochet fashion due to being able to create recognizable motifs while interesting enough to keep her engaged but meditative enough to watch TV while crocheting.
You can find Lauren on Instagram as @manatee_squares.
What is Filet Crochet?
Filet Crochet is a traditional crochet technique that creates a mesh-like fabric using double crochet stitches and chain spaces to create different motifs in your fabric. They are historically made using a single color for delicate home décor projects like drapery and table coverings.
However, more modern designs incorporate some colorwork and stitch combinations with their filet and are used for various types of projects.
Patterns in Filet Crochet to Wear:
There are 14 crochet patterns for filet crochet garments in this book. They are:
- Ocean Drive cardigan
- Time After Time Sweater
- Echo Beach Sweater
- Silver Linings Sweater
- Bobble & Chic Cardigan
- Lazy Waves Sweater
- Cotton Candy Cardigan
- Checkerboard Swaeter
- Cloudbursting Vest
- Only You Top
- Honey to the Bee Sweater
- Flying High Batwing Sweater
- Dill Pickles Tee
- Festive First Seater
- Billie Jean Boatneck Sweater
The patterns offer a wide range of motifs (like Christmas trees, honeycombs, diamonds, squares and abstract chevrons) and each garment design offers something unique. I loved the half-sleeved top called the Billie Jean Boatneck Sweater, the pops of colorful bobbles in the Bobbles & Chic Cardigan and the versatility of the Cloud-Busting Vest.
There weren’t a lot of options for warmer weather projects outside of the Dill Pickels Tee. Many are long-sleeved and made with thicker yarns so they are meant for cooler months.
It would have been nice to have some additional lighter pieces like a tank top or other tee shirts mixed in with all the long-sleeved makes.
The patterns themselves are mostly straight forward though, color-coding the sizes would have been helpful for beginners to read the patterns. Including a bit about how to read the patterns would also have been helpful to make them more accesible for beginners as well.
Many of the patterns included in the book appear to be variations of or updated versions of patterns that Lauren has already published for sale in her Ravelry shop. For instance, the Ocean Drive Sweater is a pullover in the book but available as a cardigan in her Ravelry shop.
Check out the video version of this review & see a flip-through of the book!
Pattern Sizing:
The size-inclusive patterns in the book have a sizing table and are graded in 10 sizes from XXS up to 5XL with measurements given in both centimetres and inches. Page 10 shows the body measurements used for each size so I’d recommend adding a sticky tab or bookmark there to easily reference it when looking at the size charts for each pattern.
The size charts included with each pattern give the finished measurements of each garment size. While sizing is touched upon on page 10 with some very general information on picking a size, I wish it was more in-depth to make it easier for folks making their first garments or those needing additional support to choose a size.
The difference between the body measurements and the finished size measurements is called “Ease” and determines the fit of your garments. While it’s briefly touched upon, expanding this to be more in-depth would’ve been incredibly helpful. The ease for each pattern varies so don’t assume that the fit for each sweater will be the same.
Additionally, a note on the model size and the garment size they were wearing in the included book images would help makers to visualize how the garments would fit.
Terminology:
The project patterns in this book are written using the US crochet terminology with a chart showing the equivalent UK terms found on page 9.
On page 9 you’ll also find the abbreviations list and the chart symbols legend to help you decipher the charts given with each pattern.
Materials Used In The Book:
Two yarn weights are used in this book: DK (3) and Aran (4) (Paintbox Simply DK and Paintbox Simply AranYarns from Lovecrafts.com) and 2 crochet hook sizes: 4mm (G//6) and 5mm (H/8). You’ll also need yarn needles and stitch markers to get started.
Supports for Makers in Filet Crochet to Wear
The main supports for makers are found at the beginning of the book on pages 6 – 13. with the remainder being found in the General Techniques section on pages 106 – 109.
In the first support section, they cover Tools & Materials, Color Choices, Gauge (though vaguely), Sizing, Adjusting Patterns, Working Chains and Filet Charts. These areas are covered on a high level with not enough detail or information that would suggest to me that a beginner would have everything they need to make these projects without either searching online or using a lot of problem-solving/guessing.
In the General Techniques section at the back of the book, you’ll find the stitch instructions accompanied by illustrations. Some more advanced techniques like the Foundation Double Crochet are used and would have benefitted from either additional imagery or real images.
You’ll also find some high-level information on finishing like seaming and blocking. The seaming section lacks the detail necessary for beginners and the way I read it, if I were to follow the instructions exactly for the single crochet seaming (ignoring my existing knowledge), I’d have my seams on the outside of my work.
Beginners may not know how to sew and giving them the tools to get the best finish on their sweaters is something I think should have been included. No on wants to spend all the time it takes to make a garment only for it to fall apart at the seams.
The technical information included in the technique sections, while helpful in rounding out the patterns, lacks the depth and details needed for beginners to be able to pick this book up as a complete resource to make a garment without either having to look at outside resources or fudging their way along.
If you're interested in buying a copy of Filet Crochet to Wear, it is available here on Amazon.
Overall
Filet Crochet to Wear is a fun collection of filet crochet clothes for makers. These fun fashion pieces are beautiful and I love that they are size-inclusive, enabling makers to find a sweater to fit them or their recipient easily.
However, while the stitches and use of thicker yarn may suggest that these designs are beginner-friendly, the lack of support for makers new to garment making (which most beginners are), leads me to recommend this book for intermediate to advanced-level crocheters only due to the lack of supports and level of assumed knowledge that most beginners do not possess. Though, if you’re a beginner that doesn’t mind some trial and error, then this collection of garments is worth checking out.
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Filet Crochet to Wear Book Giveaway
Thanks to David & Charles Publishing, I have a copy of Filet Crochet to Wear by Lauren Willis to giveaway!
This giveaway on The Loopy Lamb is open to worldwide participants (except where void by law and void in Quebec). Giveaway ends Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11:45pm Eastern Standard time.
To enter, use the King Sumo form below. If you are on mobile and have difficulty entering, please use a desktop computer to enter. Only the email address and name options are mandatory. All other tasks (like following social media platforms) are optional, for bonus entries only.
Can’t see the entry form below? Click here: https://kingsumo.com/g/36j6r9m/filet-crochet-to-wear-book-giveaway
