Crochet Book Review and Giveaway

Greetings Friends!

Oh have I got something special for you!  It's a new book called Crochet: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide from DK Publishing. If you crochet - you should have this book in your library.  If you can't afford it (it's an oversized hard cover so it is a bit pricey), you should put it on your wish list and in the mean time, borrow it from your library!  I know you're wondering what is so special about this book? I made a list!  Let me say this first though... I am a bit fanatical when it comes to books, and even though I have a soft spot for all of them I don't love them all. I love this one. Not because the publisher sent me a free copy, but because in my opinion it excels in all of the areas a crafting book should.  Here we go...

The photography is outstanding.  This is a big book, printed on quality paper. The pictures are sharp, vibrant and dynamically capture the beauty of the yarns and stitches. There is a lot to look at making this as much a coffee table book as a how to guide. As the title claims, there truly are step-by-step instructions, wonderfully photographed and clearly worded for a bounty of crochet techniques.

This is a reference guide plus.  Here is a partial list of topics covered: following a crochet pattern, including reading charts; stitch techniques, embellishments, working crochet edges, open work and Filet crochet; colorwork; unusual stitches; unusual yarns (wire, t-shirt, plarn and string); making toys / amigurumi. Chances are if you are working on a project and come across a stitch or technique you're not sure how to execute, you'll find what you need here.  It's that kind of book!

Then there are the patterns.  More than 80.  Most of the techniques are accompanied by a pattern so you can see it in action.  Classic is the word that comes to mind when trying to think of how to describe them to you. There is nothing really advanced.  I think a beginner could do most, and certainly intermediate skills would be sufficient to follow all of the patterns.  Like all of the other information in the book, the patterns are clearly written with easy to follow, complete instructions.

One of my favorite things about the patterns in this book is all of the yarn recommendations are generic. Instead of telling us that some obscure, expensive yarn that you can't find or afford is used, these all say things like: Any DK merino can be used for a similar effect; An aran weight yarn will suit this project; or You can use any wool or wool mix 4-ply sport weight yarn for this project. I think that's awesome since choosing and substituting yarns is something I struggle with (and I bet lots of you do too!).

I always like to try out the patterns when I review a book.  In this instance I decided to try a new stitch.  It was still cold out and I had a skein of super bulky yarn left from the My Mountain promotion that Schachenmayr Yarns did last year. I made this simple cowl using just four stitches (I think! it's been a while and I can't find my notes!). I'm pretty sure it's just the chain, single crochet, half-double crochet and from the book - the Simple Crossed Stitch forming a top and bottom border.  I can't bear to think about wearing it now, but winter will be back again and I'll have this snazzy addition to my wardrobe.

Now how about that Giveaway!!

I think that you'll agree: this book is the kind of staple in your library that you'll turn to again and again!  In addition I've got some fabulous accessories to make this an awesome prize package.  There is a set of stitch markers from our etsy shop NirvanaDesigns, a pair of decorative forged embroidery scissors and a size H rosewood crochet hook.  There are several ways for you to enter - once or lots of times -  you decide. This one is open to US residents only - sorry folks, but it's a heavy book and shipping is on me! 

Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time,
Be Blessed and Stitch and Read with Love!