Erika and Monika Simmons are twins and have been crocheting since they were in fourth grade. The Chicago natives started their Double Stitch clothing and accessories line in 2002 after a number of post-college jobs, including modeling and dancing. Their work is carried at the Mai Rees Boutique in Chicago. They were recently awarded the Style Makers and Rule Breakers award by Fashion Group International, and their collection was recently selected by Macys on State Street in Chicago as part of their Chicago Indie Designer Shop. The Simmons sisters are also spokespersons for Red Heart.
"Thanks to these talented Chicago designers a wider audience will hopefully grow to appreciate the hip possibilities of the hook." -- BellaOnline Crochet Editor
"The Simmons twins are true fashionistas, which shines through in all of their designs." -- Craftsanity.com
"A great source for learning how the bounds of crochet can be stretched and redefined." -- Crochet Today
"The Double Stitch sisters have terrific, glamorous style that's shown off in this book. I'd call it the first really sexy, chic, club girl crochet." -- CrochetInsider.com
"Takes crochet to new levels with the edgy, body-shaping designs the Chicago designers are known for creating." -- Ebony
"These are designs with a difference! Many of the projects are very unusual and the end result will be true head-turning one of a kind masterpieces. An interest in garment design and an enthusiasm for unusual clothes may well inspire someone to pick up a crochet hook for the first time." -- MonstersandCritics.com
"Elegantly flirty, authoritatively saucy, these projects take full advantage of crochet's openwork." -- Yarn Market News