Customer Reviews

Harmony Guides: Basic Crochet Stitches (The Harmony Guides)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This guide walks the reader through the gamut of crochet competence, from kindergarten to post-doc, as it were. I am a fairly experienced crocheter but had never learned how to read a diagram until using this book. Each stitch pattern is presented in a clear, close-to-real-size photo, written directions, and a stitch diagram. This three-pronged approach is very helpful in clearing up any confusion the reader might experience in learning the stitch.

Some of the 250 stitches are somewhat redundant, with only negligible differences. The diagram key and abbreviations section appear at the end of the book, and would better have been included in the instructions section that precedes the gallery fo stitches.

As an intermediate crocheter who is learning the craft through books, I would recommend this book. Though some of the patterns have been included in other texts, I find the presentation of the patterns in groups of similar types of stitch combinations, i.e., lace patterns etc. most helpful. My personal road to learning both crochet and knitting is to practice patterns that include similar concepts, thus reinforcing my understanding and assimilation of the particular area on which I have been concentrating. Also, I have incorporated patterns from this book into beautiful scarf patterns. The pictures are in color and the patterns are clearly represented.

There is some great information in this book. It seems to have a flow from very simple to various trends (like shell shaped stitches, or puffs). Most of the instructions include both chart and written instructions, but a few don't have the chart which I admit I'd like to see on all of them even if they're a little dull.

This is a great reference for a variety of crochet stitches. Single crochet, cables, solomon's knot, lacy fabric, and more are included in this book. It includes written instructions and a diagram along with pictures of each stitch. It would have been nice if yarn weight was discussed for each stitch pattern, but I suppose that this kind of reference book is meant to be flexible. By choosing your own yarn weight and hook size you can change the look of the stitch pattern. I use the stitches in this book to design my own patterns as well as to tweak other patterns to my liking.

This book allowed me to create my own patterns using the stitches included in the book. The first 28 pages clearly explain how to use the book, how to read the graphs and written instructions, and how to do the stitches. I would highly recommend this book to someone who has been crocheting for awhile and is ready to move from basic afghans. I can't wait to use her concept of "creating fabric" for other uses.

Basic Stitches By Erica Knight is a great book for beginner crocheters. The book demonstrates the basic stitches and has projects and exercises so that you learn the steps to crochet. Also this book is written by Erica Knight and is part of the Interweave family. This book will help you build the skills in crochet that you can advance on to other Interweave projects. It is written well. Any beginner crocheter needs this book in their arsenol.

Don't expect 250 vastly different stitches but there is a lot to be said for dozens of different stitches presented with variations. This book is for those with immagination...no telling you what kind of yarn to use or what size hook to engage, but each page and each example is crisp and concise! Be brave! Experiment! Buy it! Use it! Crochet!

For a crocheter, The Harmony Guides is valuable as an instructional manual. I am also glad that I purchased it, as a work of art, itself! I had the book out on my table, and guests (who do not knit or crochet) were paging through it and remarking on the beauty of it -- just to look at.

This book is an essential guide that will inspire you to make lots of new projects, incorporating new and challenging stitches that you might not have attempted before. What a super book!

I love this book! I saw it in the store and knew I had to go home and look for it online. It has a wide variety of kinds of stitches, and the foreward with comments on techniques is a good read, especially for those that are fairly new to crochet. My experience was about 8 months when I got this book, and while I struggled to read an actual "diagram" of a pattern, I perservered! The styles have piqued my imagination, and I think they would do the same for you. This same editor and book has another one that is worth checking out: "Harmony Guides: Crochet Stitch Motifs." I'd also recommend that as well. They are good to have in your library! While most of the patterns can be found on other online sites, these are well-written and, as I have found in some cases, more professional looking.

This makes me want to crotchet. The pictures are clear and I tried different stitches. It is such a lovely book I keep it on the coffee table.