Customer Reviews

Lily Chin's Crochet Tips & Tricks: Shortcuts and Techniques Every Crocheter Should Know

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was worth every penny. It isn't just a rehash of information easily found elsewhere. There are definitely tips and tricks that have already made my crochet work easier and look better. I consider my self slight more advanced than a beginner in crochet, but in no way and expert. The only thing that could make this book better is if it were easier to find and locate information in the book.

Any crocheter could find at least one "Aha!" item worth the price of the book; most will find dozens. Each tip or section addresses an annoyance or obstacle with a truly better way to do the same thing. Both words and diagrams are clear. (Explaining hung gauge, she says that measuring gauge on a flat surface is fine for afghans, but for clothing "you will now know how big this garment will be if you were to wear it while lying down in bed!" -- wonderful writing.) Some things I knew, some I didn't know I knew, and most are improvements in crochet technique and results that I never even dreamed of. Yes, there are alternatives to awkward turning chains, and those gaps and lumps at increases, decreases, joins, and color changes are not built into crochet. This marvelous little book smoothes out *everything.* I've been crocheting for decades, and learned a lot. The opening reference section will be permanently useful, a few of the techniques are conceptual challenges (to me, at least), and the sections on adjusting patterns and doing the gruntwork of finishing a piece are both inspiring and reassuring. [A few oddities: she has left out alternatives to the slipknot start, and the flat-vs-round and pointy-vs-notpointy hook descriptions were confusing, to me -- but simply knowing that Bates vs Boye is one vs. t'other helps. On p. 165, cross-reference to intarsia reads p. 00, should be p. 127 -- but the index tells you that.] DEFINITELY in my top 10 crochet books.

This book is great. I honestly have no books by Lily Chin. But when I purchased this book I was amazed. The book is down to earth, like Lily Chin herself and offers alot of short cuts and good advice. If you are a novice crocheter or a long time veteran you will still be surprised by the great simple tips and tricks she offers using everyday items. This book is well worth the price and a must have item for any crocheter. Its small and convenient and fits right in your crochet bag. Not only is it helpful but its a really great read. Buy it. Believe me, you need it and you will enjoy it.

The first half of this book has the usual "how to make stitches," "how to start," "make a swatch," and so on that you will see in almost any other how to book. What distinguishes this book from others is the extensive sections on how not to need to rip out everything and how to join without sewing. Ms. Chin also does a better than fair job of showing smooth joins. I have been crocheting for nearly 10 years, and this is the first clear presentation of how to remove bad sections without ripping from the top. I have done what she's described before, but the clear directions were a good review. That said, if you are a real perfectionist crocheter, much of what is in this book won't help--you'll rip back to the mistake to fix it, no matter what. Also, trying to join pieces as you crochet may seem like a good idea, but if you can do that, why not rework the pattern to crochet in the round for the sections from armpits to hips?

I would have liked a few more diagrams/pictures of some of the more complicated ideas (joining as you crochet for sweaters, etc.), but the explanations were clear. The book is very readable, and the index is good. If you already have a "tips and tricks" book of some sort, you probably don't need this one as well; however, if you do make "big" mistakes and hate to rip, this has very nice solutions for fixing that.

Lily is a wealth of information. Her "Tips & Tricks" classes always sell out immediately after offering. Finally, Lily wrote a book with all her tidbits for crocheters that every crocheter wants to know.
Pick up a copy of this book. It's choked full of information - like having Lily in your living room when you need help.
It's a great book. Don't hesitate!

I wish I had purchased another reference book, like The Crochet Answer Book. I'm using this book for the last 3 weeks, and every time I need an answer, I don't find in it, and I have to search on the internet. For example, just now I needed to know what FPDC stands for, and it is not in the crochet abbreviation section! Nor BPDC... these are widely used stitches, and I had to find on the internet the answer: Front Post and Back Post Double Crochet. Another goof: on page 28 there is a table for yarn standards which gives NEEDLES sizes... not hook sizes, why on earth do I need needle sizes? I thought I purchased a crochet book! Again, I had to search for a table with yarn/hook sizing references. Even the nice tips, like the "Major Surgery" section (only 2 pages), that would have been great if they had more information, lack details.

Don't be fooled: the "A-Ha moments" they like to mention so much to advertize this book can be easily found on almost every crochet blog, not to mention Ravelry.

Love this book and would recommend it to anyone that takes their work seriously. I have taken this class with Lily at CGOA conferences and it is worth it. You never remember all the things you pick up in class so this becomes a nice handy reference. She covers the basic areas you may have problems with and some of the more advanced ones. Lily is an expert crocheter and knitter. I was glad to see she is finally publishing what she knows.

This book is priceless! Tons of tips even a long-time crocheter (like me) can use. HIGHLY recommended.

I wish I would have got this book first!

Not only does it have tips and tricks but it also has information that is beneficial to a beginner. When I decided to ease myself back into Crochet I purchased "The Knitting and Crochet Bible" and while it appears to be pretty comprehensive the information is very basic. AND IT IS HUGE! (Not the best thing to carry when you want to take your references with you).

I would recommend beginners start with Ms. Chin's book for the following reasons: The information is brief, to the point and just enough not to wear you out - the book is compact and can tuck away easily as a reference on the go. The illustrations are easy to follow and understand - whether it is a step-by-step illustration or somewhat finished they are easier (in my experience) to follow than an actual photograph of a piece. Some of Ms. Chin's tips and tricks were of benefit to me immediately - I even got a few Aha! moments reading through. The author is witty - there were times reading through that she injects a little humor and makes it less of a chore to read (those of you who would rather get on with it may actually enjoy reading this book!

While most with experience may not need this - I think it is a must have for those falling in the beginners and intermediate skill set.

Lily Chin's Crochet Tips & Tricks provides a nearly toteable sized book gathering over seventy of her best techniques - many gathered from her regularly sold-out classes. From easy solutions to crocheter's peeves to working with coned yarns, cheating at the beginning of a row, and more, this is packed with insights any knitter or knitting library needs.