Recommendations for beginning crochet books?

[mymommyto5]

Anybody got any excellent ones for the hook-challenged?

[Arwyn]

I am SUCH a book (and pattern) whore! So you absolutely came to the right place with your question! :D

I learned from Leisure Arts' Cool StuffTM Teach Me to Crochet book -- it's geared to a younger audience, but I loved how they get you into making neat projects right from the start.

As far as I'm concerned, it's basically a requirement to get Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet (also apprently from LA. go figure :roll: ) once you have the basics down at all, although it's also a great book to learn from, especially if you're already an accomplished crafter in other areas. I'm REALLY hoping to get her Encyclopedia of Knitting aaaaaaaaaany day now. :fingersx:

Once you're beyond learn-to books, I really love Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies by Jane Davis - +really+ cute designs without being overly cutesy, and that strike what I think is a great balance between ease (so you don't get overwhelmed) and interest (I get bored SO quickly - don't expect to see me making any large granny-square blankets anytime soon!).

Other than that, just don't be afraid to make like a frog and RIPPIT! I can't tell you how many hours I've spent on projects only to discover some really fundamental mistake I made at the beginning - sometimes I can just go with it (then your project really is "one of a kind!"), but often as not, I rip out the last hour or three's worth of work. :irked All part of the art! Making mistakes is actually why I prefer crochet over knitting - it's so easy to rip out your mistakes and start up again, or if you drop (or lose! :oops: ) your hook, there's only one loop to pick up! I still haven't figured out how to take out more than a few knit stitches at a time. Heaven forbid I ever discover a mistake an hour after I made it - I think I'd either kill myself or the project! :bang :splat :mur

Ok, that got off topic. :blah Anyway, know also that there are tons of people here to help you get started with crochet.

Happy hooking!