Basic Crocheting and Projects

Basic Crocheting and Projects
Gifted by: Stackpole Books
www.stackpolebooks.com
Reviewed by Christine Weiher, Editor, AllFreeCrochet.com

Whether you're new to crocheting or you're a seasoned vet, it's always good practice to keep up with your skills. Repeating the same crochet stitch over and over will surely make you an expertise, and if you're already considered an expertise then repeating those stitches will just keep you going. Basic Crocheting and Projects is a new book out by Stackpole Books and you're going to love it.

With step-by-step instructions in both basics and advanced, you'll find skills like bobbles, Fair Isle, Tunisian crochet, motif designs and tapestry crochet in this book. There are 20 skill-building projects from crocheted scarves and shawls to bags, blankets and more.

In the first half of Basic Crocheting and Projects you will find all the step-by-step photos and instructions you'll need for each stitch. The photos are clear and concise making them easy to follow and learn. In the second half of the book you'll see beautiful crochet patterns you'll want to get started on right away.

On page 86 are Fair Isle Fingerless Mitts that I cannot stop staring at. The mitts are an intermediate crochet pattern that uses Cascade Heritage Yarn in three coordinating colors. There's a chart provided to help you work up the mitts as beautifully as you can. On page 96 is a stunning Cascading Beads Shawl; it screams drama. With silvery beads and silk merino lace yarn in a purplish pink hue, you are bound to work up this masterpiece. Working in the back loops only of the non-beaded rows will help the beads stand out. This piece is worked from the top down and teaches you how to string the beads for the best result.

In the back of the book are resources to help you through the patterns. Learn about the crochet abbreviations master list, standard body measurements and sizing, the standard yarn weight system and more. This book is chock full of everything you need for any time of year. With a guide book like this all you have to do is grab some yarn, a hook, and start crocheting!