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Book Review – THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CROCHET TECHNIQUES

by

This little gem of a book was another gift I snagged during my recent visit to India.  I’m a fan of Jan Eaton’s, so when I saw this book, I grabbed it quickly to take a look.  I assumed that it would be too elementary for an intermediate crocheter.  Wrong.  This book is full of useful information, very well presented.

Want to see how to work an internal decrease?  Can’t figure out loop stitches?  What about surface crochet?  These and many more are well explained and easy to decipher with drawings, charts, and photographs.  In addition, my new favorite shell edging can be found on page 108.  I’m in love with this simple edging that will transform a ‘plain’ afghan into something special.

While this is a UK publication, there is a handy stitch conversion chart in the back for the U.S. and other parts of the world.  This makes the sections on broomstick, hairpin lace, intarsia, seams, motifs, etc all easier to understand.

This book would make a great gift for a beginner or intermediate crochet, IMO.  A keeper in my library thanks to my sister in law!

Book Specs:

ISBN 9781844481415

£12.99

Search Press, 2006

160 pages

Comments

  1. Ooh lovely – I’m a definite beginner so may add this to my wishlist. Even better for me being in the UK that it has it in UK format 😀

Have you read?

Free Purple Witch Hat Keychain Crochet Pattern – Cute Halloween Bag Charm

If you love those tiny crochet projects that use hardly any yarn but still look ridiculously cute, this little witch hat is worth adding to your Halloween list.

The Free Purple Witch Hat Keychain Crochet Pattern on CraftBits is worked from the top down in one main piece, so there is very little sewing together at the end. You start with the pointed purple hat, add a black band, work the brim, then finish it off with a tiny gold buckle and that classic crooked witch-hat shape.

It is exactly the sort of project I like for leftover yarn. You only need small amounts of purple, black and gold, which means those odd little yarn balls we all refuse to throw away finally have a purpose.

The finished hat can be attached to a keyring or bag clip, but you could also use it as a Halloween tree ornament, zipper charm, gift topper or even string several together to make a spooky little garland.

I also love how easy it would be to change the colours. Try orange and black, green and purple, or cream and dusty pink for a softer cottage-witch look.

If you are in a Halloween crochet mood, you might also like our roundup of Free Halloween Crochet Patterns You Can Make in a Day or these 15 Spider Web Crochet Patterns for Halloween.

This is a quick, beginner-friendly Halloween crochet project that would be especially cute for party favours, market stalls or little handmade gifts.

Grab the full pattern here: Free Purple Witch Hat Keychain Crochet Pattern – Mini Halloween Bag Charm.