Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies

Rating:
Summary: DO NOT BUY !!!
Review: I have crocheted for over 35 years, and have done every type of crochet possible, and NEVER ever had more than a tiny problem with directions. This book is a nightmare of non-information and incorrect directions. I can't believe it was sent out to the public like this. And now, from reading other reviews, newer crocheters worry that it is their inexperience that caused their frustrations. This was the biggest waste of money I have done in ages. I never even expected to NOT be able to understand it, since it IS suupposed to be SIMPLE CROCHET. Even if it were advanced crochet, it is a mess. I wish I could stop every single person who is reaching out for this book to PUT IT BACK. If you ARE more advanced, then you can figure out a lot of the pictures for yourself, and save your energy and......money. Terrible, Terrible.....TERRIBLE !!
Sincerely,
Deborah May
Oregon

Rating:
Summary: Best Collection of Baby Patterns
Review: I have many books on crochet and many specifically on crocheting for babies and toddlers. This book has the best collection of patterns for babies by far. The baby clothes inside are adorable and up-to-date. It also has patterns for cute stuffed animals and gorgeous blankets. This is the book you'd want to buy first if you're looking to crochet something as a gift or for your own baby.

Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous items poor instructions
Review: I love every piece in this book they all look gorgeous BUT the instructions for the patterns are very poor. Vague at best and I found myself trying to figure out how to finish items on my own. It was dissapointing since the pieces are so great looking. Most of the patterns are labled intermediate but I'm not too sure about that, if the instructions were worded better this book would be my favorite.

Rating:
Summary: A mixed bag
Review: The baby items in this book are absolutely gorgeous. I made the "Heirloom Blanket" featured at the end of the book and it is really beautiful, and it was very easy to make as well. I've made baby blankets before, but I think this will end up being my favorite pattern for them in the future.

The patterns do use mainly single and double crochet (which I thought would be great since that is just about all I can do with a crochet hook anyway), and while I make blankets, scarves, and hats pretty often, I hadn't tried booties and sweaters before. I'd be tempted to say the problems I had making the booties and sweaters in the book were my inexperience, but for a few things like missing words (I think her editor has let the author down in some places) and diagrams with measurements on some sides but not others. I was making a raglan sleeve for a really beautiful little sweater and the diagram shows the sleeve as equal widths on both ends, and wider in the middle. Well, if you've made a raglan sleeve before, which I hadn't, you know that it actually almost comes to a point on one end, the end that connects to the neck. A more experienced crocheter might have realized it was ok when the sleeve started shrinking dramatically on one end and the diagram showed something else, but I was thrown for a loop.

I do recommend this book because it has such beautiful things in it and the blankets at the end are so nice (and worked out perfectly for me), but it might be best for experienced crocheters or beginners who can tolerate some confusion. I haven't given up on it, not by a long shot.

Rating:
Summary: Good patterns, but...
Review: The patterns are really very beautiful, and I do not regret buying the book at all. However, I have yet to complete a project from the book.

I started on a dress for my younger daughter. Checked the gauge to make certain I was using the correct size hook & yarn. Everything checked out there. I followed the directions for the biggest size, since after measuring my daughter that's what she would apparently need. After finishing the bodice of the dress, I laid it on my daughter to check. Too small. I measured the piece and checked it agains the schematic in the book. Even though the piece was the right size according to the book, it was simply too small for my daughter. And she is not a huge infant, either. I'm loathe to try any of the other clothes for fear of the same thing happening again.

I admit, though, that there's a possibility still that the problem might be mine. The book is still well worth it for the help it gave me in designing my own garments and for the items (blankets, toys) where size isn't as important.