This would be a great book for granny square newbies but for more experienced crafters, there's not much you'll learn. I was there for the projects thThis would be a great book for granny square newbies but for more experienced crafters, there's not much you'll learn. I was there for the projects though, and I found those a bit disappointing. I found the color palettes for the pieces jarring and the pieces themselves were outdated, nothing very modern. The author talks about using different yarn thicknesses or stitch gauges to get different looks, but none of the projects play with these ideas. So, for beginners but not me....more
This book delivers on its subtitle! The color palette used for all of the projects is certainly bright and sunny. I think one could get a very goth/VIThis book delivers on its subtitle! The color palette used for all of the projects is certainly bright and sunny. I think one could get a very goth/VIctorian look to all the pieces using a very dark colorway. Or maybe a very sweet and twee feel with pastels... I did enjoy this book but there isn't anything new here. Nice clear photography but I wished all the projects included more than 1 photo. There are some color charts but not any stitch diagrams!!!! Very disappointed in that. Also, I could not discern which designer created which piece! The very back lists what yarns were used in the project, instead of within the written pattern. So, a couple book design decisions with which I don't agree....more
I just finished the prequel to this book, Essential Crochet Starter Stitches, and this volume is very much the same except that it concentrates on texI just finished the prequel to this book, Essential Crochet Starter Stitches, and this volume is very much the same except that it concentrates on textures, colorwork, and edgings. This is a pocket-size reference book, perfect for keeping in your current project bag. The range of stitches is fabulous, there are lots to choose from. (For me, it confirmed what it is that I actually like the best.) Directions are written out row-by-row or charted using standard crochet symbols. Photography is clear and professional, although sometimes I wished I could see a larger swatch of the crochet fabric. The best part is the very back section of the book, the Crochet Techniques where simple illustrations show exactly how each stitch is created. Melissa Leapman is such a prolific and masterful author and her books are never a disappointment. But this is one of many crochet dictionaries on the market and is stands in the middle of the pack. ...more
This is a pocket-size reference book on crochet stitches, perfect for keeping in your current project bag. The range of stitches is fabulous, there arThis is a pocket-size reference book on crochet stitches, perfect for keeping in your current project bag. The range of stitches is fabulous, there are lots to choose from. (For me, it confirmed what it is that I actually like the best.) This volume concentrates on solid stitches, shells and fans, openwork, lace, and edgings. Directions are written out row-by-row or charted using standard crochet symbols. Photography is clear and professional, although sometimes I wished I could see a larger swatch of the crochet fabric. The best part is the very back section of the book, the Crochet Techniques where simple illustrations show exactly how each stitch is created. Melissa Leapman is such a prolific and masterful author and her books are never a disappointment. But this is one of many crochet dictionaries on the market and is stands in the middle of the pack....more
Perfect for the crocheting Harry Potter fan! Although I am not one of those, I can appreciate the craftsmanship of the projects but I think many of thPerfect for the crocheting Harry Potter fan! Although I am not one of those, I can appreciate the craftsmanship of the projects but I think many of them could be tweaked just a little bit (by a different yarn choice, different color selection, or more detail) that would make them that much stronger. I guess that would also make them a bit more difficult, too... There's a good range of projects and the photography is good also. I enjoyed the insider glimpses. Pattern schematics and stitch charts are included when necessary....more
Ok, I get that these are for kids and that the focus is crochet but there are several pieces here that I think are better crafted using a different teOk, I get that these are for kids and that the focus is crochet but there are several pieces here that I think are better crafted using a different technique or material. The Braided Hair is a crocheted cap with three crocheted strips that are then plaited. Why not just braid strands of yarn? How about thick and think chunky yarns for the Little Mermaid Hair or fun fur-type yarn for any of the beard patterns? Anyway, I'm not sure if the time invested would be equivalent to the time played with. Maybe my kids just aren't the type. But I could see how some of these ideas could spark other fun projects....more
I rely on Margaret Hubert books because of her expertise in the craft but, man, the projects in this book are ugly with a capital UGH. I cringe at mosI rely on Margaret Hubert books because of her expertise in the craft but, man, the projects in this book are ugly with a capital UGH. I cringe at most crochet garments and have been on the hunt for projects that are elegant, timeless, and wearable. Didn't find that here... Additionally, many of the crochet flower squares aren't recognizable to me. I don't think I'm dense but maybe tough (to please). The section on techniques is very informative. Good photography throughout. The granny square patterns include both stitch diagrams and round-by-round text directions....more
Reading through this book, I realized it's really a stitch dictionary where you crochet up these huge swatch strips that you then sew up together intoReading through this book, I realized it's really a stitch dictionary where you crochet up these huge swatch strips that you then sew up together into a blanket size. Kinda brilliant. I found many of the color combinations to be too discordant for me, but the idea is, really, good. Professional and clear photos. I can't speak to the correctness of the stitch patterns since I haven't made anything but this book really gives me some good ideas - what a stash buster!...more
My husband would never walk around with me if I were wearing any one of these creations. I agree that most of them give granny squares (used in garmenMy husband would never walk around with me if I were wearing any one of these creations. I agree that most of them give granny squares (used in garments) a bad name... and I love granny squares! I have been struggling to find patterns that use them in a beautiful and fashionable way but it is a fight. So many of them look lumpy and poorly blocked. The guy wearing the Simple Square Sweater (p 81) would look perfectly at home in my former city of Berkeley, CA. The Groovy Granny Blanket Coat (p 127) could be brilliant or tragic, I'm not certain yet. I was intrigued by the Roll Neck Dickie Bib (p 165). Would I wear it anywhere but under a coat? Maybe the color palette used throughout the book is just too much? I don't know and I can't quite decide on this one. ...more
I knew this book was a good one when I finally decided to stop using Post-It tabs to flag all the stitch patterns with which I was interested. There wI knew this book was a good one when I finally decided to stop using Post-It tabs to flag all the stitch patterns with which I was interested. There would simply be too many! This book also defined for me the types of stitches that didn't interest me at all: spike stitches, clusters, popcorns, bobbles, puff, and nupps. I don't even know what nupps are... But there are some stunning mesh and trellis patterns in here! The stitch swatches are clearly photographed. The book is organized logically but stitch type. The assumption is that the crocheter can read stitch diagrams, otherwise, one would be totally lost! This is one of those books for your reference shelf....more
I couldn't get into this. I thought many of the finished ornaments were kind of clunky and not well defined. It would have been immensely helpful if tI couldn't get into this. I thought many of the finished ornaments were kind of clunky and not well defined. It would have been immensely helpful if the pieces were also shown to scale and in relation to each other. I'm sure this book will be great for others, but not my thing....more
I generally find craft books by House of White Birches to be fairly out-of-date, despite when it was published. Many of the yarns are available from MI generally find craft books by House of White Birches to be fairly out-of-date, despite when it was published. Many of the yarns are available from Michael's or Joann's, so not particularly of high quality there, either. So, regarding the patterns, I didn't find even one that I'd consider doing. Large and legible text (which is good) and most of the photos were okay. Luckily, I checked this out from the library because back it goes!...more
I always struggle with crochet fabric NOT looking supple and drapey but the garments in here! WOW! I checked this out from the library on a lark as itI always struggle with crochet fabric NOT looking supple and drapey but the garments in here! WOW! I checked this out from the library on a lark as it was on display, but since I immediately flagged NINE of the 15 projects, I think this book is a buy! Some of the shapes are way too boxy and oversized for me, but the beautiful yokes in many of them are irresistible. Plus, many are constructed in one piece, seamlessly, and from the top-down!!! I can make things work... This book may even make me attempt broomstick lace. I'm not crazy about row-by-row instructions but I think that's the only way these garments can be made. Be warned. Some charts for pattern stitches, lots of photos of the sweaters, extremely overwrought text introducing each garment. Interesting pieces, here. Obviously, I haven't made a one, but this crochet book has me excited about crochet more than any book I've read in a long time!...more
Jane Austen fans will love this but I thought the patterns were just okay. I kinda got tired of reading the imaginary conversations between Austen chaJane Austen fans will love this but I thought the patterns were just okay. I kinda got tired of reading the imaginary conversations between Austen characters and just concentrated on the patterns. I expected more ruffles and fluidity, but that could be just a result of crochet fabric being thicker and less "flowy..." The book is nicely organized and I give extra points for the graphic design. In the end, I didn't see anything that I'd want to hook up....more
Honestly, I read through this book solely for the crochet patterns. The therapeutic aspect of craft, crochet in particular here, is not lost on me butHonestly, I read through this book solely for the crochet patterns. The therapeutic aspect of craft, crochet in particular here, is not lost on me but I don't need to be reminded to be mindful... Of the 20 projects in this book, nothing held my attention. Nice photography, though....more
Cute crochet dolls with lots of little details that make each figure come into their own personality. Good photos and clear step-by-step instructions Cute crochet dolls with lots of little details that make each figure come into their own personality. Good photos and clear step-by-step instructions make it seem like anyone and everyone will successfully crochet these zodiac dolls....more
So, first, this is definitely NOT the ultimate. I had several problems with this book. The most annoying is that the drawings in the Basic Stitches seSo, first, this is definitely NOT the ultimate. I had several problems with this book. The most annoying is that the drawings in the Basic Stitches section are ambiguous at best, wrong at worse. Stitches are illustrated being hooked in the wrong spot for most of the graphics. I was very surprised that there were no illustrations showing the different techniques to join squares and that the join-as-you-go method was not presented at all! Lastly, I just didn't care for the majority of the squares. I think I'm more minimalist and plenty of the squares featured here are very maximalist....more
I don't know how much more "modern" this book compares with others published around the same time but this book is well organized and the granny squarI don't know how much more "modern" this book compares with others published around the same time but this book is well organized and the granny squares featured within are mostly all of a bright and cheerful color palette, skewing towards rainbow. The stitch illustrations in the back are very well done and correctly shows exactly where the hook goes to create a certain stitch. (Several books I've recently read show this incorrectly!) There are only four projects utilizing granny squares. I would have loved many more!...more
I didn't find anything new here from other chunky crochet books I'd read. There is a decent range of things but some items, like the Slouchy Beanie anI didn't find anything new here from other chunky crochet books I'd read. There is a decent range of things but some items, like the Slouchy Beanie and the Colorblock Cowl, would have been much more wearable if the silhouettes weren't so BIG—the chunky yarn is fine, but the bigness of the pieces overwhelmed the wearer! There's no tips on finessing here. Like how do you make those ends look better? Are the other ways than just weaving them in? (If possible, you can split plies and/or felt the ends together.) Also, many chunky yarns are horrible at pilling and no mention is made of how to take care of a finished piece: generally, no tumble dry. ...more
This book provides you with the instructions to hook up the bases (balaclava, hat, bag) and then the little ornaments to sew on to them. The author usThis book provides you with the instructions to hook up the bases (balaclava, hat, bag) and then the little ornaments to sew on to them. The author uses the dreaded acrylic yarn, and it shows. Not much here. Glad I just spent time flipping through it at the library. I’m disappointed as it could have been so much more!...more
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