Crocheting For Dummies

by Susan Brittain, Karen Manthey

Are you hooked on the art of crochet? Not only can you make beautiful pieces of art and work on it virtually anywhere, crocheting also provides stress relief and is a great way to pass time without wasting it. It's a hobby that is highly addictive yet highly rewarding, though it may take a little bit more than a rainy afternoon and a ball of yarn to get started. Whether you're a first-time crocheter or looking to expand your skills, Crocheting For Dummies shows you how to choose the right tools, create basic stitches, and finish off your work. This hands-on guide provides step-by-step instructions and full-color photos that make it fun and easy to master the basics as well as more advanced techniques. You'll have the tools you need to:


Create consistency with a gauge swatch Decode crochet patterns, symbols, and diagrams Stitch a double, a triple, a double triple, and a half double crochet Increase and decrease stitches Crochet in circles Work with different colors Stitch texture and advanced patterns Create an Afghan stitch Make new styles with filet crocheting Join seams, sow buttons, add trims, and make pockets Block and care for your work Packed with instructions on different projects, as well as common mistakes and safety measures you should take to maximize your progress and fun, Crocheting For Dummies is the only guide you need to start creating beautiful designs in no time!

Genres: Crochet, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, Self Help, How To, Own

328 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[4cats]

Firstly I must point out that this has US crochet terms throughout, although you are given a conversion chart. The same goes for use of yarn, in the chapter Essential Equipment there is information on choosing yarn, types and weight of yarn, US terms are used again and there is no conversion chart for UK or Europe. This was the only downside for me, as am used to UK terms.

The book itself is full of information (I would expect no less from the Dummies range), there is an online resource for basic stitches, but within the book there are drawings to walk you through a stitch and well written instructions. After learning a technique in each chapter you will find at least one pattern to do, so it means you are constantly extending your crochet repetoire. The patterns are nice, a good mix of items starting with a facecloth (for beginners) and ending with a top. It is great for both newbies and experienced crocheters, I've been crocheting for a couple of years and found lots of great tips and techniques I hadn't thought of. Well written, easy to read, full of information, great reference book.

[Kimberly]

I have read several how-to books and this one is by far the best. Great explanations and photos. The patterns are excellent to start out with. I ended up purchasing this book to have on hand as a reference.

[Anna]

Everything is very easy to understand, and all the steps have neat lil diagrams.
Tons of tips & small jokes. Did I mention very step-by-step easy to read diagrams?!



.....too bad my fingers were just too daft to..uhhh.. learn past a basic stitch type

[Sarah]

I've always had passion for crochet. This book added a lot to my knowledge in crochet. It includes lots of illustrations that simplify and clarify the art of crochet. Thanks to the Dummies series.

[stormhawk]

If I didn't already know how to crochet, I probably could have. learned from this book.l

[Belle]

Well I can now crochet so I think that’s endorsement enough!

[Alix]

Sigh. What an absolute let down. Poorly organized. Project pictures are not labeled, so I guess I'll guess. Charts are super small, crammed on the bottom quarter of the page, and illegible. "Stitch symbols" are impossible to read. Pity. Written instructions are fine, but pattern projects rely on the charts. Unfortunately this combination of "follow the chart" when you can't read the chart doesn't make a cohesive or helpful book.

I do own "Knitting for Dummies", and that is an excellent book, and terrific learning tool. I was expecting (there's my problem) the same type of experience. Not even close.

[An Imaginary Cat]

Really simple explanations, illustrations of every move you need to make, and honestly, I think it's fantastic that they took into account all the left handed people reading this book, because not many people out there do.

[Mariam Aly]

I have been doing crochet for 4 years when I started reading the book. I definitly learnt a lot from it.

I wished there were more detailed pictures.

It is a very good reference with easy to follow instructions.

[Janet Hardesty]

So I have been crocheting for years but thanks to this book I have learned more stitches and patterns than ever I feel like I can make any thing. Thank you for showing me there is more to yarn than the granny square

[Sarah Norman]

So helpful

Such a lovely book. I used to crochet with my Nana, but I only could ever do a chain, no doubling back. All I could do was make a rope. My doctor recommended art therapy for part of my pain management, and it's been so helpful. Next comes dresses and blankets!

[Bishop Juneblood]

It taught me to crochet!

I had learned to knit when I was 14 with the knitting for dummies book, and I just now picked this book up, 13 years later, to learn how to crochet. Both of them are perfect books to get you started.

[Teresa cox]

Good for beginners!

[Alyson Mutch]

Great book for the beginner crocheter such as I am. I will keep this one close and refer to it often. Highly recommend.

[Cal]

Many inaccuracies and oversimplifications. My GF Robin has recently picked the hook back up, so shall give it to her with caution

[NicoleShep]

Take from it what you need and skip what you already know. It’s a general resource. I wouldn’t expect more than that out of this book

[Chelsea]

Good for beginners and people wanting to refresh their skills. Bad if you're looking for patterns. Probably why there's a crochet patterns for dummies book!

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

I have been crocheting for 37 years and didn't find this book very useful. If I was a beginner to the world of crochet I probably would look for a better book to learn from or give up. I was hoping to find more improved/easier ways of doing specific techniques such as joining squares, tucking in ends,or reading graphs. I didn't find anything in this book that I don't already know. IF I was a beginner this book would be hard to follow as it needs a lot more step by step directives as well as more pictures. I was able to follow along fairly easily as I already know how to crochet but this book wouldn't be a very good choice for a beginner.

My advice to beginners would be not to use this book as a learning tool. Learn ALL the basics first and get a very good understanding of what the stitches look like, what your gauge should be if it is necessary,AND know how to read a pattern. Once you have got everything down pat and are comfortable with crocheting THEN this book may be a good reference guide for you. This book may cause you unnecessary frustration or cause you to give up easily if you are just learning/beginning to crochet. There are better sources out there to help you on your journey of becoming a GREAT YARNIE!!!!

[Jan]

Only time will tell if this "dummy" is capable of crocheting. I think I'm yarn challenged. I read thru most of the early chapters in the book and will sit with a skein of yarn and book on lap to see if their instructions can overcome my handicap. At least I'll be able to "read" a skein of yarn, buy yarn appropriate for the project and know which hook to use. Very detailed and clearly written but, only time will tell.

[Andrea]

This was an amazing guide for teaching one's self. I loved the use of diagrams along with words and the opportunity to practice as you go. I also love that it has basic patterns that are fun to do. This book is a great reference as I have ventured on to more crochet patterns. Thanks to this book I have found a new obsession...I mean hobby.

[Kat Leavis]

A good place to start for those who have never learned to crochet. Well written however I would have preferred more photos and more is a step by step process. Overall worth taking a look at if you are interested in learning how to crochet.

[Jocelyn]

A very good resource to turn to for help, crochet abbreviations, new stitches etc. Clear diagrams and well set out sections. As a previous reviewer commented it is predominately American in terms and needle sizes, but not to worry, I can adapt to that.

[Anne]

I LOVE this resource book! I first borrowed it from the library to teach myself how to crochet. It was so good I had to buy my own copy. I still use it with nearly every project I do!

[Peace]

Great introduction to crocheting for someone who doesn't know anything about it. Using this book in conjunction with online videos and patterns, I've successfully finished several projects..

[Juicy_Groot]

I took a beginners class and Joann Fabrics and quickly checked this (large print) book out from the library soon after and I am very happy with it,the pictures and instructions are easy to follow.

[Sasha Lopez]

It would have been a better resource if the pictures were more detailed and in color. Yet it was great for a novice who does not know the terms and names of basic stitches.

[Tracy]

Clear instructions and generally easy to follow. One complaint is that parts of it are out of order. It gives you a pattern, but one of the stitches you need is in the next chapter.

[Lisa]

Great advice, with very good illustrations

[Deaustinbe]

Good, clear resource.

[Karen B.]

not as helpful as the other books I am using, primarily because it is not in color. Also this book can make things seem more complicated than they are.