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Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet
Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet <> Paperback <> DonnaKooler <> LeisureArts
Paperback
First published September 27, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 22, 2011
This is one of the first books I bought for my teaching library after becoming a CYC certified crochet teacher and instructor (in 2008). The book was published in 2002 and is part of a series of books by Donna Kooler that cover various needlecrafts. I recommend this book for many reasons but there are four elements of this book that really make it stand out as a classic.
1. It is organized in a "beginner friendly" manner.
2. It includes both left- and right-handed instructions, with illustrations.
3. It provides a thorough overview of various techniques and materials.
4. It allows you to grow from a beginner to an advanced intermediate crocheter within the same book.
The book is organized into five sections: Beginnings, Crochet Basics, Beyond the Basics, Pattern Gallery, and For Your Information.
The Beginnings section has a very interesting history of crochet in Europe and America. Donna also includes a great photograph in this section with crochet hooks from different time periods. This section is one that I read with fascination but it could easily be skipped by those who aren't history nerds ;) .
The Crochet Basics section is designed to explain the hows and whys of everything from patterns to materials to basics stitches to a beginner crocheter. One of the best structural aspects of the book is that this section starts with a key to crochet pattern abbreviations and symbols. In contrast, many crochet books put this information towards the back in an appendix. If beginner crocheters aren't accustomed to this formatting, they are immediately turned off to the entire craft! And why not, since if you don't know how to translate the abbreviations and symbols, how can you move ahead through the patterns presented in the book?
Donna also explains how to read patterns. Many books, even those designed for the beginners, provide a list of abbreviations and assume that the reader will know what to do when they see (instructions between parenthesis) or *inside of asterisks.* These are precisely the aspects of pattern reading which most people find confusing. Donna discusses gauge in detail, rather than just reminding you to "check your gauge." She provides a thorough review of different materials including yarn fibers, caring for your crochet fabric, and the purpose of various notions. This section includes a lot of information that even some more advanced crocheters may lack (e.g., which fibers are most elastic and things to consider when substituting the yarn for a pattern).
The section continues with illustrated instructions for forming all of the basic stitches of crochet. As noted above, Kooler includes both right- and left-handed instructions with illustrations. The end of this section includes several simple patterns by a variety of designers (ok, mostly by Melissa Leapman, but you get the point).
The Beyond the Basics section provides an overview of colors and various colorwork techniques, thread crochet (including filet and motifs), and what Donna calls "specialty crochet" but what I call "the stuff that isn't usually in the big, expensive crochet books so you have to buy another book to find out about it." Here she provides an introduction to bead crochet, wire crochet, and Tunisian crochet, and has a small section on finishing details like pockets. This section also includes a number of patterns by various designers. In general, the patterns aren't really my style, but each one emphasizes specific techniques or skills. The patterns here are more oriented towards building the skill set of the reader than towards being extremely fashionable.
The Crochet Pattern Gallery section is my favorite. This is basically a stitch guide. The stitches are crocheted in attractive colors and photographed clearly. The patterns include both abbreviations and symbols. And, as if those things weren't enough, Donna includes alternate names for stitches, when appropriate, and variations of the stitches. The stitches are organized as Simple Combinations; Fans & Shells; Lace Patterns; Waves, Ripples & Chevrons; Angled Patterns; Spiked & Crossed; Post Stitches; Bobbles, Popcorns & Puffs; Tapestry, Jacquard & Mosaic; Net, Mesh & Trellis; Motifs; Filet Crochet; Edges, Edgings & Insertions; and Tunisian Crochet.
The final section, called For Your Information, includes a resource list which is obviously outdated, footnotes, an excellent bibliography, a standard index, and a pattern index. The pattern index is quite detailed - for example, cluster stitches are listed by name and under cluster stitches as well.
To keep my review balanced, I will mention a few things that make it less than perfect (egads!):
- This is a classic, not a trendy book. The patterns are conservative and not all of them are "current" styles.
- It doesn't provide much detail on designing your own projects, particularly clothing, which is something that many crocheters are looking for today.
- It doesn't use a binding which allows you to lay it flat when reading.
- While the illustrations are better than those in most crochet books, most beginners would probably find it helpful if there were more photographs in the Crochet Basics section.
The book really is a stand out as an all around reference book for crochet. It has excellent photographs and clear illustrations. It is a softcover, which allows you to carry it around without throwing out your back. I highly recommend it for the library of any beginner through advanced intermediate crocheter.
1. It is organized in a "beginner friendly" manner.
2. It includes both left- and right-handed instructions, with illustrations.
3. It provides a thorough overview of various techniques and materials.
4. It allows you to grow from a beginner to an advanced intermediate crocheter within the same book.
The book is organized into five sections: Beginnings, Crochet Basics, Beyond the Basics, Pattern Gallery, and For Your Information.
The Beginnings section has a very interesting history of crochet in Europe and America. Donna also includes a great photograph in this section with crochet hooks from different time periods. This section is one that I read with fascination but it could easily be skipped by those who aren't history nerds ;) .
The Crochet Basics section is designed to explain the hows and whys of everything from patterns to materials to basics stitches to a beginner crocheter. One of the best structural aspects of the book is that this section starts with a key to crochet pattern abbreviations and symbols. In contrast, many crochet books put this information towards the back in an appendix. If beginner crocheters aren't accustomed to this formatting, they are immediately turned off to the entire craft! And why not, since if you don't know how to translate the abbreviations and symbols, how can you move ahead through the patterns presented in the book?
Donna also explains how to read patterns. Many books, even those designed for the beginners, provide a list of abbreviations and assume that the reader will know what to do when they see (instructions between parenthesis) or *inside of asterisks.* These are precisely the aspects of pattern reading which most people find confusing. Donna discusses gauge in detail, rather than just reminding you to "check your gauge." She provides a thorough review of different materials including yarn fibers, caring for your crochet fabric, and the purpose of various notions. This section includes a lot of information that even some more advanced crocheters may lack (e.g., which fibers are most elastic and things to consider when substituting the yarn for a pattern).
The section continues with illustrated instructions for forming all of the basic stitches of crochet. As noted above, Kooler includes both right- and left-handed instructions with illustrations. The end of this section includes several simple patterns by a variety of designers (ok, mostly by Melissa Leapman, but you get the point).
The Beyond the Basics section provides an overview of colors and various colorwork techniques, thread crochet (including filet and motifs), and what Donna calls "specialty crochet" but what I call "the stuff that isn't usually in the big, expensive crochet books so you have to buy another book to find out about it." Here she provides an introduction to bead crochet, wire crochet, and Tunisian crochet, and has a small section on finishing details like pockets. This section also includes a number of patterns by various designers. In general, the patterns aren't really my style, but each one emphasizes specific techniques or skills. The patterns here are more oriented towards building the skill set of the reader than towards being extremely fashionable.
The Crochet Pattern Gallery section is my favorite. This is basically a stitch guide. The stitches are crocheted in attractive colors and photographed clearly. The patterns include both abbreviations and symbols. And, as if those things weren't enough, Donna includes alternate names for stitches, when appropriate, and variations of the stitches. The stitches are organized as Simple Combinations; Fans & Shells; Lace Patterns; Waves, Ripples & Chevrons; Angled Patterns; Spiked & Crossed; Post Stitches; Bobbles, Popcorns & Puffs; Tapestry, Jacquard & Mosaic; Net, Mesh & Trellis; Motifs; Filet Crochet; Edges, Edgings & Insertions; and Tunisian Crochet.
The final section, called For Your Information, includes a resource list which is obviously outdated, footnotes, an excellent bibliography, a standard index, and a pattern index. The pattern index is quite detailed - for example, cluster stitches are listed by name and under cluster stitches as well.
To keep my review balanced, I will mention a few things that make it less than perfect (egads!):
- This is a classic, not a trendy book. The patterns are conservative and not all of them are "current" styles.
- It doesn't provide much detail on designing your own projects, particularly clothing, which is something that many crocheters are looking for today.
- It doesn't use a binding which allows you to lay it flat when reading.
- While the illustrations are better than those in most crochet books, most beginners would probably find it helpful if there were more photographs in the Crochet Basics section.
The book really is a stand out as an all around reference book for crochet. It has excellent photographs and clear illustrations. It is a softcover, which allows you to carry it around without throwing out your back. I highly recommend it for the library of any beginner through advanced intermediate crocheter.
April 21, 2019
Very useful in a home library. Extensive information on many topics. Also lovely and unusual intermediate project patterns. Classy.
July 19, 2020
Own. Go to crochet book.
January 27, 2022
This book goes into the history of crochet, the implements used, yarn types, fabric types as well as instructions for the left-handed and right-handed. A stellar reference for serious crocheters.
April 28, 2008
I’m in the market for a really good crochet stitch dictionary. I’ve been crocheting forever but have never owned a dictionary and really haven’t known about more than the basic stitches plus “popcorn” (mmm.. popcorn). While I can’t really speak to the projects, I am impressed by the clear diagrams and the 164 included stitch patterns. I think I want more but Kooler has done a very nice job of describing the basics of crochet and included a very beautifully illustrated history of the craft. I like that everything is both charted and written out. Perhaps it’s my ignorance of crochet patterns, but charts are new to me and I like them very much. I’m not sure if this is the volume which will earn a coveted space on my bookshelf, but I do knokw that I will highly recommend it to anyone looking to do something with crochet.
April 26, 2015
This is an excellant book for learning, and being reminded of, crochet basics and more. The written instructions are clear. This is also a great book to learn to read pattern diagrams. It helps to learn the written and diagrams together. Once you learn how to read diagrams you'll be able to crochet patterns from around the world that are not in English but do have the diagrams. Along with basic stitches, there is a section on Tunisian crochet. There are some great patterns. There is also a section of stitch and motif patterns. I recommend this to anyone starting to crochet or getting back to crocheting.
January 10, 2010
This book seemed really complete in its coverage of all things crochet. Lots of photos of old crochet samples and hooks and a lot of information on lacemaking. The patterns were not too cute but there was a good section in the back that had stitch samples for afghans and trim. I did not follow any of the directions, so I can not say if they were complete or not.
March 12, 2008
While I am not especially taken with any of the patterns in this book, the stitch pattern guide at the back is EXCELLENT!! There are more than a hundred stitch patterns, motifs, laces, and edgings and they're all explained with written directions, symbols, and clear, colorful close-up pictures.
April 29, 2012
This was given to me for Christmas by a family member who knew I had just taken up crocheting. I'm not really at the level yet to use the whole book since I only know one stitch, but I look forward to using it. The pictures in it are nice and there is a cute baby in one of the pictures.
May 19, 2008
Great info.
April 21, 2008
This is the best shelf teaching crochet book ever. hands down.
January 26, 2014
I have a library copy but now I've renewed it 3 times I might have to buy it. It's a great source book for those times you forget how to do an extended double crochet.
September 7, 2008
Incredible photographs of stitches that are really inspiring!
April 6, 2009
Need to buy. Very handy reference.
July 4, 2009
Loved it - I reference the pattern gallery regularly. Also has alot of good info on history of crochet, yarns, and tools. I highly recommend it!
November 30, 2011
Good mix of patterns and pattern stitches. I made the cabled scarf out of it and loved it. It's inspiring to look through.
April 4, 2025
Very comprehensive, including history, stitches and the many types of crochet.
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March 13, 2015Palm Beach Library
August 6, 2009
so cool! and it shows how to read those stitch grafts
January 14, 2013
Really nice all-in-one book on crochet for all levels from absolute beginner to experienced.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews