Customer Reviews

Crocheted Gifts In A Weekend: 70 Quick & Lively Projects to Make

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

 

 

Crocheted Gifts in a Weekend is chock-full of beautiful color photographs of every project that are so enticing, you can't wait to get started! There's a nice section on techniques and tips which explain basic stitches, finishing touches, abbreviations, crochet hook sizes, yarns to use, and even a table which shows both British and American terminology (the book uses American crochet terminology). There are several different sections, such as "Around the Home," "Filet Elegance," "Kitchen Classics," "Cover-Ups," "In the Bag" (with some very neat bag projects, including a hammock with matching sling bag!), "Kids' Stuff," "Nursery Favorites," and "Crocheted Critters." There are, of course, pot holders (what crochet gift book would be complete without them?), but these potholders are not your run-of-the-mill type; rather, there are some Fish potholders that are very cute, and one that features a childlike drawing of a house and tree...Lots of childrens' shirts, afghans, and stuffed animals. Scarves, a couple hats, and even a matching jacket set for a girl and her doll (in gorgeous blue, red, and green). This book brings back the passion of crochet all over again! The instructions include a rating (easy, intermediate, advanced), and are fairly easy to follow. The author includes brands of yarn when appropriate, and if no brand then a very good description of the type and weight. This book promises to help you give delightful gifts for everyone.

I love this book ! I bought it in need to increase my crocheting skill. Slowly but sure I did, thanks to this delightful book. The instructions are clearly given, full-color photographs and projects are challenging yet interesting to work on. Mostly, level of projects are ranging from intermediate to experience, but there's still basic techniques and glossary of stitches explained which makes it easier for beginners to catch up.

Quick ? Yes, it's quick, depending on how much time you spend and your crocheting skill. I already done the potholder pictured in the cover, it takes me three days to finish it, working lazily on it about 4-5 hours a day. For me, that counts as quick since I haven't make anything as fast and easy as this one !

This book also covers nice gifts for the nursery, cute selections of stuffed animal dolls and baby booties ! A great book to enjoy, as a gift or as a personal collection.

This book contains some very nice patterns, however, I've been finding them extremely difficult to use because of the very bad layout of the directions.

The strongest feature of this book is the quality color photography. But most of the pages are taken up by these photos and the directions are condensed into one difficult to read, solid block. The usual conventions of starting each new round or row on a new line and printing the word "Round" or "Row" in bold is not used. Consequently, the directions all blur together into one big chunk making them very hard to follow. More space should have been allocated to give more white space in the directions, even if it meant using smaller photographs.

It's a classic case of the graphic designer not understanding that a book like this needs to be legible for the user, and that there are certain conventions that are expected of crochet patterns.

Compare this to the superlative layout of "Vanna's Favorite Gift Afghans" and you'll see what I mean.

Lots of good projects for many occasions. Nola Theiss has another winner. Even some of the simpler gifts have little touches that make them spectacular (such as dishcloths and potholders). I often find, in the "many different projects" type books that I find only a few I would actually make, but "if there were world enough, and time," I would make pretty much all of these.

You'll find clothes for kids (summer sweater, hat, slippers), accessories for grown-ups, cute things for your kitchen and bathroom, elegant little "gifty" things such as sachets, and more.

One reviewer mentioned that the instructions aren't as clear as they could be. I can see her point, but I think the strength of the images makes up for this.

A fabulous collection of patterns for the beginning to advanced crocheter. Clear pictures of crochet techniques for all levels. This book contains patterns that would appropriate for personal gifts; baby gifts; gifts for a wedding or housewarming. There are also gifts that are suitable for birthdays; holidays or just because occasions. I recommend this book for all crocheters!