Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

WHERE DO YOU BUY CROCHET BOOKS?

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I’m fortunate to have some large book stores nearby, so I have a nice selection of new crochet books available to me.  Finding used crochet books locally has proved almost impossible.  Occasionally, I’ll find one at a thrift store, but that’s a rare thing.  Since I’m pretty much of a penny pincher and love bargains, I’ve taken to buying my used crochet books online.  I’ve blogged about this before, but I’ve found a few other sources worth checking out.  Here are a few great places to look for well-priced crochet books:

Crochet-The-Complete-Guide 1109

https://www.discountbooksale.com/ has hundreds of books, well sorted.  I have yet to use this site myself, but this particular crochet book is listed at half the cover price.  They offer $5 off your first purchase with them and FREE SHIPPING!  I want this book to review, so I’ll probably buy it soon.

A site I have done business with that has a huge selection of used crochet books AND leaflets is this one:

http://www.biblio.com/CRAFTS-and-HOBBIES-Needlework-Crocheting_640/shelf_1.html

They’ve got some of those old Beehive pattern books, hard to find in my area.

Overstock.com has become my ‘go to’ place for lots of online purchases, and they have 161 crochet books listed, including some of the latest publications.  Click here to see the crochet goodies:

http://www.overstock.com/search?taxonomy=sto3&SearchType=entertainmentsw&x=0&y=0&keywords=crochet+books

You, too, can google and find other used book sources.  I’d love it if all readers shared a link to favored online book stores that stock crochet books, especially used books.  It’s always best to research a site that comes personally recommended IMO.  List away, please!  List the sites and titles you’ve purchased if you’d like.

Comments

  1. http://www.yesasia.com for the cutest Japanese crochet books you will ever own, http://www.etsy.com for hard to find, out of print books, and also e-books. E-books, sent as a file to your e-mail address are the trend for many artists now. http://www.youcanmakethis.com also sells a large variety of crochet e-books.

    DEBBIE, I agree that http://www.yesasia.com is a good site. It’s a bit difficult to navigate and I haven’t actually purchased anything there because I’m unsure if the books are really crochet since knit is often thrown into the same category and I don’t like to knit. I have found that the search engine works better if you enter ‘crochet patterns’ rather than ‘crochet book’.
    jd

  2. I use Half.com. It’s part of Ebay and the prices are set (you don’t have to bid). They have every book you can think of and some can be as cheap as 75 cents! I allow myself to buy one book a week.

Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.