Complex crystal induced gelation of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) solutions was studied for a series of solvents, including N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). By cooling the solutions prepared at elevated temperatures, PLEA gels were produced in solvents that induced complex crystals (epsilon-crystals) with PLEA. Fibrous structure of PLEA in the gel with DMF was observed by polarizing optical microscopy, field emission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Upon heating, the crystal form of PLEA in the DMF gel changed from epsilon-crystal to alpha-crystal, the major crystal form in common untreated PLEA films, but the morphology and high elastic modulus of the gel remained until the alpha-crystal dissolved at higher temperature. In addition, a solvent exchanging method was developed, which allowed PLEA gels to be prepared in other useful solvents that do not induce epsilon-crystals without losing the morphology and mechanical properties. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.