#stitch dictionary

[fashionbooksmilano]

The Hooktionary

Text and Designs Brenda Anderson

David & Charles, Exeter 2023, 144 pages, 21,8x28, paperback, ISBN 9781446309575

euro 25,00

email if you want to buy [email protected]

Create bold, modern and fun tapestry crochet designs with this unique crochet stitch dictionary! One of the most important tools in any crocheter's toolbox is a stitch dictionary - an essential reference packed with possibilities. The Hooktionary is the first and only crochet stitch dictionary to feature tapestry crochet motifs. And it has personality to boot! From unicorns and bumblebees to bold, graphic designs, the 150 motifs this book includes are perfect for the modern maker. Plus, five 'choose your own adventure' projects allow you to mix and match motifs into one-of-a-kind designs that reflect your own tastes. Inspired by Andrea Rangel's Alterknit Stitch Dictionary, Brenda K.B. Anderson has created a crochet counterpart so that crocheters can join in the fun too. Unlike other tapestry crochet pattern collections, which focus on single crochet stitches - creating slanted color patterns which do not create clean lines - Anderson has used her experience of which kinds of crochet stitches pair well with tapestry crochet to create beautiful, clear patterns, and wearable fabrics. Swatches are made in one of five different crochet stitch patterns: single crochet through the back loop, center (or split) single crochet, extended single crochet, center (or split) extended single crochet, and front post double crochet, with information about how the crochet stitch anatomy affects both the drape and feel of the fabric and also the look of the charted image, so that you can imagine how a chart would look in another stitch pattern. All the designs are crocheted in the round, so that you can keep the front of the work facing you, and then steeked - a technique that has not been covered in any other crochet book! There is also comprehensive advice on choosing stitches and fixing mistakes.

28/01/24

[lightlyknitted]

"A Treasury of Knitting Patterns" review

A good stitch dictionary can get you far in projects and while I love the ease and accessibility of the internet, a book can ease the search a bit. They are a great resource for technical knowledge as well as keeping a variety of stitches in one place.

There are a lot of options for stitch dictionaries for both knitting and crochet but here is just one book so far. Many of these books might be available at your local library. Happy knitting!

“A Treasury of Knitting Patterns” By Barbara Walker

Overall score: 4 out of 5

First let’s start with a big name in knitting, Barbara Walker. She has written about 13 books about knitting, four of which fall into the “Treasury of Knitting Patterns'' line. My library had the first one, which was first published in 1968. On Schoolhouse Press, who publishes it, the book costs $30 USD. Secondhand copies are available for less.

The stitches are broken down into multiple categories (like all good dictionaries should be). The sections include: knit-purl stitches, ribbing, color changing, slip stitches, twisted stitches, fancy stitches, yarn over, eyelet, lace, cables and cable stitch. There are 500 different stitch patterns in it.

This book comes with a small glossary of terms but it is aimed at people who already know how to knit. It is best suited for beginners who have a firm grasp on knitting, purling, increasing/ decreasing and yarn overs. It is a good way to test skills and can be helpful in trying new things but can not teach you to knit.

The photos are all black and white and the swatches were worked in white yarn, the colorwork swatches do include a good contrast between light and dark. There are no charts for any of the stitches.

I personally don’t mind no charts for most of them except the colorwork. If you want charts you will have to rechart them yourself. The patterns are easy to follow but the colorwork could be confusing if you’re more familiar with charts. I would suggest charting them before starting.

The patterns are easy to read and can range from half a page to a thirds. The chapters appear to be arranged so the easiest patterns are in the beginning of the chapter while more advanced patterns towards the end. Even the "advanced" patterns are easy to follow.

Overall, I like the selection of stitches and the breath it covers. If you want a good introduction to a variety of stitches and gives you a good jumping off point for new stitches. A warning I will offer with this book, in the lace section there is a type of lace you can knit call fggtting. While in knitting it’s not referencing a slur, it is included so if that could be triggering please be warned.

I have heard from other knitters on youtube that the second treasury is a great book – so it might be worth looking into finding that one.

[shetumbler]

Beaded Hand Embroidery - Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials

A dictionary of Bead Embroidery with step-by-step instructions on how to apply them. Click on the one you want to learn today.

A dictionary of Bead Embroidery with step-by-step instructions on how to apply them. Click on the one you want to learn today.

[mooglyblog]

The Step-By-Step Guide To 200 Crochet Stitches offers detailed written, charted, and photographed instructions for each stitch! ♥ Get your copy today at https://crochetenvy.com/200-crochet-stitches/

[lightlyknitted]

Reader’s Digest "The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting And Crochet Stitches"

This week’s contender of “Is this stitch dictionary worth it?” features both knitting and crochet.

The book in question is Reader’s Digest “The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches: Over 900 great stitches detailed for needlecrafters of every level.”

Overall 4.5 out of 5

This book was first published in 2003 by Collins & Brown and is a hardback and some have a dust jacket. It is available on Amazon and secondhand retailers for under $20. Tbh, the price is good for what it is.

The book starts with a quick introduction on how to use this book and has a list of some basics needed for both knitting and crochet. The book is then broken up into two major sections and then each section is broken into more detailed categories.

For knitting the categories are: techniques, medium-weight, heavy-weight, lace, panels and ribs and edging. For crochet its: techniques, medium-weight, heavy-weight, open work, motifs and edgings. Each major category is then broken down into smaller categories like twisted stitches, aran-style fabrics, large or small lace, cable patterns and edging construction.

Overall I think this is a good jumping off point for a stitch dictionary for those with a limited budget and do both crafts. While there are 900 stitches, that is split in half to be able to cover both so it trades off depth of possible stitches to be able to cover both.

IF you don’t do both or don’t want to learn the other one don’t get it, half the book would be useless for you.

This book, comes with full color photos and illustrations which I like. The swatches are worked in color yarn which helps to envision the stitch in a variety of yarns. Some of the darker colors are a bit hard to see the details.

One thing the patterns include that I really like is some information on drape and skill. The patterns are labeled fair, good or excellent for the drape. The crochet section doesn’t have all the patterns labeled for drape in the motifs and edging which isn’t necessary. All the patterns are labeled if they are good for a beginner, intermediate or experienced but don’t let that determine which ones you use. Some patterns even include a few notes to keep in mind.

The patterns are all written out in standard knitting and crochet shorthand and the book does include a dictionary in the beginning of each section. Like with Walker, I would like a chart or two but because the swatches are in color I’m a bit more forgiving.

Most of the cons I have with this book simply comes from it covering two different crafts and trying not to be a massive tome. While flipping through it, I found plenty of stitches I wanted to cast on and try but sometimes felt that the sections could contain more if there was room. Especially if you compare it to other dictionaries on the market which can have hundreds in the book devoted to one of these crafts.

If I found a copy of this book second hand or reasonably priced online I would probably splurge on it. The book is a good base point and since it has two crafts included it’s a decent bang for you buck.

[shetumbler]

The Knots Stitch Family. Naughty Knots.Who knew there were so many ways to make knots in hand embroidery! Each knot has its own story too. Mostly isolated, these stitches are an integral part of hand embroidery.

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For step-by-step tutorials on each of these stitches, visit us here: https://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/stitch/knots/

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To purchase the eBook with these stitches and 300 more: https://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/product/ebook/

Make something beautiful today

[shetumbler]

The Fly Stitch Family.Quilt till you Wilt.There are three major families of stitches that are technically very similar-The Fly stitch family, The Feather Stitch Family, and The Blanket Stitch Family. The Fly Stitch forms a ‘Y’ shape.  It can be used to make botanical patterns and designs like ferns or as fillings for kinds of leaves. Of course, it is not restricted to such designs only, though!

________💙_________ For step-by-step tutorials on each of these stitches, visit us here: https://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/stitch/fly-stitch/

________💙_________ To purchase the eBook with these stitches and 300 more: https://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/product/ebook/

Make something beautiful today ❤️

[shetumbler]

The Straight Stitch Family. Not so straight, eh?These are super easy stitches that can be made by placing the Straight Stitch in different patterns. They can be used to create fillings, straight-line stitches, and geometric shapes and works perfectly on even woven fabric.  ________💙_________ For step-by-step tutorials on each of these stitches, visit us here: https://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/stitch/straight-stitch/

________💙_________ To purchase the eBook with these stitches and 300 more: https://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/product/ebook/

Make something beautiful today ❤️