I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting: Updated Edition (Leisure Arts #4061) (Kooler) [Paperback]

Leisure Arts (Author)

Book Description

Series: Kooler | Publication Date: December 1, 2006

Updated with color how-to photos and the latest techniques (such as felting), this easy-to-follow handbook is a complete guide to everything beginning crocheters need to know to create beautiful handmade projects.
You'll learn how to work stitches, rows, and rounds; join pieces; change colors; determine gauge and sizing, understand instructions, hold a hook and yarn, and much more! There are even special illustrations for left-handed crocheters! The book is chock-full of time-tested fundamentals that experienced crocheters will find useful, too.
Seven trendy projects include dishcloths, afghans, a koala bear, a scarf, vests, a felted purse, and a baby afghan.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Any short quote, with source, that you would like to show online. Must use html tags, not returns, to indicate new paragraphs (

at the end of a paragraph and

at the start of a new paragraph)

About the Author

Leisure Arts is a leading publisher and distributor of “how-to” and lifestyle publications with emphasis on creative crafts, needlework, decorating, and entertaining.  Leisure Arts is located in Little Rock, AR.

Product Details

• Paperback: 68 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Arts, Inc.; Updated edition (December 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601400896
• ISBN-13: 978-1601400895
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for new crocheters!, March 15, 2007

By 

Laura C. O'Neal (Euclid, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting: Updated Edition (Leisure Arts #4061) (Kooler) (Paperback)

I bought this book after getting frustrated trying to learn how to crochet from the black and white drawings found in other crochet books/pamphlets. I found the instructions and photos extremely easy to follow, and also liked that the book has supplementary information on hook sizes, yarn types, decreasing and increasing stitches, and felting crocheted items. The book does seem to be geared towards younger (teens and early 20's) people, but I didn't find that it detracted from the book. As far as patterns go, I thought they were just OK - nothing special, although there is a pattern for a round felted bag that I thought would be really cute to make for my daughter. Overall, I was very pleased with the book, and feel that it is worth buying just for the crochet instructions alone. I also highly recommend the Leisure Arts I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting DVD.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful learning tool, February 24, 2007

By 

Barbara Rhoades "Jackie of all Trades" (O'Fallon, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting: Updated Edition (Leisure Arts #4061) (Kooler) (Paperback)

I wish I had this book available when I began teaching crocheting 30 years ago. What a wonderfully, easy-to-use and understand book. Lots of great illustrations show the reader exactly what is being explained. I always said if I could "send my hands home" with my students, no one would every say they couldn't crochet. The photos show a hand holding the hook and yarn so there is no way to misunderstand what is being read. With almost 50 pages of explanations of how-to's, anyone will be an expert by the time they get to the patterns.

Beginning with the slip knot right on through to treble crochet, each stitch is shown in great detail. AND, it is shown for both right and left handed people! Once your get through the basics, the patterns range from very simple - as making a dish cloth - to more intricate - as making a vest. There are scarves, afghans, a Koala bear and a purse to make as well. A little something for everyone is given in this book.

A page of yarn information is provided as well as an Index just in case you forget how to create a half double crochet. Just go to the Index, look up what you want and go right to that page. No hunting around in the book to find it. Simple!

Now no one has an excuse for not learning to crochet. With this book, a hook, some yarn and a little time, you will be creating wonderful gifts to everyone. You may even not want to part with them but keep them for yourself!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Lefties!, September 3, 2009

By 

kathy (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting: Updated Edition (Leisure Arts #4061) (Kooler) (Paperback)

I tried for years to learn to crochet and couldn't find anyone to teach me as I am left-handed. This book has detailed instructions, with photos(not drawings), of all the stitches, with the left-handed version on the opposite page of the right-handed one. Using it, I was able to teach myself all the basic stitches, and I have gone on to make many projects, including an afghan, baby items, and hats for charity!
This is actually my 2nd copy of the book--I gave the 1st to my left-handed daughter!
I highly recommend "I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting" to anyone interested in learning this skill--left-or right-handed!