A review of crochet standards, chart reading, and technique is combined in this guide with a course on sizing crocheted garments to fit like a glove—all in the interest of encouraging crocheters to try their hand at lace fashions that look as though they came straight off a ready-to-wear runway. Patterns include a metallic ribbon Chanel-style jacket, a lace shift dress with a mohair lace camisole, a cowl-neck trapeze tunic, and a chevron wedding dress with matching fingerless gloves. Those who want a gorgeous look in a smaller project will revel in the striking designs for hats, jewelry, and spangled evening bags. Explanations of accurate measuring, silhouettes, circular construction, shell and chevron stitches, and custom detailing demystify the more advanced designs, and beautiful photographs showcase all the finished pieces.

Lily M. Chin is the first American designer to bring out her own line of yarn. She has crocheted runway pieces for Diane von Furstenburg, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, and Vera Wang; her patterns have appeared in Better Homes & Gardens and Woman's Day; and she has been a guest on CBS Morning News, the DIY Network, HGTV, The Jane Pauley Show, Late Show with David Letterman, and The Martha Show. She is the author of Knit and Crochet with Beads, Mosaic Magic, and The Urban Knitter. She lives in New York City.