Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia of 300 Crochet Patterns, Stitches, and Designs

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

 

 

It's a good book to carry along with you at 8" x 5 1/4" in size with 240 pages full of patterns and information. Directions are given in both diagram and written form with pattern repeats making them easy to follow. Each pattern has a close up picture showing the detail of the stitches. The author also gives a lesson on how to read diagrams and multiply your pattern repeats so that you can work the patterns into your own designs. There is a list of symbols, abbreviations and definitions along with an excellent chapter of instructions for the basic crochet stitches included. Good size print makes the book easy to read and follow.

Each section shows the different kinds of stitches (sc, hdc, dc, cluster, popcorn, puff, relief, motifs, edgings, etc.), its variations, and two or more patterns using previously discussed type of stitches.

Good points: Each stitch is identified by the required multiples of chain, so that you'd know how many to use when designing your own pattern. Particularly good are the stitches shown in the puff, popcorn, relief, edgings, and some of the shell and v-stitch sections. Complete instructions and full illustration using International symbols are also provided per stitch. The patterns featured at the end of each section show good usage of stitches discussed. Font used is of a good, eye-friendly type and size. The book size in itself also makes for a handy reference tool.

Not-so-good points: First, there are quite a number of almost-similar stitches with almost no or very little distinction. Second, the photos are not consistently presented too; some are blurred and hazy. Too, the photos could've been shot at a better angle for better appreciation of the stitches. In fact it took me some effort to realize how pretty some of the stitches really are.

Finally (this can be good or bad depending on your needs) most of the stitches are of the lacy type.

The Encyclopedia of Crochet has been very helpful and most interesting. I've crocheted for many years, and I'm always intrigued by the new designs and stitches that someone has originated. I've really enjoyed trying the Afghan patterns. These are my favorites. The designs are beautiful, with easy-to-understand instructions.

I was looking for a small book "that had it all" persay, and I came across this little books sitting in a used bookstore. I think this is a great book for someone looking to start crocheting, without too much heavy, overbearing history to bog down what your looking to do...Crochet.

It has beautiful old patterns, that I haven't seen in new books, the whole feel gives you the idea and feel that Grandma has sat down and taught you to crochet. It's a smaller book (my copy is 8 inches by 5 inches) so it's great to throw in a bag with some small balls of yard to take with you anywhere.

Lots of folks have said different things about this book, good bad and indifferent, but I found it easy to follow, great to learn from, and for used copies being only 2.95 cents you can't really go wrong.

Happy Crocheting!

As Happy mentioned,it's good to see the different styles of stiches laid out in detail. However, I will shortly be spending a lot of time away from home, and find the recent travel crochet book by Nancy Bush a lot more pertinant to my own particular requirements.

Happy Crocheting everyone !

I have no idea why they call this book an Encyclopaedia, I can only suppose it's a marketing scam. For the life of me, I couldn't find the supposed 300 pattern & stitches. The photographs are terrible and in B&W. I did not find anything new under the sun and oh, the charts looked like they were made by an 8 yr old! In general the layout of the book is very unfriendly and hard to read. Extremely dissappointing.

This is a good book, but only if you are looking for lacy patterns. I agree with the woman who left the review just below mine, too many are very simliar in looks, & the photos do have something to be desired. I honestly do not recall what I paid for this book, but I'm sure it wasn't more than $5, w/o shipping & handling. I have to admit that I probably spent too much for it. Then again, in the future I may be in need of lacy patterns, just not right now or in the forseeable future.
One good thing about this book is that there are 'drawings' along with the photos, and the written instructions, which I believe are helpful.

A definite let down. I purchased this book online because it said it had the symbol patterns along with written out.

What a bummer because the symbols are handwritten and it is terribly done. Very sloppy pictures. On many they are so sloppy and jumbled together it makes it almost impossible to read the chart. I only read charts so useless to me.

I am shocked that anything would be printed without professional diagrams.

The black and white on every page is also totally boring and takes the fun out of searching through the patterns. There are too many wonderful books out there to bother with this one.
It should be off the market.

After seeing it, I wouldn't give more than 50 cents at a yard sale.

This book shows how to perform various crochet stitches, as stated. It is a basic book, with black and white and gray pictures throughout. I will say that it seems a little dated, but the information is still valid, and it's a good reference if you're looking to be reminded about how to perform certain stitches. However, I wouldn't recommend this book to someone who is completely new to crochet, as it's difficult to learn some of the stitches from black and white pictures. Someone who is more advanced at crocheting might be better-served by some of the newer crochet books out there with COLOR pictures. Rather dry and basic, but still informative.

I agree to a point with Lee On The Road about the Nancy Bush book providing a better traveling Crocheting experience, however it provides little information on how to carry the required equipment whilst travelling - and I believe that is something Lee ought to keep in mind.

This book, however, is the dullest book I have seen regarding the subject - and as such I have to disagree with the other comments featured here. The choice range is limited, and dare I say, stuck firmly in the sixties.

Instead, I firmly recommend the Big Book of Favorite Crochet Patterns with the cheerful introduction by Mary Waldrep.