Crochet Stories: E. T. A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker

This is a beautifully well done crochet book. The Nutcracker story is told with each vignette introducing a different character or accessory to craft.

The patterns are clearly written and the NUMEROUS pics help show you the work in step by step process. I would highly recommend adding this to your collection if you're a fan of amigurumi or holiday crafting!

Review will be posted December 20 This book is one that tells the story of The Nutcracker and the illustrations are all crocheted figures of the characters from the beloved Christmas story. In addition to the photos of the figures there is also instructions on how you can make your own set of figures for the holidays!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

These amigurumi crochet creations are super cute. The photography is well done. The text of the Nutcracker story is accompanied by crochet instructions. However, there are no instructions on posing or wire joints, even though the photos are clearly taken of posable figures. I had to look up instructions for inserting wire on Youtube. Overall, would recommend.

I love how you could follow along with the book to make them

It's that time of the year again, and I've been looking around for some pretty things to make. Since my skills still do not extend to knitting, crochet it is, and The Nutcracker is my favorite ballet.

The patterns in this were cute and generally easy-ish. They were stylistically similar, so if you don't like the images you see on the front cover, the book is going to be more of the same, as a heads up. I thought they were cute and quirky looking and I loved that they match so well, which means if I revisit my desire to make some another year it will be easy to eventually have an entire set without having to track down individual patterns.

Like most (good) crochet pattern books, this includes not only step-by-step directions for the patterns, but also some instructions/reminders on some of the basic crochet stitches you'll need. I would not really recommend this as the only way to learn (this is not an absolute Crochet for Dummies or anything), but it is useful for people (cough, cough, like me) who often forget the more complicated stitches since they're not regularly used.

I'll be making a few of these to add to my general Christmas decorations, and if you like the pictures and have even basic crochet skills, this is a solid addition to your Christmas pattern collection.

This book was provided to me for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely book of patterns from a well loved Christmas tale. I haven't made any of the designs yet, but the instructions look clear enough on a quick read through. Plenty of diagrams to help as you go along.

I got this book when I was looking for good craft ideas and this is really a great idea! It shows you how to tell the story of the Nutcracker but by showing it besides telling it-how-by crocheting all of the characters and using them to act it out!

There is a pattern for each character, listed along with what kind of yarn to use, the size crochet hook and the actual pattern, and I know that anyone with even a small amount of experience with crocheting can make these! The patterns are easy to understand.

What is also really nice is that they show you actual pictures of the stitching and how to do each stitch in color so you can understand what you are looking at.

What is even really better is that this book has the story so you can read it to your children while having the little dolls you make to act it out!

I gave this book 5***** stars as I think it is a lovely way to spend time with your family, and it will be fun for them to handle the little dolls while you tell the different stories they have in this book besides the Nutcracker!

What a great and novel idea. Lindsay Smith creates a new version - a craftier version - pun intended here of an old classic. Each part of her story is highlighted with a crochet version of the staring character in each verse. This would be a wonderful gift for any child complete with the requisite completed characters to hold and cuddle as the story is read. in CROCHET STORIES: E.T.A. HOFFMAN'S THE NUTCRACKER Lindsay Smith provides easy enough instructions for even a somewhat beginner to follow and create really adorable dolls and other accessories that beautifully help bring the characters in each verse to life.
Caveat here is that the work has to be done prior to gifting the story book. So it would be something to buy now and have all done in time for the next holiday season. Or it could just as easily be given as a wonderful birthday gift to a child that loves to read or have stories read to them. Of course you don't actually have to make everything in this book but I would. Great use of all your yarn stash. Fabulous gift item.

Lindsay Smith has created twelve patterns inspired by the beloved classic story, The Nutcracker.
What I like here is that the patterns are easy to follow and the presentation is very well done. How cute are these little holiday themed creations? The characters are introduced before each crochet pattern with snippets from the book, which I thought was a nice touch. There is a Technique section at the end of the book to help guide you as well.

There are patterns for Godpapa Drosselmeier, Christmas presents, The Nutcracker, Sugar Plum Fairy and more. I made a Gingerbread Man and turned him into a Christmas ornament. The pattern was simple to follow and the instructions were clear.

Overall, Crochet Stories: E. T. A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker by Lindsay Smith is a nice crochet pattern book inspired by The Nutcracker.

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Disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received my free copy of Crochet Stories: E. T. A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker by Lindsay Smith via NetGalley.

I have been intrigued by amigurumi ever since I saw Flosstubers start talking about it a few months ago. Now, I don’t crochet. I used to knit, but gave it up about 10 years ago because I got bored with it. But the more I see these cute amigurumi dolls, the more I want to take up this new hobby. So when I saw this on NetGalley, I knew I had to check it out. And I must say, this is a lovely crochet book. I love how the story of The Nutcracker is interwoven into the book, so it’s not just a straight-forward pattern book. The patterns are adorable and easy to follow. I’m really looking forward to giving one of these patterns a go. If you are a fan of amigurumi, I’d check this one out.

**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I love this collection of crochet patterns! Each pattern included has pictures of the crochet process and also of the final product. The author includes helpful tips at the end of the book, such as how to make the magic loop or ring, a crab stitch or reverse single crochet, and how to make hair. With these special techniques, there are very helpful pictures and descriptions for how to achieve the required stitches.

Not only is this a book with amigurumi nutcracker patterns but the story is also told throughout. I imagine myself making each of the dolls and using them to act out the story with my children. :)

Lindsay Smith has created a beautiful, yet practical, crochet instruction book over the characters in E.T.A Hoffman's "The Nutcracker". The book succeeds on several levels: it includes a retelling of Hoffman's story, it provides gorgeous full-color illustrations of the amigurumi figures accompanying each section of the story, and it clearly and simply provides step-by-step crochet instructions needed to fashion each character with hook and yarn. A beautiful addition to an experienced crafter's home library or to any public library collection.

***Thanks to Netgalley for providing the free ARC for my unbiased review.***.

Love it!!!

I love this collection of crochet patterns! Each pattern included has pictures of the crochet process and also of the final product. The author includes helpful tips at the end of the book, such as how to make the magic loop or ring, a crab stitch or reverse single crochet, and how to make hair. With these special techniques, there are very helpful pictures and descriptions for how to achieve the required stitches.

What a great way to present a crochet pattern book. I enjoyed the story along with the patterns. The instructions seemed complete and easy to follow.

This is a fun crochet book with amigurumi figures from “The Nutcracker”. The book has great photographs and very good instructions for creating your own set of figures. I think these would be a fun set of dolls to have on hand for the grandchildren at Christmas time or even to create as ornaments for your tree (all you have to do is add a hoop at the top of each figure. I would suggest, for continuity, that you use the same color of Lily Sugar N Cream that is at the top of each particular figure.

I liked that the author included a techniques section for the book and provided the name and color of the cotton yarn that she used. It is really frustrating when that information is not included. I especially enjoyed learning her technique for adding hair to the top of the figures.

The projects in the book include: Marie, Godpapa Drosselmeier, a Christmas tree, candy canes, gingerbread man, the Nutcracker, the owl sitting on the clock, soldier, Dame Mouserink, Mouse King, Sugar Plum Fairy, and Godpapa Drosselmeier's nephew.

It's an added plus that the crochet book has a re-telling of the story and that the figures are introduced in the book as the story goes along. It makes it fun to read it as you crochet each one.

I received a digital ARC copy of this book from the publisher, Dover Publications, via Netgalley.

Excellent photos complement the easy to follow crochet patterns. Will purchase for our crochet enthusiastic patrons who are looking for unique patterns.

This is another great addition to the "crochet story series" from Dover Publications. Lindsay Smith brings to life the story of "The Nutcracker", a firm favourite with children and adults alike. A book that would make a perfect resource for educators and parents but equally exciting to lovers of fairytales and the nutcracker.

This book retells the story by introducing each character pattern with excerpts from the story.
Patterns are well written and easy to follow and understand. Plenty of high quality photos are provided to guide even the novice crocheter through the process of making up the patterns. Material suggestions and a very useful Techniques section at the back will give all the information that make this book accessible to crocheters of all levels and experience.

Love the patterns in this book!

This would be a good library book, although if you want to make several of these projects, it would probably be best to buy your own copy. If you're into decorating for Christmas, you could have a really cute display. If you don't want to put out that much time or if you don't want all of the characters, there are a lot of them that would make adorable Christmas tree ornaments.

Fun projects for crochet, ballet & Christmas lovers.