300 Crochet Stitches (The Harmony Guides, V. 6) [Paperback]

The Harmony Guides (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1999

The Harmony Guides are a series of highly practical, illustrated guides to hand knitting and crochet, explaining basic techniques from start to finish. This volume offers 300 stitches for crochet, and includes basic stitches, lace patterns, motifs, filet, clusters, shells, bobbles, and loops.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These two crochet stitch compendiums were first published as The Harmony Guide to Crochet Stitches and The Harmony Guide to 100s More Crochet Stitches. Stitch patterns are an excellent source of inspiration for crocheters wishing to put together their own individual designs, and these collections are among the best this reviewer has seen. 300 Crochet Stitches includes lace patterns, motifs, filet, clusters, shells, bobbles, and looped stitches, while 220 Crochet Stitches covers all-over patterns, edgings and trimmings, motifs, and Irish-style crochet. Full-color illustrations are superb, and stitch patterns include both diagrammed and written instructions. If only the publisher had matched the good-quality paper and printing with a strong binding; as with all the "Harmony Guides," these titles will require rebinding after a few circulations. Recommended for public libraries not owning the earlier edition.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Collins & Brown (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855856387
• ISBN-13: 978-1855856387
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #894,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have!, July 17, 2000

By 

Happy - See all my reviews

This review is from: 300 Crochet Stitches (The Harmony Guides, V. 6) (Paperback)

Positively grand array of stitches! This is a must-have for the serious crocheter, especially for those who are venturing into designing their own crocheted items. This superb collection, all presented in full color, are exquisite, and far more beautiful than any I have seen. The instructions are excellent. Each stitch comes complete with diagrams and multiples of chains necessary to make the stitches.

Looking through this book, I can envision lovely crocheted garments such as cardigans, jackets, tops, shawls, etc., as the stitches here would doubtless match any lovely knitted stitch that exists. In this book, the following chapters are:

Introduction - gives basic crochet instructions (how to hold the hook, making crochet fabric, changing colors, etc.)

Basic stitches - lets you explore how each sc, hdc, dc, and tr work

Variations - basically lets you see how different and beautiful the effects would be if you fish your hook in the different loops of each preceding row

Clusters - about 10 nice stitches that are suitable for making solid fabrics

Textured Stitches - an absolutely lovely collection of stitches that make you want to grab your hook and start working on a piece right away

Spikes - another striking collection of stitches that are so beautifully photographed, you can almost feel the textures!

Relief and Puff - like the "Spikes" chapter, you continue to look at the pictures here as though you're actually holding the finished fabric in your hand

Knobbles and Bobbles; Patterns for Texture and Color - the stitches in these two chapters continue to be so stunning you'll wonder if these are actually possible to work those with crochet (and they actually are!)

Filet - shows charts for the alphabet, among others

Openwork and Lace Patterns - another display of exquisite stitches that sets your creative juices running

Motifs - shows beautiful medallions that are not found anywhere

Edgings and Trimmings - all very lovely and uniquely beautiful

Tunisian Crochet - stitches you wouldn't expect done in the usual Tunisian manner

Now, GO BUY this book!

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you crochet, you need this one., March 29, 2002

By 

Mary Santana (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 300 Crochet Stitches (The Harmony Guides, V. 6) (Paperback)

Wow! This is the best crochet book I have ever bought, and I have a lot of them. I design my own patterns for baby blankets and this book is a treasure trove of ideas for patterns. I've had the book just a few days and have made samples of many of the different stitches to see how they work. There are step-by-step instructions for each and a very clear, easy to read diagram. I found stitches and stitch combinations I have not seen anywhere else. Any of you who design your own patterns, or want to try, this book is a must. If you're not into designing and just want a nice textured overall stitch for an afghan or for afghan squares, it's in here. There is also a very nice section on motifs - sqaure, round, triangle, pentagram, hexagon, star, floral.
I can put away all my other crochet books now. This one will go everywhere with me. Fellow crocheters -- do yourselves a favor and get this book.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive for what it promises, January 9, 2003

By 

"craftycatsmeow" (Montreal, Quebec CAN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 300 Crochet Stitches (The Harmony Guides, V. 6) (Paperback)

I've had both of the Harmony Guide books for over a year now and hopefully I will get lots of crochet time so that one day I can put them to good use. Although these books are impressive for what they promise I must caution you that I do not beleive that they replace all other crochet books or that they are a must have if you crochet. I also do not beleive that they are a good beginner's book because I don't see a beginner turning any of the stitches into a project unless they intend to make a lot of dishcloths. I know you're probably thinking why not an afghan, but for a beginner that would require too much planning and guage fiddling to make each of the sampler squares the same size and if they're going to use the same pattern stitch for an entire afghan then why would they need to know 300 pattern stitches and 220 more?

If you are avid on designing your own projects or are often looking for ways to modify projects however, then you will find these books to be a fabulous reference. The pictures are great, the instructions are clearly written and on top of each pattern stitch there is a guide specifying what the pattern stitch multiple is. You will find pattern stitches for texture, mixing color, for filet designs, motifs, edgings etc. These books really are impressive for the purpose they were written for. They are rich in inspiration and technique and you will most definately enjoy leafing through them and drooling over the pattern stitch pics.

If however, you are simply looking for ideas to add texture or creatively mix color and don't want to invest in a book that will show you tons of stitches, most of which you feel you will never get around to using, then invest in a pattern book with projects instead. For color combinations I highly recommend Lily Chin's Mosaic Magic : Afghans Made Easy as it opens your eyes to the numerous possibilities of mixing colors (more than the Harmony guide books) and the bonus is that her technique shows you how to do so without all the fuss of changing colors within the same row. For texture you could reference many online sources or opt for Afghan sampler books such as those published by Leisure Arts, my favorite of which is "63 more Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches combine to make an Heirloom Afghan". Both books also reference the multiple factor for the pattern stitches making the guesswork easier on you when adapting the pattern stitches to your intended pattern or design.