4.20

5

February 8, 2015

I've been crocheting for over 30 years but found myself avoiding or quitting some projects because I didn't quite get some of the instructions. This book helped so very much. Plus I got it on sale for a great price, but even at full price it's a good investment. Happy Hooking !????

5

Aug 28, 2014

Very, very impressive book. I crochet some (mostly knitting) and want to become more knowledgeable and skilled. This is the book for that purpose! Ms. Ohrenstein masterfully explains each crocheting technique in terms of swatches and how each swatch is created and constructed. This teaching method is excellent! The illustrations and directions are clear, concise, comprehensive and understandable.

5

I am a fan of crochet designer Dora Ohrenstein so when I had the opportunity to take a peek at this pattern e-book I was really happy. This one features numerous crochet swatches for pattern ideas ...Full Review

5

Aug 10, 2016

After 20 years of crocheting I have figured out many patterns and madey own. This book is very good at explaining basic to complex techniques.

4

Dec 28, 2014

This is a great resource book. It provides some great tips on basics, as well as some more advanced techniques and stitches.

5

Jul 03, 2014

A fantasic book even an experienced crocheter as myself found something I did know how to do in this. Ideal for beginners with clear instructions and step by step pictures. A must have.

4

Dec 01, 2014

This book had some good information an instructions that I think I will be able to follow.

4

Nov 29, 2014

clear instructions with lots of photos. Goes beyond the basic and really does offer techniques that build skills.

4

Aug 21, 2016

This book is really handy if you have learned the basics of crochet and want to progress to more advanced stitches.

5

Aug 02, 2016

I learned good crochet information from reading this book. It was easy to understand for a novice crochet learner.

3

Dec 29, 2014

This book is very pleasantly designed and has some cute stitches. Some techniques were helpful, but others I still needed to look up online for more help. I am not sure this is a fault of the book; I could just be a skill level behind its target audience.

4

Oct 01, 2014

It's a book with some crochet skill building tips and exercises. Unfortunately I had a kindle version so I wasn't able to enjoy it and keep it for further use as I should have. Still, I enjoyed some of the little tips and tricks.

5

Apr 18, 2015

I appreciated this book for its thoroughness. It walks you from beginner to expert, all while doing it in an easy to read manner. There are many chapters in here that are great resources whether you are learning or reintroducing yourself to the skill. As someone who has problems translating written instruction to action, I appreciated the simplicity of the text and visual aids in the form of beautifully clear images.

5

Dec 20, 2019

Hands down the best crochet book I’ve ever picked up. Comprehensive, easy to understand, filled with the stuff you need as a beginner but the beginning books never tell you; pitched at the intermediate crocheter, but there is stuff in here even lifetime crocheters (like my friend’s aunt) hadn’t seen or realized. This book is a MUST.

4

Apr 16, 2015

Actually quite impressed. She's put together the kind of technique book I had been hoping for in crochet for a long time. There are pictures for tension, shaping sections are of particular interest (she shows various stitch patterns and how to increase in pattern). Charts and pictures of swatches are good. Book is not reliant on projects, 5 simple ones at end. Liked mainly to look in chapters to find and get ideas.

4

Dec 19, 2015

It's a little less advanced than I would expect for a skill-building course, but what it does, it does well. Everything from the basics to intermediate skills, I'd say. With 30+ years' crochet experience, I'm sure I still have things to learn, so I got this from the library.

It starts from the assumption that the reader has no knowledge of crochet whatsoever, so it's not just skill-building, but skill-establishing from ground one. I didn't learn as much as I hoped, but it's still a useful It's a little less advanced than I would expect for a skill-building course, but what it does, it does well. Everything from the basics to intermediate skills, I'd say. With 30+ years' crochet experience, I'm sure I still have things to learn, so I got this from the library.

It starts from the assumption that the reader has no knowledge of crochet whatsoever, so it's not just skill-building, but skill-establishing from ground one. I didn't learn as much as I hoped, but it's still a useful reference for some of the more rare stitch types. ...more

5

Jan 23, 2015

This is a great little book for anyone out there who wants to learn more about crochet or to improve upon their crochet skills, from beginners to oldies like me :). The book has the absolute basics, but also discusses things like yarn choice and various crochet stitches.

Each lesson builds upon the previous ones, but you can certainly skip around if there is a particular topic that catches your eye. It's definitely a must have for anyone interested in developing their crochet skills, but is
This is a great little book for anyone out there who wants to learn more about crochet or to improve upon their crochet skills, from beginners to oldies like me :). The book has the absolute basics, but also discusses things like yarn choice and various crochet stitches.

Each lesson builds upon the previous ones, but you can certainly skip around if there is a particular topic that catches your eye. It's definitely a must have for anyone interested in developing their crochet skills, but is definitely more geared towards beginners or those who haven't crocheted in a long time.




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I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and was not paid for my review. ...more

4

Nov 09, 2014

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great workbook for fellow crochet enthusiasts to brush up on their skills. Whether you are a beginner crocheter, or an advanced hooker who’s been at it for decades, I can’t see anyone not taking something useful away from this book. From brushing up on the absolute basics, like how hook size and yarn choice affects drape, to different, possibly new to the reader, stitches, this book has something for everyone. It goes from I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great workbook for fellow crochet enthusiasts to brush up on their skills. Whether you are a beginner crocheter, or an advanced hooker who’s been at it for decades, I can’t see anyone not taking something useful away from this book. From brushing up on the absolute basics, like how hook size and yarn choice affects drape, to different, possibly new to the reader, stitches, this book has something for everyone. It goes from the absolute basic, to the more advanced levels.
The reader really shouldn’t try to skip around, like I did. Each lesson builds upon the previous one, and the reader can only find themselves a better crocheter for being patient and going through the whole book, one page at a time. This truly is an excellent crocheting workshop meant to broaden our horizons as yarn enthusiasts and crocheters.
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4

Sep 04, 2014

Incredibly Complete!
This book is indeed a skill-building workshop contained within the covers. Well written with lots of colorful photos. Clear, concise pictures and diagrams are included. There is some “assumed” skill in the level of the reader. The only unfortunate part of the book is that pattern reading appears 200 pages after it has been used. If the reader needed help with that skill – and indeed – patterns appear at the beginning of the book shortly after yarn selection, why make them Incredibly Complete!
This book is indeed a skill-building workshop contained within the covers. Well written with lots of colorful photos. Clear, concise pictures and diagrams are included. There is some “assumed” skill in the level of the reader. The only unfortunate part of the book is that pattern reading appears 200 pages after it has been used. If the reader needed help with that skill – and indeed – patterns appear at the beginning of the book shortly after yarn selection, why make them wait 200 pages to explain how to read the patterns – this skill should have appeared close to the front of the book. There are little tidbits of historical facts tossed into the mix and that makes for great reading. Treat yourself or someone you love to a wonderful workshop and improve your skills! Enjoy! NetGalley and Storey Publishing provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
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4

Nov 14, 2014

As someone who taught myself to crochet using video clips on youtube, its great to finally find a book that helps hone my skills. Ohrenstein is also self taught, so maybe that is part of what makes this book so helpful. While she has given us written explanations, there are many step by step photo's to help. And not just for the different stitches, but for tension too. Its easy(ish) to see when crocheting if your tension is too tight, or too lose, but usually not until you have completed many As someone who taught myself to crochet using video clips on youtube, its great to finally find a book that helps hone my skills. Ohrenstein is also self taught, so maybe that is part of what makes this book so helpful. While she has given us written explanations, there are many step by step photo's to help. And not just for the different stitches, but for tension too. Its easy(ish) to see when crocheting if your tension is too tight, or too lose, but usually not until you have completed many stitches or rows, with the photo tutorial in the book you get a clear look at what stitches look like when made too lose or tight.

The chapter on shaping is invaluable, I find sometimes that when it comes to shaping with anything beyond a simple stitch I get confused and inevitably miscount. Now I have a whole section to reference when working increases or decreases into intricate patterns.

I think it's safe to say that I need a hard copy of this book for my shelf. There are so many tips in this that I know I will use it often... not to mention the new to me stitches and the fab looking projects in the back of the book. ...more

4

Jul 30, 2014

An excellent choice for when you are ready to move beyond the basics in crochet. This book is set up assuming a prior knowledge and experience in crochet and so is decidedly not for the beginner. The illustrations are in color making it a very enjoyable read (and much easier to follow when teaching yourself a skill from a book). The author pays great attention to building upon what you already know, and expanding your abilities. For instance, there is an entire section on the many different ways An excellent choice for when you are ready to move beyond the basics in crochet. This book is set up assuming a prior knowledge and experience in crochet and so is decidedly not for the beginner. The illustrations are in color making it a very enjoyable read (and much easier to follow when teaching yourself a skill from a book). The author pays great attention to building upon what you already know, and expanding your abilities. For instance, there is an entire section on the many different ways to enter the work and what each of them will do for your project. The chapters are laid out as a workshop with small projects along the way to illustrate a technique in real time. The book ends with a set of projects for you to put these newly honed skills into action and they are modern and beautiful. At this point in my crocheting experience i'm not yet ready for a skill building workshop, but i highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn something new in crochet. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of review, however this book is so full of great information i will definitely be getting a copy for myself. ...more

5

Jul 23, 2014

I am a fan of crochet designer Dora Ohrenstein so when I had the opportunity to take a peek at this pattern e-book I was really happy.
This one features numerous crochet swatches for pattern ideas. Five full crochet patterns are included as well. I found the swatch patterns to be really neat, as the sizes and shapes vary. There are some inspiring crochet ideas here.

There's a section on technique, which includes shaping, crocheting in the round, textured stitches and more. Projects include a hat, I am a fan of crochet designer Dora Ohrenstein so when I had the opportunity to take a peek at this pattern e-book I was really happy.
This one features numerous crochet swatches for pattern ideas. Five full crochet patterns are included as well. I found the swatch patterns to be really neat, as the sizes and shapes vary. There are some inspiring crochet ideas here.

There's a section on technique, which includes shaping, crocheting in the round, textured stitches and more. Projects include a hat, cowl, bag, capelet and a scarf, all of which are lovely looking.

The photos are clear and the instructions are easy to read. I whipped up a puff flower, which was very simple to make and I can see these being used as embellishments.
I definitely recommend The Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop: Essential Techniques for Becoming a More Versatile, Adventurous Crocheter by Dora Ohrenstein to any crocheter looking for unique design ideas.

Special thanks to NetGalley for my free review copy!

disclaimer:
This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and designers, such as this one, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. ...more

4

Nov 15, 2014

This book is just so handy to have on my shelf. I found the author wants me to gain her experience as well. She is just so amazing!

This book has everything in it with steps to help even the beginner and the advanced user to have new ideas. I loves the section on tension, since that is important for thew outcome of many a craft.

I myself, am still somewhere between beginner and intermediate - and I found the way Dora Ohrenstein explains it helps me a lot!! There is more information for us on This book is just so handy to have on my shelf. I found the author wants me to gain her experience as well. She is just so amazing!

This book has everything in it with steps to help even the beginner and the advanced user to have new ideas. I loves the section on tension, since that is important for thew outcome of many a craft.

I myself, am still somewhere between beginner and intermediate - and I found the way Dora Ohrenstein explains it helps me a lot!! There is more information for us on shaping, textures, and even finishing. That is where I needed the most help and it was in great color photos and helped explain a great deal.

I am sure the absolute beginner could use this book - I found it was comfortable for me since I am not really a novice at crochet. I enjoyed trying new techniques and felt a bit more competent after reading and using the new choices.

There are also plenty of crafts to try right here in the book. Try something as fun as a bag or scarf - or get more complex into a project for a cowl if the thought moves you. I am keeping this one on the shelf in my crafts room!


***This ARC copy is received free from Netgalley.com for review purposes. ...more

5

Aug 24, 2014

The Crocheter’s Skill Building Workshop by Dora Ohrenstein (Storey Publishing) is one of the best – if not THE best – of its kind that I’ve found. I’m definitely adding it to my personal library and ordering a copy for our public library.

Ohrenstein covers everything for the novice through intermediate level crocheter, and the book is truly a workshop text, excellent for use in classes or alone. Read just the first thee chapters, which cover yarn and tools and tension, and you’ll have a thorough The Crocheter’s Skill Building Workshop by Dora Ohrenstein (Storey Publishing) is one of the best – if not THE best – of its kind that I’ve found. I’m definitely adding it to my personal library and ordering a copy for our public library.

Ohrenstein covers everything for the novice through intermediate level crocheter, and the book is truly a workshop text, excellent for use in classes or alone. Read just the first thee chapters, which cover yarn and tools and tension, and you’ll have a thorough understanding of how yarn texture, weight, and material, hook size and material, and tension, separately and together determine everything from stitch height and density to overall shape and drape. You’ll also want to read the rest of the book, because the how-to photos and their accompanying directions are so clear and the exercises are so excellent..

Chapters four, five, and six cover fundamental techniques, shaping and construction, and crochet in the round. Chapters seven through ten deal with advanced shaping issues, textured stitches, color, and finishing, and the book ends with five projects for honing skills. The high quality photos, clear directions, and excellent exercises continue, and Ohrenstein also shows consummate skill in showing how to recognize and deal with problems as they arise.

If you want to learn crochet, get better at it, or teach it, The Crocheter’s Skill Building Workshop is the book to buy.
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5

Dec 08, 2014

The Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop by Dora Ohrenstein is a crochet resource that is currently scheduled for release on December 2 2014 in digital and paper formats. This book is a guide that covers all of the basic crochet techniques, from choosing yarns to finishing! It deals with the basic questions that each and every crocheter faces, as well as those that have been hooking for years might never have seen dressed elsewhere. Included are more than 70 stitch-along swatches that each teach The Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop by Dora Ohrenstein is a crochet resource that is currently scheduled for release on December 2 2014 in digital and paper formats. This book is a guide that covers all of the basic crochet techniques, from choosing yarns to finishing! It deals with the basic questions that each and every crocheter faces, as well as those that have been hooking for years might never have seen dressed elsewhere. Included are more than 70 stitch-along swatches that each teach and reinforce the skills of a particular technique, along with five projects (a hat, shawl, neck warmer, bag, and scarf) that put those techniques to use. The swatches offer not just a variety of stitch patterns but also a variety of shapes and can serve as the building blocks for sophisticated and creative projects of your own design.

The Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop is a wonderful resource for crocheters of all skill levels, from beginners through those that consider themselves experts. As someone that supplements her income selling crochet items, I found a few explanations and bits of advice to be invaluable and in some cases answering questions that I have had for years and never found the answer to before. Crochet fans will find some great tools in calculating yarn, including after having made modifications to hook sizes and/or yarn weight. The explanations, detailed pictures, and labeled diagrams do a great job of illustrating the techniques and at no point does the tone come off as conceding, which does sometimes happen with books or videos detailing basic stitches and information.

I highly recommend The Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop to anyone that enjoys crochet, particularly those of us that are always looking to improve our skills and understanding. I have already preordered my paper copy for myself, because my digital e-galley is wonderful but not quite as useful to me as an actual paper copy with post-it notes and the ability to leave hand written notes and ideas in the margins. ...more