So many cute and creative patterns! Enough variety for all skill levels with great explanations and photos.

Many years ago, my grandmother taught me to crochet. I don't get a chance to do it very often so when I do, I prefer to have short projects. The designs in this book are right up my alley! These projects should only take about a day, or perhaps a weekend if you're a bit slow (I get distracted easily). Really fun designs that give you a wonderful sense of accomplishment when you can complete them quickly. And if you're a beginner like me or just need a refresher course, it's a great idea to take a peek at some YouTube videos that show basic techniques.

This book contains 42 projects that the authors say can be done in a day, with most being able to be done in a few hours. As you might imagine, open lacework and big hooks help many of the projects meet this goal, but you might be surprised at some of the articles use dense crochet and even small hooks.

The book is divided into several sections including Hats and Headbands, Wraps and Other Wearables, Bags and Totes, Kitchen and Dining, and Living. In the Wraps section, you’ll find a shawl, cowls, a poncho, a wrap, mitts, and slippers; even boot cuffs are included. The Bags and Totes chapter even has a coin purse and a phone or tablet cozy. In the Kitchen and Dining section, there are a couple of dishcloths, a trivet, a potholder, and other items. The Living section is perhaps the most creative of all. Want to make a crocheted dreamcatcher or mimic old-school macrame? There are patterns for those as well as other interesting ideas. Some of the patterns are a surprise, like the hat that can convert into a cowl. The very simple Dreamy Poncho could be outstanding in the right yarn.

The book does an excellent job of photographing the items. Not only do we see the item from a variety of angles, but there's almost always a close-up on the stitches themselves. What a refreshing change from the many knitting and crochet books that seem to focus more on the model and the setting than on the item itself. The book also gives useful information about the yarns used, including fiber makeup, yarn size by number, and yardage, which would allow for easy substitutions. While this has nothing to do with the quality of the patterns or the book, I appreciated that the publisher used a middle-aged woman to model some of the wearables.

The only thing missing from the book was a section that gave the basics of crochet. I am accustomed to crochet books that have a section either before or after the patterns that show how to do simple stitches. The authors do suggest in the introduction that readers should view videos on a couple of different websites to see how stitches are done. As there are several patterns at a beginner level, it would be nice if the book had at least the rudiments of chaining and simple stitches so that a newer crocheter could simply refresh her memory by looking at drawings, rather than have to fire up a browser.

That said, this book is a fun and eclectic mix of projects that will inspire crocheters to break out their hooks and look in their stashes to give some a try.

Crochet in a Day
by Salena Baca; Danyel Pink and Emily Truman

This crochet book is written for a person who already knows the basics stitches. If help is needed for some of the stitches the reference they provided is a YouTube site that teaches you how to do more. The patterns in this book are for basic and intermediate skills. Each pattern has a photo and instructions to complete. In the back of the book is the abbreviation chart if you need a refresher on what that stitch is. I found several projects that I will be making. If your looking for a project that you can make in a short amount of time, this book is perfect.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#Netgalley

Crochet in a Day is a new project tutorial guide collection from Salena Baca, Danyel Pink, and Emily Truman. Due out 1st April 2019 from Rowman & Littlefield on their Stackpole imprint, it's 152 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.

I generally have a few really long-term projects going at any one time. The one thing which helps me stay on target with those long and intricate projects is having a short 'instant gratification' project now and then to break up the long stretches. This book is packed with more than 40 short projects which can be made quickly. The projects are varied and attractive.

This is not a how-to-crochet book. There are no stitch diagrams or explanations (though the authors do refer beginners to the American Crochet Association's youtube channel for video instruction). The lack of beginning instruction doesn't detract from the book at all, the information can be found easily online if it's needed. What this book does have is lots and lots of projects.

The projects are arranged in chapters of similar projects: hats, accessories, totes, kitchen things, decorative items, etc. The yarns and materials used are easily sourced (mostly slanted to readers in the USA, but available worldwide with online retailers).

It would have been nice if the book had included a gallery of included projects with the table of contents, however, there is an visual gallery index at the back of the book with page numbers which is basically the same thing. There's also a one-page resource list and abbreviations list. The project instructions are written in standard abbreviations, but don't include the 'Japanese' crochet diagrams. I made the Windsor dishcloth (p. 112 and found it problem free and attractive).

Four stars. Worthwhile addition to the crafter's library.

This book has the patterns for fun things that can be crocheted in just one day…hats, scarfs, mittens, shawls and more. The instructions are easy to read and follow. The items are gathered in five categories: Hats and Headbands; Wraps and other Wearables; Bags and Totes; Kitchen and Dining; and Living.

This is an awesome book for quick projects. It has a variety of patterns instead of the same old hats and mittens. It is definitely one that should be in all crocheters library.


I received an ARC from Rowman and Littlefield through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.

I love and am familiar with the authors' work. Crochet in a Day contains both easy and intermediate patterns for accessories, home, and more. The book has clear, bright pictures of the finished products. They use simple patterns that can easily be made in a short period of time, and they look more sophisticated than the patterns actually are.

This book has quick, easy to follow, patterns, that are easily created in a day. Just as the title suggests. It comes with instructions and helpful information about choosing the the proper wool, and proper crochet hooks. I am having a wonderful time making kitchen cloths. The pattern is so easy to follow, and wonderful for using up the spare yarn I have laying about. Perfect for those wanting to creating something in a day. Instant crocheting gratification.

Crochet in a Day: 42 Fast & Fun Projects by Salena Baca; Danyel Pink and Emily Truman is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2019. This book has patterns that can all be started and finished in a day or less. From wearables like cowls, hats, slippers, and even a poncho, to home items like place mats, dish cloths, and baskets, every item will crochet up fast! Its patterns are fast and fun, and do not require a large time or yarn commitment. Perfect for using up stash yarn or to create something from that perfect skein you were saving, these patterns are creative, colorful, modern, and stylish.

Crochet in a Day solid collection of patterns that are quick, and relatively simple. I think collections like this are great for using up yarn left over from larger projects, or that you have in your stash and simply cannot remember why. I like the variety of projects offered, and I thought that the instructions and photographs were well done and put together. My only issue was that not of the projects really struck me as terribly unique. So, while the collection is good I think it would be most helpful to those that are not used to browsing sites like Ravelry for crochet or creative inspiration, or the backlist of crochet magazines at the library. Maybe I am the only one that does that though. This was a good but not great collection, and while it would be a good resource for some, it is not a must buy for many.

I have crocheted for years but I much prefer knits, typically. I will say, though, that I was very pleasantly surprised so many patterns in this book had sort of a knit appearance and were more light in nature. The projects are fairly simple, for the most part. I taught myself to crochet with YouTube and I can follow these patterns. My favorite are a couple of the slouchy hats. I don’t know if I can pull them off but they look cute! I received an eARC via Netgalley but my opinions are my own.

Fun projects to get inspired.
The instructions are a bit hard to follow for beginners, but workable.
Nice images and details.

Crochet used to be the craft of grandma's. Today's crochet is a whole lot different. This book of quick to finish projects is excellent for working between those larger projects. The patterns are easy to read and follow. All popular projects, my crochet group has tried all of the patterns and found them excellent.

This book makes me wish for a long car ride, a weekend snowed in, or a rainy day at the beach. It is filled with wonderful ideas for projects that can be made quickly, without sacrificing on style. Lots of patterns for gifts or things to delight yourself. The directions are clear and consistent and the items could be made with a wide variety of yarns. Great for that skein you bought because you loved it but weren't sure what to use it for!

I am a beginner crochet person, having only began a two weeks ago. I was looking at this book hoping it would have quick and easy projects for a beginner like me. This is an awesome book, but it should be known that it is not exactly for a beginner. This is a pattern book, not a book that gives lots of easy instruction on how-to. This book assumes that you already know the how-to, and then gives cute and easy projects to make in less than a day. This will be more of a benefit when I learn the skill more, but for now I am not as able to use it. If you are already on your way with crochet, I would highly recommend this for your collection. For those who cannot wait for a month or so for a project to end, this is handy to get something started and finished quickly. Recommended for an experienced crochet person, not a true beginner.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Stackpole Books and Netgalley for my unbiased opinion of the book. I've made Slightly Slipper Socks, Fine Wine Tote, and several Harbor Placemats. I love these quick crochet patterns, easy to follow directions and a great selection of projects for Christmas or any time of the year! This is a great book for an intermediate or advanced crocheter. I will be giving it as gifts to several of my crochet friends and making several items for gifts!

There are definitely some cute projects in this book and it did give me some ideas, but it seems to be in this weird space between beginner and intermediate crochet. If you are a beginner, you will need more information than is provided to be able to do the patterns. If you are an intermediate or advanced crocheter, this is just a rehash of many other patterns that you can find online for free. I think the target audience is probably beginners, so more hand-holding and explaining the basics are a good idea.

Crochet in a Day is a wonderful new addition to the crochet library. The projects and designs vary from wearables like wraps and ponchos to quick small projects like boot cuffs, socks and fingerless mitts. Directions are clear and concise, and pictures of projects are appealing. I was excited to see the inclusion of Tunisian crochet, and I would probably craft the Toasty Tunisian Head Wrap and the Sprightly Boot Cuffs first.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I did not try any of these patterns for correctness, but as an experienced crocheter, they all seemed possible and fun to do in a day. The patterns are for items that would make great homemade gifts for the occasion when one was called for.

This book is just as described in the description. Easy quick patterns for a novice crocheter. This is a book for a beginner. The instructions are very clear and concise. The pictures are clear and well done.

I love this book! I have found so many project ideas and am having trouble picking just one! Off to go buy more yarn!!