A complete introduction to the art of crochet, Crochet Step by Step is an essential resource for any yarn aficionado. With clear photographic step-by-step tutorials on key stitches and 20 easy-to complete projects, Crochet Step by Step helps to master the basics while gaining confidence. Brimming with useful tips, advice, and ideas, Crochet Step by Step contains everything needed to get started on developing a passion and skill set that will last a lifetime.
I hadn’t crocheted for more than forty years, but when a friend – who was crocheted a multitude of woollen octopuses – sent me the pattern, I decided to give it a try. Result: a mutant albino, only resembling an octopus by having eight legs (well, almost). So, I decided I had to learn again, how to crochet properly. Especially as I now find it difficult to knit. This book looks to be the one to set me on the right track. The step-by-step pictures and instructions are very clear and easy to follow – including instructions for left-handed crocheters. The book starts with the most basic stitches, then shows how you can easily adapt them (step by step) to create more advanced stitches right up to some really quite complex looking lacey patterns. The twenty projects did not on the whole appeal to me – except maybe the baby’s bootees. But there are hundreds of ideas with the different stitch patterns to keep me going. I was particularly interested in the hexagon and pentagon pieces, and the lace edgings. There are also instructions on working beads into the crochet, rag-strip crochet and finishing off, as well as a section on different yarn types and tools required, and a clear list of what pattern abbreviations mean. This book is exactly what I needed. Any resulting mutant articles will be completely due to my ineptitude (impatience, or inability to follow clear instructions) – not due to any fault of this excellent book.
An excellent repository of how to, tips, and easy to follow patterns. Recommend for those just learning or those that want to expand on basic techniques. I will definitely continue to use this as a reference guide.
This book has an excellent introduction to crochet. The illustrations are the best I've ever seen, and I'm going to recommend this book to my beginning crochet students from now on.
I've been searching for a decent British crochet bible for a while as although there are excellent American ones the terminology is different, but I think I've finally found it. I haven't used any of the patterns in this yet so I can't vouch for them but when I do I will add to this review.
The book opens with a section on tools and materials: yarns including unusual yarns such as wire, string, fabric and plastic bags. A chart of yarn sizes and recommended hook sizes giving conversions between US and UK sizes and instructions on how to read a yarn ball band, perfect for the bewildered beginner faced with all those beautiful tempting yarn choices.
Next the techniques section beginning with the basics: how to hold the hook, yarn and make your slip knot and foundation chain. Then it moves on to working the crochet stitches and how to count stitches, rows and how to begin and end rows, how to make foundation (magic) rings, to fasten off and darn in ends. A chart of basic stitch symbols, abbrevations and relative heights is given and the instructions for fabrics using each of the basic crochet stitches given in symbol format to get the reader used to reading crochet symbols.
Then the more complex stitches: working into the spaces between stitches; working into the front and back of stitches; shells; bobbles; clusters and popcorns. There are labelled photographs here with useful help here on how to look at your work and identify the different parts of it to count stitches and rows.
Next comes a section on following stitch patterns, giving a sample stitch pattern with step by step instuctions on how to use it. After this comes an invaluable chart of terminology, abbreviations and crochet stitch symbols.
This is followed by a section of simple texture patterns using the stitches learned so far. Then openwork (lace, picot net and filet crochet)followed by a selections of openwork patterns, and colourwork (stripes, jacquard and intarsia) with patterns following.
The next section is on following commercial patterns. A sample commerical pattern is pictured and labelled up including advice on how to buy the right yarn. There are tips on choosing garment sizes and patterns and instructions on how to make a tension swatch.
Increases and decreases come next, and then finishing details: creating edgings, buttons, blocking, seams, embellishments, embroidery, and fastenings.
Then a section on circular crochet, tubes and flat circles, medallions (granny squares) and flowers.
The final section is patterns which are pretty but as I say I haven't tried them yet. A book I will happily return to whenever I'm stuck, which will be often!
Fantastic book for crochet beginners. I knew nothing before I picked up this book and now feel far more confident in my abilities. Much like its knitting counter part, it has a section at the beginning that lists tools, abbreviations, yarns, etc. and lots of other seriously useful little bits and references and tables that you wouldn't think you need until you start.
However, I only give it four out of five stars because, unlike the knitting counterpart it does not have distinct sections for your level. As in, it does not explain how to 'easy' stitches, followed by 'easy' patterns before moving on to intermediate, etc. This is only a niggle, but I would prefer it to be laid out this way. Secondly, I am not enamoured with the patterns they supply and doubt I'll ever use any, instead seeking my patterns elsewhere with this book as guidance.
Despite this, it is fantastic at teaching the uninitiated to crochet. Definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to learn.
This book is great for people like me who are getting back into crochet. The diagrams are easy to follow and it is a great complimentary book for anyone trying to follow patterns. The projects are also fun to make, and useful.
This was just what I wanted, I had used several youtube videos previously with success but this gives the detail and overview I needed to really understand what's what and progress much faster. I have the ebook version and have dipped into it loads of times, back and forth to remind myself of the stitches etc. Also useful to convert between US and UK and to guide you on what kind of yarn to buy etc. Clear photos and explanations, I especially like being taught how to read a pattern by being shown not just the words the patterns normally use but a diagram too which helps me no end. I personally wouldn't do all of the provided patterns, but really who would as we all have such different interests and tastes, either way there are several full patterns provided after the myriad of exercises you can try out, plenty to keep you busy.
After borrowing it from the library I bought myself a copy to start some of the patterns. As a fairly new crocheter I follow patterns to the letter. Three times I frogged one particular pattern from the book because my creation differed to that in the illustration, assuming the error was in the user, but on the third unsuccessful try I happened to compare the pattern to the instructions earlier in the book on how to achieve this particular look (fan stitch) only to find the stitch combo was different. Other than this one pattern I’ve tried so far, my first impression was that it was a very good guide for a beginner. I still think it could be, but I’m reserving judgement until I’ve tried the other patterns in the book. I may come back and edit my review...
This book is perfect for a beginner - includes clear instructions on stitches from the basics to more advanced. Also includes 20 patterns which are rated from easy to moderate - each pattern has the page numbers of where you can find instruction on the required stitch / technique earlier in the book and they're really easy to follow. Patterns include blankets, baby cardigan, booties, cushions and basic amigurumi teddy bear. Highly recommend for a beginner or someone looking for simple patterns.
There is a lot of good information over a wide variety of typical questions and issues that person who is interested in crochet would need to know or have problems with. The pictures were good although many of the explanations on the pictures and/or diagrams was very small making it a bit difficult to read. It really does cover the gamut of things one needs to know. The only thing that would make it better is to have a website that the reader could access to see some of the stitches live.
This is a really good book for those who want to learn to crochet. It provides the basic stitches, basic patterns, a basic lesson on how to read charts (both symbols and color/bead/filet types). It also has some projects at the end of the book to practice the new found skills.