Pocket Book of Crochet
Mindful Crafting for Beginners
Published on 31. March 2023
Book
Hardback
128 pages
978-1-80092-073-6 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
A handy mini book of crochet know-how from Claire Gelder, creator of the Wool Couture brand, this guide goes back to basics. Sprinkled with Claire's positive affirmations for mindful making, she shares the essential first stitches, basic skills such as counting rows, measuring tension, weaving in ends and following a pattern, along with four simple projects - a scarf, slippers, a bear and a blanket. A gentle guide to get beginners hooked. * Inside Crochet, Issue 156 * This little book is very informative and easy to follow. I've tried to learn to crochet so many times and failed. Claire actually showed me where I was going wrong which I am so pleased about. Don't expect to be able to crochet overnight, which I used to think you could do because as the book states, practice, practice, practice.Only move on when you are competent in the stitch you are learning, I used to do a few and then move on which isn't how to do it.
Thank you Claire for getting me started, hopefully I'll be crocheting very soon. Great book at a great price! -- Denise Inglesfield * Customer Review * Used this to help a family member learn crochet and gave it to her with yarn and hooks to keep. Great handy size and since I hold hook and yarn with my right hand, hoped it would explain the difference in my method of crocheting and the most often seen method.
It was really helpful and she loves it! -- Lyn Lewis * Customer Review *
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Tunbridge Wells
United Kingdom
Illustrations
400 Line drawings, color
Dimensions
Height: 132 mm
Width: 187 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
270 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80092-073-6 (9781800920736)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Claire Gelder loves all things hand-made, hand-woven and hand-crafted. She has been crafting for relaxation and fun for over 20 years.
In 2015, Claire left her career as an NHS Director to launch her new business, Wool Couture, which specializes in knitting, crocheting, weaving and macrame. She quickly got her DIY craft kits on the shelves of retail giant John Lewis and, in 2017, secured two Dragons' Den investors to help her pass on her passion of crafting to the next generation. Adding a modern twist to age-old pastimes knitting and crochet, Claire uses giant, chunky yarn and oversized knitting needles made in her own factory.
As well as a successful entrepreneur, Claire is also a firm believer in the therapeutic side of craft, particularly its benefits to mental health and well-being.
Claire has published three books with Search Press: Mabel Bunny & Co., Bonnie the Cow & Friends and Robyn Octopus & Friends. Claire's upcoming book Pocket Book of Knitting will be published alongside Pocket Book of Crochet.
Claire lives in Wakefield, UK and is proud to be continuing Yorkshire's textile tradition. Her website is www.woolcouturecompany.com
In 2015, Claire left her career as an NHS Director to launch her new business, Wool Couture, which specializes in knitting, crocheting, weaving and macrame. She quickly got her DIY craft kits on the shelves of retail giant John Lewis and, in 2017, secured two Dragons' Den investors to help her pass on her passion of crafting to the next generation. Adding a modern twist to age-old pastimes knitting and crochet, Claire uses giant, chunky yarn and oversized knitting needles made in her own factory.
As well as a successful entrepreneur, Claire is also a firm believer in the therapeutic side of craft, particularly its benefits to mental health and well-being.
Claire has published three books with Search Press: Mabel Bunny & Co., Bonnie the Cow & Friends and Robyn Octopus & Friends. Claire's upcoming book Pocket Book of Knitting will be published alongside Pocket Book of Crochet.
Claire lives in Wakefield, UK and is proud to be continuing Yorkshire's textile tradition. Her website is www.woolcouturecompany.com
Content
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
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