300 Crochet Stitches: 6 (Harmony Guides) [Paperback]

Looking through this book, I can envision lovely crocheted garments such as cardigans, jackets, tops, shawls, etc., as the stitches here would doubtless match any lovely knitted stitch that exists. In this book, the following chapters are:

Introduction - gives basic crochet instructions (how to hold the hook, making crochet fabric, changing colors, etc.)

Basic stitches - lets you explore how each sc, hdc, dc, and tr work

Variations - basically lets you see how different and beautiful the effects would be if you fish your hook in the different loops of each preceding row

Clusters - about 10 nice stitches that are suitable for making solid fabrics

Textured Stitches - an absolutely lovely collection of stitches that make you want to grab your hook and start working on a piece right away

Spikes - another striking collection of stitches that are so beautifully photographed, you can almost feel the textures!

Relief and Puff - like the "Spikes" chapter, you continue to look at the pictures here as though you're actually holding the finished fabric in your hand

Knobbles and Bobbles; Patterns for Texture and Color - the stitches in these two chapters continue to be so stunning you'll wonder if these are actually possible to work those with crochet (and they actually are!)

Filet - shows charts for the alphabet, among others

Openwork and Lace Patterns - another display of exquisite stitches that sets your creative juices running

Motifs - shows beautiful medallions that are not found anywhere

Edgings and Trimmings - all very lovely and uniquely beautiful

Tunisian Crochet - stitches you wouldn't expect done in the usual Tunisian manner

Now, GO BUY this book!

If you are avid on designing your own projects or are often looking for ways to modify projects however, then you will find these books to be a fabulous reference. The pictures are great, the instructions are clearly written and on top of each pattern stitch there is a guide specifying what the pattern stitch multiple is. You will find pattern stitches for texture, mixing color, for filet designs, motifs, edgings etc. These books really are impressive for the purpose they were written for. They are rich in inspiration and technique and you will most definately enjoy leafing through them and drooling over the pattern stitch pics.

If however, you are simply looking for ideas to add texture or creatively mix color and don't want to invest in a book that will show you tons of stitches, most of which you feel you will never get around to using, then invest in a pattern book with projects instead. For color combinations I highly recommend Lily Chin's Mosaic Magic : Afghans Made Easy as it opens your eyes to the numerous possibilities of mixing colors (more than the Harmony guide books) and the bonus is that her technique shows you how to do so without all the fuss of changing colors within the same row. For texture you could reference many online sources or opt for Afghan sampler books such as those published by Leisure Arts, my favorite of which is "63 more Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches combine to make an Heirloom Afghan". Both books also reference the multiple factor for the pattern stitches making the guesswork easier on you when adapting the pattern stitches to your intended pattern or design.