Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60328 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781579909130
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
This heavy, dowdy reference book offers granny squares of similar quality. Directions take the form of both text and diagrams, and most unfortunate is the unattractive presentation in black-and-white photographs throughout. Unblocked, unpinned and unjoined, the motifs appear limp and unsymmetrical, each more drab and uninspiring than the one before. That the photos show the designs' actual size is pointless: without knowing the size crochet hook or the weight of yarn used, one cannot easily duplicate the size. Layouts are poor and confusing; amateur illustrations overwhelm the subject headings. Text for one of three techniques of joining blocks refers to "backstitches," while the matching illustration is captioned "overcasting or whipstitching." Schapper authored Complete Book of Crochet-Stitch Designs. Better Homes and Gardens Crafts Club selection.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects
After waiting several weeks for this book, I received it today and sat down with it immediately. It is beautifully written with easy to follow symbol illustrations, but the photographed pictures of the finished blocks are terrible. The blocks are ironed so flat that the textures and stitch details are lost, making many look like an unrecognizable blob, and the loop edges of some were not blocked at all, but left to curl and bunch. Furthermore, most of the blocks are pictured with the WRONG side of the work facing. The idea behind the book is a good one, to have a handy reference book of so many different kinds of blocks, but I would not recommend it for a beginner crocheter, especially those who depend on pictures to see what the patterns will look like. I have been crocheting for over 40 years and have several stitch and block reference books. I wish I had not spent money on this one.

Good directions, Nice idea, photos could be better
I've flipped through this book several times in the last week, and it has many blocks that are quite creative. The blocks have been over ironed, so the pictures do not do a finished block justice; however, the symbols for each block are great and are the primary reason I purchased this book. It does not give you any new "color" ideas since all the blocks are a single color (white) on a colored background. Also, the last 27ish blocks seem to be gauge swatches as would be made before starting a project rather than true "blocks." Additionally, many of the "blocks" are just mini-doilies, round and lacy, and the 99 Little Doilies (Leisure Arts #3228) and Crochet 101 Small Doilies are better books for that kind of thing. I also have Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs: 144 circles, hexagons, triangles, squares, and other unexpected shapes; and though it does not have as many blocks, they are done in color, are more "afghan" weight, and are shown in more "ideas" (not finished projects) and also have diagrams as well as written instructions. All that said, I do think I will use this book for many of the lacy squares that can be connected to make garments as shown in Blueprint Crochet: Modern Designs for the Visual Crocheter and any other "rectangular" garment.

Stunning
Yes, the blocks in this book have been pressed some to get them to lay flat for photography, and I would wish that to be otherwise. THAT SAID, the book is phenomenal. Easy to read instructions with light colored yarn against a solid dark background. The best part is that if you're like me, and you like charts, every single block is shown with both written and charted instructions. I can't recommend this book highly enough for the beginning through advanced crocheter who is looking for gorgeous blocks to spice up their crochet repretoire. Many of these lacey blocks are awe inspiring and I'm already planning on designing both blankets and wraps.

This book is timeless and will always have a spot of honor on my bookshelf.