Wednesday 20 April 2011

Book Review: Cute & Easy Crochet

I have to admit that don't know how to crochet, but after being sent a copy of Cute & Easy Crochet I am itching to learn.


Cute & Easy Crochet is written by Nicki Trench and published by CICO Books. It starts with a guide to "crochet know-how" and includes 35 projects divided into three sections: starting out, practice makes perfect, and confident crocheting.

The projects include blankets, cushions and scarves, coffee & tea cosies and things like baby bibs, slippers and bears. Each individual project is labelled as either a "beginner", "improver" or "enthusiast" level, so it's really clear which are the tricker projects within each section and a beginner like me would be able to select super easy projects when starting out and gradually develop my skill level.


The book has a soft vintage country cottage feel to it, which isn't a look I always love but there's nothing too old fashioned or twee, the colour combinations are all very yummy, and when I showed this book to the ladies at my knitting club there was much oohing and ahhing! I particularly like the stripey cafetiere cosy and this yummy blanket which I'm delighted to see is marked as a beginner project:


One of the lovely ladies at my knitting group has kindly promised to teach me the basics so - fingers crossed - I shall be crocheting squares in no time...

Cute & Easy Crochet is available from CICO Books, Amazon UK, Amazon USA, The Book Depository and many other bookshops.

[Disclaimer: CICO Books sent me a free review copy of this book, and the Amazon & Book Depository links in this post are affiliate links]

12 comments:

Rie said...

What a great looking book, the pictures are dreamy!

Maria - A Playful Stitch said...

This is a very well timed post. I had been looking at this book online, as I am a very novice crocheter who wants to get better, and had been wondering whether it would be any good!
Thanks for the review!

LindaSonia said...

The cover photo alone makes this book look very appealing to me!! Thanks for sharing.

Clare said...

After many attempts to learn over the years I am happy to report that I am now able to crochet - not yet able to produce anything but making a reasonable collection of holes, joined together! I learnt by watching tutorials on You Tube. I tried lots of different ones until I found the one which worked for me - and now I need to keep practising to make something a little less random! Could not praise the videos enough. I am sure they will help and you will be able to show us that lovely blanket in no time!

Sarah said...

That blanket is gorgeous - just the sort of thing that is inspiring me to learn to crochet

Watkins35 said...

wow, this look fab! it's on my to do list to learn crochet this year & this looks like a perfect start - although sad to see that currently on Amazon it's not available :( but signed up to be notified :) Thank you! x

Groovy Pumpkin said...

I have this book - I love it - I'm new to crochet and the projects are just great!!

Jane :D

Genki said...

This book looks great! I'm just starting to "get" crochet, so I may see if my local book shop has a copy. I'd love to make the cafetiere cosy

GiddyStuff said...

I love this book, and have already started some of the projects! Can't wait for the release of your book later in the year, looks fab.

Anonymous said...

It looks like such a pretty book. I wish I could crochet, but being one-handed I always struggled when trying . . . my prosthetist is amazing though and working with me to come up with a prosthetic that I can attach a crochet hook to, so hopefully I can learn and then look at getting this book!! :)

Made in Suisse said...

How cute are those jam jar cosies!! I need to find a similar pattern and get crocheting!

Bugs and Fishes said...

Lovely to hear it's not just me getting excited about crochet thanks to this book!

Great idea to look up videos Clare - I often look up similar ones when I need a refresher on how to do tricky embroidery stitches. So useful.

Giddystuff - thankyou! x

Bess - I hope your prosthetist works something out for you so you can try crochet :)