This week’s pick:The Harmony Guide to 100’s More Crochet Stitches (Harmony guides)
Source: Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles online store
Publication date: 1992
Status: Out of print. Available online with prices ranging from “reasonable” to “apply for a line of credit.”
Condition: Very good
Craft(s): Crochet and Tunisian crochet
I previously reviewed this book as part of a compilation of over 20 crochet stitch guides here. But there are a few things that make it stand out for me.
There’s a nice section on Irish crochet, which seems to be coming back into popularity. There is an intro and slightly over a page of illustrated instructions for padding threads, working into base stitches, and making Clones knots. There are also 7 patterns for stitches worked flat, 7 small motif patterns, 11 larger motif patterns, and a curlicue pattern.
All of the patterns in the book, including the Tunisian crochet patterns, are both written and charted. This is the earliest English language book in my collection that uses international stitch symbols. (You can see the Tunisian crochet bobble symbol in the description above.)
The book shows its age primarily through the photographs. Apparently, it used to be fashionable to photograph stitches against black backgrounds. Today, white seems to be more popular.
I’ve been spoiled by my vintage Harmony Guides. I now expect all stitch guides to start with illustrated sections on all the techniques used in the books. This book starts with 7 pages of introduction and then leads into six types of patterns: All-over Patterns, Filet Crochet, Motifs, Irish Style Crochet, Edgings and Trimmings, and Afghan (Tunisian Crochet). Every section, except for the All-over Patterns and the Edgings and Trimmings, also includes about a page of illustrated instructions.
They don’t make ’em like they used to!