Custom Fit Tunisian Crochet by Dora Ohrenstein on Craftsy

Custom Fit Tunisian Crochet by Dora Ohrenstein

Have you taken a Craftsy class yet?
If you are familiar with the basics of Tunisian Crochet and want to create garments that are well fitting, this class given by Dora Ohrenstein is for you!

Custom Fit Tunisian Crochet is a detailed class on how to custom fit garments in Tunisian crochet.

Dora is obviously a very experienced teacher, who knows just what you need to know to be successful in not only Tunisian Crochet, but also in custom tailoring your own garments.
Each chapter is very in depth and the class includes almost 3 hours of instruction.

Dora explains things slowly and carefully so you know exactly what you are supposed to be doing to complete your project. Her love of Tunisian Crochet is evident as she teaches you.

I LOVE the garments that Dora demonstrates, especially the fitted round vest in brown. She looks fabulous in it and it is obvious that Dora knows a great deal about how garments should fit.

Dora begins with a Refresher Course where she reviews the basics of Tunisian Crochet, including Tunisian Knit Stitch, Tunisian Simple Stitch and Tunisian Slip Stitch (the three stitches you will need to complete your vest). She gives you much information for completing Tunisian crochet successfully, with lots of added, invaluable tips that could come only from her own experience.

Video Chapters include:

1. Tunisian Basics

2. Tunisian Tools  (basics of Tunisian fabric, picking the correct yarns, hooks and GAUGE).

3. Measuring For a Perfect Fit (BASICS of measuring not only on your body, but your favorite fitting sweater also! as well as schematics, negative and positive ease).

4. Adjusting the Pattern (how the pattern relates to all your measurements, detailed instruction on how to adjust stitches and rows, decreases, fitted armhole, bottom up construction).

5. Custom-Fit Calculations: Bust & Shoulder (invaluable information for anyone wanting to adjust patterns).

6. Custom-Fit Considerations: Waist and Hip

7. Finishing Details:  (weaving ends, wet blocking, seaming, crochet edging).

Lesson information includes: creating your version of a pattern, analyzing pattern details, taking measurements, figuring the math and gauge, making good alteration decisions and combining 2 sizes of a pattern for a custom fit.

When showing how to adjust the pattern for a perfect fit, Dora uses detailed graphics and a computer with a drawing tool to show you exactly what you are supposed to be doing. These are wonderful teaching tools!

These videos are full of unbelievable details for altering your pattern. There is so much information about custom fit in this course, that I believe a lot of this information can be applied to regular crochet as well.

Also included is your ability to purchase a Custom Fit Two Stitch Vest Kit that includes exactly what Dora uses in one of the garments in her class.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video and learning more about Tunisian Crochet, as well as yarns, hooks, fit, gauge and making garments that fit well!

For a limited time, Dora is offering a 50% discount on her class! What a great way to start learning about custom fit and Tunisian Crochet! 

Keep up-to-date with Dora at Crochet Insider and at Ravelry.

Your can also see my past reviews of Dora's work here:

http://crochetcafe.blogspot.com/2012/01/custom-crocheted-sweaters-and-giveaway.html

http://crochetcafe.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-new-tunisian-crochet-book-review.html




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The New Tunisian Crochet Book Review

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE crochet and all that it encompasses. I especially love reviewing new crochet books that come out on our market. I am lucky to have a wonderful library full of fun, interesting and informative knit and crochet books.
One of my favorite kind of books are technique books that teach me new things about crochet and other needlework art forms. When I received Dora's new book "The New Tunisian Crochet" Contemporary Designs from Time Honored Traditions, by Dora Ohrenstein, “Interweave/F+W Media; $24.95.”,  I knew that I had hit the jackpot! Dora and Interweave have put together an incredibly beautiful and informative book!
"Wow", is all I kept saying as I flipped through it's pages. To say that Dora's new book is beautiful is an understatement. It is not only a lovely book that I will always cherish, it has and is teaching me wonderful things about the art of Tunisian crochet!

Before I show you some of the actual designs in the book, I would like to discuss the overall text of the book itself.
Dora begins the book with a chapter entitled, "What is Tunisian Crochet". It includes beautiful photographs, a brief history of Tunisian crochet and how it has been brought into the modern world. Another chapter discusses all you need to know to work Tunisian crochet including techniques, basic stitches, decreasing and increasing, working tall and textured stitches, changing colors and so much more! You learn how to make a swatch and there are many tips and tricks along the way. There is a chapter for special techniques and effects including working circles, combining Tunisian with regular crochet, Tunisian colorwork and even Tunisian entrelac. In a separate chapter on stitch patterns, there are 28 pages and 33 beautiful stitch patterns, all in beautiful color. The book concludes with projects for 11 stunning Tunisian crochet projects, from sweaters to easy smaller projects, as well as some home decor, designed by "some of crochet's masters". This book has everything you will ever need to get started and go way beyond learning about the art of Tunisian crochet. I will always treasure this beautiful book in my library!

Continue below to see a sampling of some of the projects in this book and read about how you can win a copy of this book from Interweave!

Below is a small sampling of some of the projects in the book.

Marisol Cardigan designed by Andrea Graciarena

Shantay Skirt designed by Doris Chan

Ariadue Sampler Throw designed by Lisa Daehlin

Natalia Scarf designed by Dora Ohrenstein

Sierra Bag designed by Margaret Hubert

Najmee Rug designed by Dora Ohrenstein

As you can see, there is quite a variety of projects in this book!
Would you like a chance to win a copy of The New Tunisian Crochet?  First make sure that you are a follower of this blog, then comment below which design above is your favorite. Please, PLEASE do not forget to leave me your email address. I cannot contact the winner without it!
One lucky winner will be drawn at random on April 10, 2013.You can also purchase a copy at a reduced rate at Amazon.

DISCLAIMER: Interweave/F&W Media provided the review copy and also the giveaway copy for this blog.

Custom Crocheted Sweaters Giveaway Winner

The winner of Dora's Ohrenstein's book Custom Crocheted Sweaters is Gloria of PA. Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment! The sweater most people liked was the Eleganza Raglan. Stay tuned.....we have two new books from Drew Emborsky, AKA The Crochet Dude coming soon!

Custom Crocheted Sweaters and Giveaway

Custom Crocheted Sweaters, "Make Garments That Really Fit" by Dora Ohrenstein.

I was thrilled to be asked to review Lark Craft's newest crochet book, Custom Crocheted Sweaters by Dora Ohrenstein. As a designer, I am always interested in learning all I can about garment construction and the best way to make them fit! Dora's new book specifically focuses on the construction and fit of crochet sweaters. But the contents of this book give readers so much more than that!
Dora starts us off with a basic "Overview of Sweater Construction" in Chapter One where she takes us through the most common construction techniques and then continues with choosing yarns for the best drape and of course, how to measure our bodies for that perfect fit!
Dora walks us through Understanding Fit, picking the right size and "Demystifying Patterns". All of this BEFORE we get to the patterns. There is so much to learn from this book, whether you are a seasoned veteran
of garment making or a beginner!

All the sweaters in this book are tailored perfectly, and contain several different and interesting stitch patterns. I love the way that Dora has designed each sweater, showing us how to "make garments that really fit."
There are so many design shaping and alteration techniques in this book. The sweater patterns each tackle a different construction or altering technique which include 17 'master class' techniques for creating garments that fit perfectly. Brilliant! Some techniques included are: an in-depth discussion on how to alter an armhole and how to do internal shaping to create a bust dart! Each crochet pattern also has beautiful stitch diagrams that are usually left out of other books of it's kind. What a great addition for the stitches who prefer diagrams! The photos throughout the book are stunning, with many close-up shots of the designs. Lark did a fabulous job on the photos; a lot of crochet EYE CANDY included! 

From the publisher: "Presenting the only how-to guide to focus specifically on customizing crochet sweaters, Custom Crocheted Sweaters teaches crocheters how to create the perfect fit for every body type."

Some of my favorite sweaters include:

Eleganza Raglan

Fiji Cardi

Floating Tee

Double Trouble Shell

Sterling Publishing has graciously provided this review copy as well as one other copy to be given away to one lucky reader! The book is also available for sale at Amazon.
In order to be eligible for a chance to win, please comment on this post and let us know which is your favorite sweater design from the ones that are  pictured on this post above. PLEASE don't forget to include your EMAIL ADDRESS! If you are the winner I cannot contact you without it!
Contest closes next Wednesday, February 1st and a random winner will be drawn then. Thank you!
THANK YOU, WE HAVE A WINNER!