Harmony Guides: Basic Crochet Stitches

by Erika Knight (Editor)

For those searching for stitch inspiration, this handbook brims with more than 200 new and old stitches to delight crocheters of all skill levels. Packed with tips and tricks, the guide outlines basic crochet techniques in addition to the latest trends in contemporary yarns--all of which are accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions. Projects include using the single cluster crochet stitch as a great foundation pattern for a textured scarf or implementing a trinity stitch to add warmth to an afghan design. The guide also reveals how to glam up a shawl with a striking hexagon stitch or a wavy shell stitch.

Genres: Crochet, Crafts, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

Keep it simple, chic and contemporary! So says Erika, textile designer and fashion design consultant, whose trademark has been the traditional with a twist. Coming into knitting via fine art training, she is highly regarded in her field and works for many international companies designing ready-to-wear ranges. Author of Comforts of Home (Martingale), her latest book is Simple Knits for Cherished Babies (Collins & Brown).

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good info about "Making Fabric." Good info about how to determine increases and decreases after drawing the shape you want your fabric to be. Then, the rest of the book is an encyclopedia of hundreds of possible crochet fabrics. Each stitch includes both written-out instructions and visual diagrams. A great reference overall! There is an amazing versatility to crochet.

Some interesting stitches I liked:
-Shallow single crochet. (Work as basic single crochet, but from 2nd row insert hook low into body of each st, below 3 horiz loops and betw 2 vert threads.)
-Acrobatic stitch.
-Catherine wheels (4 variations)
-Hexagon stitch.- really cool and complicated looking, like little volcanoes erupting from a textured field!
-Track stitch.
-Aligned puff stitch.
-Astrakhan stitch - 3d looking
-Aligned railing stitch - looks to me like little human figures raising their arms.
-Woven Overlay.
-Chained Overlay.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good stitch guide book. The only reason not to buy it is I think I can find most of the info online.

[Melani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been in my collection for a couple of years now. I think every person who crochets should have at least one stitch guide, and this is a pretty good one. The wording of the patterns is occasionally awkward, though I wonder if that's simply because I 'speak' crochet shorthand with a different 'accent'. It's not so much trouble that I can't work my way through a stitch, but it occasionally means I need to pause and think before attempting the instructions. There have been multiple times when I've ripped out rows because I read the stitch instructions wrong for that row. It's not a deal breaker, but it's something to be aware of.

That said, this is a very comprehensive book and I find myself reaching for it time and again when I want to create something.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for the person who wants to start or improve their crochet.

[C2015 · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are so many of these books, and this one has so many of the same things. There were a few stitches I don’t think I’ve seen before. No stars. And this book is older.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing for crochet! The patterns are super easy to follow with steps but also has charts.

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book and refer to it often. The layout is great, and it starts for beginners listing and showing all the basic stitches. It also explains how to read a diagram which I find invaluable. This book is helping me take my crocheting to the next level.

[Kristi Thompson]

Harmony Guide: Basic Crochet Stitches: 250 Stitches to Crochet (The Harmony Guides) by Erika Knight (2008)

[Sarah Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic crochet book. This series in fact is very well done. It doesn't give you projects to follow, but for those crocheters that like to create their own, this is a fantastic resource.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm starting to gain my old talent to crochet
I just finished 2 schal, 1 hat
This's book great as i can get new simple pattern to crochet alot of things

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource, though some of the photos of textured fabrics could have been done more effectively, perhaps as illustrations.

[Efox · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this is my new hobby and I ordered this book to try and teach myself some new patterns. Can't wait to try some of the super interesting stitches in this guide.

[Lori Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent layout with a wide variety of useful, usable patterns.

[GoldenjoyBazyll · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT info on increasing and decreasing stitches and very clear directions on how to make some lovely stitches! Highly recommend this book! I am really taken with the acrobatic stitch!!!!!

[April Lashon]

Great book! I've had it forever!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Floral trellis stitch

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Harmony Guide had not only great ideas for new crochet options, but gave good ideas re: finishing techniques.

[Brenda Lower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for reference. I can totally see myself using it to design lots of things, from solid afghans, to single blocks, scarves, and more. Really enjoyable and a great outlet for creativity.