Big Book of Favorite Crochet Patterns (Dover Crafts: Crochet)

This is the second of Dover's Vintage Crochet books that I purchased from Amazon a few years back, and I must say I'm happy it's back in print for your sake (because I had to put it on my wait list until a seller put it up online who wasn't trying to price gouge). Thus, I had to purchase it used. I purchased it because I had been impressed with their "150 Favorite Crochet Designs" book and wanted some additional patterns. Crochet books, in particular thread crochet, used to be one of the widgets I collected back in what seems like a different life almost when I had significantly more spare time then I anticipate ever having again.Like the other book mentioned, this has vintage thread crochet patterns. As such, for many of them, you actually can find them free on-line, if you have the time and patience. I don't, and I didn't, and I found it to be worth the time and the price to have so many printed in one place. Not to mention the cost of ink and paper to print them all up yourself... The patterns in this book are different then the ones in "150 Favorite Crochet Designs," so there isn't any overlap and I found it to be a worthwhile purchase.Also, please note this is not a book for beginners, it assumes that you already know how to work all of the stitches used, and indeed like the other book I mentioned, you will need intermediate to advanced crochet skills to work these. Also like their other book, the font is small, some of it is downright tiny, like font 8 or 7, possibly even 6 in a couple of patterns (the font varies in size from pattern to pattern) so heads up if you have vision problems that would make that difficult for you to work with. Also, as these are reprinted from older publications, they do not have stitch diagrams (with the exception of typical fillet crochet block patterns) that many more modern publications and patterns provide. So if you are accustomed to patterns that feature those and are not as familiar with how to read abbreviated written patterns, there is an abbreviation legend at the front of the book which is pretty standard, but that is a heads up.Some of the patterns in here are very striking in appearance, and if you have the time, I think this definitely could be a worthy addition to your own collection.

There are some old hard to find patterns included in the book.

This book is part of the Dover Needlework Series, which is historically important as it resurrects some of the most gorgeous, intricate patterns going back over 150 years. If you create a tablecloth from this book, or a bedspread, or even a very fine doily or runner, you've created a family heirloom. I have every one of these books I can lay my hands on, and every one is worth it, not a one will disappoint.

My mother taught me to crochet with thread when I was 5 years old as a way to keep me occupied and out of the way. Over the years, I've been in and out of the mood to crochet as life happened and interests changed. I'm getting back into it again, and this was one of the first books of patterns I purchased."Big" is the operative word here. There are literally dozens of patterns for tablecloths, edgings, bedspreads, and doilies, all culled from thread company brochures from the 1940s-50s. They've been reformatted for the Kindle, however, so reading them isn't a problem. Also, they've retained the photos and diagrams from the originals. Each project is illustrated with a photo appearing either just before or just after the instructions. This is a definite improvement over other Dover Kindle pattern books, where photos and even parts of instructions are scattered throughout, linked by page numbers from the original book that don't exist in the Kindle edition. This one is very well done and totally easy to follow.Most of the patterns (except for the bedspread patterns) call for threads that are 1) no longer available, and/or 2) smaller than most current crocheters like to use (the higher the "No." the smaller the thread). No worries -- I just use whatever size I'm comfortable with (usually 10 or 20) and follow the pattern anyway. Yes, it changes the size, but since I make mostly doilies, edgings, and small items like coasters, it's not that much of an issue.Of the dozens of patterns here, there are probably 20-25 that I'll make for sure, and another 10-15 that are interesting enough to consider. The bottom line, though, is that if you're an intermediate to advanced thread crocheter, you'll definitely find something here that you'll like.

I was hoping that this book comes with complete diagrams/charts in it..but so frustrating that it has only written instruction which I can't follow at all...the patterns are beautiful but I can't follow it..I don't use it until now and it's still new..

Wonderful

I am enjoying the patterns.

This "big" book of crochet patterns will indeed become a "favorite" ! With so many and varied projects to try there is something for everyone ,whether you are new to crochet or an old hand, this book will whet your appetite !Ranging from motifs,doilies,placemats through to tablecloths ,all these patterns have the old~time heirloom appeal that is such a joy to make, for yourself, or as gifts for your loved ones !