Review: Complete Beginner's Guide not quite Complete
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 31, 2014
Beatrice Crimbleton graciously requested I take  look at her work, "How to Crochet  Vol. 1", providing me with a copy.  I was able to view it as a Complete Beginner.... because I really am, knowing nothing than it is something other people really enjoy doing (my next door neighbor has been learning the craft since last December and has often waxed enthusiastically about it when we chat).With such a natural mindset,  I immediately noticed an unfortunate lack... the introduction does not tell me, the absolute novice, what exactly I should buy to get started with.  Crimbleton briefly explains and illustrates differences in hooks and yarns, but this simply adds to my initial confusion. What kind of yarn should I start with? Why should I choose one type over another for learning? How should I decide on an appropriate hook? Where do I go for a reliable source of quality materials, recommended manufacturers/retail sites acting as a starting point in my explorations?  All these elements should be presented at the outset of the guide,  elements long used by how-to guides of every description because it's what beginners *need*.Beyond that point, however,  the various steps are written clearly with accompanying pictures and diagrams.  There are some minor punctuation and spelling errors, but nothing disruptive.  I especially liked towards the end the Pressing Guide, giving exactly the style of information I wanted in the introduction- practical pressing explanations of each category.  If Crimbleton adds recommended beginning materials in the same fashion as her Pressing Guide, then her "Complete Beginner's Guide" will be indeed complete.