Pocket Book of Crochet

From best-selling author and crafting queen Claire Gelder, this gorgeous mini guide is packed full of crochet know-how, practical illustrations and comes with four simple projects.

Perfect for complete beginners, Claire clearly explains everything you need to know about crochet: how to read a ball band, how to get tension correct, how to choose hooks and yarns and how to read abbreviations and crochet patterns. It is structured as a simple 3-step course that will help you progress from bronze to gold as your skills and confidence grow. Start with the basic stitches and techniques, build up a few more stitches for your collection, then finally add in some simple shaping and some pompoms. Before you know it you'll be crocheting a colour blocked scarf, some snuggly pompom slippers and a cuddly teddy bear, plus the bonus granny square blanket project.

Filled with positive affirmations and beautifully illustrated, this wonderful book is the ideal introduction to crochet for a complete beginner.

Book Contents

A little bit about me and Wool Couture 6

What's in this book? 12

Crochet every day 16

What you need to start crochet 18

Knowing your yarn 22

Crochet hooks 32

Your first stitches

Slipknot 38, Chain stitch 43, Double crochet stitch 47, Counting rows 54, Counting stitches 55, Measuring tension 56, Fastening off 62, Weaving in the ends 63, Joining a new ball of yarn 64, Understanding terminology 66, Following a pattern 70, Bronze level project: Colour blocked scarf 72

Your next stitches

Making a magic circle 76, Half treble crochet 80, Making pompoms 86, Silver level project: Pompom slippers 90

Other stitch techniques

How to decrease stitches 96, Treble stitch 98, Slip stitch 99, How to change colour or add a new ball of yarn 100, Gold level project: Teddy bear 102, Bonus level project: Granny square blanket 114