Crochet book reviews

The following is a conglomeration of some of the many crochet topic books in my library and I will give my honest appraisal of them:
1)The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman- this is a fantastic little book from beginner to expert that has diagrams, abbreviations, (including symbols),yarn differences, stitch techniques,and truly does a decent job of trying to live up to what the subtitle suggests which is: “Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask”..there are many reference guides and resources in the back of the book as well...the price is $12.95 to $15.95 and well worth it.
2)Textured Crochet (Stitch Collection-More than 70 designs with easy to follow charts) by Helen Jordon...this little hardcover book certainly is absolutely beautiful in it's presentation-it has throughout full color pictures on virtually every page of the 90+ pages, it uses both common word and symbol crochet terminology to explain the various stitch methods-however in my professional opinion and through experience with beginning crocheters, this book is for those with some crocheting knowledge.-cost is approximately $17
3)Beautiful Crocheted Sweaters by Patricia Bevans-168 pg hardcover book that divides the 40 sweaters into single,double and single,combination,tunisian and applique patterns, plus each pattern is marked from beginner to advanced. It uses color pictures and has gorgeous patterns including some that normally would be considered the realm of knitting; “Fair Isle and Cable”),
She uses word abbreviations and instructions only,(book was written in 1992)in the back of book complex stitches are explained with diagrams. An excellent resource for ladies/teenage girls sweaters...cost approximately $19.95
4)100 Afghans to Knit and Crochet by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss-a hardcover book that delivers what it promises-sharp, concise, color photos of 100 afghans with instructions in word and abbreviations that are given their full definitions in the back of the book..a beginning crocheter would be able to do some of the afghans in here, but this is better for someone with some experience...a smart book as Bernat did a survey awhile back asking crocheters what their favorite projects to work on was and the large majority of respondents said afghans...it costs about $24.95
5)The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs (500 Classic & Original Patterns) by Linda P. Schapper-you know how most if not all good patterns you see have the reader create a “swatch” before beginning the project at hand? This 352 pg hardcover book is full of swatch size works so that the reader is able to discern well the fairly easy to quite complex designs contained in this magnificent book..it is comprable to an encyclopedia of sorts, just a very specialized type. I purchased this book after having a customer ask me to replicate a very unique stitch design in an afghan his wife had made years ago, and not only was the stitch impossible for me to duplicate, but I asked well-reknown designers and folks who had gone to college for fiber arts and none were able to answer the question..luckily, I found the stitch in an antiquated crochet book, and was able to please the client while I waited for this book to arrive. I am not certain this book would be desired in most hobbyist collections, perhaps only folks who do this for a living and/or instructors like myself would find this book a good investment...cost is $29.95
6)Big Hook Crochet (Over 80 beautiful projects made with bulky yarns and large-size hooks) by Carol Alexander..a soft cover [but probably also sells in hardcover] book that is a wonderful collection of easy to understand projects written in standard abbreviation and word instructions...Gorgeous,large pics, and as promised nothing smaller than a “k” hook is used.. Some of the benefits of this book, it has beautiful sweaters in plus sizes (which many books do not),back of book has two pages devoted to the explanation and diagrams of the stitches used, abbreviations, and other terminology that is useful to the beginner..has rugs,sweaters,childrens,vests,afghans,pillows,slippers,etc...no men's projects however...cost is $19.95
7)So Simple Crochet A Fabulous Collection of 24 Fashionable and Fun Designs by Melody Griffiths- this hardcover book has vests,tops,shawls,ponchos, scarves and sweaters that are very lovely and flirty...the directions are written in words with abbreviations and symols too with an explaination of these in the beginning of the book. Unique features of this book, besides having the patterns diagnosed as being beginner to advanced, have helpful tips and hints throughout. Has beautiful color pictures and some diagrams to help visualize the various designs, also has the bust/width and length measurements to avoid mistakes..in my opinion, although this book has items for beginners to make, it is more geared to crocheters with some experience....cost approximately $17.95
8)24 Hour Crochet Projects by Rita Weiss-a hardcover book that uniquely demonstrates projects for men, ladies, children and babies with a timetable (that is APPROXIMATE) in hours..the other original feature in the book is that there are many pics of most of the projects, and from different angles...the instructions are written in words and abbreviations and there is a reference guide in the back of the book..this book has many designs that beginners can do, and they look more difficult...price is about $16.95
9)Blue Ribbon Afghans from America's State Fair 40 Prize Winning Crochet Designs by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader-a hardcover book chock full of photos and instructions in words and abbreviations with references in the back of the book...also diagrams,special notes,along with brief historical synopses of different state fairs and write ups of the of the creators. The beginning of the book has a unique and detailed history of how the state fair got it's start...although there are mostly patterns for experienced crocheters, a few of the afghans were done by novices...cost is about $20.95
10)Crochet For Babies edited Bobbie Matela-this softcover (again probably also available in hardcover) book is a collection of 60 projects for babies to older toddlers that are highly original and are written by many different designers in word instructions with skill levels marked at the beginning of each pattern..in the back of the176pg book is abbreviations explained, plus diagrams of various stitches...this book has a variety of difficulty levels but I believe a novice could follow the patterns for at least 50% of the time without much problem..price is about $16.95
More book reviews later this week and also to come: unique crochet glass balls for any occasion,history of crochet,felting,how to create various size sleeves,flowers,a neat scrapbooking idea or two,some sewing ideas like how to calculate yardages for draperies, and much more!