Crochet-opedia - my book is now available for pre-order!

I am so excited to announce that my book Crochet-opedia is now available for pre-order!

US edition - amazon.com

UK edition - amazon.co.uk

The release date for both editions is June, 2013. Click on either photo above to be taken to the appropriate Amazon site.

Crochet-opedia is a comprehensive reference guide to crochet. The book is designed to help the readers learn and master each skill before moving on. With step by step instructions, color photographs, detailed diagrams, and 30 enticing patterns, Crochet-opedia will appeal to newcomers as well as advanced crocheters. It also comes complete with a handy stitch directory, allowing the reader to browse through thumbnail photographs to easily choose a crochet stitch. 

Years ago I taught myself to crochet from a book, so I realize the importance of clear instructions and good illustrations. As I was writing the book I continually asked myself the questions I had when I was learning. As a result, I have also included tips to help avoid pitfalls with each technique. There are many techniques covered including: basic stitches, increasing/decreasing, working in rounds, colorwork, and so much more. More advanced techniques explore thread work, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, and tunisian crochet, and again, so much more. It is my hope that this book will become an invaluable reference guide for anyone who crochets. It is truly the book I wish I had when I was learning. Crochet has brought so much joy to my life and I am so happy to be able to share it with others. It's been an incredible journey!

Craft Gossip Crochet posted a review which you can read here. I have to say Wow! It doesn't get much better than that!

A Hooker Book Review - The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs

The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs
500 Classic & Original Patterns
by Linda P. Schapper
ISBN 1-57990-915-9
Revised Edition, published 2007 by Lark Books


Originally published in 1985, this revised edition is much easier to read and has all new updated photos.
The book includes 33 chapters, an introduction, illustrations of basic stitches, International crochet symbols, and a pictoral index of all the stitches.
I really love the pictoral index. Set up with 6 columns and 5 rows, the mini pictures are clear enough to search for a particular stitch or design that you are looking for. For example, if you want a stitch pattern that is more detailed vertically than horizontally, it is easy to browse and visually pick out one that may work for you. Each picture in the index also includes a number and the page number where the details can be found.
When you go the page that has the stitch details you will find a larger photo, a symbol pattern chart (I love these!) and step by step instructions.
Every stitch design book is unique and different in its own way, and this book is much more than a guide to basic stitches and the simple patterns that we all know and love. If you are searching for a lacy pattern for a lovely evening shawl, or an openwork pattern for a tablerunner, or popcorn stitch patterns for a new scarf, you will certainly find them here!
This is a great reference book for any crocheter, beginner to experienced, that makes it easy to design and create your own projects.

What do you think? Visit your local library and if they do not have this book in their collection, ask them to loan it from another library for you. It’s a free service, and a great way to preview books if you are considering purchasing them.


4 out of 5 "Hooks Up" Recommendation

A Hooker Book Review - The Crochet Answer Book

The Crochet Answer Book
by Edie Eckman
ISBN 1-58017-598-8





“Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face, Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask.”

This handy little guide is packed with tons of information. The author, Edie Eckman, is also a pattern designer and crochet instructor. In her introduction she states, “I’ve tried to answer some of the most common questions crocheters have and to anticipate some questions you didn’t know you had.” I think she’s accomplished this very well! Set in an easy to read Q&A format with well defined chapters, this book also includes clear and concise illustrations.

Many of the questions are aimed at the beginning crocheter, but I was surprised and delighted to find lots of information included here that would be helpful to intermediate and experienced crocheters as well.
While going through the book there were quite a few questions where I thought, “I wish I had this book when I needed that answer!” Such as; “Do I always have to work a foundation chain?”, “How do I make an oval?”, “How do I tell the Left Front from the Right Front of my sweater?”, “How do I join separate motifs?”, and so much more!

Also included in this guide is a hook size chart, graph paper, a chart for suggested sizes of accessories and household items (such as afghan sizes), standard measurements and sizing charts, standard abbreviations, stitch symbols, yarn care symbols, common crochet terms and phrases, more resources, and an index.

I am very impressed with this book and I think every crocheter should have a copy in their toolkit. Not only a useful guide for questions you may have, but also for those answers you may have forgotten.

What do you think? Visit your local library and if they do not have this book in their collection, ask them to loan it from another library for you. It’s a free service, and a great way to preview books if you are considering purchasing them.

5 out of 5 “Hooks Up” recommendation

A Hooker Book Review - 200 Crochet Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets

200 Crochet Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets
by Jan Eaton
ISBN 0-312-36187-4




Colorful and well photographed, this book is a feast for the eyes. It is neatly organized into 7 chapters and the chapters include:
Hooks, tools, and yarns
Patterns and charts - Explains how to read patterns as well as symbol charts, including filet crochet.
Design - Learn the importance of gauge as well as garment fitting and design basics.
Crochet Techniques - Explains working with basic stitches, edge treatments, and garment details such as pockets, zippers, collars and making your own crochet buttons.
Working in the round
Fun with color - Includes a short explanation of color groupings and color theory. This chapter also includes yarn dyeing instructions for the beginner.
Assembling and Finishing

Found at the back of this book is a Resource section. It includes size chart lists which give average body size measurements: baby, 3 months to 24 months; child, 2 to 16 years; women, X-small to 3X; men, small to XX-large. Also has a handy head circumference chart (preemie through adult). Yarn and laundering symbols are also explained, and like all crochet books of this type should have, includes hook size information, and crochet abbreviations. The index is thorough and easy to use.

A major fault I found with this book is that specific patterns were not included in the Crochet Techniques chapter. For example, in the section about chevron patterns, there is information and photographs on how to create the peaks and troughs. Several swatches are pictured showing variations of the chevron stitch, however, there are no pattern instructions on how to create any of the swatches themselves! You can figure out the pattern from the pictured swatches, but I found this annoying and would not recommend this book to a beginner wanting to learn new stitches. Because of this fault, I would recommend a book of crochet stitches instead.

The “trade secrets” are nothing new and generalized like all the information in this book. There are many other books that serve this purpose better, such as The Crochet Answer Book, by Edie Eckman.

Overall this is a beautiful book and contains a lot of general information that beginners may find helpful, but personally, this is not a book that I would purchase for myself or as a gift.

What do you think? Visit your local library and if they do not have this book in their collection, ask them to loan it from another library for you. It’s a free service, and a great way to preview books if you are considering purchasing them.

2 out of 5 "Hooks Up" recommendation