When I was in my freshman year of college, I decided to pick up knitting and stumbled across the original Stitch 'N Bitch. Despite having NO crafting experience, the S'NB book got me knitting and even now, 8 years and many projects later, I still refer to it to refresh my memory on the more difficult stitches.
When I decided to learn to crochet earlier this summer, I thought I could just watch some Youtube videos and Google my way into cute amigurumis and lacey shrugs. Why should I spend money on a how-to-book, when I already know how to knit? Wrong. It was totally unintuitive for me and my projects ended up a mess of confused stitches. I cracked and decided to purchase Happy Hooker; although Debbie Stoller had taught me how to knit, somehow I doubted Happy Hooker would be better than my Googling skills.
SO WRONG. This book re-affirms that the Stitch 'N Bitch series are probably the best beginning craft resources out there. All the questions that erupted during my haphazard Googling adventures were casually included and answered throughout the instructions, as if Debbie Stoller read my mind. How do I count stitches that aren't on a hook? Where do I start a chain? For goodness sakes, how many blasted types of stitches are there anyways?! What, I need a turning stitch? Youtube didn't tell me that! This book even corrected some bad habits Youtubers had taught me: for example many Youtube videos demonstrated a single crochet as shoved inbetween the V stitches. Debbie Stoller actually acknowledged this technique (READ MY MIND) but highlighted its weaknesses and then provided several other single crochet options that produced better results. Seriously, I spent 20 minutes with the book and crocheted a beautiful lacey swatch to test out my skills and I felt so much more confident and less resentful toward the crochet needle. I've spent much more than 20 minutes chasing blog post leads and watching grainy videos with bad amateur explanations.
The Stitch 'N Bitch series possess that rare quality in our modern society where a printed informational book can trump the World Wide Web many times over. Even though you can yes, technically find, process and use the information available across the internet, Debbie Stoller has beautifully consolidated, organized, edited and explained all the necessary steps for you to start corcheting without stress and worry. If you have no skills or are transitioning from knitting to crocheting definitely get this book. She even included a 3 page explanation on knitting vs. crocheting, a point I had been cursing throughout my difficult crocheting career (i.e. WHAT THE GOSH, KNITTING IS SO MUCH EASIER BAHH THROWS CROCHET NEEDLE AT TV). I really appreciated to read her interpretation of the differences of the techniques, community, culture and history of these two needle arts. Maybe I'm just a crafts dweeb, but I appreciated the lesson and discussion.
8 years after my introduction, I am reminded on how much I have learned from and why I love this author. She should make one about sewing clothing. Please!
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Wonderful, easy to understand
I have to say, I LOVE this book. Both my grandmothers were avid crocheters, one specialized in blankets and stuffed animals, the other was a doily queen :) Throughout my early teen years, they began teaching me to crochet, but we all despaired of me learning anything more complicated than a chain. I couldn't do circles, or even understand a double crochet.That changed.I purchased this book when my husband got a new job where he's gone for weeks at a time. My children are young, they go to be early, and I'm an insomniac. I recieved this book, went to the store and bought plastic needles(for sewing in ends), yarn, a few hooks, a measuring tape and a little zip pouch to keep it all in. I read through the instructional portion in the beginning of the book for the basic stitches, magic circle, etc, and sat down and started crocheting. I was able to create a stroller/carseat blanket and matching hat for my friend's expected newborn in about a week. Of course, the holidays are crazy and I ended up ignoring my project for almost two months, but was able to pick up where I left off and finish it easily.The patterns are fun, I can't wait to try more.HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for anyone looking to learn the art of crochet.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2011
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2007
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2006
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2013
Top reviews from other countries
Jen
Happy Hooking with Debbie Stoller!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2007Aria
Initially borrowed this book from our library and loved it. I found it a good reference for ...
Reviewed in Canada on December 29, 2014