OUR BEST IN THREAD CROCHET --Review by Betsy Paine
Leisure Arts,(#2889)
1996 (ISBN 1-57486-055-0 softcover) $14.95

I would have to rate this book a "must-have recommended buy" for anyone who loves thread crochet. This is Leisure Arts at its best! The pages are laid out well, the instructions are clear, and the photography is yummy! Just looking at the cover made me want to grab my hook and thread and get started! I'll bet I won't be the only one.

This is a softcover, full-sized book (#2889) and has 128 pages. There are 48 projects arranged in the following categories:

Home

The Charming Home Showy Table Topper (30" round, pretty lacy pattern) Lovely Lampshade Cover (filet cover for 6" x 10" x 8" lampshade) Delicate Doily (12" diameter. in size 20 with flower center and fans at edge) Doilies to Love (2 pretty 8-inch round doilies) Classic Coasters (pineapple and filet-look coasters) Floral Table Runner (daisy-looking motif for runner in three sizes) Dreamy Bed Linens (picot, scalloped, and spider-web edgings) Memory Mat (filet mat for 8 x 10 picture frame with oval opening) Ornate Edgings (five gorgeous edgings for linen guest towels)

Lacy Towel Sets (two borders sized for washcloth, hand and bath towels) Beauty Box (very dainty round box with lid for trinkets, soaps, etc.) Window Charm (two very pretty suncatchers with crystals and ribbon) Friendly Welcome (filet wall hanging with house and "Welcome Friends") Kitchen Towel Trims (three trims for kitchen towels) Delightful Dishcloths (4 designs for dishcloths worked with 2 strands of thread)

Nostalgic Pot Holders ("potholders fashioned after old-time undies") Tea Jacket Bouquet (iced-tea glass jackets with three different flowers)

Christmas Pretties

There's a beautiful Poinsettia Doily that's at the top of my list! Let It Snow! (5 snowflake designs) Potpourri Baskets (two sizes of stiffened baskets) So-Pretty Snowflakes (three 3-D snowflake designs) Heirloom Angel (a beauty with just the right amount of pearls!) Festive Wreath (worked on 5" metal ring) Divine Little Angel (clothespin angel in red and white) Heavenly Pillows (angel to work in three sizes to applique onto pillows) Timeless Tablecloth (gorgeous snowflake motif cloth to work in size 10 or 20)

Keepsake Gifts

Ring Bearer's Pillow, Dolly's Afghan, Fanciful Bookmarks (three designs with ribbon trims) Sentimental Bible Set (Bible cover and cross bookmark) County Kitchen Lace (jar lid cover and bread cloth edging) "Berry" Cute Coasters (strawberry-shaped coasters) Beautiful Bells (2 designs for wedding or Christmas decor) Victorian Sachets (two drawstring pouches filled with potpourri) Pretty Little Birdcages (little birdcages to fill as you wish) Bride's Sachet Hanger (cover for lingerie hanger with sachet) Dainty Candy Dish (6" diameter. with scalloped edge) Purse Pretties (eyeglass case, tissue holder, and keychain heart) Fantasy Wedding Ensemble (very pretty fashion doll wedding gown)

Baby Boutique

Strawberry Lace Set (sacque, booties, and bonnet) Baby-Soft Blankets (edgings for flannel receiving blankets) Baby's Bible (pretty Bible cover with yellow rose and ribbon) Thirsty Bibs (terry cloth bibs with edgings) Sweet Sleeper (yoke for purchased infant gown) Precious Accents (stiffened baby buggy and bootie) For Tiny Toes (open-toe and Mary-Jane style booties)

There's more than enough here to keep you busy making gifts and/or items to decorate your own home. Buy this book, dig out your thread and hook and tell your family to call you in six months - this book is just too good to put down!

Reviewed by Betsy Paine for Crochet Partners. Posted to CP's Page 4/97. Betsy Paine <paineb@macsmtpgw.spring-branch.isd.tenet.edu>