The Crochet Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask (Answer Book (Storey)) (Turtleback)

by Edie Eckman (Author) "OFTEN I'M STRUCK by how frequently crocheters qualify their skills by following the words "I crochet" with "but I'm not very good..." (more)
Key Phrases: Voice of Experience, Right Front

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Crochet might be easily defined as creating a series of loops with hooks; to many novices, however, the craft itself might defy simple understanding. Eckman comes to the rescue with dozens of well-thought-out questions, comprehensible answers, and chapters on topics ranging from equipment needs to resources for more information. She includes line illustrations and charts for added explanations; tools, for instance, and specific techniques (stitches, borders, and buttonholes) are well illustrated. Best of all, her can-do personality and gentle humor shine through, comforting the unsure crocheters among us. Who could quibble with her response to the question "I put down my afghan for a year, and when I came back to it, my gauge had changed? What happened?" Responds Edie, "Life." Appended are standard crochet abbreviations, common crochet terms and phrases, standard body measurements and sizing, suggested sizes for accessories and household items, and yarn care symbols. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description
Wouldn't it boost your confidence to have an experienced and confident crocheter on call, day and night, offering assistance when needed? Most of us aren't fortunate enough to have that kind of aid, but now there is help available 24/7 with The Crochet Answer Book.

Being a "good" crocheter is not about making perfectly stitched, elaborate, artful creations. It is rather a matter of confidence. You need to be confident in what you are doing and in how to figure out what to do if things aren't going quite right. Understanding why you do certain things and why they turn out the way they do increases confidence and leads to successful crocheting.

This book answers some of the most common questions crocheters have, and anticipates some questions you didn't know you had. The Crochet Answer Book will lead you down the road to gaining the confidence that makes for good crocheting.

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Product Details

• Turtleback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580175988
• ISBN-13: 978-1580175982
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 4.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,716 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

187 of 188 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Portable Gem PACKED With SOUND Info, February 6, 2006

By	S. Wussow (WI, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am an experienced crocheter, but I don't do it often. When I find myself inspired to create with crochet, I often want a quick refresher on:

Placement of markers;
How and where to count stitches;
The way to create flat circles or squares or triangles and how and where to increase on rounds (so I can then make up my own pattern for a hat or placemat or dishcloth or whatever);
How many stitches back from the hook I need to work to start back on my foundation row (if doing anything other than single crochet).

Just those quick little reminder tips that get you off and running and back to your work...

After a recent frustrating search, I found that none of my other crochet books have any information on markers, none have any of the modular piece formulae, and the other tomes have the stitch details buried within pages and pages of opinionated text (I'm going to hold my hook how I darn well please, thankyouverymuch!)

None of my other books have clear, two-color diagrams indicating which part of a working stitch I'm supposed to be working through.

None of my other books even has a decent index.

They do, however, have stupid patterns for baby items I'm never going to make. Blech.

THIS BOOK HAS ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT THE STUPID PATTERNS. Not only that, it's written in a concise, easily-referenced manner, and it's small enough to carry with you in your yarn tote. Trust me when I say that IF IT ISN'T IN THIS BOOK, YOU WON'T NEED IT... and you will be able, like I, to give your other crochet books away.

Included are:

Info on yarn and substitutions, hook sizes, English/American translations.
Info on stitches mentioned above plus increasing and decreasing and specialty stitches.
Gauge, working shapes as mentioned above, fabric creation (drape, etc.)
Working in circles vs. working in spirals and how to tell where you are on either.
Colorwork, borders, buttonholes, buttons, working/reading patterns.
Extensive info on body measurements including standard charts.
Blocking, joining, Tunisian and other types of crochet.
Adding beads and baubles to your work.
Garment care, abbreviations, terms.
And more!

The drawings are clear and in two colors of blue with black lines, so you can see *exactly* which is the working stitch, and where the working yarn is supposed to go.

It's written in a conversational "question and answer" way which encouraged me to keep reading, and I learned some quick tips that I'd never seen addressed in other sources.

Get it, toss the rest, and gain some space on your bookshelf. Better yet, get two copies and give one to a friend or new crocheter, and save them a thousand frustrations. It's perfect for a beginner who has a hook and a pattern and some yarn, but doesn't know where to start - as well as for the experienced crocheter exploring new or challenging territory.

This is going to save me so many headaches, I may just crochet more often!
http://stasiasplaceofgrace.blogspot.com

87 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Book!, December 1, 2005

By	R. Riley - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Covers everything you'll ever need to know. From all of the different ways to begin, change colors, end off, and join pieces together to trickier things like how to make sleeves longer or shorter without messing up the pattern. Well illustrated, simple to read...love this book.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you want and need to know, February 12, 2006

By	CrochetQueen "Hook, Yarn and Needles" (Elko, NV United States) - See all my reviews

Even if you are a crochet expert, you will find this book useful. Answers just about every question you can think of from hooks, where to insert your hook, Gauge how to fix it or change it, yarn substitutions, edgings, how to turn, pattern stitches, how to start and end, and other very important answers. For the price, this book is well worth every little penny.