I was a crocheter for about 12 years before I learned to knit in high school. This book was the one that made me realise that there was more to basic, back-and-forth rows and granny squares. It’s a book for a true beginner, but Debbie Stoller writes for every skill level. There are sections on hooks, explaining how they are sized, and also plenty of info about yarn itself, going into detail about different fiber types and even how to read a yarn label.
This book takes you all the way from learning how to hold the hook to creating scarves, bags, and even beautiful, lacy sweaters (something I never had associated before with crocheted clothing).
The first third of the book is everything you need to start crocheting like a champ (and I do mean everything). You’ll learn the basic single crochet stitch, how to work in the round to make a flat circle, how to do the shell stitch, a crocheted mesh stitch that would be great for a grocery bag, and how to seam flat pieces and much more. The rest of the book is dedicated to patterns, and her curated designs are all varied and delightful in their own way. A common theme in the Stitch N’ Bitch series is how each pattern is by a different designer, which is a fabulous way for a new fiber artist to expand their horizons .There is a pattern for a one-skein scalloped edge scarf that I’ve made at least six of over the years. Flipping through the book now to write up my review (delicately, it’s been well-loved and bits fall out if I’m not careful) I’m finding things I want to start today. Now time to go stash diving….