The Granny Square Book

I am very selective about the knitting and crochet books I buy and very rarely get new ones.

That being said, I saw this one today and had to buy it! Now in general I prefer stitch dictonaries for knitting and pattern books for crochet.

This book really appears to be a great book! Now, I'm not a huge fan of crocheting the traditional granny square (though I do love the look of them) I do like motifs.

This book contains 75 different granny square motifs. Many of them are quite lacy and open. All the squares you see on the covers are contained in the book.

All the patters in this book are written out and also contain charted instructions and are accompanied by a clear and large full color image. Several also include instructions to make 1/2 squares (triangles) to match.

Along with the 75 square patterns are an additional 25 project patterns for things for the house, clothing, bags and other items you can make.

In the front of the book it covers the basics, hooks, yarn, stitches. IT also includes instructions for reverse single crochet and explains shells, popcorn stitch, billions, front and back post stitches and picots.

It also breifs you on reading instructions (written and symbols). Includes a comprehensive list of abreviations and symbols and also includes a term conversion chart for US to UK terms.

The book also discusses gauge, weaving in ends, picking up stitches along edges and various forms of seaming.


You can click on the covers for a larger and clear view.

you can get this book on Amazon - it is a hard cover book with spiral bound pages. Lays open flat.

Book: A treasury of knitting patterns

Book: A Treasury of Knitting Patterns by: Barbara G. Walker

A truly indispensable book for any knitter! And a fixture on many a knitters book shelf already. It does not give much in the way of instructions and ho-to's but this book contains over 500 stitch patterns to get your creative juices flowing! All patterns are in written form

The section in the book on color work is almost entirely about slip stitch color work which I think is really nice for blankets because you don't have yarn trailing across the back of your work.

All the photos in the book are in black and white. Each stitch pattern has it's own photo and many of them show variations of each stitch pattern as well.

I enjoy simply sitting down and browsing though this book over and over. I can't wait till I get the rest of her collection for my knitting library.

If you are looking for a bare bones dictionary without all the how-to's and pages of diagrams this is it!

This was originally published in 1968.

This book is available at Amazon

Book: Reversible Kniting

Book: Reversible Knitting - 50 Brand-new, Groundbreaking stitch patterns.


I purchased this book while browsing the shelf at our local book store and couldn't pass it up! This is an amazing book. the stitch patterns are not simply reversible but often provide completely different looks on both sides of the fabric. I have made the one run socks (I call them my strapy socks) and worked one of the DK patterns.

The book is broken up into 3 main sections.

Reversible stitch patterns:

Faux crochet - (9 stitches) these are actually quite impressive in their simulation of crochet and at some points it basically is crochet with a knitting needle.

Rows within rows - (6 stitches) these require you to knit off into completely different directions and return to the body of the project.

Openwork - (7 stitches) stitches with open spaces or a rather lacy feel to them

Divide & Combine - (6 stitches) these are patterns that require you to divide your stitches and knit separately before rejoining into the main body.

Picked up - (6 stitches) these require you to either pick up stitches for joining or to knit off the fabric that has already been knitted.

Double knit - (6 stitch patterns) These are not your standard DK designs. These patterns offer completely different designs on opposite sides of the fabric like stripes on one side and dots on the other for one example. Very easy to follow charts

Reversible designs:

20 different designs

folded scarf
branching ribs (upper left back cover)
two-tone vest
investments (a vest)
double knit vest
geometric dress (a slip stitch pattern)
folded mini dress (this has a folded ripple like design on the skirt portion)
Double wrap stockings (a thigh high stocking with a net and strip design)
Winding path (a sweater that can be worn upside down and inside out)
faux warp (clever sweater with reversible cables)
Syncopation (a brioche headband)
laced wrap
incognita (a brimmed hat pattern with attached scarf)
reverse me ( a cardigan that can be worn upside down or inside out with reversible cables) pictured on the front cover
lice jacket (a traditional style DK jacket with a reverse image on either side)
Brioche bag
Flip your lid - pictured on back cover
tie socks (these tie around your legs)
one run socks - picture on back cover
linking hip sash (a decorative tie belt)

Special techniques:

This section has detailed photos for the techniques used in this book. Covers various cast on's (including 2 color), Kitchener plus (how to Kitchener ribbing and seed stitch) and other assorted techniques.

For the most part these use advanced knitting techniques and several require multiple sets of needles for the same project.

I would like to note though that if you are left handed and knit left handed this book may take a bit of brain power to flip around as it refers to left and right needles almost exclusively rather than using the term "working needle"

This book can be purchased on amazon

The Big Book of Crochet Sweaters

This is a book I have had in my collection for a while now. I have not made any but it is a very nice book. It contains 10 sweater designs. They are sized as small, medium and large but the stitch patterns are quite repetative so making them larger than that shouldn't be much of a problem. The book contains a clear stitch guide, inches to mm conversion chart and US to metric hook conversion chart. Also clear color photos for each pattern included in the book.

The book does not rate the patterns by difficulty but some are pretty basic and others contain more detailed stitch patterns or color changes.

I have included images of all the sweaters in this book and you can click on any of these pages for a larger blown up view to better see the sweaters.

I have not made any of them as of yet because though sweaters are pretty i just have not been inclined to make one my self.

You can find the book on Amazon

Book: Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies for Fashon Foodies

Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies for fashion Foodies - 20 yummy treats to wear.


I saw this book and just had to get it! I ordered it from Amazon for $10.19 (USD) The designs are so cute! There are 20 patterns in this (mostly scarfs). It has great directions for all levels on the techniques used including the basic stitches.

You could easily mix up the designs like if you wanted to add toast to your bacon and eggs scarf it would be easy to do.

It's broken up into 3 sections.

Sweet Things

• Cupcake scarf
• Candy button scarf
• Cookie scarf
• Gingerbread man scarf
• Lemon coconut cake tissue cozy
• Rocket popsicle scarf
• Soft-serve ice cream scarf
• Chocolate cupcake hat with blue frosting

Fruits & Veggies

• Green salad scarf
• Pink grapefruit scarf
• Baby radish lariat scarf
• Pear scarf
• Giant carrot scarf
• Strawberry fingerless mittens

Savory Stuff

• Bacon and eggs scarf
• Buttered toast scarf
• Sushi scarf
• Pepperoni pizza scarf
• Popcorn scarf
• Spaghetti 'n' meatballs scarf

You can click on the cover images to enlarge.

Book: The Doubleday Large Print Nedlecraft Book

The Doubleday Large Print Needlecraft Book

This is a great book with simple projects and is written for those with vision impairment. It contains many simple projects using common yarn weights, needle sizes and lighter colors. The projects in it are small and flat some times with some easy seaming to shape them.

Printed in large type so it's easier on the eyes this is a great book for anyone who's eyesight as started to slip, anyone seeking easy patterns to learn from with clear instructions and tips for making your own stuff.

Chapters cover:
Crocheting
Knitting
Quilting
and
Decorative stitching

You can get this book used at Amazon


This is the ball I made for what I believe will be our new kitty. The pattern is in this book and it's crochet flat and then sewn into shape. My youngest also enjoys playing with the ball as it's so soft, light and squishy he can throw it in the house. A quick little project I had done in a hour or 2.

Book: Tasty crochet

So I was browsing the book store yesterday while I was out getting a memory card for DD's PS2 as she got Guitar Hero for her b-day and just couldn't resist this gem!

A cute little crochet book that has 33 patterns for food in it. It's broken down into

Breakfast - 7 patterns
Lunch - 12 patterns
Dinner - 7 patterns
and of course...
Dessert - 8 patterns

Stitches are pretty basic and these are small easy to work patterns. I have not made anything yet but they appear to be well written. Just an over all cute little book.

My boys love to play with their kitchen and their play food but the plastic stuff just get's broken and poses pinch hazards so I thought this would be fun.

you can get this book on Amazon - Tasty Crochet !

back cover *you can click to enlarge these cover images.

Book: The Best of Terry Kimbrough Afghans

This is one of my favorite books to go to for crochet afghans. The patterns are very well written and there is quite a variety to choose from. Some solid some lacy, others with motifs and flowers.

You can purchase this book on Amazon

Patterns I have made in this book are: Timeless Lace, Shells Galore, Lacy Valentine, Rosebud and Loving Hearts. Each one was easy and a joy to make.

Full pattern list for this book:
Tantalizingly Teal - A bulky afghan worked holding 2 strands together.
Exquisite Shells - Lacy afghan worked in motifs.
Ribbons & Lace - a unique looking afghan with a "ribbon" going through the center of each row.
Victorian Garden - Lacy afghan worked in strips with a flower pattern.
Lacy Diamonds - Lacy diamond pattern worked in strips.
Peachy - lacy shells worked in one piece.
Tea Time - A lacy afghan made of squares joined as you go.
Boudoir - Lacy afghan worked in one piece containing shells and puffs.
Pansy - Square motifs and some contain a 3D pansy flower.
Wildflowers - Squares containing 3 3D flowers each. Pieced together at the end.
Vintage Lace - A one piece afghan done in a ripple lace pattern.
Timeless Lace - A one piece afghan containing many picots.
Grandma's Lace - Lacy square motifs joined as you go wit ha shell border.
Handsome for Him - solid afghan done in panels containing a diamond pattern.
Pretty Pansies - Squares containing very colorful 3D pansy flowers, joined at the end.
Shells Galore - A one peice afghan composed entirely of shells.
Simple Stripes - a chunky afghan worked in one piece.
Aran Comfort - A solid afghan with varying textures.
Hearts Aplenty - A one piece filet afghan but with written instructions (no chart).
Snow Glories - A lacy flower pattern worked in strips.
Wedding Rings - Composed of ovals, large and small squares in a classic wedding ring pattern.
Lacy Valentine - Worked in squares containing 4 hearts each and joined at the end.
Absolutely Gorgeous - A lacy pattern worked in strips
Rosebud - Worked in squares and joined as you go with alternating plain and flowered squares.
Loving Hearts - Worked in open lacy motifs joined as you go with a border of hearts that have flowers in the centers.
Bouquet of Shells - Made in 3 wide panels.

Book: Blue Ribbon Crochet

This is a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone w/a divers taste if what they like to crochet. Wide range of projects. You can find it at Amazon . I have scanned the cover and chapter pictures page, click on them for a larger view if you like.

This is not a book to learn by, many of the patterns are rather advanced but well written and easy to follow.

chapters include:
*Judges' Choice Afghans - 9 designs
*First Place Fashions - 9 designs (sweaters, purses, earrings, shawls and more)
*Heirloom Masterpieces - 9 designs (doilies, curtains, coverlet/bedspreads and more)
*Best-In-Show babies - 8 designs (blankets, clothing, bibs and more)
*Award-Winning Dolls & Toys - 5 designs (puzzle, stuffed dolls, animals and cloths for them)
*Home Accessories Showcase - 9 designs (pillows, afghans, rugs, place mats and more)

My favoriate book to learn by - any fiber craft!

If anyone out there want's to learn nearly any fiber craft/needle craft and you can find this book... BUY IT!!!! This is a wonderful book covering many crafts with detailed diagrams, directions, abbreviation codes, photos, stitch patterns and a history of each craft. Verry fascinating to simply read. It does have some patterns in it but it gives more in the line of stitch patterns so you can make your own things. Click on the photos for a close up and I also scanned the back and you can see all that it coveres. It was copy wright in 1979

You can often find copies at Amazon
It appears the same book was re-issued (yet still out of print) under a different name. available also at amazon the step by step needlecraft encyclopedia 
I have not seen this book but based on the author, contents and chapter layout it appears to be the same book.