Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia of 300 Crochet Patterns, Stitches and Designs

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

 

 

This book is a newer edition of the same publisher's book (same title) by Doris M. Smith, c1988. It has exactly the same stitches as before but book is much larger, schematics are much larger and easier to read, print is larger, and each chapter has a few projects (not in my earlier edition).Terms use American terminology. Stitches do not have descriptive titles only titled by number of multiples of stitches. No index. Illus in black and white, no colors. But for the price, certainly a useful addition to the crocheter's library of stitch collections.

There are several very good crochet stitch guides on the market. This is not one of them. I should have realized when I read the introduction and saw some blatant errors. It states that "These days machines crochet items as small as doilies and as large as sweaters and afghans." Wong. If you look up "crochet machine" on Google you will find a huge industrial machine that makes drapery trim. It does not, nor does any other machine, crochet doilies, sweaters or afghans.

Then it talks about the diagrams which it says are based on International Crochet
symbols "...the old European code used widely today" that were found in France.
Actually, the symbols we use today are of Japanese origin, and the earliest recorded
sighting of them is about 1915.

Finally, it says that crochet was called Nun's Work in the Middle Ages. But nothing
about crochet has ever been discovered as early as the Middle Ages.

Doesn't give much reason to trust the rest of the book.

Each stitch is presented with hand-drawn symbols (pretty well done), a fuzzy black and white photo of the stitch, usually worked pretty poorly, and written instructions.
Nothing new here. No color in the book except on the covers.

And as one previously revidwer pointed out, the covers feature a rectangular motif for a teddy bear block that may enduce someone to buy it. Too bad! The pattern for it is not in the book!

Save your money.

I was looking for books with patterns on Amazon. This book popped up. I liked the cover and the title. I did read some reviews and noticed that a few people were not happy with it. I took the chance though. Kicking myself now. The basic stich section is acceptable. The book does show detail on stitches, but so many of them are fuzzy. The pictures are black and white and they didn't turn out well at all. I am not happy with it. I guess it can sit on the shelf and look pretty with the cover that caught my attention in the first place.

You can't judge a book by it's cover! That's for sure! When I saw the Teddy Bear Square on the COVER of this book, I decided to buy it. Well, I went all through the book, page by page and it is not there. That is fraud as far as I'm concerned.
I thought perhaps there was a missing page, but NO! No missing page, just no Teddy Bear Square. I think this is very deceptive.
How can I trust the rest of this book????

Some of the patterns are a little difficult to see in the black and white photographs; but the combination of International Crochet Symbols and written instructions for each stitch and pattern is excellent. Makes it very easy to understand and is a very good introduction to the use of the International Crochet Symbols. If you don't know these symbols then buy this book. Each chapter deals with a different stitch and then gives a pattern so you can practice that stitch. Some very nice patterns in it.

Not a primer, not even really a project book. I love this book, I've checked it out repeatedly from the library, and it's the book I refer to when I'm designing things. I can't thank the person enough who was kind enough to put it on my bookshelf. My best friend wants a new scarf, I get this book, I'm working on an afgan for my husband, I reach for this book. I want to make a sampler shawl, this book again. I don't particularly want finished patterns, I like making things the way I want them, this book gives me the tools and stitches to do it with. Plus I prefer international crochet symbols, so that makes it even better for me.

I felt I needed to add my opinion on this book because some of the negative reviews I read were not fair. I think the person who wrote it has no clue on how to crochet and expected a teacher to be delivered to her door. The book is very clear in instruction; it is easy to read and understand. The only thing I would have liked to see improved would have been the photographs; color photos would have made the book perfect, but then, for a lousy ten bucks, you're not going to get perfection. I think this book is worth $10 which is all I paid for it; and I think it is clear on the stitch instructions. This book could be understood by a novice crocheter; I think the person who wrote such a negative review must be brain damaged.

The pictures in this book are horrible. Blurry in black and white. There's only simple stitches and nothing exciting. I have not used this book, and have had it for a few months now. I wasted my money :\

Great reference for stitches and block patterns. Easy to follow directions. One of my favorite crochet books so far.

Found this Enclopedia excellent. Very importantly it gives the difference to International Crochet all over the world. I found this excellent. Gave it to my daughter as she is just starting to crochet. Used it myself even though I am a seasoned crocheter. Excellent.