This edition of the ‘Idiot’s Guides’ even has great color photos which were lacking in some previous editions.  You just can’t go wrong with color pix for inspiration.  Some ‘bare boned’ books like Maggie Righetti’s “Crocheting in Plain English” are wonderfully valuable without a single color picture.  But, for the most part, photographs, especially color ones, bring out the best in crochet and make me want to pull out a hook right away.

“Crochet Projects Illustrated” by Marcy Smith is 223 pages packed full of useful information and lots of inspiration.  The unique inclusion of two tables of contents is very helpful.  There’s one Table of Contents has a thumbnail photo and page number with a brief explanation of the chapter.  The other Table of Contents contains detailed, page by page, listings of content.  So, if you’re taking your first look through the book, the more detailed Table is helpful while the simpler one will quickly direct you to the page you remember having seen something on.

Of course, actual content is more valuable than a listing of it.  There has to be some meat there.  This book takes the crocheter from novice to advanced with instructions, pictures, and projects.  You can find a great copy of this in any number of used book vendors online.  It would be a great gift for a beginning crocheter or someone who has expressed interest in learning.

SPECS:

ISBN 9781592576180

LIST PRICE $22.95USD (widely available online for a few bucks)

Published by Alpha Books, a Penguin subsidiary, in2007.

Linda P. Schapper has collected a wonderful array of crochet border designs for this book.  There are 342 different borders offered in the book’s 253 pages!

What makes this book a keeper?  Every border has a very crisp, clear color photo, a written pattern, and a chart.  In addition to the usual primer on basic crochet up front, there are brief but helpful directions for joining borders to fabric and an oversized (thus easier to read) two page display of International Crochet Symbols.  Since each design is charted, this glossary of symbols is very helpful.

The collection of border patterns run the gamut from very simple ripples to extremely complex, layered edgings.  I ran into this book at my local library, but it’s available new AND at used book vendors like www.alibris.com.  I’m hoping I’ll find a copy of this useful reference book in one of my holiday gift boxes!

SPECS:

LARK BOOKS, 2007

ISBN 9781579909147

$29.95 USD

The Double Rings Belt on page 97 (project # 149) is an intricate looking belt that can be made fairly simply.  It’s a stunner.  I also like project #114, Framed Flower, and #119, Golden Leaf.  These are different than others I’ve seen.  There are some cute things here that can be adapted for a variety of uses.

If you don’t already own a similar book, this might be a nice addition to your crochet library.  It’s widely available used online.  Originally, it listed for $21.95.  It is 128 pages, published by St. Martin’s Griffin in the USA, with ISBN 9780312359829.

Included are 127 pages in this book covering everything from listings of standard abbreviations, increases, decreases, buttonholes, stitches, turning chains, and a couple pages on blocking.  In short, there’s about everything you ever needed to know about crochet but might not have thought to ask (yet).

This would be a great purchase for a beginner and a helpful addition to many crochet libraries.  The smaller size (6.5X9.25 inches) assures that it’ll fit easily into a project bag for quick reference ‘on the go’.

This may not be The Definitive reference book, but it’s a good one.

It’s available used online, originally listing for $24.95.  Author is Nancie M. Wiseman, Martingale Press, ISBN 1564776298.

Here’s a new book by Sys Fredens.  I was not familiar with this designer/author, but I sure do like her designs!  I am currently working on one of the pullovers in this book for my daughter.  Not only did my daughter approve the design and yarn I chose, the sweater is actually fitting her nicely!  A win for me as my daughter is not generally fond of my crochet.

Great thing about this book – the sweaters are constructed from the TOP DOWN.  Hooray!  A designer who finally listened to me (us??);-)  Top down is such a great way to crochet a sweater as one can try it on throughout its construction to be sure it fits.

The book includes numerous color photos, often showing the design from more than one angle, and with simple schematics for each.  There are sweaters, shells, bags, hats, mittens, and shawls.  The shell I’m making is the Summer Top with Shoulder Bands on pages 44 and 45. With 37 designs included, there’s a good selection included.  Yarn selections tend to be generic too – so no high end yarn prices to contend with.

The patterns are very basic, assuming a knowledge of and experience with garment construction.  This can be a problem for beginners, but the schematics and photos will help as the designs are not terribly complex.  I believe this book would be a great addition to anyone’s crochet library with the exception of a rank beginner.

Published by Martingale Publishers, 2009

94 pages

$21.99 (well less than $1 per design!!)

ISBN 1564778975

“Contemplative Crochet” is a different kind of book for my library.  This quote caught my attention:

‘Craft, spirituality, and vocation all require a certian reaching out,a seeking of inspiration, a search for wisdom.’

‘……..staying curious, open to possibilities….’

This book combines the creative and meditative elements of crochet with spiritual connectedness – linking the spirit of crochet to each of the world’s great religions, tying together religious practice and overarching spiritual patterns connecting all of us.

The book contains only a few patterns, but lots of stores and explanations of crative and spiritual traditions.  Also discussed are charitable ventures for crochet, gratitude, community, paths to greater creativitiy, and the combining of crochet with prayer and meditation to strenghten our spiritual connections.

I found this book to be a refreshing diversion from my usual reads.  It’s certainly not for every taste, but if you find crochet to be meditative like I do, you might enjoy ‘Contemplative Crochet’.

Contemplative Crochet – A Hands On Guide for Interlocking Faith and Craft

by Cindy Crandall-Frazier

Skylight Paths Publishers, 2008, $16.99

187 pages with B&W pictures only

ISBN 9781594732386

“Afghans and Throws” is an inviting new book by Luise Roberts.  It contains both knit and crochet patterns, and, unlike most mixed books, this one gives equal space to crochet.  While there are only six project patterns in the book, there is a wealth of other information that will keep you busy making afghans and throws for years to come.

This book contains a lot in its 144 pages.  There is a thorough analysis of yarn labels.  We all check labels for hook size and fiber content, but there’s lots more to see there.  In addition to the yarn labels, there are charts showing yarn specifications, including recommended gauge, hook/needle size, and descriptions of different yarns.  There is a rather intricate chart of yarn yardage needed for standard bed and afghan sizes for both crochet and knit.  There is information on ply, wraps per inch, and yarn substitutions.

Aside from the yarn information, Roberts hits heavy on color and how to design with it.  There are comparisons of different squares and how to use them in your designs.  Also addressed are texture (attained through yarn, beads, dimensional stitches) and a very cool beaded star in knit that could be interpreted in crochet.  Also included are discussions of lace, filet lace in square and round, embroidery,cross stitch,weaving, use of beads in knit and crochet, and appliques.

Keep reading!  Roberts discusses working with modular elements, motifs, and medallions, showing a very cool two color modular medallion.  Seams.  Who knew seams were so important to design?  Roberts discusses both functional and decorative seams, including partial seams and lacy seams.  There are good side by side pictures and instructions for the seam work.

Also covered are edgings and trims, especially edging around corners, pompoms, tassels, and fringes.  There is a Stitch Directory that includes full colored photos and charts in color.  Don’t overlook the excellent glossary of abbreviations and symbols in both knit and crochet as well as US and UK terminology and resources.

Roberts has created a little gem for us here.  The book carries a 2008 copyright date and is a Trafalgar Squares publication.  ISBN 9781570763885.  For $24.95 (USD), it’s quite a book!

Tunisian crochet is not my favorite.  It seems overly repetitive to me – just plain boring.  Kinda like I feel about working anything in all single crochets.  However, there are times when the particular characteristics of tunisian are a real benefit.  Drape, stretch, and appearance (like knitting) are some of the benefits of tunisian crochet.

Tunisian is known by other names, some referring to the same stitches and some with slight variations – afghan stitch, shepherd knitting, crochet on the double, and tricot being the main ones.  There are even several brand name hooks that purport to be designed specifically for these stitches – Mo-ez is one that comes to mind.  Tunisian can be accomplished with a plain old crochet hook (check out entrelac crochet) but is more typically worked using hooks that are about a foot long, some are double ended, and some are cabled.  All these hooks are thoroughly discussed in the book, complete with pictures of each hook.

This is a very attractive book.  Slick pages of color photos and clear schematics, handy tip boxes, yarn, ease, and body size charts, and the use of lovely yarns, beautifully photographed all make this an appealing book.  But, does it make tunisian crochet appealing?  Well, yes.

(Note:  the Tip Box on page 26 is almost worth the price of this book for those who’ve been frustrated in attempts to learn or perfect tunisian basic stitches.)

Every garment in this book is one I would make and wear!  In fact, I’m now anxious to get some Colinette Banyan yarn (used to make a skirt on page 36) to make the scarf shown on page 28.  I think even I can stick with these stitches long enough to make these relatively simple but delicious looking garments.  The most involved garment is a duster shown on page 50.  Even this ‘involved’ garment does not seem overwhelming to me the way that longer sweaters often do.

In addition to garments, there are two blankets, two pillows, placemats, and an ottoman cover for a total of 16 projects.  If you like textured afghans, the two in this book are true winners.

One benefit of tunisian is also its downfall to me.  Once you’ve mastered a stitch – which might take several rows of work – you’ll have plenty of time to perfect it as you’ll work each row twice – once forward and once backward as it takes two ‘runs’ to complete each row and your work always faces you.  Well, having the work always facing me is not a minus – just a note to those who aren’t familiar…..

If you are a crocheter who is completely daunted by knitting but wants to make a project that LOOKS like it was crocheted, tunisian stitches are for you.  The tunisian knit stitch is an almost identical twin to the ‘real thing’.  There’s a lovely child’s dress in this book that I would SWEAR was knitted.  Must trust that it’s crocheted as this is a crochet book, right?

In addition to appealing projects made with delicious yarns, there are excellent ‘how to’ photographs of the basic stitches.  As in ‘regular’ crochet, once you’ve mastered the basics, the other stitches build on those.  Overall, I’d recommend this book for anyone interested in learning or perfecting tunisian crochet.  I think it’s a useful guide that contains good instruction coupled with projects that are practical as well as beautiful.

Book Stats:

Tunisian Crochet, The look of Knitting with the ease of Crocheting

by Sharon Hernes Silverman

Stackpolebooks.com, May, 2009

ISBN:  9780811704847

List price is $24.95

8.5X11 soft cover with 115 pages

Gee, I have to tell you, I thought this ‘technique’ was MY idea!  I find a stitch I want to try, crochet it for a while, become bored with it or just dislike it, and voila! I put an edging on it and it becomes a scarf!  Why didn’t I ever try to publish my idea??

Well, Leisure Arts thought to publish it.  Their new book, “Learn A Stitch, Create A Scarf”, has a somewhat different reason for being – learn a stitch rather than tire of it – but the idea remains the same.  I like this idea…..

There are several scarves in this book which would enlarge nicely into plush stoles.  Most would make great afghans.  There are two that are definitely masculine and are depicted as such with color choices.  But, they would work well for a woman of child too.  Others are definitely feminine.  Most are very practical with various skill levels and readily available yarns.  This would be an especially nice gift for an advanced beginner – an easy way to expand skills without having to take on a huge project.

Book Specs:
Leisure Arts # 4518
ISBN 1601407696
Author/designer: Mary E. Nolfi
Pages:56 with many color photographs
List Price is $12.95 USD

One of Leisure Arts’ most recent crochet offerings is Dora Ohrenstein’s Crochet Insider’s Passion for Fashion.  This book is a real joy.  The 23 designs in this book are all innovative and attractive.  There are several that are on my WIM list for the near future.

Why innovative?  The designer uses stitch techniques for shaping that are not often used in similar designs.  The Peacock Skirt makes clever use of ripples to create a flounce on the bottom and hip and waist shaping on the top.  The Mosaic Shells sleeveless top, worked from side to side has no actual shaping – but has visual shaping created by use of color and texture of the stitches.  And, my favorite, the Toreador Jacket, uses an interesting yoke assembly to create shaping.

Ms. Ohrenstein demonstrates her fascination with the Catherine’s Wheel stitch, emplying it in several projects in this book.  One of the most effective uses of this stitch is in the tiny, charming Preciosilla Purse where she turns the typical purse pattern on an angle to create an exquisite little bag.

Usually a lack of schematics will displease me.  But, in this book, each project is pictured from several angles and close enough to see stitch detail.  Thus the need for schematics is diminished.

Overall, this book is a must read.  I must say that, again, I wish it has been published with a spiral spine so the pages would lie flat for easier use.  But, I won’t hold that against it.  The only downside to this book is the choice of some colors in the designs.  My favorite pattern, the Toreador Jacket which is on my daughter’s Please Make It For Me Right Away List, is pictured in a strange and not particularly attractive color combo.  I hope it was the photog’s filter rather than the designer’s eye which created this problem – but I don’t really like the combination of violet and green matched with rust.  Doesn’t work for me.

Other than that, I’m all for this book.  It will have a prized place in my library.

SPECS:

Leisure Arts #4542, 2008 by Dora Ohrenstein

8.5X11 inch soft cover, 189 page, lots of color pictures

ISBN 13-9781601407909 OR 10-1601407904

List Price  $22.95 USD

Here’s another book I ran across at the library.  You’ve probably seen it too.  It’s aimed at ‘tweens’ beginning crocheters.  It’s a brightly illustrated book with lots of appealing photos.

Up front, the book contains useful information on hooks, yarns, fiber content, color selection, and pattern reading.  All that in just a few pages!  Whew!  There are also clear photos and illustrations of basic stitches and hand positions, rows, gauge, and finishing off.

The book contains a nice selection of simple projects that create appealing wearables and accessories – a belt, a kerchief, a chunky scarf, crocheted bracelets.  There’s even a cute skirt, a felted purse, and some of the ever-popular fingerless mitts (herein called punk gloves).  That’s quite a lot of goodies packed into a relatively small book.

I believe author Kim Werker has hit her mark with this book.  While the book was published in 2004. I still see a lot of the same projects pictured in more recently published books and magazines, proving that good designs will stand the test of time – even in a trendy market.  The range of projects in this book, coupled with the well-delivered technical information, make this a good reference for beginners from about age 9 through the teen years.  There are even a couple that I’ll likely make.  Can’t have too many of those punk gloves – which my grown kids loving call ‘biker chick gloves’ when mom wears them!

Specs:

Watson-Guptill Publisher

96 pages

ISBN 10:0823050920

KRISTIN OMDAHL

What?  ANOTHER book about crochet scarves??  Why not something more impressive, fresher, newer, more fashion forward??  Kristin Omdahl has expanded her crochet horizon with many of the designs in this book, yet another winner from Interweave Press.

Overall, the quality of this book is what we have learned to expect from Interweave Press.  There is a “Special Stitch” section in the back which acts as a useful glossary.  Each pattern refers you to this section for clearly written directions for the stitches.  For me, it’s a small inconvenience to flip from the graphics which accompany each pattern to the Special Stitch section in the back.  I would have preferred that the stitch explanations accompanied each pattern.  I am also a bit disappointed with some of Omdahl’s yarn choices.  While the fibers all appear appropriate, different color selections would have added emphasis to several of the designs. The “Prima Ballerina” in a stronger color or an omber would have been a stunner. “Maya” and “Hypnotize” would both benefit from a bit jazzier yarn.

A new requirement for my ‘Favorite Crochet Book Collection’ is a lay-flat binding.  Interweave, are you reading this??  This book, however, is an oversized paperback, so it does not have the bulk that many hardback books suffer from, making them too clunky to be the ‘essential’ lap reference.

I have lots more to say about this book, so please stay tuned for Part Two of this review to read some of my thoughts about specific patterns!  Part Two will be published on Friday, November 7.

Crochet Techniques by Renate Kirkpatrick has a great cover – colorful and appealing.  The attraction doesn’t end there – but was not exactly what I expected from the title.  There are several sampler projects in the book, each with well defined stitches accompanied by clear explanations and schematics.  The first project is all in white – not appealing to me buy maybe to others.  The more colorful projects like the Hexagon Sampler Rug is a beauty.  While the colors would not be the ones I would chose, it’s a beautiful project and would be an opportunity to learn new stitches and a useful assembly technique.

If you’re a fan of samplers, there are several more in this book.  It’s work a look-see.

Specs:

Published in 2007 by Sally Milner Publishing (Australia)

ISBN:  9781863513715  (Milner Craft Series)

Oversized paperbook, 208 pages.

I’m not quite sure this is the ‘ultimate’ book of knitting and crochet stitches but it’s a useful one, albeit half of it is devoted to knitting making it virtually worthless to me.  If you both knit and crochet, this may well be an excellent resource for you.

I have come to appreciate most of the craft books published by Reader’s Digest.  They are thorough and contain great photograpphy.  If you don’t need or value schematics and can get along just nicely with a picture and a word description of each stitch, this book is for you.  If you need those schematics, chose a different book.

The crochet section begins on page 181 of this 320 page book, with the last few pages taken up by the Index.  It’s a hefty book too – not one you’ll want to prop in your lap while you crochet.

Book Specs:

The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches

Published by Reader’s Digest in 2003.  ISBN: 9780762104055

I saw this book (new to me) at the library and decided to check it out even ‘tho it is entitled, “The Knitter’s Book of Yarn”.  I don’t usually bother to peruse books about knitting.  But, since crocheters use the same yarn as knitters, I decided this book might contain something I could use.

Well – YES!  This book is a one volume encyclopedia of yarn.  If you want to learn about any yarn from Angora to Acrylic, this is the reference for you.  Each yarn (and animal) receives an in-depth review, offering us insights into how we might best use it and care for it.  I have never really been concerned about which animal my ‘wool’ came from – but I have been educated!

In addition to the different fibers (including all kinds of synthetics), there is a great deal of valuable information regarding the ply of various yarns, yarns that are cabled, textured, and brushed, chenille, and,  boucle.  Further, there is interesting historic and current information about mills, farms, fiber festivals, dyes used in yarns, spinning, dyeing, ‘organic’ yarns, and even why yarn pills and how to handle that.  This single 255 page book is such a wealth of information.

There is a useful glossary, standards charts, abbreviations, techniques, and a terse, single page article of ‘Recommended Reading’.

I have attempted to work up some interest in studying yarns from various other books and other sources.  I have always found the subject to be dry and not very interesting.  This book is well written and engrossing!  And, here’s the kicker – the majority of the information about yarn is contained in the first 70 pages of the book.  Pages 71 to 221 are knitting patterns – not of much use to me as a non-knitter – although I believe several of them would easily convert to crochet.  There is a brief but engaging discussion of felting (fulling) with a few patterns.  The technique of felting knit are the same as for crochet, so this section is useful for us too.

Book Specs:

Author Clara Parkes

Published in 2007 by Potter Craft

ISBN 9780307352163