Book Review and Giveaway: Crochet with Color
Every Tuesday during National Crochet Month 2013, I’ll be reviewing crochet books. Today’s post features a giveaway of my review copy of Crochet with Color by Kazuko Ryokai, courtesy of North Light Books.
I recently received a review copy of Crochet With Color: 25 Contemporary Projects for the Yarn Lover
The book opens with a 40+ page project gallery. Each project layout is two pages and includes a picture of the full project displayed along with close ups of several project details. The projects are organized into two sections: Domestic Bliss Crochet (home decor) and Out and About (accessories for women and children).
The next section, Crochet Techniques and Instructions, features information such as tips for reading symbol patterns, different methods for starting a project in the round, and joining motifs. The rest of the book focuses on the patterns for each project. There is a small photo of each project (so you don’t need to flip back to the project gallery), a list of materials, and general instructions about construction. Then patterns are shown through crochet stitch symbols. The materials list is general – e.g., “49 yards (20 g) of aran-weight (#4 medium) merino yarn in purple for grapes” – so you can easily identify appropriate yarns for each project.
This book, like most of the Japanese crochet books I’ve seen, is delightful and inspiring to look through. The color palette is bright and cheery, the photo styling is wonderful, and the projects, while not overly complex, are more interesting than what you might find in most American advanced beginner project books. Kazuko’s designs make great use of crocheted adornments like flowers. Ravelry members can see several projects from the Japanese edition of the book here. My favorite projects are the Basketweave Pillows, the Daisy Throw, the Garland Scarf (called Lariat on Ravelry), and the English Garden Scarf.
On the downside, as a small yet thick paperback, it is difficult to keep the book open while crocheting. Those who don’t like stitch symbols will have a hard time following along as written pattern abbreviations are not included.
Crochet with Color is a great book for an advanced beginner crocheter who has the basic stitches down but is able to read crochet stitch symbols (or willing to learn how). Working through these projects will introduce new stitches and colorplay. More advanced crocheters might find the patterns too simple, but would still enjoy looking through this book for ideas for adding color to their projects, displaying their projects around the house, and using crochet adornments to add a finishing touch to a project. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Giveaway
As I mentioned earlier, I’m hosting a giveaway for my review copy of Crochet With Color: 25 Contemporary Projects for the Yarn Lover
This giveaway is open to all readers. Enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, March 10, 2013.
To enter:
Leave a comment telling me about your experience with crochet stitch symbols and/or colorwork. Are you a pro at reading stitch symbols or a newbie? Do you fear color or love to combine it?For additional entries, like Underground Crafter on Facebook, follow Underground Crafter on Twitter, join the Underground Crafter group on Ravelry, and/or share a link to this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. (And then, leave a comment here, on Facebook, on Twitter, or in the Ravelry group letting me know what you did!)One winner will be chosen at random.
Good luck!
I like using charts and found a good chart symbol cheat sheet that I keep on my mobile devices in case I get stuck while working a chart.
Where did you find this “cheat sheet for crochet symbols”? Can you share it with us please? Thank you.
I’m not sure where Cathy found her cheat sheet, Leila, but if you Google “crochet symbols” you will find several to choose from.
Im definatly not a pro at reading crochet charts. My mom has taught me, she is excellent
It is always inspiring to see what other people are doing with colour. I love to crochet from time to time, but thus far shawls and socks mostly. Part charted, part written text. Have to see if I can get my hands on a copy of the book, it seems inspiring to me.
I am a newbie to symbols so I find them rather daunting. However, this does not keep from my love of fiber and color. I love crafting!
I find that when i am making vintage items like doilies they are mostly on charts. it was tricky at first but then i enlarged them and that made it a lot easier. I love colour, the more vivid the better. love all the colors in my stash, its like an abstract painting
already a follower on fb and twitter, but i did tweet the giveaway today! thanks
I am such a newbie but I am learning really quick! I am so in love with color. I crochet colorful items for everything…my vehicle, my house, my kids, me lol
I’m learning to read some crochet charts and actually, once you’ve learn it it’s not that difficult! I love colorful projects but I have to admit that I’m not good in color combinations… need to learn something about color theory!
I just know some basics of crochet. I’d like to learn more since I enjoy crocheting. I’ve never done colorwork in crochet yet. Looks like a really nice book!
When I started to crochet I was making just one-colored items. Changing colors seemed me too tricky. But now I enjoy them! I am comfortable with crochet charts, especially when I make doilies.
This is such a great giveaway! Thank you for hosting!
I am a bit confused when using charts in general but I love love love color!
I’m somewhere in the middle of beginner and pro when it comes to reading charts. I do want to become better at this. And I love color.
I’m between beginner and expert when it comes to charts. I want to get better at it though.
I have crocheted for years but the symbols completely stop me. I think I need to take a class or something to learn how to crochet by symbol instead of by words. But I really love color and would jump for joy if I won this book!~ Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
I learned how to read charts from making Robyn Chachula’s designs. It took a bit of practice, but now I like them because it makes it easy to find my place in a pattern with a simple glance.
And I like you on Facebook, follow you on Twitter (@Meanderinghome), and am in the Ravelry group (Meanderinghome)
I am probably dating myself but I used to get those “Crochet Magic” magazines and make all those table scarves. They are still gorgeous to me. Almost all of it was symbols.
As for color? The older I get, the more color I use. I love them all and have particular fondness for mixing colors that clash. Something is wrong with me.
Maybe you are just more comfortable combining colors that you like these days, steph.
I have yet to crochet anything using symbols, but I expect I’ll prefer symbols once I become more experienced. In knitting, I much prefer charts to written patterns.
I haven’t tried to crochet a symbol pattern yet. I do have a ton of them in my queue though. Just need to find the time to figure out which one would be a good beginner pattern for symbol reading. Thanks for the giveaway, the patterns look perfect for spring.
I only have a little experience at reading charts but did not find it too terribly difficult. I would really love to have this book. I have had it on hold with my library for 2 months now (supposedy on order)
Though I have been crocheting a long time, I am new to using charts. I love colorful projects, and new ideas.
I am a newbie! But I will get it! I absolutely love color,I
The book sounds like a fabulous read!
I am just learning to use them, definitely not a pro yet!
I’m a brand new crocheter and the crochet symbols scare me more than a wooden rollercoaster!!
Haha, this made me laugh, Sandra Avila. Maybe because I’ve been on a wooden rollercoaster at Coney Island several times
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Tell me about it. They scare me a lot and my head gets tossed from side to side and I end up with a serious neck ache!
I’ll stick with knitting and crocheting thank you very much 
I am trying to learn to use symbols. At the moment they are still confusing but I am hoping the more I use them the more I’ll get used the them.
I learn to crochet last year and I am new to crocheting with symbols and even the written out patterns confuse me some times. I love working with colors.
Looks like a fun book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. Charts are awesome. I’ve drawn a chart for a small project or two to help me keep track of stitch count. Color is a whole other beast! I adore projects with lots of color…but sadly, I tend to not be the one to have made them! I’m in desperate need for more color. I made some baby blocks in brown and cream because it was a monkey set. My mother cringed and wanted me to remake them with baby colors! Anyway, the book looks like a lot of fun!
This book looks great and I love color. I used to be all black, but now I am adding color. What a great giveaway for NatCroMo
Rita
I’ve never used charts or crochet symbols, but I’d love to learn how. I’ve basic colourwork and find out can make the most basic pattern that little bit more interesting. Thanks for the chance to win.
I am right in the middle of my biggest color changing Crochet project
I’m making the Renaissance Tunic from Ravelry. When I began it did scare me quite a bit but I made the pattern a bit more simple and got through the toughest part. I think I’m ready to really learn how it’s done and not get through by guessing. Also Stitch symbols confuse the heck out of me 
I much rather reading the ch 2, DC 6 etc…
I “like” you on Facebook.
I am a member of your Ravelry group
I “shared” this on Facebook
I have always done all of my crochet projects from written directions and should really give the charts a try. Old dog — new tricks.
[...] (@UCrafter) of Underground Crafter reviewed Crochet With Color: 25 Contemporary Projects for the Yarn Lover by Kazuko Ryokai. [...]
Thank you for the chance of this giveaway – I would love to win this gorgeous book as I am very excited at having just completed my first ever crochet project from a Japanese chart. It is a very pretty doily.
I am a member of the Underground Crafter Ravelry group
I ‘like’ Underground Crafter on Facebook too
I am a member of the Ravelry group.
I feel like I’m somewhat of a beginner still but I made a doily just last month with no problem – and it only had a symbol chart. But I definitely feel I’m color challenged. (cnuland on Rav)
I follow you on twitter (cmouse01 but cnuland on Rav)
I’m a fan on Facebook (cnuland on Rav0