The New Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 440 Patterns for Textures, Shells, Bobbles, Lace, Cables, Chevrons, Edgings, Granny Squares, and More

by Nele Braas, Eveline Hetty-Burkart

This is the ultimate collection of crochet stitch inspiration! 440 stitches are presented in color, each with a sample swatch of the fabric and charted instructions with notes and detailed chart keys. Divided into ten chapters by the type of stitches, such as shells, waves and chevrons, openwork, cables and textures, and even borders and granny squares, this collection boasts a vast variety of stitches, well organized and presented in an easy-to-use fashion. You'll reference this indispensable resource again and again!

Genres: Crochet, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2021

Reviews

[Barbara K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazingly extensive collection of crochet stitch patterns and motifs, from solid fabrics in various textures, to openwork, to shell patterns, to granny squares, and other motifs. I would say, with one important caveat, that this is one of those books nearly every crocheter would benefit from having in their library. Uses US crochet terminology.

The exception is if you don't work from charts. Of course, nearly anyone can learn to work from charts, but there are a few more complex charts here that I and some other reviewers couldn't quite decipher without additional written instructions, or without some fiddling around with yarn and hook, doing, undoing, redoing to get it right. So that is the one drawback. But if you're comfortable crocheting only from a chart and you don't mind the occasional puzzle to figure out, this is an excellent crochet stitch dictionary. It would help if some of the photographs were also either larger or clearer. Possibly that's a problem only with the ebook, which is what I read.

I would say that especially if you occasionally make something without following a pattern, this has a lot to draw on for those more creative design-it-yourself projects. Nice to have on hand for experienced crocheters.

[Ligaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 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.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

i was looking at this for inspiration for a hat or scarf pattern for solid colored yarn. nothing really grabbed my attention. i like easy, simple stitches i can do while half watching tv, and many of these were much more complicated than i was looking for. and it was all charts, no written out "patterns." i have a hard time with charts, especially crochet ones.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive stitch dictionary, and has proven useful. I would give it 5 stars, but the instructions are primarily given in diagram form. Some of the more complex stitches could have used more written instructions.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I wished there were more patterns for cables and fancy stitches, this a good book to use a reference for stitches in general-from the basics for beginners to stitches for those who are more advanced and trying to create their own patterns.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to rate for me because this looks like it has a ton a great stuff, but since I cannot read the chart version of patterns, I’m lost. This is a me and lack of knowledge and skill thing, not a book thing.

[Alexis]

The stitches are really unique and nice. However it’s not beginner friendly because there are not step by step instructions. The pattern is written using symbols. I’ve had the book a little over two years and I’ve just gotten to the point where I have no issues following the pattern.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stitch dictionary; I like how everything is arranged by type of stitch. Book includes colorful photos and good diagrams & illustrations.

[Dawn-Lorraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writers took the lazy way out and relied too heavily on diagram patterns instead of providing written steps for the stitches.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent reference book for crochet designers.

[Caitlin E. O'Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much clearer and more comprehensive than other books I've seen in the same vein.

[Kaya W.]

Really good book. Great pictures but I'm realizing that I can't crochet from written directions. I have to see it done. But this is a great book.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, easy to follow reference with lots of diagrams.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of amazing stitches

I wish there were some restrictions for each row. I don’t know how to read a chart so I am trying to learn.