The Hooktionary: A Crochet Dictionary of 150 Modern Tapestry Crochet Motifs

by Brenda K.B Anderson

Create bold, modern and fun tapestry crochet designs with this unique crochet stitch dictionary!

One of the most important tools in any crocheter's toolbox is a stitch dictionary - an essential reference packed with possibilities. The Hooktionary is the first and only crochet stitch dictionary to feature tapestry crochet motifs. And it has personality to boot! From unicorns and bumblebees to bold, graphic designs, the 150 motifs this book includes are perfect for the modern maker. Plus, five 'choose your own adventure' projects allow you to mix and match motifs into one-of-a-kind designs that reflect your own tastes.

Inspired by Andrea Rangel's Alterknit Stitch Dictionary, Brenda K.B. Anderson has created a crochet counterpart so that crocheters can join in the fun too. Unlike other tapestry crochet pattern collections, which focus on single crochet stitches - creating slanted color patterns which do not create clean lines - Anderson has used her experience of which kinds of crochet stitches pair well with tapestry crochet to create beautiful, clear patterns, and wearable fabrics.

Swatches are made in one of five different crochet stitch single crochet through the back loop, center (or split) single crochet, extended single crochet, center (or split) extended single crochet, and front post double crochet, with information about how the crochet stitch anatomy affects both the drape and feel of the fabric and also the look of the charted image, so that you can imagine how a chart would look in another stitch pattern. All the designs are crocheted in the round, so that you can keep the front of the work facing you, and for those projects that need an opening, a steek is made - a technique that has not been covered in any other crochet book! There is also comprehensive advice on choosing stitches and fixing mistakes.

Genres: Crafts, Crochet

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2023

Reviews

[Hristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'm an advanced crocheter, but i've only recently started playing around with tapestry. i was hoping this book would be the ultimate guide to it, which it isn't. i wish it would've explained more of the basics and have a section dedicated to common mistakes people make and how to avoid them. this is aimed at people who already know crochet tapestry and if you're one of them, you're going to enjoy this a whole lot.

*copy received through edelweiss in exchange for a fair review

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally ..... A Dictionary of Motifs designed especially for crocheters! I've owned this book for about a year now .... and keep finding new things to try. Not only are there 150 fun and interesting motifs to try out (on scarves, mittens, hats, blankets, cowls, headbands, towels and washcloths etc......) Brenda Anderson provides so much detail about how the various stitch patterns, yarn types and weights, hook sizes and tension all affect the look, feel and drape of the motifs in your finished projects. She shows us how to swap out and modify the charts. Oh, and steeking .... YIKES! It's all there! And the possibilities are endless.

My only wish now is that she'd once again follow in the proverbial footsteps of Andrea Rangel and come up with a second volume. I believe that "Alterknits" a stitch dictionary of motifs for knitters, by Andrea Rangel, inspired Brenda to create The Hooktionary. I know there is much fodder for a second volume: expanding on techniques .... for working tapestry crochet in back and forth rows for instance .... as well as introducing Tunisian Crochet Colourwork techniques. AND ... more motifs! I cannot get enough of them!

So Brenda, if you are reading this, please know I'll be first, in what I think may be a long line, to snap up a second Hooktionary volume!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a large collection of colorwork patterns for crocheters, with minimal instruction in the beginning of the book to explain some specific colorwork techniques. I would have really liked to see clear diagrams instead of photos for the stitches and will definitely have to re-read the instruction section a few times with yarn and hook in hand to gain any understanding of the techniques.

4 stars for pattern variety, but only 2 stars for instruction clarity.

I received this book free from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this. If you're familiar with colorwork and want to expand your motif library, this is for you. The motifs are a mix between classic and adorable with sample patterns in the back and some useful tips and tricks. It's a dictionary, not an instruction manual, and is on par with the motif collections available for knitting. It's really nice to finally see one for crochet!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to review this book because the electronic advanced copy I received was terrible. No pictures which I'm sure the hardbound copy will have.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read quite a few crochet handbooks and this one has really great (and funny) tips that are not limited to doing tapestry crochet. I BOUGHT this book I was so impressed.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hooktionary would be an excellent resource for a knowledgeable crocheter who already has some experience with tapestry techniques. Although I would have liked to see a more thorough and illustrated instructional section, I appreciated that Anderson included both photographs and a chart to show how using a slightly different stitch affects the same pattern. With only five projects included, I would've preferred that two of them weren't sweaters (one a cardigan, the other a pullover), but the "Swapping and Modifying Charts" section does allow for some flexibility when it comes to crocheting from this book. A decent book overall, but one I'd suggest checking out from a library rather than adding to a personal collection.

[I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.]