Customer Reviews

Crocheting in Plain English: Easy-To-Follow Lessons in Patterns, Sensible Solutions to Nagging Problems, the Only Book Any Crocheter Will Ever Need

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I bought this book, I thought it would have good diagrams, good patterns and good advice. It did not have any of the above. Miss Righetti sounds too matronly, always talking about "mother nature", "foremothers", "She", meaning God. I think this is all fine, but I got tired of all the redundancy. The diagrams where not clear, and old looking! All in all, I would not recommend this book! Trust me!

I'm glad I got this book at a closeout price, because as an experienced crocheter, I didn't find much of value in this book other than a couple of edging and motif patterns. On the other hand, I probably would have appreciated this when I was teaching myself to crochet. The author has a pleasing writing style, but the book is peppered with Mommie Dearest anecdotes that I could have done without. Maybe her own experiences with her mother are what made her so rigid about some aspects of crocheting, such as how to hold the hook. And, just to add a pet peeve of mine: Pattern instructions are set in italics, which are more difficult to read than straight type. As any publication designer worth her salt knows, italics should be used sparingly --certainly not for directions.

I learned to knit in Ms. Righetti's "Knitting in Plain English". With that knowledge, even when some of her directions were hard to understand, I let common sense take over. I am dissappointed in her lessons at the end of the book. I felt they were very "dated" and "grandma-ish". Crocheting is so trendy and hip right now, I would have enjoyed patterns that were more modern. (Yes, I know this book was written in '88.) So, all in all this is a good reference book for crocheting. But I wouldn't recommend it for the patterns in the lesson chapters.

I like this book and the way M's Righetti writes about crochet and her love of the craft. The instructions are generally good but the diagrams leave a lot to be desired. They are difficult (to me) to understand and I wouldn't choose this as a first crochet book for anyone wanting to learn to crochet.

Part of the reason for my opinion is that M's Righetti has a very strict view on how a crochet hook is supposed to be held. There is more than one way to hold a crochet hook and a person should be able to hold the hook comfortably in her/his hand. M's Righetti's recommendation of how to hold the hook makes my wrist sore and I have a great deal of difficulty crocheting in that position. I have been crocheting now for over 30 years and I get good results by holding the hook the way it comfortably fits my hand.

Outside of her reprimands/criticisms of the "proper" way to hold the hook and the difficult to understand diagrams, this is a good book and I recommend it highly for folks who already know a little about crocheting and want to learn more. Stitches are explained well and her instructions on cutting a piece of crocheted work is definitely liberating. So buy the book and expand your knowledge of one of the greatest needle arts, crochet.

It's worth buying this book just for the pattern of Queen Anne's lace. About a year ago, I decided to take up crocheting again because I felt I was getting arthritis in my fingers. My mother had taught me to make granny squares when I was a child, but I wanted something more challenging. Also, my mother never taught me how to read a pattern. I used this book to teach myself how to read patterns. I am amazed that I can now make something now like Queen Anne's lace. The pattern simplifies instructions from a baby blanket pattern printed in the 40s. If you're like me and have no spatial sense, you'll appreciate a book like this with simple, easy to follow instructions.

It's worth buying this book just for the pattern of Queen Anne's lace. About a year ago, I decided to take up crocheting again because I felt I was getting arthritis in my fingers. My mother had taught me to make granny squares when I was a child, but I wanted something more challenging. Also, my mother never taught me how to read a pattern. I used this book to teach myself how to read patterns. I am amazed that I can now make something now like Queen Anne's lace. The pattern simplifies instructions from a baby blanket pattern printed in the 40s. If you're like me and have no spatial sense, you'll appreciate a book like this with simple, easy to follow instructions.

... The wording used in this guide is the best I have found. That is, it's the best while describing exactly how to crochet different stitches - not the overabundant use of analogy. While enjoying the ease of following her instructions, I find myself wanting to scream everytime I'm reminded (or is it reprimanded) that I am making lace in the air and that my crochet hook is not a plow or a hoe for gardening. I hold my hook differently than the author demands, because it works better for me. My hands ache when I try it her way.
I don't enjoy being told this is my first day on the job, a baby's first step, or that I'm carving a turkey.
All in all, I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because of the opinionated tone and because I feel the illustrations should be easier to decifer than some of the small black and white line drawings in this book.

I read a crochet instruction booklet written toward young girls to learn how to crochet about a month ago. I wish I would have had this book to begin with instead. The author is a professional crochet teacher, and she takes you through each lesson carefully and thoroughly, to learn new stitches. Once you've read through and practiced with this book, you will be able to confidently (and easily) crochet just about anything!

This book is a keeper! I have been an avid crocheter for over 20 years (Certified Instructor) and this book has something for beginners to advanced. The seaming techiniques and humorous andedotes to problems (who would'nt like to skip "gauge") makes this a valuable addition to your library

I've been crocheting for over 20 years and I *still* refer to this book on occasion. Even if you already know all your basic stitches, this book is so detailed, I'm sure it's got something in there that you never knew. It is filled with ideas about how to choose a decent yarn and sewing techniques that I never thought of.

I do disagree with Ms. Righetti on one point, though: She has a very strong opinion about how one must hold one's hook. Please don't let that daunt you. Hold your hook any way that's comfortable for you and you'll gain plenty of speed as you get comfortable.