The Crochet Workbook

Good book for beginning crocheters, pictures could be slightly better done, but the language is easy to understand and should prove useful for a new hooker.

The Crochet Workbook by James Walters and Sylvia Cosh is a very informative read. I was skeptical when I looked at the cover. I did not want to crochet with weird yarn, and this book looked very different from what I am used to. When I opened the cover, I was immersed in a world of crochet. A world of stitches and stitch explanations that are easy to understand and come with good pictures. I was able to learn about the different types of yarn that would be good for different projects. I really liked this book.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

This book was a little different than what I expected. There are lots of great interesting techniques in this book! I think this is a great book to keep and refer back to in a lot of your crochet projects. It is also a great book to learn the basics of crochet.
I am a very experienced crocheter. I thought the directions were excellent! There are pictures and diagrams for every stitch!
Unfortunately this book is all about "free-form" crochet, and while it is very interesting, it is not really my thing. However I did not rate it based on that. I still think this is an excellent book even if it is not "my thing".

If you want to try your hand at a new kind of craft - this may be just the thing for you!

Not really for the beginner, and although it does have good information on basic techniques, this is really about 'freeform' crochet. It has lots of examples, discusses types of yarn, has ideas for making several garments, but really it is only for the confident and adventurous crocheter!

You aren't going to find a more useful crochet book for beginners but you'll be disappointed if you are expecting some book filled with patterns. It's approach is more artistic and cutting edge with free form, landscape images with unusual yarns and techniques. It was very fun. Wished for more examples!!

I've not been posting on the blog for a few weeks, but I have been reading a couple of Love Inspired Historicals (regencies...I love them). I'm also working on the third installment of Lisa Tawn Bergren's Grand Tour series, "Glittering Promises." For some reason, it is taking me a while to get through this, but it is pretty good so far.

Anyways, besides reading hystericals (whoops...I mean historicals!), I enjoy knitting. Even though I'm not really into crocheting, "The Crochet Workbook" was posted on the "Read Now" list at NetGalley, and I couldn't resist taking a look at this. The book was written by Sylvia Cosh and James Walters, and was originally published in 1989 by Dover Publications.

Now, as I mentioned before, I'm not a crocheter. In fact, my tension while attempting to crochet is best described as...limp and loose. But the introduction says that the book is, "intended for...existing crocheters who are looking for a new dimension to their work, and also for people who may never have picked up a crochet hook before." This is because this book is about freeform crochet, which is essentially spontaneous crocheting without a pattern. Unfortunately, I am both unexperienced in blogging and crocheting, so even though I've seen samples of freeform crochet, I don't have a sample photo to upload into this blog entry. I also don't mean to burn the crocheting community, but I had always thought about crochet as boring granny square blankets and some really horrid looking vests that I had the misfortune to lay eyes upon. However, there have been some freeform crochet creations that can only be described as works of art.

The Crochet Workbook is truly just only a workbook. It does describe various crocheting techniques with accompanying diagrams and photos of sample items but does not include individual patterns that one could duplicate. This is not too much of a surprise when one considers that the book is trying to encourage spontanaeity in the practice of freeforming. It does describe in general how to generate various shapes, but again, there is no set recipe/plan/pattern for reproducing any pictures of crocheted items in the book. There is more detail provided for a few projects including a cape and coat, but in general, the book is more about guidelines to use when doing freeform crochet. There is a chapter about drawing creative inspiration for freeform crochet. The teacher in me was tickled pink to see the mindmap/concept map included in the book.

If someone is interested in freeform crochet but would like to be handheld more through the process with suggested projects that do follow conventional structured patterns, then one might consider looking at Jonelle Raffino's and Prudence Mapstone's, Freeform Style: Blend Knit and Crochet to Craft Fiber Art, by North Light Books. However, The Crochet Workbook has its appeal, especially since it does try to encourage its readers to strike out on their own with freeform crochet. I would definitely consider adding this publication to my library as a technique book.

Other comments regarding this particular galley: I previewed an e-book, and it became apparent that this book was scanned as it was riddled with spelling errors likely due to optical character recognition not picking up the correct letters. I also read this e-galley on my computer's Sony reader library program, so my magnification options were rather limited. After a certain magnification (medium), the photos disappeared. I could see the text and photos in their entirety only under the small magnification setting, but I couldn't read the text because it was so small. I needed to switch between settings to be able to see the diagrams and photos and read the accompanying text. I prefer hard copy books for my crafting library, though, especially for a technique/methods book, so I'd probably opt to buy a hard copy of this as opposed to an e-copy.

Disclaimer: An e-copy of "The Crochet Workbook" was provided by NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions stated in this blog entry are mine.

I'm thrilled to see that the Crochet Workbook is back! I actually own the original book, but am really excited to see that this book is back in print.

You can look at this book on two levels: as a basic how to book (both for beginner crocheters and beginner free formers), but also as inspiration for your own freeform. Walters and Cosh are famous in the crochet world for teaching us how to crochet using nature as your guide, and it's never been more true today then it was 25 years ago. This book is much more about crochet as art form, then about crochet as stitchery.

If you want to break into the world of crochet design, this book is a great starting point for you, because Walters and Cosh teach you how to make three dimensional shapes in crochet, using various stitches.

The Crochet Workbook is a nicely illustrated book, that covers the most basic techniques to raised stitches, how to create classic bobbles, to the Solomon's knot. From the beginner to those with more experience in crocheting, the Author took her time to describe each detail in understandable terms, including the terminology in both British and US versions of instructions.

The free-form chapter brings a creative approach to crochet, allowing the creator to "doodle", a welcome difference to the traditional crochet techniques I was taught as a child. I am looking forward to exploring these techniques in the creating of a sweater, which could benefit from the unique free-form.
The pictures also include examples of shaped crochet, such as as a tea cup, and even a miniature tree, which show the potential of creative out of the box free-form.

The idea of mind-mapping transcends this form of craft, and could be used in other forms of needle work as well. What a wonderful idea to spark ones imagination, and get the creative juices flowing!

The only downside of this book, is in my opinion the very old school look and feel of the volume, that reminds me of the magazines my mother and grandmother used to create their craft experiments, rather then an updated book about crochet. Even some of the pictures seem to be taken out of that time, rather then fresh and new, while the illustrations are thorough.

If you are looking for a book that covers all of the basics, while leaving room for imagination and creativity, this book is worth your while, but there are more visually stimulating and updated volumes on the market, that have a more modern appeal. This book has been originally published in 1989, and apparently the images are from the original publication, which is a shame, because that is it's only downfall, but to me is one of the deciding factor between the purchase of two books of the same subject.

This is a much-needed book that teaches the "why" of crochet instead of merely the "how." Learn what makes spirals, ripples, ruffles, flat circles, and straight edges. Instead of blindly following written directions, learn to crochet free form and make a chart as you go.

This book also includes information of inspiration, color, and fiber. Aspiring crochet designers will want this information at their fingertips.

This book fit my level of beginner "expertise" I enjoyed learning how to design the free form landscaping

This book is great for crocheters of all skill levels. The illustrations are easy to follow and the patterns are varied and interesting. The book discusses what types of yarn work for different patterns, the color pictures give insight into the projects. A good index and useful information make this a great addition to the craft library.

Excellent resource. The photos are clear and useful-I really refined a technique I've been meaning to get to.

A very quirky book with a lot of information. This is the first crochet book I have seen with specific information about free style crochet and ideas to help you get started. The photographs do not always show beautiful works of art, but illustrate the artistic points the text describes. Not the typical crochet book and thus might appeal to a more off-beat crafter.

Very artistic. While not my cup of tea when it comes to patterns and styles, this will definitely help those who are struggling for inspiration and who want to make beautiful pieces of art.

A worthy contribution to an underpopulated field.

Really interesting insight into the history of crochet. Both beginners and advanced crafters will enjoy this book