Betty Barnden

The Crochet Stitch Handbook by Betty Barnden The Essential Illustrated Reference: Over 200 Traditional and Contemporary Stitches with Easy-to-Follow Charts by Betty Barnden
First time author for me. I am a self taught published corchet designer of baby afghans so am excited to be able to find out more about crochet. I also knit and have many reference books on hand.
This book fascinates me because it's primarily set up in the same way as my knitting reference books-so detailed and orderly.
Lots show more of colorful pictures of patterns in swatches throughout the book that I love.
Table of contents where stitches and patterns are categorized for ease of finding what you are looking for.
Has so many resources including how to use the book, equipment and charts of sizes available and which to use and which yarns.
Diagrams show you how to do the stitches while words explain also how to do the stitch.
I only know about 6 different stitches but always willing to learn and use more of them. Stitch selector for me is the best part of this book.
Each swatch is shown with it's name and if you select one it will show you how to do the stitch pattern.
Love how the categories are color coorindated also. Like chevrons and can imagine them in infant charity afghans I make.
Each swatch is also shown in chart format if you are more familiar with working the stitches that way.
Some stitches seem challenging to me and I can't wait to give them a try especially because the directions are so straight forward.
What a treasure, A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from Quarto Publishing Group - Chartwell Books via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheCrochetStitchHandbook #NetGalley show less

As in many books of knitting techniques, this starts from the beginning and covers the areas about which a beginner would need to know. I especially liked the way the swatches followed on, making it easy to compare the different techniques relative to one another. More advanced knitters are also catered for, as well as ambitious beginners, since this is a compedium. A wide range of techniques is covered, although it should be noted that each technique is allotted the same amount of space, show more meaning that the more complex ones can be oversimplified. For example, the section on Fair Isle, which I find quite complicated, only has the allotted two pages and very few photos to make the process clear. That criticism aside, this lives up to its name, and is excellent for an overview of what’s possible. show less

The Crochet Stitch Bible, The essential illustrated reference : over 200 traditional and contemporary stitches with easy-to-follow charts. (I am adding there are written instructions as well, in case you don't like to follow charts.)
This is the ULTIMATE Crochet pattern/reference book I have in my crochet collection library of books! This book will remain in my library until it falls apart or until I die, whichever comes first! It is spiral bound which is priceless as a pattern book because show more it stays open to the page(s) you need it to stay open to while following directions. The book is broken up by chapters of stitch collections. Each chapter lists ALL the different stitches available to crochet, and shows a photo of what the square, circle, oval, etc., will look like completed. It explains the yarns/threads/crochet hooks needed to use, explaining which are better for the different patterns, yarns or threads to be used. These different stitches and can be combined with others to make unique one-of-a-kind projects that become your own customized creations. I use this book whenever I create any type of crocheted item, even if I am using a pattern other than this book. Personally, I prefer to crochet doilies. I think they are elegant, timeless and beautiful. There is an abundance of stitches that can be used for these projects, as well as any other type of project you wish to create. This book, to me, is invaluable, making it a 5-star rating to me. I think anyone picking this book up to read and use would agree the quality of information in this book rates a 5-star. show less

I like how the book breaks down the stitches into categories for quick reference. Inclues color photos, written & diagram instructions.