Review by Booklist Review
Leapman's name is well known among crocheters and knitters. Her 1,450-plus patterns appear in dozens of publications, and she's authored more than a handful of books and teaches in workshops and on needlework cruises. This book, in a two-part series with Essential Crochet Next Level Stitches (2024), is a revamp of Melissa Leapman's Indispensable Stitch Collection for Crocheters (2016). In this volume, she tackles the how-tos of basic crochet in four textural categories: simple solids, shells and fans, openwork and lace, and simple edgings. Simple in this case means a stitch like front loop single crochet, while the more complicated openwork and lace samples range from the familiar v-stitch perforated to fancy trellis. Each pattern includes a crystal-clear swatch and directions in both charts and written format for nearly 100 stitches. A bonus is her resources section that's packed with abbreviations, an explanation of how to read international crochet symbols, and step-by-step illustrations for 39 stitches. For beginners as well as the experienced, with its companion book, this could well be the foundation of a design-it-yourself project and a major reference to consult again and again.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Adapted from the author's Melissa Leapman's Indispensable Stitch Collection for Crocheters, this pocket guide features 100 crochet stitch patterns taken from Leapman's 30-year career in the fiber arts and includes some new patterns as well. Leapman gives advice on how to use this stitch dictionary: for reference, to learn new techniques, or to ignite one's inner designer. The book is divided into the four sections named in its subtitle. Stitches range from the basic single crochet and moss stitch to the more complicated dragon and sunspots. Some stitches have a curved arrow icon to indicate that the pattern looks good from both the right and wrong sides, making these patterns perfect for scarves and blankets. Instructions are given in both text and chart form, and detailed instructions on how to decode crochet symbols and read a crochet chart are provided in the resource section. VERDICT Leapman is a legend in the fiber arts world, and any new book by her is an essential purchase. The array and diversity of stitches featured here will have crocheters itching to pick up their hook and try them.--Lynnanne Pearson
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