Member Reviews
This book is good for what it is, but I was thrown by the use of UK crochet terms, which are different from US terms. I feel like that needs to be clearer.
If you're interested in crochet, this book is a good place to start. It discusses tools, techniques and yarn weights and uses.
Great pictures help in the learning process. The stitches are shown clearly and reading a pattern is explained.
There are projects for each level, also beautifully illustrated. I wish I had read something like this when I first started, I struggled with the concept and had no idea that the weight of the yarn as well as the hook size greatly influence the outcome of your project.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse and offer my opinion freely.
Super helpful book for any level of crocheter. The pictures were of great quality and easy to understand. This would be great to keep on a reference shelf!
This book is a beautiful instructional on how to crochet. It takes the reader from the basics to advanced. The instructions are clear and the pictures are beautiful. This will definitely be a book that my library buys to share with our community.
I loved the colorful, attractive photos & diagrams. Both the written Instructions and photos were easy to follow. I especially liked the section on reading charted patterns, it was thorough but concise, making it easy to learn.
A great book for a beginner who wants to learn without all the fluff and extra comments in the average beginner's book as well as a seasoned needleworker who wants to refresh their knowledge. The patterns included are simple but practical and modern.
"Crochet: Over 130 Techniques and Stitches" is a really thorough guide into the the techniques used in crocheting. The books starts off by going through the different tools and materials needed when crocheting and I feel like it did a really great job of explaining everything from the different types of yarn you can buy to hook sizes and yarn weights. I was especially glad to see a section that discussed yarn labels and the means behind the different symbols you'll find on yarn labels.
The book then moved through the different crochet stitches and techniques and teaches readers how to read crochet patterns. I thought they did a really great job of laying out basic step-by-step instructions and they provided really clear pictures for each step. After each new step or technique the book actually provides a project that the read can accomplish using the technique they just learned.
The techniques section was really great because it goes into everything you could possibly imagine. I was really impressed to see that they had a whole section, including projects, on filet crochet (laces), and even on crocheting with beads and using unusual yarns.
The second half of the book is a projects section that includes everything from blankets, apparel, children's apparel and toys, and housewares. The projects do really great job of building upon the techniques learned and the patterns and instructions were really easy to understand.
I've been crocheting for over 10 years and I found this book to be incredibly helpful and there were things in this book that I didn't know how to do =, such as crocheting with beads. I would hands-down by this book for anyone looking to learn how to crochet or anyone who already knows how to crochet because it's a great reference book. I am thoroughly impressed!
Thank you to NetGalley and DK Publishing for providing me with an e-arc of "Crochet: Over 130 Techniques and Stitches" in exchange for an honest review.
Great resource for the new crocheter! The book covers tools, types of yarn and how to choose colors and then moves into stitch instructions and patterns. The patterns begin very basic and as the difficulty increases, additional stitches and techniques are clearly explained as needed for the patterns. These instructions include reading crochet charts, adding embellishment and edgings. With a good variety of techniques and clear instruction, this is the perfect book for someone just starting out or wanting to move beyond the basic stitches.
Thank you to DK and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Awesome book! I've been wanting to learn crochet for a long time but I've never found a book that I could understand and this book is the best one I've seen! It explains lots of different techniques and projects and they all look easy to do. I'm very excited to start making my baby's clothes using this book. 5 stars! I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
Thanks to NetGalley and DK for this ARC.
I have the current DK Crochet book that was published in 2014. I just got it for Christmas last year. When I saw there was a new crochet book coming out, I absolutely had to request an ARC and was prepared to get yet another crochet book.
While this is a fantastic reference for both beginners and experts, it's pretty similar to the book I already have. I liked the step-by-step instructions and quality photos. There's a good variety of projects. I like the way certain projects are introduced after the techniques used for those projects are explained. I did wish there was a bit more information about Tunisian crochet.
Overall, if you already have the 2014 book, it's not entirely necessary to buy this one in the fall. Many items appeared to be the same and most of the included projects have not changed, If you're a beginner or someone who was thinking about buying a crochet book and don't already have the 2014 version, it's worth the purchase if you're willing to wait a few more months. However, it's very important to note that the book I have is written in US terms, while this one is written in UK terms, which confused me at first. For example, what was called a treble crochet (UK term) is what I know as a double crochet. That may or may not make a big difference for you, especially if you are a beginner.
Great book for those trying to learn crochet, as I am. Gives you step by step pictures as well as great instruction. Highly recommend!
Ideal for the beginner and intermediate crochet lovers, this book covers all the basics and then some! Easy to follow instructions, great advices, and simple yet lovely patterns to try out everything you learn. I will start a few of these proyectes very soon! I’ve been crocheting for years but I still found it an excellent resource and I know I will consult it several times in the future.
I was fortunate enough to be able to review this title before publication. I wasn’t sure what to expect, given that the cover doesn’t give much away. I was, however, pleasantly surprised. There’s a wealth of information contained in this 320 page book, suitable for everyone from someone who has never picked up a hook before all the way to someone who’s been crocheting for decades. I will note that the book is written using UK terminology, something that isn’t mentioned until the abbreviations given on page 81. It is here that it gives US crochet terms and abbreviations.
The book is divided into sections, such as Tools, Techniques, and Projects. The Tools section is the smallest, although it manages to cover a surprising variety of items, from yarn of all different fibers to basic color theory to hooks of all shapes and sizes, as well as the additional notions that might be needed. These pages are well illustrated and include CYC standards for yarn weights, what the different wash and dry symbols found on yarn labels are, and both metric and US hook sizes.
The Techniques section is extensive and goes into wonderful detail on everything from how to hold a crochet hook and yarn, how to make basic as well as advanced crochet stitches, where to insert the hook into a stitch, increasing and decreasing, etc. These techniques include photo tutorials and are extremely detailed, giving step by step instructions on forming the different stitches. Sprinkled throughout this section are patterns that serve to reinforce a stitch or a technique just given, which will be especially useful to someone new to the craft. Colorwork, edgings, and embellishments are also covered in this section.
The final section, Projects, is comprised of crochet patterns. These are subdivided by type:
Blankets and cushions
Home and gifts
Hats and Scarves
Gloves, socks, and slippers
What to wear
Toys
Bags
As noted at the beginning, the editor manages to fit a wealth of information into these pages. Someone with no knowledge could pick up this book and be able to crochet a basic project in no time at all. If they worked their way through the book and included patterns, they’d end up able to handle advanced projects easily. The book finishes with a glossary and then an index, making it easy to check a definition or identify a page. I have no hesitation in recommending this title.
The book is available for preorder, in both hardcover and paperback, from Amazon. The hardcover is listed for $39.47 and the paperback for $21.60.
I have been crocheting for about four months now and have done both easy and difficult patterns/projects, mostly by teaching myself through guides and videos. I was interested in this book because I wanted to see if it had both educational value as well as provided projects I would be interested in,
As far as the educational value, this book exceeded my expectations. There were very in-depth descriptions of each of the basic stitches as well as very advanced stitches only needed for very specific projects. Because of that, I felt like this book would not just be beneficial for beginners but also for advanced crocheters to hold onto and to reference when learning something new. For me, I feel like it would be difficult to learn these stitches without watching a video, and it would have been nice if the book included ways to access video demonstrations. That being said, it would be very easy to look up a video on Youtube if needed.
When I looked at the projects, I liked how the book organized them according to the stitches being taught in each section. This is a great way for a beginner to ease their way into projects. I thought the patterns were well-written and descriptive. I did knock it down one star because personally I did not see myself making 90% of the projects in the book. They are definitely not geared for those interested in making more 'modern' projects.
Overall, I recommend this book to beginners and advanced crocheters alike. I would even recommend it to a friend wanting to start crocheting on their own!
Thanks to #Netgalley and #DKpublishing for letting me read this book.
I know how to crochet, but I really like to get books about crochet to see if I can learn something new.
First, I really like how this book goes over the yarn weights and about choosing the right yarns. Also, like that it talks about different tools you can use when crocheting. That it shows different styles of hooks.
I loved that after it showed how to do stitches, there were patterns using those stitches to try. Great way to learn.
Now only were basic stitches shown, but ways to use the stitches to make different shapes were also shown.
This book is a great book for a beginner or someone that loves to crochet but wants to learn more or have the book handy to look at when looking for ideas.
Totally would recommend this book.
I have been crocheting for over 15 years and this book is great for a beginner or someone more advanced as there is always something to learn. Even if just using this as a reference for crochet hook sizes and stitches it is a wonderful resource. The patterns are current and not out of date which is nice to see. I would recommend this to anyone starting out as a resource to add to the shelf. Thank you for publishing a great colorful crochet book with easy to follow directions.
CROCHET by DK is the new second edition of the original book. Cover to cover CROCHET literally does cover so many basics of the art of crochet. The book is clearly organized for beginners. CROCHET walks you through the steps needed to create some lovely articles from basic and simple to those with a little more expertise involved. Note that any stitches or procedures for items shown in the book are clearly defined with photos and explained step by step. A beginner would easily make any of the included projects with just the information provided within CROCHET.
CROCHET is a challenging book. It shows many facets of working with crochet hooks and the many weights of yarns. CROCHET also introduces some more unusual methods. Those that require special crochet hooks. These parts are meant as an introduction of sorts to these methods. CROCHET does not go into great detail about Tunisian or broomstick lace, etc.
However CROCHET goes into great depth with most crochet stitches and methods. It includes finishing steps and borders. And for every stitch or method illustrated follows up with a simple project to try using what you just learned. The last half of CROCHET is chock full of fun things to make ranging from scarves, sweaters to blankets, pillows and even toys.
There is something for everyone in CROCHET. It is a good resource book for a small number of stitches. But I think it is valuable for its range of projects. If you are looking for sizing and yarn ideas for projects CROCHET has so many items covered that you could certainly find a pattern to fit your needs. And then use your own creativity to make it your own. Yarn quantities are clearly noted as is the necessary gauge for fit.
All and all CROCHET is a really nice book to include on your craft library shelves and would be an excellent gift for someone who is looking to learn how to CROCHET. Clearly written with step by step photos when needed CROCHET is easy to follow.
Crochet Over 130 Techniques and Stitches by DK
Starts with a table of contents where instructional chapters are listed and then items to make are broken down into categories.
Intro talks about how the book is made for all different levels and what is included inside the book.
I am always looking for a different idea to use to make charity afghans for the agencies I volunteer for.
Like how you can use their pattern but a different thickness of yarn and they tell you how to achieve the finished item.
Love how different yarns are explained with pictures and icons displaying what is on a typical label.
Yarns, hooks, accessories, techniques where they show you with pictures and contrast colors of yarn,
basic stitches are shown. Examples of what is being discussed then moves into the projects themselves.
Each patterns starts with a title, summary of the item and stitches used. Hook size, notions and tension/gauge is also given along with yarn and amounts.
Finished size is given and pattern is easy to follow and understand. Level of difficulty is also shown at top right hand corner and tab on page turning side is given a color for expertise level.
Pictures of how to work the stitches is also shown on next pages.
I like the beginner ideas because they make good gifts.
Other techniques are also discussed along with further projects moving up a level.
Projects for baby, child, women and men. Like scarf and hat section the best.
Love sample stitch patterns because they NOT only show you the finished piece, charted piece and written rows of how to make it.
Glossary is included at the end along with crochet terminology. An index, acknowledgements, about the consultant are also included.
X reference book for your library!
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from DK via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#Crochet #NetGalley
Crochet: Over 130 Techniques and Stitches is a great crochet pattern book full of creative projects. With a variety of patterns, techniques and ideas this one is good for both novice and seasoned crocheters. There is plenty within these pages to give you inspiration.
This book is full of tips and tricks and helpful sections discussing yarns and yarn colors, different hook types and other crochet equipment. There is a techniques section showing you how to work up different stitches. Also included is a section about blocking and seaming techniques and another part which shows you how to work up different textural stitches like rib stitch and shell stitch. There is also a section with information on how to embroider onto crochet. I could go on and on there is plenty within these pages to spark the imagination and to learn from or to brush up on your skills with.
I liked that other ideas and inspiration for using crochet as an embellishment are included. For example, the Textured Cushion pattern, where you work up a front panel then sew it onto a pillow to give it a special accent.
Aside from these tips, tricks and ideas there are several patterns included for home decor, stuffed toys, blankets, mittens and sweaters for babies, children and adults.
I chose to make the book cover using a quick and easy pattern. The pattern calls for a chunky yarn, but I didn’t have any on hand so I used two strands of regular yarn held together. The pattern was very easy to follow and I like the result.
I recommend Crochet: Over 130 Techniques and Stitches if you are looking for some crochet inspiration.
This was a a super fun and practical book! As someone who loves knitting and has been looking to get into crochet, I found it helpful for getting started. Would recommend it for beginners who need a visual guide to get started.
An excellent reference book for any level of "hooker". We creative artists are always looking for the next challenging pattern or stitch and this book contains several that will keep me busy for the next few weeks. This would be a great gift for your favorite crafter, young or old!