350+ crochet tips, techniques, and trade secrets /

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Give a professional finish to your crochet garments and accessories with this indispensable compendium of technical know-how and troubleshooting tips. Techniques are organized in the order that you'd need them as you work through a project, from choosing the right yarn to looking after your finished garment. Step-by-step photographs, diagrams, and clear instructions guide you through each stage of your work, or you can dip in for help with a particular problem.

Discover how to substitute yarns and accurately estimate the amount required, adapt patterns to create tailor-made garments, and lengthen an existing piece with trims and edgings. From basic chain stitches to filet crochet, there's advice for all kinds of stitches, mixing and matching, and dealing with gauge variations. You'll also find plenty of inspiration for adding an extra-special touch to your work using beaded embellishments and surface crochet!

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction (p. 8)
• Chapter 1 Hooks, tools, and yarns (p. 10)
• Choosing and holding a hook (p. 10)
• Essential tool kit (p. 14)
• Looking after hooks (p. 16)
• Which yarn? (p. 18)
• Changing yarn (p. 20)
• Chapter 2 Patterns and charts (p. 22)
• Understanding crochet patterns (p. 22)
• Reading symbol charts (p. 24)
• Mixing and matching stitch patterns (p. 26)
• Working from a color block chart (p. 28)
• Working from a filet crochet chart (p. 30)
• Chapter 3 Design (p. 32)
• All about gauge (p. 32)
• Evaluating drape (p. 34)
• Garment shapes (p. 36)
• Getting a good fit from a readymade pattern (p. 38)
• Design basics (p. 40)
• Designing scarves (p. 42)
• Designing shawls and wraps (p. 44)
• Chapter 4 Crochet techniques (p. 46)
• Working a foundation chain (p. 46)
• Working basic stitches (p. 48)
• Turning and starting chains (p. 54)
• Understanding stitch patterns, multiples, and repeats (p. 56)
• Joining in new yarns (p. 58)
• Joining lengths of yarn (p. 60)
• Working filet crochet (p. 62)
• Working lace stitches (p. 66)
• Working shells and fans (p. 68)
• Working clusters (p. 70)
• Changing scale (p. 71)
• Working chevron patterns (p. 72)
• Working puff stitches (p. 74)
• Working popcorns (p. 75)
• Working bobbles (p. 76)
• Adding texture with post and spike stitches (p. 78)
• Working crossed stitches (p. 80)
• Shaping (p. 82)
• Shaping filet crochet (p. 84)
• Pockets (p. 86)
• Making inset pockets (p. 88)
• Neckbands and collars (p. 90)
• Button and buttonhole bands (p. 92)
• Adding buttons (p. 94)
• Making your own buttons (p. 96)
• Zippers (p. 98)
• Working edge treatments (p. 100)
• Edgings and insertions (p. 102)
• Jazzy trims and fringes (p. 104)
• Chapter 5 Working in the round (p. 106)
• Working out from the center (p. 106)
• Working a basic round block (p. 108)
• Fitting blocks together (p. 110)
• Turning corners on shaped blocks (p. 112)
• Working in layers (p. 114)
• Making a spiral (p. 116)
• Joining lace blocks (p. 118)
• Tubes and cylinders (p. 120)
• Socks (p. 122)
• Mittens (p. 124)
• Chapter 6 Fun with color (p. 126)
• Grouping colors (p. 126)
• Stripe patterns (p. 128)
• Working Jacquard and intarsia patterns (p. 130)
• Felting crochet (p. 132)
• Applying beads (p. 134)
• Setting up a dye studio (p. 136)
• Handpainting yarn with acid dyes (p. 140)
• Chapter 7 Assembling and finishing (p. 142)
• Dealing with yarn ends (p. 142)
• Blocking and pressing (p. 144)
• Seams (p. 148)
• Working guidelines (p. 151)
• Resources (p. 152)
• Index (p. 158)
• Credits (p. 160)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

In this updated and expanded edition of her 2007 guide, needlecraft specialist Eaton (The New Encyclopedia of Crochet Techniques) provides a basics-and-beyond overview of crochet tools and techniques. The content is arranged thematically, with brief, step-by-step tutorials on a variety of topics, with sidebars highlighting skills or easy fixes to common crochet problems. Coverage includes basic stitches, as well as simple decorative patterns (chevrons, fans, and blocks) and special stitches (popcorns, puffs, and bobbles). Also included is information about crocheted edgings, joining motifs, and simple colorwork. Eaton goes in some unexpected directions, with garment design and pattern and chart reading appearing before the stitch guide. The index can help to resolve the oddities in topic arrangement. VERDICT Most questions that a beginning crocheter might have are covered in this guide. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* Crochet is an ever-popular craft enjoyed by people of all ages. This book offers guidance for those just learning and those more experienced, with color photographs illustrating just about everything involved in crocheting. Guides to the basics of hooks, tools, and yarns start the reader at the beginning and then move on to patterns and charts, design, techniques, working in the round, working with color, and assembling and finishing. Throughout the book, sidebars titled Fix It offer tips and hints for addressing common problems, while those labeled Try It include ideas for experimenting and for developing new skills. A variety of colors and types of yarn is used to illustrate the techniques and projects, providing a wide-ranging and interesting visual experience. Similarly, a range of types of projects and applications is included, showcasing the way crochet looks and works in scarves, jackets, buttons, edgings, socks, blankets, embellishments, and more. Even those who don't crochet will find useful details here in the sections on garment shapes, color theory, and home dyeing. A very informative book that will find steady use in virtually any craft collection.--Heidemann, Anne Copyright 2010 Booklist

Author notes provided by Syndetics

JAN EATON is known internationally for her specialty in needlecraft and textile designs. She is the author of 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans .