Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker
by Debbie Stoller
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.99 You Save: $7.96 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.94 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker
Book Review: Middle Of The Road
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm just like the few other reviewers, on the fence about this book. I like it, but find quite a few no-nos within it. You can find the same or similar patterns online for free, which are really cute, but the instructions/patterns are not all that clear for beginners. Other than that it is an entertaining read. Very clever.
My biggest complaint about it was that it was written for right-handers only. The book should have used "working hand" or "hook hand" instead of constantly saying right hand. What a way to limit your audience especially for new and intermediate crocheters.
Second biggest complaint? Instead of using the term "yarn-over" it would instruct you to twirl or wrap your yarn around your hook. New "hookers" are already confused enough that using new lingo on them might just lose them before you even begin.
I feel this book is more geared towards higher intermediate and advance levels. It could really confuse crocheters like me who have just got the hang of using correct crocheting terms and really wanting to learn them. Just too many gaps really. Also the cover should say "presented by Debbie Stoller" as none of the projects were written by her. I'm assuming the stitch instructions were though.
This was definitely not a how-to for someone who hasn't picked up a hook before.
Book Review: lefties
Summary: 4 Stars
I saw a previous comment about lefties learning to crochet, and how they should not use this book to learn. I am also a lefty, and although I have been crocheting for a few years, until I bought this book, I only knew the single crochet that was taught to me by my grandma.
As most lefties do, I learned to see and do everything in reverse to what the book suggests. I did not find anything about the instructions or pictures difficult to follow.
Also, I wish somewhere out there, someone would create a fun corchet book with the words "double crochet" or "skip" or "chain" instead of those insane little abbreviations. This is the first book I've used to stitch anything with a pattern, and I keep having to go back to the beginning of the book to figure out what the darn abbreviations mean. Even if they could state at the beginning of each pattern what the abbreviation stood for, at least that way I wouldn't have to go back to the front of the book when I forgot something.
Otherwise, this book seems to be a lot of fun. I have already created a skullholder (HUGE!!), the pretty one skein scarf, and a couple of bad attempts at the PDQ hat (first one was flat like a doily, second one was too pointy...not sure what I'm doing wrong)...and I can't wait to make me an iPod monster.
Book Review: Good book for Beginners and others-needs better binding though
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this book as my first "real" crochet book after reteaching myself to crochet using "I taught Myself to Crochet" (Lion Brand?). Well I reach for this book time and again and it's been about 3 years! At first the projects looked oh-so-difficult to the beginner's eye, but now I am making more and more of what is presented in there, which yes, is designed by others than the "author" Debbie Stoller.
It also has LOTS of instruction, in the first part of the book. Types of stitches, how to do a granny square (THIS is where I learned to do that), and fancy stitches like popcorn, filet, etc. I have made many things in this book , which consist mostly of garments. And the other day as I drove down the road, I saw a lady pushing a stroller with the little Citrus bag/purse hanging from the stroller handle! I wanted to give a shout out but I was going too fast (don't tell the cops).
Overall, a good book for beginners and a great reference for more experienced crocheters. Oh I FULLY agree that the binding SUCKS; several of my pages have fallen out and are merely stuck in to the book now. I really wish they had done a spiral binding. I almost want to buy another book that is NOT worn down - just to have the pages intact again. But I don't want to re-spend my money that way.
Book Review: 4.5 stars
Summary: 5 Stars
i would actually give this book 4.5 stars. i love it, but i had two miserable moments using it. the first section of instructions is practically revolutionary. the illustrations are fantastic and they show both hands, the work, and the hook all working at the same time (this seems like an obvious way to illustrate technique but very few books include the hands--most zoom in on the hook in the work) which i credit with taking me from "intermediate" to "advanced" crocheter simply by refining and correcting my technique.
most of the patterns are fun and well written. i have made seven of them, but two were awful failures that looked nothing like the photo. the cowboy hat photographed in the book WAS NOT made following the directions exactly. i frogged it twice and remade it and mine never came out like the photo. instead, mine looked exactly like the final product on Dot's (the pattern author) website, which is not as cute as the modeled hat in the book.
also, the froufrou sweater does not work up to the schematic dimensions if you stitch it in the specified gauge. it looks dreadful if you try to increase the gauge to make it work.
all in all, it is a good book, but (like all books) the patterns are not perfect. if you are skeptical, buy it used.
Book Review: Great crochet book
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great addition to Stoller's Stich'n Bitch series. It gives a great introduction/ refresher to basic as well as more intricate crochet stitches. This book has an excellent chapter discussing the history of crochet, as well as a nice comparison of the fabric produced with crochet versus knitting.
On to the patterns. What can I say, they're great, and I think on par with the the original Crochet issue of Interweave Knits. There are bags and sweaters for adults that I'd actually make and carry. It uses a variety of yarns from all price ranges and textures that many knitters will be familiar with. For instance, the sweater 'Frou-frou' pictured on the back cover is made from Rowan Kid Classic. Great! So far I'm more than half way done with this sweater and her directions are very clear. No confusion!
What is really excellent is that her patterns try to take advantage of the unique aspects of crocheted fabric, rather than trying to make it emulate knitted fabric which just ends up looking weird. They're not the same, but both can be beautiful if the patterns play to their respective strengths. These most definitely do.
All in all, great designs, easy to follow patterns, well written.
Thanks a million Debbie Stoller!