5 comments about 50 Sensational Crochet Afghans & Throws.

1. The patterns in this book are just gorgeous. The techniques are the same old thing, but they are presented in a new way with new ideas. The afghans you make with these patterns may sound like the old thing, but they are not going to look like all the other ones.
   
   Thank you for updated patterns. Now we can make afghans that no one has seen hundreds of times before. You took the "ho-hum" out of crocheting again!



2. This is a good book for beginners as well s advanced lots of beautiful afghans well illustrated and instructional as well.



3. I'll get this out of the way right now, the cover afghan is AMAZING. Utterly gorgeous. There are several others in the first section of the book that my jaw dropped upon first glance, so really there are some lovely afghans in here.
   
   Yes, the romance section is a little blah, but I think of it more like there being something for everyone in this book. Whether it's daring or traditional, you will find something that fits your style.
   
   I'm just getting back into crochet after knitting and spinning stole me away for several years, and this is one of the first books I bought to beef up my crochet library. Truly a solid addition to your shelf, my only gripes being I like books that are spiral bound and I wish that the blocks (when called for) were charted so I could just follow along visually.



4. This book features Awesome blankets that anyone would want in their apartment!! The book also features instructs, what yarn was used, so that if you want to make it just like it is in the book, you can. It also rates every blanket by skill level, so you will not start something that might be too difficult for you. My only complaint is that some of the blankets aren't that big when made. You may want to buy extra yarn if you want a certain pattern to be bigger.
   
   Buy, love it, start making blankets for all your friends.



5. When this book arrived, I went through it from cover to cover. I was very impressed by the patterns. There are so many that I want to make. Much more than I usually find in a pattern book. I recomend this book to anyone who enjoys crocheting afghans.

5 comments about Crocheting for Dummies.

1. I am a beginner in crocheting and thought this book would be beneficial. Now, I've only just started reading the book and have yet to put what I've read to the test but I'm already a little frustrated with what I'm reading and the explanations. I feel as though the reading is slightly confusing and the illustrations aren't as effective as I had hoped they would be as I do learn visually with things like this.



2. I received this book at the same time I received the DVD Stitches in Motion. I scanned the book and it is very informative but I find the DVD more helpful. To be honest, I really haven't given it a chance for I haven't had the time to be able to give it a honest rating.



3. The book is excellent for beginners or intermediaries as it gives various basic techniques and tips on crocheting. if you are one go for it !!
   However, if you are looking for various pattern and stitch variations try a book that focuses more on that aspect.



4. The title of this book suggests it will teach people totally foreign to crochet how to do it...all that's required is a desire to learn, a few crochet hooks, some yarn, and this book. Well, I had five of those five things - and I *still* don't get it.
   
   I understand the fundamentals - and I appreciate the author explaining the different aspects of crocheting...what the different parts of the yarn label means, the differences in crochet hooks, etc - but I still don't get it. My confusion started with the really awful way the author assumes everyone knows how to make a slip knot with a crochet hook in it. The instructions will seem clear at the beginning of a stitch - but they quickly fall apart. I'm not sure if the author forgets her readers know nothing about crochet or what...but I did NOT understand.
   
   The drawings help to clear up some of the confusion - but there is still a lot lacking in the written department. I am brand-spankin'-new to crochet - and maybe that's the problem. Maybe one should have a basic understanding of the stitches before delving into this book. (I don't knit, I don't crochet - I can sew a straight line...that's it.) I hate to rate this book with less than an enthusiastic five stars, because I really anticipated liking it. I looked forward to receiving it and learning how to crochet. I even daydreamed about the blankets, altered art embellishments, and other cute things I could make with this book - but that's not going to happen. I'm going to put this book on my shelf for another time - maybe one day I'll be brainy enough to follow the directions!



5. I thought this was a very good book to learn from. Good pictures, and instructions, easy to understand when actually doing the steps/projects while reading.

5 comments about Creepy Cute Crochet: Zombies, Ninjas, Robots, and More!.

1. This is such a fun book. My role-playing gamer daughter-in-law recognized all of the stranger characters (who is cthulhu?)and has already asked me to make some for her friends. Now really, who doesn't want a pocket sized grim reaper? Or a teeny little ninja? Doesn't every office cubicle need an office zombie figure? There's something in this book for every one of my strange family members! So if you are tired of happy little bunnies, maybe it's time to go creepy!



2. Just received the book and looked through it. It was just what I was looking for. The projects seem quite simple and just great for any little boy or girl who like creepy cute things. Thanks



3. While I like bunnies and duckies, I really love vampires and zombies. That being said, this book is pretty cool. What kept it from a 5 star: the instructions are a little complex when they don't have to be, and the author uses more expensive materials than is necessary. I like the idea of the handcrafted eyes as well..but definitely NOT child safe. That being said, I made the groom skeleton in an evening and he was fun to make. I recommend this book to people with crochet experience..and if no experience, make sure your LYS can help you through the sticky parts.



4. I bought this book not only because I love amigurumi, but because I have 3 boys and they love creepy stuff! I was hesistant to buy this book because all of the patterns have polymer clay eyes, and I have never used polymer clay before. I am one of those people who likes to make the project exactly as it is in the book, so I was unsure if I would be able to make the eyes. So, I went and read up on polymer clay on the internet, and found that it bakes in your home oven and is really easy to use, so I went ahead and bought this book. And I am really glad that I did, because if it were not for this book, I might have never given polymer clay a try....it is really easy to use! I have made all kinds of different eyes, and made the scythe for the grim reaper as well. My next task is to try and make the hair used in this book....the author uses a hairpin lace loom (or fork), which I have never used before, so I am not sure how that will turn out....but it is nice to try something new. So I thank the author for getting me to try some new techniques.
   
   I will say that the majority of the patterns use the same body and head, and are just accessorized a little differently...so most of the projects look very similar. But, I still have enjoyed making them...so far I have made the skeleton and grim reaper. Both were very quick and easy, and the results were just like the book (I have experienced awkward results from other books). It is also great that the projects have charts as well as written instructions....all crochet books should have both.
   
   Well done! (As a side note, at the time of this review this book is unavailable on Amazon, but I found it easily at my local Borders book store, and also saw it sitting on the shelf at Barnes and Noble)



5. Gosh!! All the creepies are so lovely that I would create a cute monster army! This is a nice work, all the stitches and patterns are so well described step by step that any crafter could make them. Good book.

4 comments about Blueprint Crochet: Modern Designs for the Visual Crocheter.

1. I receive this book today & was excited to get started on some prjects after a long wait. As I was perusing through the book my excitement waned. 1st the items on the cover is the reason why I bought the book. as you go through the book there is ALOT of projects that are either motifs or some type of granny square construction. Don't get me wrong some of the sweaters including the blue one in the pic is beautiful, Blue Sky Alpaca for the yarn finderwt, nice, but that particular pattern is a long drawn out granny square [updated]. I dont mind doing 1 0r 2 pieces and connecting together but more than 20, each project, no I don't like because than you have to match sizes for the pattern to work, plus sometime as you crochet/knit the tension in your hand changes,either too tight, loose and the project does not come out. Then the matter of connecting so many pieces, after doing 5-10, I get bored working on the pattern.
   Also the book is not very big & if you are not used to so many diagrams your eyes looking over the page to get started can be frustraed. I found that 1 project was several pages because of small book or schematics taking up soo much room, annoying flipping to begining to see how to oontinue.
   
   That aside, the last 40 pgs there are some really nice patterns in the back which I was excited about [only 5 total considering amt of pages for each one] these are not motifs/granny and ar some nice shell,boxed, interesting feminine designs. Upon seeing that I became torn in keeping the book, because is this really enough to hold a book for just 5 or so patterns? I hate to do that. maybe if you check the book out in the bookstore to decide & if you like come back to Amazon to get better price.



2. I must admit that I am not a totally unbiased reviewer, as Robyn is one of my friends from college, but I absolutely love her book! The book contains 18 patterns, all of which look amazingly fun to crochet. There is a pattern for a purse, a belt, and a scarf that are great ways to enter into the world of symbol crochet. She has both written out and shown the symbols for the first group of patterns. By the time you get to the "Vogue Granny Motifs" you'll be a pro! And the granny motifs are where I think the symbol crochet really shines. The grannies are so much easier to work because you can always look at the diagram and see where you are. I have already made the "Katie Bolero" (a pre-version last year-not today!), and while I was initially worried that my squares would not match up or that somehow the whole thing would come out wonky, the pattern really allows for some variation because of the construction. Unless your gauge changes wildly from square to square, it really will come together well. And it is exciting watching the piece come together. Of course, as in making any sweater, there is always that point in the middle where it seems as if you will never finish, but we all know that's when you push on through and end up with a wonderful piece!
   
   I especially love the Isabella Wrap, the Megan sweater, the Maggie Wrap, the Paige Sweetheart Top, the Rachel Swing Jacket, and the Christin Crop. (So like I said, I pretty much love them all!) But probably my favorite part of the book is the writing and the glimpse of Robyn's personality that shines through. Robyn's love of crocheting is infectious. (It got me! I used to be a primarily a knitter!) Plus, after her introduction to symbol crochet, you will be able to make a whole new world of patterns! Literally-you can make foreign patterns that also use symbols. So dive into the symbols. And to help, the back flap of the book has a little cheat sheet for reference until you get more familiar with the symbols. One last important note, the patterns do all have an introduction, diagrams, and finishing instructions, so it's not as if all you get is a picture of the pattern. The non-granny patterns have more of a combination of words and symbols.
   
   So now I'm off to scrounge through my stash to see what yarns I could use on some of these projects!



3. Robyn Chachula's book is a 5 star book because of several reasons. First, she TEACHES a new way of looking at crochet with symbol diagrams that will unlock the mystery for many beginner crocheters and intrigue us veterans. She offers beginner projects to warm up with and works her way up to the show stoppers. Even the most complex patterns are made manageable by her stitch diagram lessons. In addition to her signature granny-square construction, she also offers other construction methods. The granny-style square method is made modern by the joining methods that create an illusion of seamlessness. Fantastic. I can't wait to see what Robyn comes up with next.



4. The idea of crocheting from a "blueprint" is great. It is especially nice for the granny square designs. I started the Katie bolero today, and even with the smallest hook, my motif was 5" wide, rather than the 4" the design says it should be. Now, normally, I'd switch to a smaller hook, and all would be well; however, this WAS with the smaller hook, and I crochet TIGHT (usually have to go up 2 hook sizes to get the gauge given in a pattern). Perhaps the yarn weight given (worsted) was wrong, but I'm working with TLC cotton plus, slightly smaller than worsted weight already, so I see no way that a true worsted could give a 4 inch motif. Luckily, my training is in math, so I'll work things out with a modified diagram, but for non-math people, this could be a real issue. Also, MANY of the really pretty designs are done in size 2 or 1 yarn, and alpaca to boot. This is not a book for the "average" crochet budget. That said, I love having the diagrams for fitting squares together to make garments, and the schematics are marvelous for being able to alter things to fit other between sizes. The shaping is also nice, though it is not as customizable as that in Everyday Crochet by Doris Chan. So, I'll use this book, but it will take way more work in converting patterns and gauges than I thought when I first saw it. Keep the diagrams coming, though! THEY ARE AWESOME!
   
   
   Part 2: Finally made a 4 inch square for the Katie Bolero...with a D crochet hook and 2 weight (baby) yarn. Definitely check gauge!

5 comments about Teach Yourself Visually Crocheting (Teach Yourself Visually).

1. This book is great for those of us who learn more quickly by having visual examples.



2. Excellent book! I am new to crochet and the pictures were very helpful as well as the "in plain english" instructions. I was able to try and successfully complete many new patterns/stitches. I would definitely recommend it to any new stitcher.



3. I have purchased a few crocheting books but this is by far the best book on the market. Great pictures, diagrams and step by step instructions, if you can only purchase one book make it this one!



4. Part of the reason I bought this book was to learn some new crochet stitches; the problem is, the book is not as visual as it promises to be. Some critical pictures are left out at crucial points that leave the crocheter with nothing but a description of how to complete a stitch or continue subsequent rows. I had hoped to avoid such things with this book. I have learned some new stitches, but I expected to be able to master all the stitches in this book with its visual training technique.



5. this book is just great for the beginner or the more advanced crocheter. I use it all the time and have ordered it for other people. I give this book A+++. It has everything in it that you ever need to know.

5 comments about Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker.

1. This book taught me all of the basic stitches I use (whether ready or not) during my introduction to crochet. I refer back to it for a quick refresher or an idea for a pattern change. Well worth every cent.



2. I have tried, over and over and OVER again to learn how to crochet,off and on for over a year. I was starting to give up,then along came this amazing book, the answer to all of my crocheting prayers.
   I had picked up Ms. Stollers Stitch n' Bitch book earlier, in an attempt to re-introduce myself to hand knitting, and it had gone so well, that I didn't think twice before plunking down my money for this book.
   It took me less than a day to get through the basics.
   The instructions seem a bit funky at first, each lesson takes a couple of read-thoughs before you can make sense of what you need to do, but trust me, the instructions will click!
   Although it may help to have your boyfriend on the phone cheering you on. ^^
   Give this book a shot, it's nice and thick, with great glossy pics and lots of random splashes of color. Full of puns, and just a general joy to read. I will be buying more for several ladies in my family.



3. Great book with modern easy to follow patterns. I originally got it for the long crochet jacket pattern but love the other designs as well.



4. The patterns are cute and fun - I had a bit of strife translating US crochet terms into Aussie ones at first, but I'm all good now! Planning to buy more of your books and also to stock them in the shop. :-)



5. There are some great patterns in this book... but SO many of them are wrong, mis-printed, and have errors! Some of the illustrations are wrong too.
   There are tons of updates on their website for the "correct" patterns (they call them erratas) - but what a pain to have to cross things out and re-write them. Isn't that the point of buying a pattern book, so that you have an easy reference?
   I purchased as a gift for my sister who is learning to crochet. The first half of the book is written for the beginner, with detailed instructions. She was so frustrated, after spending hours on a project, only to find it wasn't working. (it was after investigation I found the erratas)
   
   This book is headed for the recycle bin

5 comments about Crochet Bouquet: Easy Designs for Dozens of Flowers.

1. This is a wonderful book! The author has provided many different designs and types of flowers so you'll have plenty of inspiration! She shows the flowers in lots of different yarns so you can get an idea of how your stash will look crocheted up into these little beauties. I only wish it was spiral bound so it would stay open when you're working from it. Other than that, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to crochet flowers and leaves.



2. Really nice book, lots of good ideas and clear instructions.
   Quality photographs and projects. For the adventurous crocheter with some experience!



3. I have this book, and Nicky Epstein's "Crocheted Flowers", and I prefer this one. I love the simplicity of it. She has sections on centers, stems, leaves in addition to the flowers, which makes it really easy to create something really unique. I love all of the project ideas too! These projects really give you inspiration on how you can use the flowers....from cardmaking to embellishing a shower curtain. The example photos also use a lot of different yarns, which really give inspiration on using different types of yarns to create different looks. There are no charts, and I wish charts were included, but otherwise this is a very well done book. I have so far noticed only one typo...in the index section it lists the abbreviations as page 1---they are actually on page 17. Great Book!



4. This book is EXACTLY what I was hoping it would be! Clear instructions with great photographs on how to crochet all kinds of flowers. Most of the patterns are in the beginner to intermediate range, so they are do-able by almost anyone, and just gorgeous! The photos on the cover pretty much say it all...



5. At Michael's recently, I saw some lovely, linen embroidery thread; immediately, "Crochet Bouquet" came to mind. The book is definitely not for most beginners. However, for me, it's one of those rare books that inspires me to try MY combination of design, color, type of thread, and placement on a garment or whatever. It opens up another arena of fun without a huge expenditure for materials.

5 comments about Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet.

1. If you love to crochet quick cute animals and things this is a great book. Amigurumi is my favorite crochet right now and this book is well written and extremely easy to follow. I love this book!



2. This is seriously the #1 Amigurumi book, all crocheters should have it in their library! These are the easiest, cutest patterns that I have ever worked with, and the author is awesomely sweet...she will answer any questions!



3. This book is fantastic. I am slightly beyond a beginner at crochet and most patterns confuse me. Not these. I quickly whipped up the mother octopus and am now working on the baby penguin. They are too cute. I highly recommend this book and am logged in to see if this author has more.



4. I found out about Amigurumi (crochet toys) from a friend who had bought another book like this. I heard so many good things about this one. All of the toys are based on the same basic shapes, just different colors and "accessories." I am enjoying it though it seems limited. This is a great book for first time amigurumi's. I have ordered two others that are a little more diverse. Amigurumi is very fun to make and can be addicting!!



5. I'm relatively new to crochet, but this book is great! It was easy to follow and the items are easy to create!

2 comments about Vogue Knitting on the Go: Shawls Two (Vogue Knitting on the Go!).

1. There is a good variety of shawls using different techniques; lace, aran and knit and purl. Also a little shoulder caplet with ruffles. I really like the book, but if there were just one improvement it would be to show the stitches close up, and to give both a front & back view. It's a little book, meant to be handy to stick in the knitting bag and go...but I wish I had some diagram of how to do some of the special stitches like the "make star". I can get through it on the text explanation alone, but a few extra pages would have made it a perfect little book.



2. Most of the 22 shawls use yarn in the #4 category and only two of the shawls are for experienced. Most of them fall into the easy and/or intermediate skill level. The designers are familiar to everyone. Only one shawl is super bulky. All the shawls are knit. There are many beautiful unusual projects. My favorites are:beaded leaf lace shawl, wave pattern shawl, zigzag lace shawl, cabled wrap (cover), textured zigzag shawl, wave and leaf shawl and flowers and snowflakes shawl (back cover). This is one of the better books in this series and highly recommended.

5 comments about Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs: 144 circles, hexagons, triangles, squares, and other unexpected shapes.

1. I have been crocheting for quite a while now, and have accumulated many books. This one is very appealing to the eye. I love the spiral bound, it makes looking at a pattern book much easier. It's a very good read for a beginner as well as a pro. There are a lot of good tips, and suggestions on color, and stitch change.
   
   Very useful book!



2. I bought this book because the cover was pretty, really - and that's not a bad reason at all, because the excellent color pictures continue inside. But there are many other reasons to like the book.
   
   I crochet a lot of baby afghans and wedding afghans and shawls, and yeah, I got tired of the plain old granny square oh, about 30 years ago - but I keep on doing it because it's easy to do and because it's a great way to use up scraps of color. Well, this book gives me lots more ways to use up small quantities of leftover yarn, and many of the motifs are as easy as granny squares, so I'll be able to do a couple to learn them, then do them on autopilot, where I don't need to look at the pattern any more, or even at the yarn - so I can do them in the dark, at symphony concerts and movies and on long car rides. Motifs are also handy for those kinds of times, because you don't have a single huge crocheted something that you have to haul around with you and that starts taking up the seat next to you once you're more than half done.
   
   Some of the circular motifs will become coasters without any sewing together needed, and they can also become the bottom of bottle cozies or can cozies ("koozies"), or, in a larger gauge and larger hook and cotton yarn, become trivets for your table. But the hexagons are my favorites - not only do they make good coasters, but they make lovely bedspreads with edges full of little points, like prairie points - make one just slightly larger than the top of the bed, so that the points just hang over the edge. Motif #54 is every bit as easy to do as a granny square - think of it as a granny hexagon - and think of producing a crocheted throw or spread that resembles a "grandmother's flower garden" quilt pattern! If you want fewer color changes so you can make these while watching TV or otherwise doing two things at once, motifs 31, 32, and 33 have only two colors.
   
   The triangle motifs require a bit more fudging and stretching to make them have exactly straight edges and fit together the way quilt pieces would; I plan to use these triangles more in a freeform manner, with circles and odd shapes combined to make a large regular shape out of many small irregular ones.
   
   And - surprise! - there are squares as well, and things that have four corners although not straight sides, such as motif #94, which would fit in a square but is sort of a four-petalled flower.
   
   And the irregular shapes - well, my favorite is the oval #125, which looks just like a miniature braided rug, and so will make lots of cute little "mug rugs" as coasters.
   
   In short, a wealth of ideas, motifs from easy to advanced, sure to provide lots of satisfaction even though there are not any complete patterns for afghans or garments.



3. Lots of patterns in one place; nice color illustration and easy to follow patterns. It was a nice starter book; hope there will be a sequel with MORE patterns to make.



4. Fabulous motifs - Excellent directions - Great photos - and now so many ideas swirling through my head! A must for any who crochets!!!



5. I was disappointed when this arrived. It is only a leatlet and very incomplete in it's instructions. You may want to find something more complete.