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Crocheting in Plain English: Easy-to-follow lessons in patterns, Sensible solutions to nagging problems, The only book any crocheter will ever Need.
At last, crocheters without the benefit of a friendly instructor can find th help they need in Crocheting in Plain English. Even if you've never held a crochet hook before, Maggie Righetti's sound instructions and encouragement will help get you startd. If youre an experienced crocheter, you'll find dozens of tips for perfecting your techniques. This comprehensive, common-sense guide covers virtually everything you need to know about
Selecting threads and yarns
Determining gauge
Working with the right tools
How to interpret patterns and instructions
Increasing and decreasing
How to fix mistakes
Basic stitches (chain, double, triple, slip)
Sixteen different fabric pattern stitches
Assembling the finished product
How to block, clean, and care for crocheted articles
and much more
Each technique is illustrated with clear drawings, charts or photos. Complet with a detail glossary of crochet terms, Crocheting in Plain English is one sourcebook no crocheter should do without.
Selecting threads and yarns
Determining gauge
Working with the right tools
How to interpret patterns and instructions
Increasing and decreasing
How to fix mistakes
Basic stitches (chain, double, triple, slip)
Sixteen different fabric pattern stitches
Assembling the finished product
How to block, clean, and care for crocheted articles
and much more
Each technique is illustrated with clear drawings, charts or photos. Complet with a detail glossary of crochet terms, Crocheting in Plain English is one sourcebook no crocheter should do without.
244 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 1988
6 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 19, 2008
If you have a hankering to learn crochet, this lady's books are as good as you get.
July 17, 2023
I like this book it seem to have given me a lot of information about crocheting that I did not know already. Unfortunately, apparently, I cannot learn how to crochet from a book. I need somebody to teach me. Other than that, this book did have very good information in it.
August 20, 2017
I never really did learn how to read the graphs you always see in books the written directions were always easier. But after reading this book, I might try it, and see how it goes.
June 14, 2011
"Crocheting in Plain English" gives in-depth instruction on how to crochet. The author assumes you're an absolute beginner, but this book is also useful for beginners in general and people who have taught themselves to crochet.
Actually, this book almost has too much information for the absolute beginner. When I read the first few chapters, I had never bought yarn or any of the equipment. I was hoping to save time and money by getting it right the first time. I was almost overwhelmed by the depth of information she gave. Yet she sometimes didn't give enough information when I really wanted more (like she said she found one general type of hook better than another, but she didn't really say why). After working with several types of yarns and hooks, I understood that whole section, but it wasn't clear until then. And I did end up having to buy another set of hooks (Susan Bates hooks) to replace the Boye hooks I'd initially bought.
I also found it a bit ironic that she (very poetically) stated that you must hold the hook and yarn in a certain way--and I already knew from watching a few YouTube videos that not everyone did it that way--yet later, when teaching stitches, she was very "do whatever works for you" in attitude.
Overall, though, I found this book to be very useful and instructive. I think it's main strengths are teaching you to read patterns, teaching you to understand how various "fancy stitches" are put together so you can "mix and match" to make your own, and helping you understand how to create your own project patterns. I had problems figuring out three of the non-basic stitches (due to either a poor illustration, an error in the pattern diagram, or her using a term that she usually used to mean something else), but I did eventually figure them all out.
The book covered:
Chapter 1 - The history of crochet.
Chapter 2 - Being honest with yourself when picking projects.
Chapter 3 - Choosing threads and yarns (sizing, quality, finishes, and color & dye lot).
Chapter 4 - Choosing crochet hooks (parts of, shapes, material made of, and sizes).
Chapter 5 - How to determine gauge for a printed-instruction project.
Chapter 6 - Introduction to reading patterns.
Chapter 7 - Other supplies (bag, scissors, yarn needles, tape measure, ring markers, etc.).
Chapter 8 - Basics: how to hold the hook, make a slip loop, and crochet left- or right-handed.
Chapter 9 - Chain Stitch (how to do it and the pattern abbreviation)
Chapter 10 - Single Crochet Stitch (American) (how to do it, what it's good for, and the pattern abbreviation)
Chapter 11 - Half-Double Crochet Stitch
Chapter 12 - Double Crochet Stitch
Chapter 13 - Treble Crochet Stitch & longer stitches
Chapter 14 - Slip Stitch
Chapter 15 - Several ways to add new yarn/change colors.
Chapter 16 - Increasing (several methods)
Chapter 17 - Decreasing (several methods), Puff Stitch
Chapter 18 - You don't have to work through both loops, you don't have to put your hook in the next stitch, and several other variations. Making a circle. Crab stitch. Crossed stitches. Picots. Popcorn stitch.
Chapter 19 - How to improvise and invent.
Chapter 20 - Several ways to fix mistakes.
Chapter 21 - Fancy stitches: mesh fabrics, filet crochet, open V, simple double crochet shells (2 ways), combining a shell and V (2 ways), ripple afghan stitch, fishnet, arch stitch, herringbone, diagonal popcorns, lover's knots, spiderweb, up-and-down stitch, my lady's fan, and Queen Anne's lace.
Chapter 22 - Making medallions and Motifs: Black-Eyed Susans, Granny Squares, Spiral Pinwheel Hexagon, Irish Rose Square with Picots, Pineapple in Square, and circular flower motif.
Chapter 23 - How to add lace edgings to linens. Edging patterns: picoted double crochet shells, morning sunrise, handmade rickrack, lovely lace, festive fans, pineapples, and violets.
Chapter 24 - Crocheted decorations: cabbage rose, pansy, double daisy, chrysanthemum, 5-point star, 4-leafed clover, and butterfly.
Chapter 25 - How to do multicolor jacquard crochet patterns. Patterns: balloons, never-ending triangles, and plaids.
Chapter 26 - Several methods of joining several-piece projects together.
Chapter 27 - Decorative finishing touches: how to make fringe, tassels, pom-poms, twisted monk's cord, crocheted cord, and yarn buttons (round or flat).
Chapter 28 - How to store and wash crocheted objects.
Chapter 29 - Project: Sampler Scarf
Chapter 30 - Project: Easiest Sweater
Chapter 31 - Projects: Table/Tray Mat, Treble Crocheted Striped Afghan, Raglan Baby Sweater, and Baby Bonnet.
Glossary, Common Symbols chart, Suggested Websites, Index
Actually, this book almost has too much information for the absolute beginner. When I read the first few chapters, I had never bought yarn or any of the equipment. I was hoping to save time and money by getting it right the first time. I was almost overwhelmed by the depth of information she gave. Yet she sometimes didn't give enough information when I really wanted more (like she said she found one general type of hook better than another, but she didn't really say why). After working with several types of yarns and hooks, I understood that whole section, but it wasn't clear until then. And I did end up having to buy another set of hooks (Susan Bates hooks) to replace the Boye hooks I'd initially bought.
I also found it a bit ironic that she (very poetically) stated that you must hold the hook and yarn in a certain way--and I already knew from watching a few YouTube videos that not everyone did it that way--yet later, when teaching stitches, she was very "do whatever works for you" in attitude.
Overall, though, I found this book to be very useful and instructive. I think it's main strengths are teaching you to read patterns, teaching you to understand how various "fancy stitches" are put together so you can "mix and match" to make your own, and helping you understand how to create your own project patterns. I had problems figuring out three of the non-basic stitches (due to either a poor illustration, an error in the pattern diagram, or her using a term that she usually used to mean something else), but I did eventually figure them all out.
The book covered:
Chapter 1 - The history of crochet.
Chapter 2 - Being honest with yourself when picking projects.
Chapter 3 - Choosing threads and yarns (sizing, quality, finishes, and color & dye lot).
Chapter 4 - Choosing crochet hooks (parts of, shapes, material made of, and sizes).
Chapter 5 - How to determine gauge for a printed-instruction project.
Chapter 6 - Introduction to reading patterns.
Chapter 7 - Other supplies (bag, scissors, yarn needles, tape measure, ring markers, etc.).
Chapter 8 - Basics: how to hold the hook, make a slip loop, and crochet left- or right-handed.
Chapter 9 - Chain Stitch (how to do it and the pattern abbreviation)
Chapter 10 - Single Crochet Stitch (American) (how to do it, what it's good for, and the pattern abbreviation)
Chapter 11 - Half-Double Crochet Stitch
Chapter 12 - Double Crochet Stitch
Chapter 13 - Treble Crochet Stitch & longer stitches
Chapter 14 - Slip Stitch
Chapter 15 - Several ways to add new yarn/change colors.
Chapter 16 - Increasing (several methods)
Chapter 17 - Decreasing (several methods), Puff Stitch
Chapter 18 - You don't have to work through both loops, you don't have to put your hook in the next stitch, and several other variations. Making a circle. Crab stitch. Crossed stitches. Picots. Popcorn stitch.
Chapter 19 - How to improvise and invent.
Chapter 20 - Several ways to fix mistakes.
Chapter 21 - Fancy stitches: mesh fabrics, filet crochet, open V, simple double crochet shells (2 ways), combining a shell and V (2 ways), ripple afghan stitch, fishnet, arch stitch, herringbone, diagonal popcorns, lover's knots, spiderweb, up-and-down stitch, my lady's fan, and Queen Anne's lace.
Chapter 22 - Making medallions and Motifs: Black-Eyed Susans, Granny Squares, Spiral Pinwheel Hexagon, Irish Rose Square with Picots, Pineapple in Square, and circular flower motif.
Chapter 23 - How to add lace edgings to linens. Edging patterns: picoted double crochet shells, morning sunrise, handmade rickrack, lovely lace, festive fans, pineapples, and violets.
Chapter 24 - Crocheted decorations: cabbage rose, pansy, double daisy, chrysanthemum, 5-point star, 4-leafed clover, and butterfly.
Chapter 25 - How to do multicolor jacquard crochet patterns. Patterns: balloons, never-ending triangles, and plaids.
Chapter 26 - Several methods of joining several-piece projects together.
Chapter 27 - Decorative finishing touches: how to make fringe, tassels, pom-poms, twisted monk's cord, crocheted cord, and yarn buttons (round or flat).
Chapter 28 - How to store and wash crocheted objects.
Chapter 29 - Project: Sampler Scarf
Chapter 30 - Project: Easiest Sweater
Chapter 31 - Projects: Table/Tray Mat, Treble Crocheted Striped Afghan, Raglan Baby Sweater, and Baby Bonnet.
Glossary, Common Symbols chart, Suggested Websites, Index
January 26, 2014
I love to crochet and brought this book thinking it would be helpful. Alas, no. There were two things about the book that made me so angry. One was Ms Righetti's insistence that there is one and only one way to hold your crochet hook. I hold my hook like a knife, which according to the author is all wrong and should have me consigned to the circle of shame. But it works for me. Also, the author has a bad habit of beginning a stitch pattern and then telling us that we know what to do so finish it on our own. I would love to do the spiderweb shawl, but she stops right in the middle.
I wanted to like the book, but I can't really recommend it.
I wanted to like the book, but I can't really recommend it.
May 29, 2015
Crocheting in Plain English
Starts out with basic things: tools and stitches. There are also tips for the advanced crocheters along with beginners.
Instructions on the stitches, yarn, patterns included. Even though I am a published crochet designer I find I learn something new.
Great reference book because it covers everything...this was an audio book, the printed version would be a lot better as you'd be able to see the pictures and charts and diagrams.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Starts out with basic things: tools and stitches. There are also tips for the advanced crocheters along with beginners.
Instructions on the stitches, yarn, patterns included. Even though I am a published crochet designer I find I learn something new.
Great reference book because it covers everything...this was an audio book, the printed version would be a lot better as you'd be able to see the pictures and charts and diagrams.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Read
April 28, 2010I'm re-teaching myself crochet -- the "proper" way this time -- by working through this book. It's very well-written and clear! I think I'll check out the author's book on knitting too, just for curiosity.
In comparing with a few other books, I'm realizing that Maggie tells us to hold the crochet hook differently than everyone else, I think... She says always, always keep your right hand below the hook. Everyone else I've read either says to hold the hook as a pen or as a knife.
In comparing with a few other books, I'm realizing that Maggie tells us to hold the crochet hook differently than everyone else, I think... She says always, always keep your right hand below the hook. Everyone else I've read either says to hold the hook as a pen or as a knife.
December 19, 2008
I bought this book as a self-taught crocheter... My mom didn't even know all this stuff, and let me tell you, learning from her was TOUGH - not sure why, I think we speak two different languages.
This guide is SIMPLE to learn from and explains all the basics you really need if you want to move on to patterns.
I MUST if you really love crochet but want to move on from making washcloths. HA
This guide is SIMPLE to learn from and explains all the basics you really need if you want to move on to patterns.
I MUST if you really love crochet but want to move on from making washcloths. HA
July 5, 2010
This is a FANTASTIC book for beginners or experts alike! I'd been crocheting for years and years before I found this book, but its comprehensive contents still had something for me to learn. I consult it every time I start something new, and it always has a bit of insight to guide me.
November 10, 2014
This is one of my few crafting books that I sat down and read through like I would any other book. It was really helpful in re-introducing me to crochet. I loved the section on crocheting left-handed.
April 12, 2013
Some good information but it's a bit out of date even for 2008. The writer's prose style is irritating, as if she were faking familiarity.
I also don't think anyone capable of reading this very simply written book needs to be told what an even number is.
I also don't think anyone capable of reading this very simply written book needs to be told what an even number is.
October 30, 2009
I didn't care for the writing style and didn't find many interesting patterns.
May 25, 2022
Basic crochet info, written in an easy to understand way, with lots of good tips
July 31, 2016
Sometimes the illustrations aren't very demonstrative but the written information is detailed and I loved the author's surprising wit!
February 2, 2016
This really IS the only book I have ever needed since I bought it years and years ago. It's wonderful. What more can I possibly say?
June 19, 2012
Great book. Funny too!~
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews