This would be a good book to slip into your project tote. There are clear illustrations showing the different stitches and lots of pattern stitches for which to refer. The stitch patterns include very basic stitches, textural stitches, openwork (lace), colorwork, medallions (granny squares), individual motifs, Afghan (Tunisian) crochet, and edgings. This book is too short to go into depth on any one thing, but it offers a decent overview. Physically, the book is very slim and the spine is prone to becoming easily unglued.