4 comments about Home Sweet Home Afghans (Crochet Treasury).

1. This truly is a wonderful book. It has afghans of varied difficulty; great detailed technique illustrations and some beautiful and ingenious designs. I guarantee that you will find several afghans that you will want to make for those special people in your life.



2. I love this book. It has so many lovely afghans to make. It is presented in a great color photo fashion. There's not much more I can add to the other people's reviews. It a great book!



3. This book is beautifully photographed and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. However, I would have preferred a more contemporaty selection of designs. Most of the patterns have a dated, 60's, 70's look to them.



4. I was looking for afghans that were a little different. The designs in this book were uninspiring - I have much better books. None the less I will probably make at least one afghan out of it.

3 comments about The Essential Book of Crochet Techniques.

1. i have been on the hunt for the crochet equivilant of Vogue's Ultimate Knitting Book, because i like to crochet and knit equally... what i found is that the equivilant is not out there just yet. this book is excellent though - it's jam packed with, well, just what the title says, the ESSENTIALS! I WISH SO MUCH THAT I HAD THIS BOOK WHEN I FIRST STARTED CROCHETING!!! it's got a hidden spiral binding inside which is great when you are trying to work a technique while following the book's instructions. it has crystal clear illustrations, which to me is critical in understanding the structure and techniques of crochet. i can't say enough about the illustrations - in addition to showing everything so clearly, there are arrows and notes that guide you through each movement. one thing i always find tricky is finding the first and last place to do my stitches in. this book has great illustrations that really explain and show where to correctly begin and end. it has great photographs also - with something extra! the swatches are shown in color yarn, and the technique is shown in a contrasting white yarn. for example, the swatches shown for decreasing are in purple yarn and the two stitches that are decreased into one stitch are in white yarn. in the chapter on seaming, the photographed swatches are made of turquois yarn and the seams are done in white yarn. using the different color yarn for the technique in the photographs is such an excellent feature of this book because it allows you to really see the technique. the chapters of this book are as follows: crochet standards, crochet basics, gauge, decreases, increases, seams, bands, buttonholes and button loops, zippers, pockets, working in the round, filet crochet, intarsia, afghan stitch (tunisian simple stitch), blocking and storage, and there is an index. this book would be fantastic for someone who has never crocheted and wants to learn. it would also be great for a beginner as a great reference to really understanding crochet. i have been crocheting for about 3 years and i am happy that i got this book - i was looking for a great book with extremely clear illustrations, photographs, all of the basic techniques, and finishing techniques. i found what i was looking for and more in this book. now if only those vogue editors would do "The Ultimate Crochet Book"...



2. Honestly, I haven't used it too much because this book is about the things that you can do with crochet, mostly for making things to wear. I have used it as a reference to stuff I am not familiar with. It's not a stitch reference (I can give you another book with tons of stitches in it)but a reference to increasing and decreasing, seams, button holes, pockets and other such embellishments. I will probably use it more when I gat past the afghans.



3. This was just the Book I was looking for. It has everything that I need and will be of great help in the future with my Crochet. I recommend this for anyone wanting to learn or to update their Crochet Skills.

No comments about The Complete Crochet Set: Techniques - Step-by-Step Projects - Materials.

5 comments about Seasons of Love: Crocheted Sweaters for the Family.

1. I just got this yesterday and am already planning next winter's wardrobe, there are beautiful sweaters in this book; the instructions seem straightforward enough and materials are easily, available nothing too 'exotic'.



2. I have many crochet pattern books and "Seasons of Love" is amongst my favorites. This book is beautifully illustrated and contains many wonderful designs. There are sweaters (and more) that will see your entire family through every season of the year. Of course, everything is relative to personal taste, but I found this book to contain a lot of fresh looking designs that I would actually make...even for my husband! What's more is the instructions are very well written. Each pattern comes with diagrams showing the measurements of each piece per size scale and specific instructions are provided on how to make your gauge swatch. If you've seen patterns that tell you how many stitches and rows it takes to make a 4" swatch but fail to take the pattern stitch into consideration (thus leaving the guessing work up to you) then you will appreciate this.

   If you are looking for a variety of sweater patterns to make for the different people in you life (or yourself!) then this book is for you.




3. I have many crochet pattern books and "Seasons of Love" is amongst my favorites. This book is beautifully illustrated and contains many wonderful designs. There are sweaters (and more) that will see your entire family through every season of the year. Of course, everything is relative to personal taste, but I found this book to contain a lot of fresh looking designs that I would actually make...even for my husband! What's more is the instructions are very well written. Each pattern comes with diagrams showing the measurements of each piece per size scale and specific instructions are provided on how to make your gauge swatch. If you've seen patterns that tell you how many stitches and rows it takes to make a 4" swatch but fail to take the pattern stitch into consideration (thus leaving the guessing work up to you) then you will appreciate this.

   If you are looking for a variety of sweater patterns to make for the different people in you life (or yourself!) then this book is for you.




4. It's difficult to find books with "wearable" men's garments in them. The author also uses readily avaiable yarns, so you can get started ASAP.



5. I thought the patterns in this book were TOO SIMPLE looking. There is a difference between a "classic" look and "plain", and I felt this book's patterns were very plain.
   
   Also, I expected more patterns than this book contains, it has about 5 sections with a pattern in each for every member of the family. This would probably be a great book for a beginner that wants to make a simple sweater. But if you already make sweaters, then I think you can find better inspiration in some of Melissa Leapman's other books.

2 comments about Big Book of Scrap Crochet Projects.

1. I would have given this book 3.5 stars if I could, but realistically, that would have been because I have an extensive crochet book collection and when I purchased this book it was solely for it's value as a scrap project book. Now that that's put into perspective, I think that the average crocheter would give this book 4 stars.

   As far as scrap projects go, this book was lacking the substance I was looking for. Most of the projects call for worsted weight yarn or size 10 crochet cotton so you will have to be creative if you are looking for projects to use up the scraps of some of your fancier and different weight yarns. I was hoping to find a lot of projects that would give me creative ideas on how to combine my various scraps into one piece without making it look like a scrap project but only a few projects delivered. I must say however, that the projects in this book are endless (over 80!) so you will most certainly find enough interesting projects to get your money's worth. It is also noteworthy to mention that nearly every chapter features a pattern that requires you to know how to use an afghan hook or a double ended crochet hook. Because there is so much variety, I thought it would be helpful to take you through chapter by chapter:

   KITCHEN: There are some really cute projects in here but as far as I'm concerned, kitchen projects are basically scrap projects to begin with, so if you already have many patterns for these things, this will only add more of the same thing to your collection. I found it odd too that they would include place settings because though you may have enough scraps to make one setting, you most certainly will not have enough to make 3 more matching ones!

   RUGS: There is a nice pet bed project in here that does a great job of making a scrap project not look like one at all. The remainder of the projects are strictly rugs. Some are cute and country-like, some more elegant and a few scream of tackiness.

   FASHIONS: There are fashions for everyone but the baby in this chapter and I must admit the patterns, though not the most fashion forward (with some exceptions) aren't all that bad. The one pattern that most impressed me in this book can be found in this chapter. It is a ladies sweater pattern that combines only 4 ounces each of 10 different yarn shades and 8 oz of the main color yet the colors are all creatively blended so you would never guess that the finished product was made of scraps. This is exactly the type of project that I would have like to have seen more of. It is also noteworthy to mention that nearly every ladies pattern is suitable for the plus sizes as the bust measurements on the biggest sizes range from 51-53 1/2 inches. The downside though is that not all measurements are given and there are no diagrams.

   THREAD PROJECTS: There's nothing all that new in here except for some frameable threadwork. I am not particularily fond of doilies and runners using up multitudes of colors so this chapter didn't do all that much to impress me. Patterns call for various colors mixed with one main color, there are bookmarks and hair accessories which are scrap projects to begin with. I would have hoped to have seen more thread projects where color would be more of an asset, like some cute hat wall hangings, toilet tissue covers, etc. It would even have been nice to see some projects using multiple strands of thread.

   BAZAAR QUICKIES: This chapter is a gem: I fell in love with the tomato pincusion; the fishbowl placemat makes me want to buy the fishbowl, and all of the Christmas ornaments are stellar!

   PLAYTIME FRIENDS: Another winning chapter filled with beautiful playtime projects such as various stuffed animals, finger puppets, a checkerboard rug, bunny bath mitt, gardening doll outfit, etc.

   AFGHANS: As far as afghans go, there are many lovely ones in here and I must say that I breathed a great big sigh of relief to see that even though some used granny squares not one of them screamed of the old fashioned "GRANNY". Many of the patterns were what I had expected, using up your scraps with a lot of one main color but I must caution that not all the afghans were of scrap basket value. One of the most lovely afghan patterns calls for no less than 20 oz of each the four colors used.




2. Overall, I am pleased with this book. While I would not make everything in here, there are enough projects that I like to make the purchase worthwhile. Many of the projects are rated as beginner.
   
   I like quite a few of the projects in the kitchen chapter--lots of cute hotpads, coasters, and dishcloths here. The rug chapter has some nice projects too--though I think a couple would lend themselves better to afghans than rugs.
   
   The sweaters are nice--especially the Dawn to Dusk Sweater and the Hooded Jacket. These are not "cutting edge" fashion, but are nice and classic for those of us who don't want to be "hip" or "funky". The Girl's Scrap Poncho is nice too.
   
   There is a thread crochet chapter, but this really isn't my interest, though if you like that, there were 13 projects included.
   
   The Bazaar and Toy chapters have quite a few cute projects (especially the Toy chapter). The afghans are nice, though the two I liked the best use a double ended crochet hook--something I've not tried yet.
   
   Overall, it's a nice book. I still rank Crochet From the Heart and Crochet for Caring and Sharing as my favorites. If you can only get one, you may want to check those two out before you buy anything.

No comments about Granny Squares Now: Dozens of Fresh Takes on a Crochet Classic.

5 comments about Crochet Lace With Complete Diagrams.

1. Hey I didn't bought this book for myself but you don't need knowing crochet to see it is top rate book .

   Now that I cleared it out .. the color pictures are of the highest qulity on the best paper , along the instruction that every crochet book has there are helpful diagrams that make understanding the pattrens easier .

   The person who got this book was extremely pleased with it and with the pattrens displayed with in . ... this one really worth its price and Ondori did a great job publishing it .




2. Ondori always manages to find beautiful patterns for their books. This is another fabulous collection of great crocheted items. There are the beautiful tablecloths and bedspreads and the fabulous pillows plus the varied and different centerpieces and even a selection of little coasters and glass jackets. Really a full and detailed collection which every crocheter should have.



3. I used the book to create a big table cloth. The table cloth is not only beautiful but looks store bought. I also bought the other crochet books from the same author which I found as good as this one.



4. This is a well done book with beautiful pictures and easy to understand directions. That said, however, the patterns are very dated. The book is a Japanese publication from 1980 and it shows. But, if you are in the market for tablecloth patterns, this might be the book for you.



5. I got this book years ago, hence it was quite dogged eared and loaned it so a fellow crafter..I never got it back, once you look thru this you will see why.
   
   it is perfect in the sence that it brings not only written instructions, but a pattern diagram as well so you can double check what your reading. It is great for anyone who wishes to go beyond crocheting sweaters and blankets.

No comments about Ponchos to Knit and Crochet.

No comments about Crocheted Gifts in a Weekend: 60 Quick & Lively Projects to Make.

3 comments about Blankets, Hats, and Booties: To Knit And Crochet.

1. I have several pattern books for knitting and crocheting baby items and this is now my newest favorite! The baby sock pattern alone is worth buying the book--the socks were easy to make (and I am NOT a sock knitter!) and they actually fit a newborn. I have not made all the items in the book yet but the things I have made were easy and fun. And I love the fact that it has both knitting and crochet patterns--I think more and more people are beginning to do both and it's nice to have a book that offers both.



2. There are some really unique and cute baby patterns in this book, especially the blankets. Each project includes a blanket, hat and booties that coordinate, which is nice. Most patterns are pretty easy, and the instuctions are very easy to follow. The only downside for me, is that about 1/2 the patterns are crochet, and I don't know how to crochet. But the knitting patterns are so cute that I still would buy the book.



3. This is a wonderful book! I think the booties are adorable! I'm still trying to figure out the tricky granny squares on the cover, but they are the most beautiful, full-looking granny squares I've ever seen. This book is a must if you want to make the cutest booties, blankets and hats. Kristin Spurkland has the most awesome designs!Blankets, Hats, and Booties: To Knit And Crochet