Review: Great for the beginner and as a reference guide, but it needs more pictures
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 5, 2014
I was sent a copy of this book for free in order to provide an honest review. I have crocheted a tiny amount many years ago, but I only learned how to make one item as part of a fundraiser. I enjoyed the crocheting aspect of it, and thought it would be nice to pick up the hobby again as I already had the hooks and the yarn. So I felt I read this book as very much a beginner. The simple crochet steps I learned a long time ago were never given any names, and I had never been taught on how to follow a pattern.The pros:- Very nice chart to reference crochet hook size between metric and US measurements.- Great explanation of different types of yarns- Nice chart for what size hook to use with what type of yarn.- The photos are very detailed and helpful (note, I was able to see pictures in color, I do not know how they wood look in black and white).- The abbreviations and terms reference is extremely helpful.- The instructions are detailed well.The cons:- I would have liked more step by step photos, some of the photos jumped to almost the completed step, and it was hard to perform the action with just the text. (at least for me, but I'm a very visual person).- More photos in later more complicated steps would have been helpful.- Little more clarification on some items, such as why would you hold your yarn a certain way, and how to deal with issues such as having to have to hold a much bigger ball of yarn then what was in the picture.- More information on completed products, for instance, are they only hand washable because they are delicate?Overall, I think this is a great beginners book, and I felt I learned a lot and was able to try the different basic stitches. I really would have liked more step by step pictures. I think what would have really made this book a five star would be step by step instructions with photos on how to follow a simple pattern.