Customer Reviews

Super Stitches Crochet: Essential Techniques Plus a Dictionary of more than 180 Stitch Patterns

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

 

 

I am a beginning crocheter (about 5 months). Although as a stitch dictionary I rather like this book, the sections called "Starting Crochet" and "Crochet Techniques" leave something to be desired. I didn't find all the text very easy to follow to complete the basic steps in the first part of the book.

It is fairly obvious that the authors are mostly familiar with thread crochet, and not so much with yarns, as they barely mention different types of yarns nor their weights and textures. The stitch samples in the book are all worked with "pearl cotton thread using a C/2 2.5 hook". Which is actually interesting since the book's inadequate IMHO chart of hook sizes lists a C/2 as 2.25 mm in steel and 2.75 in plastic or aluminum. And there was no mention whatsoever of a steel size 7/1.65mm, which I happened to have just purchased for my first thread crochet projects as recommended in a beginner's booklet.

The book says crochet cotton only goes up to size 5, yet I just bought some size 3 J&P Coats Royale Classic Crochet Cotton to work those same beginner patterns. And it says that cotton threads come in sizes 60 to 5; yet I readily find sizes 80 and 100 on the DMC web site. Indeed another crochet book says size 150 is even used.

The stitch diagrams are skimpy. They barely show the whole repeat of a pattern or motif; you're pretty much on your own figuring out how to make a continuous background out of any one of them, although they are pictured in photos. And they don't bother giving a diagram for the first 25 stitch patterns listed; I guess they considered these too basic to bother.

All that said, I think I will find the book useful. It has the best illustration I ever saw for how to do a knot stitch (love/Solomon's knots) and knot stitch trellis lace, a closed loop circle to start crochet in the round, and there's a very nice looking basketweave I want to try. I like the most of the motifs and stitches shown, unlike those "filler" ugly ones in some other books. And the photos are clearbut should have been a bit closer to see them better. I don't think it was necessary to block the samples so severely though; many look a bit flattened.

If you are an advanced crocheter without a stitch dictionary, you may find this book helpful in starting to design your own pieces. If you are a beginner, be aware that this book will NOT teach you to crochet. But if you are interested in making more interesting scarves, afghans, etc, this will be a good resource.

Will keep this one although I have quite a few dictionaries on crochet stitches. I liked the section on broomstick lace, many new stitches, haven't seen anywhere else and the lace edgings section. I also liked the format of the book, the colors and the yarn, this slightly shiny yarn that is used in the samples looks much better in photos. Finally someone with good taste. It looks like a book made with attention to detail. Ater seeing this I'll also buy the super stitches knitting.

I borrowed this book from my library, and it is going to go on my wish list. It is a nicely done, compact book that focuses mainly on pattern stitches. It is less of a 'how-to' and is probably aimed at more experienced crocheters, not a beginner. The section on basic stitches (making a foundation chain, etc.) could be a little more colorful.

The yarn used for the patterns makes it easy to see the stitch definition and the photos are clear. The book is small enough to easily take along, and it lays flat when opened. For most of the patterns, a chart is provided.

I was excited to find some patterns here that are different from my other stitch pattern books, and am looking forward to trying them out. I can't say for sure that these are not covered in any other book in existence (I haven't seen the Harmony Guides yet), but they were different enough to stand out at least to me.

I do wish the authors had named the stitches, however, rather than calling them "Solid 1" or "Trellis 5".

Now for the "but...":
The photo on page 101 (Fan 11 and 12) is the same photo as on page 103 for Trellis 1 and 2. I am no expert, but it is pretty clear to me that the photo actually belongs to the Fan patterns. I haven't gone through the rest of the book thoroughly yet to see if there are any other errors, but I did email the publisher about this issue. Hopefully they fix it in the next edition, or publish a correction page on their website.

In my own stash of books, I would rank this book behind "Encyclopedia of Crochet" (Kooler) and "The Crochet Stitch Bible" (Barnden).

Overall, I gave the book a 4 because of the pattern selection, the photography, and the clear layout. Stitch names and better error-checking would have bumped it up to a 5.

The stitches depicted here are varied and flexible enough to incorporate into many different designs. I especially like the fact that the patterns are given both in words and in pictures, because I find the pictures much easier to understand.

The only potential problem I noticed is that all the examples shown were made using either mercerized cotton or nylon. Since those yarns look drastically different from the worsted-weight yarns that crocheters typically use, your end product can look strikingly different from the picture.

I've got decent vision but this is ridiculous. However, I liked the book so much I took the time to go through it and re-label the stitches. Most of the stitches may be more appropriate for intermediate crocheters as the directions are not always clear. The reason this is still getting 3 stars is the beautiful photography.

LOVE this little reference book. Gorgeous stitches, well photographed. Also, and this is important to me, the swatches were crocheted by someone very skilled. I use this book so often I carry it in my project bag. Even the most experienced crocheter among us can learn something here. Bravo!

I like to freeform crochet and I'm always looking for stitches that will give me a particular effect. I can see I'm going to get a lot of use out of this book. I already found a stitch pattern that I've been trying to find for several weeks.

Last winter, I went over to visit the woman who taught me to crochet 20+ years ago (when I was a Cloverbud in 4-H), and she gave me this book...I love it. I've crocheted off-and-on since I was a kid, but having this around as a reference has broadened my horizons and gotten me out of a rut where I just made the same things over and over. The photos in the book are excellent, and I've found the patterns and instructions pretty easy to follow -- though I'd agree with some other reviewers that it's a book probably best geared toward advanced beginners and beyond.

I first borrowed this book from the library to see if I would like it, and upon my first browse I really liked the book. I have found in many books that they include only worded directions without schematics... which if you are new to crochet is really a pain if you get stuck or don't understand something. Having the support of both really helps to see the construction as you go. I did not review the directions on the "how-to" so I can not answer to that. I really liked the fact that there are so many stitches, borders, and squares to try... all with the picture schematics in case the words are confusing or like me... you get stuck.
All in all, I really liked this book.

My mom (who hasn't crocheted in years) and I (who've never really crocheted at all) both found this book helpful. To be honest, it would have been less useful if I hadn't had some help from my mom, but I would say the same about any of the crochet books I've used - it's a hard skill to pick up solely from a book. The basic instructions are good, as is the stitch glossary. The patterns are pretty neat, and are especially good if you want to do doilies or other fine work. The fact that it has both written instructions and visual patterns is nice, too. We checked this book out from the library initially, and then decided to buy it, so I'd definitely recommend purchasing it.