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350+ Crochet Tips, Techniques, and Trade Secrets: Updated Edition--More Tips! More Tricks!
Give a professional finish to your crochet garments and accessories with this indispensable compendium of technical know-how and troubleshooting tips. Techniques are organized in the order that you’d need them as you work through a project, from choosing the right yarn to looking after your finished garment. Step-by-step photographs, diagrams, and clear instructions guide you through each stage of your work, or you can dip in for help with a particular problem.
Discover how to substitute yarns and accurately estimate the amount required, adapt patterns to create tailor-made garments, and lengthen an existing piece with trims and edgings. From basic chain stitches to filet crochet, there’s advice for all kinds of stitches, mixing and matching, and dealing with gauge variations. You’ll also find plenty of inspiration for adding an extra-special touch to your work using beaded embellishments and surface crochet!
Discover how to substitute yarns and accurately estimate the amount required, adapt patterns to create tailor-made garments, and lengthen an existing piece with trims and edgings. From basic chain stitches to filet crochet, there’s advice for all kinds of stitches, mixing and matching, and dealing with gauge variations. You’ll also find plenty of inspiration for adding an extra-special touch to your work using beaded embellishments and surface crochet!
160 pages, Paperback
Published July 18, 2017
5 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Jan Eaton
118 books15 followersJAN EATON is known internationally for her specialty in needlecraft and textile designs. Since finishing her training at Goldsmiths College in London, Jan has worked as a freelance designer showcasing her embroidery, crochet, knitting, and textile painting designs in various UK and European magazines. Past works include the new edition of Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, Country Crochet and Knitted Lace, and 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans. (ref: http://us.macmillan.com/author/janeaton)
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 4, 2017
I am a fan of fiber arts, I love the tactile feel of a good yarn and playing with color and texture. I have been crocheting for 35 years now, almost entirely self taught, so when this book was recommended, I eagerly dove in. Lots of little tips and tricks, most of them I already knew, but there were enough little "secrets" that it was totally worth it. Plus it kindled my creative urges again, which had been swallowed by the grind that is life :)
(Tis the season to start in on the snowflakes again)
(Tis the season to start in on the snowflakes again)
November 7, 2017
What I love about this book is the Try it sections..
Full of new ideas for learning, understanding and perfecting your crochet skills.
I adore craft books by Search Press, they are always full of expert advice and are always beautifully presented. The photographs of each section and method are fully descriptive and there is even a Fix it guide for your mistakes.
It is a comprehensive guide and is expertly written. From adding texture to your crochet to setting up a dye studio, this book is an invaluable resource for all levels of crocheter.
I loved the Design your own Shawl section, and with the stitch guide, which demonstrates bobbles, puff stitch and chevrons, I will definitely give this a try.
There is a size chart included, and how to choose the right hook, so this makes it perfect for everyone, beginner or advanced.
Recommended.
Full of new ideas for learning, understanding and perfecting your crochet skills.
I adore craft books by Search Press, they are always full of expert advice and are always beautifully presented. The photographs of each section and method are fully descriptive and there is even a Fix it guide for your mistakes.
It is a comprehensive guide and is expertly written. From adding texture to your crochet to setting up a dye studio, this book is an invaluable resource for all levels of crocheter.
I loved the Design your own Shawl section, and with the stitch guide, which demonstrates bobbles, puff stitch and chevrons, I will definitely give this a try.
There is a size chart included, and how to choose the right hook, so this makes it perfect for everyone, beginner or advanced.
Recommended.
August 19, 2017
The author's advice for lefties reading the book is to hold the book up to a mirror to see the left handed version for each of the many pictures. This is not a particularly easy thing to do while crocheting. Fellow lefties beware.
March 6, 2018
Getting a copy for my collection.
January 22, 2019
This book is a bit tricky to rate. It's somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars, but I think the ratings will vary widely depending on what level of crochet someone is at. This is a different kind of crochet book and is definitely worth the read of an experienced beginner and many intermediate crocheters, especially if they want to expand into garments. This book does not teach you how to do crochet - it gives you tips on how to be better at crochet - or in other words, it does exactly what the title says it will do. For example, it covers crocheting socks and gives tips and tricks on the best yarn to use (or more accurately, the one to avoid) and the like. It does not give you a step by step on how to make socks. You will have to find a pattern or figure it out on your own. This is an interesting approach and for the most part, I liked it more than the typical crochet book.
The book does cover some basic techniques, like weaving in yarn ends, and to a certain degree, these discussions are a bit more indepth than found in other books. But, it covers these topics at odd times. For example, the book shows how to do basic stitches at page 48, after going over how to design your own crochet. The order felt off in other places as well, even for more skilled techniques. For example, the sock section starts by saying that socks are harder than mittens, but the section on mittens immediately follows socks. Wouldn't it be the other way if socks are harder? After I read that first sentence, I immediately flipped back a few pages to see if I had missed it. Simple things like this were a bit annoying, but not damaging to what I got out of the book.
This book focuses heavily on filet crochet, and while I can sort of understand, I also don't as it's not a technique I plan on using often if ever. It seems like a stitch that has mostly gone out of style, like granny squares, which are also heavily focused on. I would have preferred a heavier focus on more modern stitches for more modern designs, or, if I am wrong in my assessment of the importance of filet crochet and granny squares, a quick sentence on why would have been super helpful. I ended up skimming some of the detailed sections on both and it makes it harder for me to want to buy a book where there are sections I am skipping, other than the basic crochet techniques.
Overall, I recommend this book, though I'm not sure to whom. I suspect this would not have been a useful book when I was first learning crochet. There are too many discussions of rather advanced techniques for the absolute beginner and not enough detail on the techniques beginners need. I definitely think this would be helpful for an experienced beginner and I, as an intermediate crocheter, found it helpful. But I am not sure all intermediate crocheters would have found it helpful, especially if they learned crochet from an advanced crocheter instead a hodgepodge of learning from the internet, free classes, trial and error, and crochet books. I definitely missed some key tips early on that another intermediate crocheter may have learned from their teacher or mentor. I do suspect that there isn't much new in here for the expert crocheter, unless they haven't branched out into design, though this seems too basic to be very helpful for the expert. Definitely, if this book looks interesting to you, give it a go. It has amazing pictures to detail topics it covers and has great page layout. At the very least, you will enjoy looking at the book, even if the content isn't life changing.
The book does cover some basic techniques, like weaving in yarn ends, and to a certain degree, these discussions are a bit more indepth than found in other books. But, it covers these topics at odd times. For example, the book shows how to do basic stitches at page 48, after going over how to design your own crochet. The order felt off in other places as well, even for more skilled techniques. For example, the sock section starts by saying that socks are harder than mittens, but the section on mittens immediately follows socks. Wouldn't it be the other way if socks are harder? After I read that first sentence, I immediately flipped back a few pages to see if I had missed it. Simple things like this were a bit annoying, but not damaging to what I got out of the book.
This book focuses heavily on filet crochet, and while I can sort of understand, I also don't as it's not a technique I plan on using often if ever. It seems like a stitch that has mostly gone out of style, like granny squares, which are also heavily focused on. I would have preferred a heavier focus on more modern stitches for more modern designs, or, if I am wrong in my assessment of the importance of filet crochet and granny squares, a quick sentence on why would have been super helpful. I ended up skimming some of the detailed sections on both and it makes it harder for me to want to buy a book where there are sections I am skipping, other than the basic crochet techniques.
Overall, I recommend this book, though I'm not sure to whom. I suspect this would not have been a useful book when I was first learning crochet. There are too many discussions of rather advanced techniques for the absolute beginner and not enough detail on the techniques beginners need. I definitely think this would be helpful for an experienced beginner and I, as an intermediate crocheter, found it helpful. But I am not sure all intermediate crocheters would have found it helpful, especially if they learned crochet from an advanced crocheter instead a hodgepodge of learning from the internet, free classes, trial and error, and crochet books. I definitely missed some key tips early on that another intermediate crocheter may have learned from their teacher or mentor. I do suspect that there isn't much new in here for the expert crocheter, unless they haven't branched out into design, though this seems too basic to be very helpful for the expert. Definitely, if this book looks interesting to you, give it a go. It has amazing pictures to detail topics it covers and has great page layout. At the very least, you will enjoy looking at the book, even if the content isn't life changing.
May 18, 2019
I read the library copy of this today, and I must get a copy for myself. My great grandmother had taught me to crochet when I was a girl, and I have recently picked up the hobby again, spurred on by making a baby afghan for my supervisor. Yarns have changed quite a bit in the intervening years as have crochet trends and patterns.
This book is an easy read with good illustrations and it is organized well, going from basics to more expert stitches and techniques. It even covers ways to hand-dye your own yarn in small quantities.
Any beginner at crochet can understand this book and even folks who have some experience can learn new things. One caveat--do not expect projects from this book; it is tips and techniques only.
This book is an easy read with good illustrations and it is organized well, going from basics to more expert stitches and techniques. It even covers ways to hand-dye your own yarn in small quantities.
Any beginner at crochet can understand this book and even folks who have some experience can learn new things. One caveat--do not expect projects from this book; it is tips and techniques only.
February 21, 2019
This is a decent crochet tips book but more experienced crafters will know most of what is in here. Despite the plentiful, and sometimes minuscule, photographs, some techniques – like the back post stitch – could use more and clearer pictures. Not sure what the section on dyeing and setting up a dye studio really have to do with crochet. Brief, bite-sized instructions give you the basics but one would really want to look at other references for more depth. I don't think I need this on my reference shelf.
September 26, 2024
What a disappointment. I was expecting to find things like chainless foundation, invisible join, etc. instead it’s a very broad and very shallow coverage of crochet basics. One might find it helpful for designing clothes - I can’t judge that section. For me the entire book was useless.
May 11, 2018
no patterns but it does have a "try it" section. many good ideas as well!
February 6, 2019
This small book is filled with pictures and instructions for making different crochet stitches and patterns.
October 6, 2019
Wonderful book. Up to date patterns. Not old fashioned.
December 3, 2019
Good help
January 15, 2021
Okay crochet book with gorgeous color photography.
February 9, 2024
Wow. I’m not sure you’d need anything else in terms of technique except for this book it would certainly be a start. I don’t see any stars in here. But again, many things I’d like to make.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews