The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet: Learn to Crochet with More Than Thirty Cool, Easy Patterns

by Nancy Queen, Mary Ellen O'Connell

Join the clique of the Chicks with Sticks!


Anyone can do it. Anyone. Stop thinking. Stop being afraid. Stop sweating, you’ll get the hook all damp. Yes, with the help of the Chicks with Sticks, anyone can learn to crochet in just a weekend—and by Sunday night, beginners will know what they’re doing and have the confidence to do it. Advanced beginners (the ones who have already made an afghan square) will have fresh, fashion-forward projects to wear around town. First up is an introductory section on tools and materials. Then the Chicks present a series of lessons that each introduce a new skill and patterns that help readers learn and master it before moving on. The more than 30 projects range from cool belts to stunning scarves, from felted bags to stylish wraps and sweaters. Throughout, the Chicks with Sticks are standing by with quips and anecdotes, support and sisterhood. Learning to crochet has never been so entertaining . . . and so empowering!

Genres: Crochet, Crafts, Nonfiction, How To, Knitting, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

With clear, concise instructions and good, simple patterns, the "Chicks with Sticks" guide you through learning how to crochet. The book gives you a good background in choosing the right yarn for your projects, and walks you carefully through the beginning stitches and a few cool techniques. The illustrations are good, but lacking in a little detail which would have made them perfect. Each project builds on the strengths of the previous ones, and each chapter adds a bit more depth to your knowledge. By the time you finish, it feels like you can begin to tackle just about anything.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book for my Nook Color and love it. When referencing a stitch, it's a link, and easy to flip to the corresponding text. I'm still practicing both the single and double crochet, so haven't moved onto the projects yet, but so far the instructions are clear and easy to follow. I enjoy using my Nook, as it doesn't need to be held open like a craft book, and is small enough to carry around in my purse for impromptu practice. I can even access the book from my iPhone if I forget my Nook.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book succeeds in making crochet look cool. Hand this to a teenager who thinks that crochet is just for grandmothers, and watch her "ooh and aah" over the patterns for items that she is sure to want in her closet.

My only complaint, as an older stitcher with failing eyesight, is that some of the type is difficult to read. The green script on a slightly lighter green background was almost impossible for me to decipher.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm just getting back into handicrafts, such as stitchery, knitting, crocheting, etc. I picked up this book at Borders with a coupon and I have really enjoyed it. I've already successfully made several of the projects. I have found the instructions easy to follow, and the layout of the book is user-friendly.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hip beginners' guide to crochet. It has useful descriptions of yarn fibers, basic stitches, and all the stitches used in the projects included within the book. The patterns are okay, and realistically they are useful for learning to crochet. The patterns are arranged in a way as to teach progressively advancing crochet skills. It explains the process of felting and garment assembly. I feel like this particular book is the kind that folks either love it or they don't care for it. I'm in the latter group which is why I gave it only three stars.

[Jackie Carreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those fab crochet books that is championing some great modern designs. There is always a place for traditional techniques, but it's good to see some cool, easy patterns - as promised on the cover!

[Helen Toevs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crocheting is a group project!

I love crochet and the Chicka with Sticks make their instruction easy to understand and do. Their "Chicken Feed " section gives you tidbits of extra knowledge shared by a good friend. Loves it!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

some cute patterns, some not. how to is present...

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to follow patterns and great and interesting projects! I appreciate the mini lessons throughout the book

[Artina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting so much more from this book. Very few illustrations.

[Arlian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to basic crochet, but nothing in here is my style.

[Lori Lynn Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned to crochet in 1999 at the age of 8. This was before crochet was "vogue" and all the patterns I could find were, well, old lady-ish. No disrespect to the dolls that cover rolls of toilet paper, but I sure wish I had this book when I was learning to stitch!!!! The best book I've found for learning to crochet. Even if you've been crocheting for years, get this book. You might learn something, and if there's no new info you'll still love the patterns :-) This book is up-to-date and yet these patterns won't get dated, aka, they're timeless! If you crochet or want to start crocheting, GET THIS BOOK!

[Sharron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some great patterns. I checked it out of the library but plan to buy it. I love to knit but crocheting is just so fast but it's hard to find great looking designs but I think this book delivers.

New post: So I've stitched a few things already and they've turned out great. I've made some fingerless gloves that work up in only a few hours and a scarf for my daughter. She loves it so that is a great recommendation right there. The gloves are great and can be worked up in a variety of yarns for different effects. Love it!!!

[Laura Zale · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband bought this book for me for Christmas a few years ago because he knew that I wanted to learn to crochet. I love the tone and patterns of the book, but I thought that the instructions were a little too concise for a beginning crochet-er. I purchased the Klutz guide to crochet to learn the basic steps and then was able to use this book.

I've read a lot of reviews that complain about the costs of the yarns in the book; however, the patterns can be made with any yarn found at your local craft store.

[Vanessa Opal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The patterns are simple and well-written, so great for people who want to follow pretty fool-proof patterns without getting frustrated. This book also illustrates that there are now (finally!) patterns being published for crocheted sweaters that are not retro-looking hell. Very all-purpose, a little generic designs that are great alone and even better once you embellish them and make them your own.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a beginner at crochet and was hoping that I would be able to learn from this book.

Unfortunately I found the instructions confusing and unclear. I loved the patterns though and would have been more than happy to attempt the ones marked as "beginner" but as I couldn't even move past the basic stitches that wasn't going to happen.

I ended up teaching myself with a combination of Youtube videos and some other beginner instruction books and sadly returned this book to the library.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite crochet books so far. It has all the basics you need to learn, with a fair amount of detail, and some delightful beginner and advanced-beginner projects. I'm about to start on the cobble-stitch artisan belt. Also, the writing style is light, easy to understand, and fun. Some of the directions, such as how to make a slip knot, are confusing, but overall this is a good beginner or advanced-beginner crochet book.

[Jodee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with easy starter projects. My 11 yr old found a great pattern that she could make in a day and she only knew how to chain stitch before. Loved the easy step by step instruction included with the project. So if the project calls for a stitch that hasn't been explained previously, they put it with the pattern rather than sending you to an appendix.

[Kirstan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never having tried yarn crafts I found this book the perfect jumpstart to wanting to learn crochet. The projects build on skills as you move through the book however it's just as easy to jump around to what interests you. The diagrams and explanations are clear enough for the uninitiated to traverse while continueing to be a useful referense for the more skilled. Great find!

[Heather Griffitts Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book that I'd like to buy for my shelves - but honestly, the first couple of projects weren't all that interesting to me - I'd skip those.

What I really want is just to make simple scarves and and that wasn't on the list of projects.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like a couple of the patterns in here, but was a little disappointed in the lack of variety. They spend a little too much time teaching for the number of pages. OTOH, the directions are very clear and easy to follow and the results are brilliant.

[Bliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool patterns that are easy to follow, great photos of the finished projects as well.

Mostly clothing patterns (some hip enough for your teen to wear without protest) but some accessories (Ipod cozy, crochet hook case) as well.

I added several patterns from this book to my to-do list.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series of instructional books. They broke down the basics and gradually built on them with easy to read format and fun projects that you want to make. Very accessible and great to resource to get started in crocheting.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I have leafed through this, I have not read cover-to-cover, but will continue to use as a guide and reference for all crochet projects. Definitely a good book if you are a novice, someone who is getting back into it, or an expert.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will probably have to buy my own copy... I've started two projects from the book--a baby blanket and a curly scarf--and should be able to finish them on my own. But I think I'd like to try some of the other projects. I do like crochet much better than knitting...

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://superfastreader.com/chicks-wit...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm starting with pot holders and scarves!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to get this book again once I'm better at what I'm doing and learn more than just a single crochet stitch.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, concise and some projects I would actually make.... I don't need to know how to knit or crochet things my grandmother would have made. I want cool and different things :)

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright, the wording could be clearer - and I'm sure there are better guides out there.