Crochet Workshop

Crochet Workshop by James Walters is a reprint from 1979. I was in high school at that time, so the designs were an enjoyable flashback for me. I appreciate the way Walters pushed the boundaries of crochet far beyond granny squares and doilies.

As a person with training in engineering, I really like the visuals showing what is really happening as fabric is created and shaped through crochet rounds and rows. If you are not a “blind follower” of instructions and really want to understand why you are doing what you are doing and why it works to create a certain shape, Walters is your man.

I love the chapter on related techniques: woven crochet, Tunisian crochet, and hairpin lace are all handy tools for the designer’s bag of tricks.

I received a free electronic review copy through NetGalley and am happy to recommend this book to any crochet enthusiast.

I like to crochet. This was a great book for me to read.

I am an artist and a beginner in crochet. This book not only appealed to my need to learn the basics , it went further with yarns, inspirations, end purpose, and garments. The artist side of me loved learning yarn types, stitches, forms, patterns, and colors. The photographs were outstanding. I loved especially the photos of nature along with examples of using yarn and stitches and color to achieve the end product.

This book has a large variety to choose from. Good crochet book for more experienced crafters.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

While the technical points in the book were very well presented and easy to follow, I just found the book overall to be bland!

The book starts out with the basics of how to crochet, which was wonderful for me as I had never really got the hang of it before. Now it seems too easy!

Further chapters continue with how to read patterns and their little acronyms, technique, basic stitches and variations. I have to admit that I was attracted to the book by the design of the sampler stockings pictured on the cover. The bodysuit pictured on page 7 would be a tempting project as well, though there are few places that it might be appropriate to wear it!

A little history of crochet is given and followed by encouragement to look at possible clothing ideas with new eyes, to see that nearly anything can be done with crochet. If a craft book can be mind-expanding, this is the one. There is even advice to adapting patterns to left-handed workers. Simple practice exercises are suggested and we are assured that we don't have to manage perfection on the first try. The book seems more personal than your average craft instruction book, almost like a friend with a lot of patience is there to teach you.

After going through double, treble and half stitches as well as problems that might arise, we're shown how to make a basic fabric and how to work in rows without turning to achieve different textures. Variations in the base chain follow and suddenly we are able to make a circular design!

We get Granny squares of course, plus variations, how to work to a shape and splicing ends. Reading patterns comes after mastering the stitches and tensions, illustrated by simple diagrams of the shape of the fabric intended. Then we get into my favorite bit, embellishments. This is where the fancy stitches happen.

Some beginner patterns are offered, yet these are lovely! Not the simple round or square shapes that you usually see. From there we're thrown into a world of making shapes within shapes on a fabric and ready to make what looks like advanced projects, yet they have been made easy by the progression of the earlier part of the book and the exercises given. It's almost too easy.

This will probably be the only crochet book I will ever need, unless I want specific patterns from another source. I'm very impressed with the ease with which I've been able to follow the instructions to learn a craft that had eluded me before. The zaniness of the patterns that are given and the emphasis on interesting textures really appeals to me. It even shows how to make a wall picture in crochet, along with doilies that are far more interesting than the usual ones you see on grandma's side table. The little stars really interested be as well, as it's a favorite shape for me.

There's a section on finger crochet which I haven't tried yet, but looks fairly basic. One thing I didn't expect was the instruction on how to make pieces of fabric that allow for darts, so that you can shape a garment as you would in sewing. There is more about how to create the shapes you want than specific patterns, but those patterns that are provided are off the beaten track and the finished projects would impress any needleworker, though they aren't as hard to do as one might assume. Fancy edgings, covered button and button holes as well as woven crochet, which I had never heard of before are all included as well as information on different types of wool to work with.

The hanging crochet chair in the back really blew me away. All things considered, this is the most complete book on the craft of crochet that I can imagine and I'm really pleased to have found it. Easy 5 stars out of 5.

Crochet Workshop by James Walters is a technique reference book that has been republished by Dover. The original edition was published in 1979 by Sidgwick and Jackson Ltd. The Dover edition is essentially the same book. The photographs are likely the same ones that appeared in the original edition, and are therefore dated. However, the information provided in this book can still be handy for today's crocheter.

From the introduction alone, one gets the sense that the author is a bit of a free spirit. Indeed, one of the first photographs shown in the book has him modeling what appears to be crocheted long underwear. The photograph that I saw was in black and white, but I would guess that the real item was probably quite a colourful outfit.

The book includes the following: basic techniques and stitches, understanding how to read patterns, additional crochet techniques that touch on variation of the basic stitches, shaping, adding decorations, introductions to woven crochet, Tunisian crochet, and hairpin crochet, choosing yarns, making up, finishing and after care. The appendices include a list of terminology (British and American), list of equipment, tables describing hook sizes, terms, abbreviations, and symbols, and metric/Imperial conversions. The main text in the book uses British terminology, but as I mentioned above, American equivalents are listed in a chart in one of the appendices.

There are no formal patterns provided to create any particular item, but there are quite descriptive instructions with accompanying diagrams and photographs on how to make various stitches and stitch patterns. The text is useful in helping a beginner to learn and master the basics of crochet, but it also seems to encourage users to go beyond following patterns in an exact manner, and start to delve into learning how to modify and adapt patterns, and perhaps eventually improvise and create spontaneous designs. The book is also written in such a folksy, down to earth style that it seems as if the author is conversing informally with the reader.

In my opinion, this book would make a good addition as a technique reference book in a crocheter's library.

Disclaimer: I was given an e-copy of the Crochet Workshop by NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions stated in this review are my own.

This book contains a lot of information, I had to slowing work through the book. While the drawings/diagrams/pictures seems archaic - they get the job done.

As a visual person I like/prefer needlework books with color (gets my creative juices flowing). This had the feeling of strictly Instructional. I would recommend this book for immediate/Advance crochet looking to refresh or enhance their skill.

The index was spectacular, with clickable links.

I wouldn't consider myself a new crocheter but I wouldn't say I'm experienced either. I think this book has a lot to offer crocheters at many different stages. It breaks down patterns for newbies but gives the more advanced crocheter many ideas of how they can challenge themselves and to grow as a crafter!