Today I’m reviewing a stitch dictionary: Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia.
What is a ‘stitch dictionary’?
Before I start the review, I want to take a moment to clarify what makes a stitch dictionary different from your usual ‘crochet book’. Stitch dictionaries are collections of crochet (or knitting) stitches, motifs and edgings that you can use as the foundation for whatever item you’d like to make. They aren’t intended to tell you how to crochet an afghan- but if you know the basics of making an afghan, then you’re going to find some lovely stitches that you can use.
Many crocheters will have a stitch dictionary on their shelf as a reference guide and inspiration. Once you are familiar with the basics of crocheting, a stitch dictionary is a fabulous tool to help you design and modify projects. Is your triangle shawl looking a little drab? Check out the edgings section and select a great lace pattern.
I just wanted to clarify about what this book is intended to be… if you’re looking for a hat pattern, this isn’t the book for you!
About the Book
Crochet Stitches is a fairly comprehensive stitch dictionary. It contains over 300 stitch patterns (combinations of basic stitches to make an interesting fabric), edgings and motifs (squares and other shapes that you would assemble into a larger piece).
This book covers a wide range of stitches, including:
- Textured stitch patterns
- Cable stitch patterns
- Bobble stitch patterns
- Lace stitch patterns
- Colorwork stitch patterns
- Tunisian stitch patterns
- Granny squares
- Hexagon motifs
- Lacy motifs
- Flower motifs
- Snowflake motifs
- Edgings
Each stitch pattern/motif is written in standard crochet instructions, as well as charted.
The charts are a fabulous feature of this book. With complicated stitch patterns, the chart can often be easier to read/visualize than the written instructions, so it’s a real boon that both are included.
The book also includes ‘tips’ throughout the book that are tremendously helpful while crocheting.
Summary
Robyn Chachula’s Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia includes a number of stitch patterns and motifs, including non-traditional and Tunisian stitches that don’t appear in most dictionaries.
Each stitch pattern includes a photo, a description of when the pattern would be advantageous to use, written instructions and a crochet chart.
The book includes no additional illustrations. There is a page of stitch descriptions (that will tell you how to do the Tunisian Purl Stitch, for example), but these are simple descriptions, and unlikely to be adequate for most people to learn the stitch the first time. So, you may need to use the book in conjunction with another resource that with more stitch illustrations.
I think this book is a great resource… and I definitely find it inspiring! I recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive stitch dictionary!
Thank you. I might have to add this to my crochet book collection.