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The Crochet Stitch Bible
by Betty Barnden Here’s a great little reference book all crocheters can appreciate. There is a spiral inside the bound book so you can easily set the book flat and pick your pattern to work without the pages flipping back to the front It is 7½” x 5 ¾,”a perfect size to carry in your workbag or set on your worktable. There are instructions on how to use the book for finding swatches, instructions, abbreviations and terms, stitch diagrams, equivalent hook sizes and the stitch selector. How to measure gauge, blocking and care of garments are provided along with tips. What I absolutely love is the Stitch Selector. Betty has set up the stitch patterns in color family groupings, with a page number on each stitch pattern for you to easily find that stitch. The groupings are set up with Basic Stitches; Textured Stitches; Fans and Shells; Mesh and Filet; Openwork and Lace; Trims and Edgings; Cluster, Puffs and Bobbles; Relief Stitches; Tunisian Stitches; Spike Stitches; Multi-color Patterns; Squares; Shapes and Motifs and Special Stitches. This makes it easy to go to all the special stitches and choose all relief stitches and not have to search for choices between all the other stitch types. The Stitch Collection encompasses most of the book and follows through with the same colors as show in the Stitch Selector. The colors are soft and pleasing to view. There are one to two stitch patterns per page, allowing space for a clear color sample, international symbols below it and then the pattern. A stitch key is included which lists each stitch used in the pattern and includes the stitch symbol next to it. The Stitch Collection covers 193 pages, includes 207 stitch patterns; is that a bunch of patterns or what! If you are wondering about the stitch groupings, the textured stitches include chevrons and wavy stitches. The special stitches include broomstick, bead crochet and woven, overlaid stitches. The multi-color patterns include waves, stripes, chevrons, checker and other stitches. Whatever stitch you are looking for, you will find here. If you are a beginner, all the instructions and illustrations are included to get you going. I would suggest beginners also purchase a very basic how to crochet booklet along with The Crochet Stitch Bible. Advanced beginners, intermediate and experienced crocheters will find this book a valuable tool. Betty’s book is going on my reference bookshelf, a real plus for my crocheting needs. Review by Lydia F Borin |
