Pattern Books

I tend to be a pattern creator, rather than a pattern follower. I like love to read patterns, but rarely to they meet my criteria for actually buying yarn to do the project. What is my criteria?

• I would wear/use or expect someone else to wear/use the finished result.
• The yarn can be flexible (i.e. doesn't require XX type from XX brand, otherwise will NOT drape/wear/look good). It's a rare occurrence that I want to make something from the EXACT yarn as the pattern creator.
• It has to be interesting. You can only make so many rows of standard double crochet. At some point they have to criss cross, or you have to throw in a treble or something. The yarn has to be REALLY sexy for just one stitch to be enough to keep my interest while making or wearing the item. Yes, I just called yarn sexy (or at least capable of being sexy)...

That said, imagine my surprise when today at Michael's I found a book of Plus Size Crochet Fashions that I actually had no problem plunking down $10 for. I have never bought a crochet book for patterns for me, because usually, they look like this:

Which is great... if you want to look like a "business lady" from 1987. If, let's say, you'd like to look like a stylish mum-of-all-trades from now? You'd be better off with this book:

OK, the cover isn't great... but, the patterns are. The book is Plus Size Fashions by Annie's Attic Crochet.

One thing is certain, my next project for me is coming from this book.