Customer Reviews

The Weekend Crafter: Crochet: 20 Simple and Stylish Designs to Wear

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

 

 

I didn't find any of the patterns in this book interesting except the cable scarf and hat. The how-to instructions were clear, but limited. A plus to this book is each pattern had photos for the more difficult part of working the pattern. Also the stitch library, though concise, is clear and easy to understand. This is a good book for beginners only if you wanted to practice making things you would probably not want to wear. I found the vest and tank top to be dowdy. The backpack and star hat patterns were more modern, and there were new ideas such as adding a v-neck inset to one of your shirts. You are probably better off borrowing this book from someone who owns it.

I am currently trying to make the vest with the mandarin collar. I have 30+ years of crocheting experience and am 42. I personally think the instructions to the vest are lacking. Most instructions tell you what you are to do then give a bit of a recap of the count at the end. (ie. Sc in each chain one space then say 50 sc total) If you accidentally skip a stitch or misunderstood the directions with most directions you can count or figure it out by something else mentioned. With this pattern, if you make a mistake or misunderstand, you won't know. I figure I must have made a mistake somewhere but can't find out where.

This would make a great gift for a new or advanced crocheter. The patterns were very easy to follow and I think it would encourage newbies because they are quick, easy, but modern.

This book is probably better suited for more experienced crocheters as there are some stitches mentioned that son't seem to appear anyplace else. I do like this book to use as a starting point to go somewhere else with it. I ended up making my first "Mile A Minute" afghan based on a pattern that's in the book. No, the pattern wasn't for an afghan, but was easily adapted for it.

I recommend this book for more experienced crocheters.

I tried to follow directions for the vest on page 49 from this book and could not get past row 2. The directions were very unclear. I asked my mother to try it, and she had the same problem. Between us, we have 45 years of crochet experience, so either this book was not edited for accuracy or the writer cannot write concise directions.

As for an earlier reviewer's comment that some items were "dowdy", I would recommend looking past the author's choice of yarn (lots of earth tones) to the bones and design of the garment. With different yarn (and clearer directions!) they might make attractive garments.

But I haven't found a lot of stuff I want to make, and the materials are not easliy available to me in my area, but it does have good directions.

So many ideas and up-to-date-patterns! You'll find the ideas and yarns in this book very exciting!

It's an okay book, but the designs are really dull and old-fashioned. I was always more of a knitter and found this book to discourage me from branching out to crocheting.

I'm in the middle of crocheting the Classic Vest, p. 49. Like another reviewer, at first I couldn't even get started. I have had help from an instructor at my local craft store (she took the pattern home and finally figured out how to start). There is nothing to let me know if I'm working correctly - the number of stitches at the end of the rows would be helpful. I don't think the designs are dowdy - I was looking for designs that were tailored and not "cute." There are several other projects in the book that I want to try if I finally make it through this one.