Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Review of a Very Kool Book :)

I ran across this book (from Leisure Arts) in the library last week:

If you haven’t seen this yet, it’s really worth a look.  It takes you from the basics of forming stitches all the way through to creating beautiful clothes and accessories.  The only thing to watch if you’re already a crocheter is that Kooler handles turning stitches at the end of a row a bit differently.  Actually, the technique isn’t an different that what you’re probably already used to - but she describes it differently.  The results will be exactly the same.

One of the things that especially appealed to me was the layout of the instructions pages and the accompanying illustrations.

The page is divided into three columns with the written instructions in the center.  In the left-hand column are the illustrations for a left-handed crocheter and the drawings for a right-handed crocheter are on the right.  This set-up works beautifully and is the first time I have ever seen anything remotely like it.  When I was beginning to get into (at the time) crochet and embroidery, I struggled for what seemed like forever to reverse the given directions which always assumed the reader was right-handed.  At this point I do it automatically and unconsciously, but I would have given anything in the world to have had something like this book when I was learning.

Beyond the instructions are the stitch patterns - dozens of them!  Each is accompanied by both a chart and a set of written instructions.

And beyond the stitch patterns are the projects which range from the very simple to the gloriously complex.





Both the stitch patterns and the project patterns are clearly written and nicely photographed, but the stitch patterns are an especial treasure trove because there are many here I haven’t seen anywhere else.  I’ll be looking for my own copy of this book because Encyclopedia of Crochet is definitely a keeper!

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1. Yes, yes this is a great crochet book.  I refer to it all the time for stitches.  Love the detail fo the instructions and the graphs!!
   ~ DAWN

   Posted by Dawn  on  06/29  at  03:16 PM
   Location :



2. I took a look, it’s available at Amazon.com.
   NAYY, but if you want it, it’s there!

   Posted by  on  06/29  at  07:21 PM
   Location : Culpeper, VA



3. Thanks for the tip regarding the stitch patterns - I’ll definitely check it out. :)

   Posted by Bron  on  06/29  at  07:39 PM
   Location :



4. That’s how all knit and crochet books should be written up - with full, easy to follow pictures along with the text. Good for visual learners like yours truly.

   I’m passing that link along to a friend of mine who is left handed and fond of crochet. What a find!

   Posted by Kathy  on  06/29  at  08:45 PM
   Location : Southern California



5. If you like the charts, you will like Japanese crochet pattern books which are all in chart form.

   Posted by erin  on  06/29  at  09:23 PM
   Location :



6. Dawn - I have a Harmony book of crochet stitches which I have used often, but this book has a bunch of new things.  I’m so glad I saw it - the library doesn’t have a huge craft section and I seldom bother to check it.

   Posted by Robbyn  on  06/29  at  10:30 PM
   Location : Being knotty :)



7. Hi Elizabeth - Thanks for the heads up about Amazon!  I’ll check it out :)

   Posted by Robbyn  on  06/29  at  10:32 PM
   Location : Being knotty :)



8. Bron - You’ll love it :) I’m still looking at that Philosopher’s coat, but I not only don’t think I cold afford the yarn, I’m afraid that bottom band would make me look like...erm...like my ass was in a sling…
   

   Posted by Robbyn  on  06/29  at  10:35 PM
   Location : Being knotty :)



9. Kathy - I’m not a particularly visual learner - although sometimes a good illustration or picture helps me figure something out.  I hope this is useful to your left-handed friend - I sure wish something like this had been around when I was learning to crochet!

   Posted by Robbyn  on  06/29  at  10:37 PM
   Location : Being knotty :)



10. Erin - I’ve been reading crochet charts for quite a while, Japanese included :) It came as a real shock to me that knitting charts seemed to be so much more difficult - but then there are a lot more things to represent.

    And, of course, everyone represents them differently :)

    Posted by Robbyn  on  06/29  at  10:41 PM
    Location : Being knotty :)

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