Crochet by

Crochet

Stitch-by-stitch instructions with illustrations that will guide you through crocheted baby blankets to baby shoes, and many more lovely things for you or your home.

A complete guide to crocheting for beginners and practiced crocheters with more than 130 techniques and stitches. As a bonus, there are 80 projects for you to practice and enjoy!


If you are picking up your first crochet hook, this book will lead you through the basic stitches and starts you off with classic granny squares for blankets. Learn how to craft delicate lace and openwork pieces to create home décor items.

The clear instructions and step-by-step, close-up pictures of the various stitches make your first projects simple and fun to complete. The instructions let you know the difficulty level of each pattern, the correct tools and the ideal yarn for you to use.

If you're a confident crocheter there are plenty of new stitches and patterns for you to try your hand at. Create baby and adult clothes, baby shoes and amigurumi toys for yourself or as treasured gifts for loved ones. There's something very special about receiving a handmade present! 

New Edition

Newly updated with a fresh design and brand-new photography that shows the stitches with gorgeous clarity. Learn how to read patterns so you can go from novice to expert crocheter in no time!

   • Easy-to-follow directions with close up photos of the stitches. 
   • Over 130 key techniques and 80 projects to create. 
   • Advice on yarn and tools.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

5 of 5 stars

Share
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Crochet is a technique and tutorial reference with included projects. This is a reformatted and updated 2nd edition (original pub. date 2014) due out 15th Sept 2020 from Penguin Random House on their DK imprint. It's 320 pages and will be available in hardcover format. As almost always with DK's offerings, I was blown away by the detailed, clear, and solidly expert photography. Every photo is well rendered and easy to follow. The supportive text is also clear, spare, and easy to understand.

The project tutorials are attractive and cover a broad range of difficulties, styles, and materials. Each of the tutorials contains a finished color photo, techniques used, project size and tools and supplies needed followed by step-by-step instructions. Most of the tutorials also contain multiple process photos which make construction and details easy to follow. Measurements are given in American standard and metric (SI) units. Projects are listed thematically: blankets & cushions, home & gifts, hats & scarves, gloves socks & slippers, clothing, toys, and bags.

At least in the eARC I was provided for review purposes, the revisions and additions in the second edition are highlighted in red text in the index and represent about 30% new content. It's probably worthwhile to have a look even for readers who have access to the first edition.

This would make a superlative selection for home hobbyists, learners, makers spaces, library use, or in a classroom/workshop setting. Five stars. Very well done.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 26 July, 2020: Finished reading
  • 26 July, 2020: Reviewed