Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

WE FIGURED OUT WHAT WE WANT IN A BOOK…..

by

gutenberg-cro-book-0509

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16605/16605-h/16605-h.htm

In an earlier blog entry, I asked readers to comment on what their ‘dream’ crochet book would be like.  I have my own preferences, but clearly my wish list is not complete.  You came up with many more useful, if perhaps unattainable from any crochet artist or publisher, wish list.  At least, I think we’ve come pretty far from the crochet book pictured above!

I’ll give you the summary here.  See what you think.  Please feel free to comment further so we can fine tune this list.  I DO plan on sending a summary of our Wish List to a long list of publishers of crochet books.  Really!  So, if you have an opinion, strong or otherwise (and I think many of us have rather strong feelings here), post your comments.  I’ll do another summary and round of comments til we get this thing properly honed.  These comments are not necessarily in list of importance.  It might be even more helpful if we could prioritize, so feel free to rank your ‘wishes’. Here goes:

WHAT CROCHETERS WANT IN A CROCHET BOOK    SUMMARY 05/09

1. STITCH COUNTS AT END OF ROW
2. PHOTOS OF MULTIPLE VIEWS, COLOR PHOTOS, SCHEMATICS, SYMBOLS, CHARTS – LACK OF COLOR PHOTOS IS A DEAL BREAKER
3. LAY FLAT OR SPIRAL BINDING
4. SIZE – SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN A PAPERBACK NOVEL (only one person commented on size and I’d actually prefer a larger book)
5. PAPER QUALITY – MATTE, GLOSSY (too much glare), LAMINATED (can be wiped off)
6. PATTERNS – ORGANIZE BY
TYPE
SKILL LEVEL
SEASON
YARN WT
THEME
(Are there other categories we might want listed?)
7. SKILL LEVEL – DESCRIPTION (I have a problem with this as skill levels are actually highly subjective much of the time.  Having a list of stitches used in the project and comments like ‘tailored’ , indicating the necessity of increasing and decreasing, might be more valuable than an arbitrary ‘easy, medium, difficult’ designation.)
8. STITCH ILLUSTRATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS – ENLARGED PHOTOS OR ILLUSTRATIONS HELP A LOT
9. AFFORDABILITY OF MATERIALS (See Item #17 below.)
10. QUICK PROJECTS (What about a mix of quick and not so quick?)
11. HOOK SIZE IN #, LETTER, OR MM (for international conversions)
12. YARN – FIBER, WPI, SIZE, WEIGHT, SUBSTITUTIONS (Problem so often is that by the time a book is published, the yarn is no longer in production.)
13. INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEFTIES

14. CATEGORIES: Not that we necessarily want all of these in the same book, I think.
BABY
DOILY
GRANNY
GARMENTS
RUNWAY
TRENDY
HOUSEHOLD/DECOR

15. BOOK, WEBSITE, ERRATA, QUESTIONS, LINKS, YOUTUBE, RESOURCE SECTION, SUPPLIES – in this digital era, it would be most helpful for us to be in touch with the author for clarifications. How practical is this??

16. ABBREVIATION CHART, GLOSSARY, LIST OF SUPPLIERS, RESOURCES, ETC.

17. EACH ITEM CAN BE PICTURED IN SPLURGE YARN AND ECONOMICAL YARN.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CUT AND PASTE A SECTION YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON AND POST IT TO THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW. I’LL DO ANOTHER SUMMARY OF ALL COMMENTS SOON!

Comments

  1. I want very detailed step-by-step color photographs (as in Japanese pattern books) and charted as well as traditionally written out patterns.
    Uh.. Laminated?! I am not willing to pay the extra cost of laminated book pages and spiral bindings are not that important to me. People can always photocopy that page of a book they own and put it in a paper protector for their personal use. I agree, color photographs are essential.

    I like it when they give a variety of good yarn choices instead of one specific brand.

  2. Hi jd, It’s me!! My dealbreaker for a book (or magazine for that matter) if clothing items-must have larger sizes. I like having material options. I don’t like buying yarn without feeling it and highly specialized yarn is too expensive to buy with out using, I want WPI and weight. The scale of 1-5 that the yarn companies are using are not alway accurate-a ‘4’ in one yarn doesn’t work up as the same as ‘4’ in red heart-found out to my disadvantage-I now have a sweater too big and too much work to frog the whole thing.

  3. I like the idea of the laminated book so I can mark what step I’m on. Also, if the writer could triple check their pattern to make sure it’s correct would be nice. I get so mad when I paid money for a pattern and then end up having to figure it out myself.

  4. Thanks for the list, I like that ! I’m dreaming of self-publishing a book someday, so I’ll keep that handy.. 😛
    I’ve never really had any spiral-bound book in my hands and wonder how it holds in time..but I really love the idea !

  5. 11. HOOK SIZE IN #, LETTER, OR MM (for international conversions)

    I love all the ideas I read. I am thinking that this one may be a typo, because it would make more sense to have #, Letter, AND mm listed. The comment about paying more for laminating was a valid one. What if the book was made with the pages three hole punched on the left side and also so that the pages can be taken out of the book easily so they can be worked with. With the holes punched in, the pages could then be put into a binder. JMHO

  6. I like a book which cover the classic as well as new, a doily category, especially flower: Irish crochet, flowers and leaves decorating something modern, like a cell phone case, something lacy, I like things which are quick, but I also like something lacy which I can work on a bit everyday. I guess I am basically more interested in thread.

Have you read?

How to Crochet the Suzette Stitch: An Easy Textured Crochet Stitch for Beginners

Learning a crochet stitch is much more satisfying when you have an actual project waiting at the end of it. The Suzette stitch is especially versatile because its dense, softly textured fabric works for everything from practical cotton washcloths to cosy scarves, hats and blankets.

Here are some Suzette stitch crochet patterns worth adding to your project list.

Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket

The free Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket pattern from Premier Yarns uses the stitch to create a softly textured crochet blanket with a subtle tweed-like appearance.

This would make a lovely handmade baby shower gift, particularly when worked in a washable baby yarn. The stitch creates more visual interest than plain single crochet without introducing large holes that may catch tiny fingers.

Easy Suzette Stitch Blanket

The Suzette Stitch Blanket pattern by Stitching Together is another approachable blanket project for crocheters who enjoy a relaxing stitch repeat.

This is the sort of project you can keep beside the sofa and work on a few rows at a time. Just keep an eye on those skipped stitches—television crochet is wonderful until an extra stitch quietly sneaks in three episodes earlier.

Casey Suzette Stitch Scarf

The free Casey Scarf crochet pattern uses the Suzette stitch through most of the design, producing a cosy scarf with a softly scalloped, zigzag-like texture.

It is a good first wearable project for beginners because scarves do not require complicated shaping. You can also adjust the length fairly easily or use a self-striping yarn and let the colour changes do the decorative work for you.

Quick Suzette Crochet Scarf

For another scarf option, try this free Suzette Stitch Scarf pattern from Hooked by Robin.

The designer includes written instructions and a video tutorial, making it helpful for visual learners who prefer watching the stitch placement before beginning. It is designed as a quick project and would make a practical last-minute handmade gift.

Suzette Colour Block Scarf

The free Suzette Colour Block Scarf pattern is a cheerful option for using several coordinating yarn colours.

Colour blocking also makes this a handy stash-busting crochet project. You can use leftover yarn from other makes, although it is worth choosing yarns of the same weight and similar fibre content so the sections behave themselves after washing.

Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie

The free Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie crochet pattern turns the textured stitch into a warm winter hat.

Chunky yarn helps the pattern work up quickly and makes the raised texture especially noticeable. This would be a useful project for craft stalls, charity donations or quick handmade Christmas gifts.

Hazel Textured Crochet Beanie

The free Hazel Beanie crochet pattern combines simple ribbing with the Suzette stitch.

The ribbed brim gives the hat a neat, finished appearance while the Suzette stitch adds texture to the main body. It looks more complicated than a basic crochet beanie but is still built from familiar beginner stitches.

Suzette Stitch Washcloth

For a small practice project, try the free Suzette Stitch Wash Cloth pattern from The Purple Poncho.

A washcloth is one of the best ways to practise a new crochet stitch because it is small, useful and not terribly demanding. Even if the first one is slightly wonky, it will still wash perfectly well.

Use a smooth cotton yarn so the cloth is absorbent and the stitch texture remains clearly visible.

Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth

The free Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth pattern adds another layer of texture to this familiar stitch combination.

Make several in coordinating colours and pair them with handmade soap for an easy spa-style gift. They are also useful little projects for testing unfamiliar cotton yarn before committing to a larger set.

Corner-to-Corner Suzette Stitch Washcloth

The free C2C Suzette Stitch Washcloth pattern gives the stitch a slightly different construction by working it from corner to corner.

This is a good next project after you have mastered ordinary flat rows. It lets you explore increasing and decreasing while still using the familiar Suzette stitch combination.

Suzette Stitch Afghan Square

The Suzette Stitch Afghan Square pattern turns the textured stitch into a smaller crochet block.

Afghan squares are useful for charity blankets, sampler blankets and portable crochet projects. You can make the squares individually, use up leftover yarn and join everything together once you have enough—although “enough” has been known to become a surprisingly flexible number in my craft room.

More Suzette Stitch Crochet Pattern Ideas

Once you are comfortable with the basic stitch, you can also use it to make:

  • Crochet mug cosies
  • Ear warmers and headbands
  • Fingerless gloves
  • Cushion covers
  • Tote bags
  • Baby rompers
  • Crochet cardigans
  • Lap blankets
  • Double-thick potholders

You can browse additional Suzette stitch crochet patterns on Etsy, including sweaters, baby blankets, beanies, mug cosies and accessories from independent crochet designers.

When choosing a pattern, check whether it uses US or UK crochet terminology. Also check whether it uses the traditional Suzette stitch—one single crochet and one double crochet worked into the same stitch—or a designer’s variation of it. That quick check can prevent a great deal of confused unraveling later.