Customer Reviews

The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet: Learn to Crochet with more than 30 Cool, Easy Patterns

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I saw this book on Amazon, and thought it looked interesting, but I prefer to check crochet books out of the library first, to preview them before I buy them. I got this book from the library today, and after looking through it, I must say that I love it! So many crochet books claim to have trendy or up to date patterns, but don't actually deliver. This book does. The patterns are cute, fresh and fun, but not so overly trendy as to look ridiculous.

I consider myself an advanced beginner crocheter (I've been crocheting for a year), and have been wanting to branch out into garments, but have had such a hard time finding easy, but still stylish crochet garment patterns. 99% of the patterns in this book are rated for beginner or advanced beginner crocheters, and I was pleased to see that there quite a few garment patterns. There are 31 patterns in all, listed below:

Chicks' Slit Top Felted Bag
Laguna Felted Crochet Hook Case
Purple Haze Fingerless Gloves
Girls' Night Out Triangle Wrap
Sunrise Shawl
Curly Scarf
Leftovers Diagonal Scarf
Zigzag Silk Bag
Retro Chevron Stripe Throw
Alex's T-Shirt Vest
MP3 Player Sock
Regatta Rolled-Brim Hat
Smellin' Like a Rose Washcloth
Laguna Felted Bag
Large Felted Christmas Stocking
Our Esprit Pullover
Artisan Belt
The No-Sweat Hoodie
Big N' Rich Pullover
Holey Cowl Pullover
Pet Sheep
Surfer Chick Quick Cap
Sensational Angora Wrap
The Boyfriend Basket Weave Scarf
Bad to the Bone Dog Jacket
Diva Dog Tutu
Chicks' Felted Zebra Slippers
Game Day Tee
Posh Ballet Wrap
Pocket Full of Posies Felted Purse
Heather's Cafe Cardigan

I can't vouch for the quality of the learn to crochet instruction, as I already know how to crochet and won't be using that part, but from what I read, the instructions seem to be pretty straightforward.

Really the only complaint I have about the book is that the patterns all use expensive, yarn-shop type yarns - beautiful, yes, but out of the price range of many new crocheters. It would be helpful if authors listed the numbered yarn weights used for each project, instead of just labeling the yarns as, for example "light worsted weight wool". They do give the yarn brands, so you could look up the yarn online, and find appropriate and less expensive substitutions though.

Overall though, I think this is a fantastic book, and I definitely plan on buying my own copy!

I was interested in buying this book for the hoodie pattern but when I saw the felted wool Christmas stocking I was sold. When I received the book I was really pleased to find many more really nice sweater designs to make plus some nice additional projects for items I had never seen before (felted wool stylish house slippers,a fluffy pet sheep) The book begins with the easiest project and builds on the skills as you progress. Many various beautiful wools are used with an emphasis on the yarn type rather than the brand so that you can easily substitute for a yarn you can find. The projects lean toward the young and hip but the authors are clearly my age (over 35) and model some of the projects too - I feel I can make any of these to suit my age/style very happily. A nice touch is a felted wool crochet case lined in fabric to help organize your growing collection of crochet hooks.

I saw this book at my local craft store. I flipped through the pages and when I got to the projects my jaw dropped. This is the crocheting book I've been looking for. There isn't a single project in there I wouldn't want to make. I'm in my late 20's, but there are projects that could be worn and adored by all ages. They are classy, yet up-to-date designs that could be timeless, not your grandmother's patterns. Also, the chicks encourage you to indulge in lush yarns, because admit, you're worth it! You don't have to use expense yarns, but if you're going to spend all that time making one of these projects it might be worth it. Just like their knitting version of this book you start out with the basics, work your way to different stitches and techniques and the projects follow suit. This is a beginner, advanced beginner book, but all stages of crocheters will love the patterns I guarantee it! Give this book a look - it definately deserves it!

I am not a beginner in crochet, but not a specialist either. I bought this book because I needed to understand what I was doing exactly, and also to learn new patterns, to improve my knowledge.
Usually, I hate following instructions, but this book is so easy to understand that I think it is perfect for beginners. And for good crocheters who want to try a new design as well.
It is the perfect guide for those who know a little like me for sure.
For once, we don't have "has-been" examples of things to crochet, it's more up-to-date, thanks to the authors for that !
The pictures are beautiful, the texts simple, everything is clear, happy, fun, not pretentious, not obscure, this book is a true pleasure to read and follow.
A five stars for this book with no hesitation !

I am a self taught crocheter, and this is the book that finally made it all make sense to me!!! This book is awesome, it has the best illistations and projects for teaching the stitch it wants you to learn. I wish every book was so well written. Believe me, I've bought several books to teach crocheting and this is the one I always come back to to review the stitches and try to figure out what all the rest of those books are trying to tell me.

This book is great for beginners. I especially appreciate the beginning sections of the book explaining not just the basics of how to make a slip-knot, starter chain, and single crochet stitch, but also:

--a great explanation of the different yarn types and weights, back to which I'm constantly referring
--a similar section explaining crochet hook sizes, including a chart
--various terminology, abbreviations, and pattern lingo
--numerous helpful hints, such as to buy all your yarn from the same dye lot

Throughout the book, the patterns include a lot of other little things experienced crocheters may have picked up along the way but that aren't found in simple patterns, including:

--How to use shorthand to keep track of your stitches
--How to felt and what to expect when doing so
--A couple of pages on the how, why, and what-to-do-with of test swatches
--How to choose a size when following a garment pattern
--Sewing and finishing, including blocking and various stitches

All these extra little gems make it a lovely reference as well as pattern book, though sometimes it takes a bit of flipping to find where things are explained.

While the projects could be done in any order, they're actually loosely laid out like lessons. The first two are really simple and use nothing but the single crochet stitch. They gradually move on to other stitches, multiple colors, and varying techniques, including rounds and clothing construction.

I really like most of the patterns in this book. The hats, sweaters, scarves, wraps, and bags are for the most part very modern and fun. I don't plan to make the dog sweaters, toy sheep, or Christmas stocking, but I'll probably make nearly everything else.

I did end up looking online for video of the stitches to clarify the instructions; they really could do with a few more pictures per stitch. However, since such video is readily and freely available, I don't think it detracts from the value of the book, which lies mainly in its patterns and supplemental info.

In short, it's a great buy for beginners and quickly builds confidence. I've already made a bag, the fingerless gloves, a wrap, and a scarf, and I just started a couple of weeks ago!

I ordered this for my wife, because she's trying to find a job, and was feeling pretty down that she's not been able to find something. So I got this, because she's pulled it out of our local library so many times, made a few lovely items, and I knew this would cheer her up. I was very successful!
She loves the ease of reading the patterns, great pictures in it, and she knows she can make something really special for herself, and a plus is now our chiuhahua will get a nice sweater!

I picked this book up in the bookstore because I was looking for a pattern for Christmas stockings. I've made 6 of the projects so far, and I have plans for quite a few more. The instructions are clear and the patterns easy to follow. My only complaint is that I'd prefer to see the number weight of the yarn rather than a "medium chunky" weight yarn, or some similar description. So far I've been able to modify the patterns to account for my yarn being of a slightly different weight, but it would be nice to not have to do that.

I think that there are better books if you want to learn to crochet, as I didn't find the stitch descriptions and photos that clear, but if you've got a good basic resource for stitches this is a great set of patterns to get you crocheting useful products!

This book has lots of different projects including scarves, hats, felting and sweaters!! I just started crocheting a year ago, and this book has given me all kinds of new projects to try - and the instructions make the projects seem not so intimidating. I am going to try two of the sweaters, and just completed the felted crochet hook holder - it was so much fun!!

this book has so many wonderful crochet patterns and helpful hints.
i made many and gave them as gifts. everyone loved the gift, even
my daughter!