I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

One of the steps I discuss in my crochet design process is the need to assess your crochet skills before you begin designing. In addition to building skills from scratch, you’ll want resources at hand that provide you with the information, techniques, and practical experience you’ll need to start designing your own pieces.

Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby’s Complete Crochet Course: The Ultimate Reference Guide help you do both.

If you’re just beginning to learn to crochet, this book will guide you in developing the skills you’ll need to make your first projects. If you’re already an experienced crocheter, it serves as an incredible reference that’s chock full of all the techniques you’ll need to take your crochet design skills to the next level. The Finishing and Resources sections (see below) will be particularly helpful as you are tackling garment construction.

The book is divided into six main sections:

• Before You Stitch provides an extensive overview of everything involved in creating crochet fabric, including the hooks and yarn and other supplies you’ll need, as well as instructions on how to read patterns and symbol charts. The authors also take the time to explain why it’s so important to “swatch” before you start crocheting.
• Making Stitches teaches you step-by-step the basic skills you’ll need to crochet your first stitches, including foundation stitches and variations on the basic stitches. When you’re ready to get into shaping your garments, this section will teach you what you need to know about increasing, decreasing and crocheting in the round.
• Beyond Basics takes you into the realm of motifs, cables, color work, and six stitch patterns you can use to create unique crochet fabrics. And if “stitch multiples” have confused you in the past, the author’s definition will clarify it for you .
• Finishing shows you how to block and seam your crochet pieces to create a garment that flatters and fits. You’ll also learn how to attach buttons and zippers to your projects.
• Projects assumes that you are ready to put everything you’ve learned up to this point to work by crocheting five patterns. You’ll construct two cardigans, practice color work by making a lovely throw, and put together two, uniquely-shaped vests. The projects incorporate interesting stitch patterns and techniques into simple shapes which even beginning crocheters should be able to successfully complete.
• Resources includes worksheets for calculating gauge and determining the multiple of a stitch pattern, as well as charts illustrating skill level, yarn weights, UK to US terms, abbreviations, and stitch symbols (there are a lot more of them than I originally realized!).

Easy to Read and Understand

As a former instructional designer, I’m always looking for instructional materials that are easy to understand and follow; Complete Crochet Course surpasses my expectations.

The book is consistently formatted and replete with Jason’s exquisite photography. In addition, the book includes symbol charts, lots of white space, bold characters, and sub-headings, making finding information quickly a snap.

And if you’re looking for a specific piece of information, you’ll be able to find it quickly by consulting the detailed table of contents and/or index.

A Definite “Keeper”

I honestly can’t think of anything I don’t like about this book. It’s one of the most comprehensive crochet resource guides I’ve seen in a long time. The size and weight alone tell you it must be overflowing with great information.

Thankfully, there’s also a Kindle version that’s as heavy as the smart device you store it in. You can take it with you anywhere without pulling a muscle (okay, just joking). And from what I can see in the preview on Amazon, it’s as well formatted and easy to use as the hardcover.

But the hardcover Complete Crochet Course definitely deserves a place on your bookshelf where you’ll be able to consult it while you’re working on projects.

You can find the hardcover  and Kindle versions of Complete Crochet Course on Amazon.

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All photos used with author’s permission.