200 Ripple Stitch Patterns by Jan Eaton Book Review with Allsorts knitting pattern

Do you love to collect crochet and knitting stitch dictionaries? Today, I’m sharing my review of the new edition of one of my favorite stitch guides. My review also includes an excerpted knitting pattern for a stitch pattern called Allsorts and your chance to win a copy of the book, so read on for details!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Search Press North America provided me with a free review copy of 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns: Exciting Patterns to Knit and Crochet for Afghans, Blankets, and Throws by Jan Eaton. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review

200 Ripple Stitch Patterns by Jan Eaton via Underground Crafter

200 Ripple Stitch Patterns: Exciting Patterns to Knit and Crochet for Afghans, Blankets, and Throws by Jan Eaton is the new edition of the classic 2006 collection of beautiful stitch patterns for ripples, chevrons, and waves. The book opens with a thumbnail table of contents that lets you find favorite stitches again.

The Introduction is followed by How To Use This Book, which provides a visual reference for using the stitch patterns. This section also includes a list of US and UK pattern abbreviations and a guide to the symbols used in the book for pattern ease, yarn types, and to indicate if the pattern is knit (2 needles) or crocheted (a hook).

Colour is a 1-page section that provides an overview of color theory along with tips for choosing project colors.

Texture is a 1-page section that talks about incorporating smooth, lace, and textured stitches into your projects.

Yarn is a 2-page section that provides an overview of yarn weights and gauge.

The next section is the stitch collection. Each pattern includes the name, the pattern difficulty (on a scale of 1, 2, or 3), whether the stitch is knit or crochet, any special abbreviations used in the pattern, a photograph of a swatch, and both the number and a list of colors used in the pattern. The patterns are written in US abbreviations (with UK abbreviations in italics for the crochet patterns).

In terms of difficulty, the pattern breakdown is as follows:

  • Knitting (47 patterns total): 
    • Level 1: 1 pattern
    • Level 2: 35 patterns
    • Level 3: 11 patterns
  • Crochet: (47 patterns total)
    • Level 1: 36 patterns 
    • Level 2: 6 patterns
    • Level 3: 5 patterns

I imagine now is the time that you think, but wait, that’s just 94 patterns. And, I remember this was a critique of the original version of the book, too. Yes, there are 200 patterns in the book, but they are variations of these 94 original patterns. For example, a knitting pattern may include a 3-color and a 6-color variation with different notes about where to change colors. Similarly, a crochet pattern might include 2-color, 4-color, and 5-color variations. So, the book does actually have 200 patterns as each design is written in at least one alternate variation.

The book also includes 5 project patterns for a cushion (pillow) cover, a scarf, a wrap, a baby blanket, and an afghan. Each of the project patterns includes a brief introduction, suggestions for working in knit or crochet, and tips for choosing a stitch pattern and combining colors. The pattern will include specific directions using one of the book’s stitch patterns along with four suggested alternative patterns. 

At the end of the book, there is a 3-page knitting techniques section including written and illustrated instructions for casting on, the knit and purl stitches, binding off, working into the back loop, slip stitching, and several methods for increasing and decreasing. Similarly, there is a 3-page crochet techniques section with written and illustrated instructions for forming a slip knot and chain, tips for counting turning chains, basic crochet stitches (single crochet, slip stitch, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet), and decreasing.

The book closes with a yarn directory listing each color used in the stitches and the specific brand and color used as well as a note on which stitches use that color. There is also an index.

Some of my favorite things about 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns… 

  • The pattern swatches always show either the top or bottom edge. This is so important for ripple patterns because some stitch guides don’t include that detail and it’s difficult to know how “pointy” or “curvy” the edges are. 
  • The consistent look of the formatting for both crochet and knit patterns.
  • The variety of stitches. I find myself coming to this book again and again for inspiration, even though I have other ripple stitch guides.
  • The tips that are included in the pattern sections. While I don’t use these much anymore, when I was just starting to design my own patterns in 2006, I relied upon these a lot.
  • The range of difficulty levels. It’s easy to find a “mindless” project to work on while watching tv, or something more complex to keep your mind occupied.

As I mentioned, the main critique that I’ve heard about this book over the years is the confusion about the number of patterns included. There are 200, but some repeat the stitch patterns with alternate color combinations as discussed above.

If you are bi-stitchual and enjoy both crocheting and knitting, 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns: Exciting Patterns to Knit and Crochet for Afghans, Blankets, and Throws by Jan Eaton is a great stitch guide that will keep you inspired!

Allsorts

Knitting Pattern by Jan Eaton

Published in 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns: Exciting Patterns to Knit and Crochet for Afghans, Blankets, and Throws.

Copyright © 2006 & 2018 Quarto Publishing plc. Published in 2018 by Search Press Ltd 2018. Shared with permission from Search Press North America.

Allsorts, free knitting stitch pattern by Jan Eaton from 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns via Underground Crafter

Notes from Underground Crafter

  • This pattern uses US pattern abbreviations. You can find a list of these abbreviations here.
  • Purl SoHo has a helpful k2tog video tutorial here.
  • Fiber Flux has a helpful YO video tutorial here.
  • Very Pink Knits has a helpful psso video tutorial here.
Allsorts, free knitting stitch pattern by Jan Eaton from 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns via Underground Crafter

This classic lace stitch has a strikingly different pattern when worked in bold stripes of mid-grey, dark grey and pale cream. The stitch also looks good when worked in one solid colour of yarn.

  • Using yarn A, CO a multiple of 16 sts plus 2.
  • ROW 1: (RS) K.
  • ROW 2: K1,* K4, P8, K4; rep from * to last st, K1.
  • ROW 3: K1, *P3, K2tog, K3, YO, K3, sl 1, K1, psso, P3; rep from * to last st, K1.
  • ROW 4: K1, ] K3, P4, P into front and back of YO made on previous row, P4, K3; rep from * to last st, K1.
  • ROW 5: K1, *P2, K2tog, K3, YO, K2, YO, K3, sl 1, K1, psso, P2; rep from * to last st, K1.
  • ROW 6: K1, *K2, P12, K2; rep from * to last st, K1.
  • ROW 7: K1, *P1, K2tog, K3, YO, K4,YO, K3, sl 1, K1, psso, P1; rep from * to last st, K1.
  • ROW 8: K1, *K1, P14, K1; rep from * to last st, K1.
  • ROW 9: K1, *K2tog, K3, YO, K6, YO, K3, sl 1, K1, psso; rep from * to last st, K1.
  • ROW 10: K1, P to last st, K1.
  • Rep Rows 1–10, changing yarns in the following colour sequence and ending with a Row 10:
  • 10 rows in yarn A,
  • 2 rows in yarn B,
  • 6 rows in yarn C,
  • 2 rows in yarn B.
  • Repeat for length required.
  • Bind off or cast off.

Giveaway

200 Ripple Stitch Patterns by Jan Eaton giveaway via Underground Crafter

Now that you’ve read my review of 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns: Exciting Patterns to Knit and Crochet for Afghans, Blankets, and Throws by Jan Eaton and tried the Allsorts pattern, I’m guessing you’re ready to get your hands on the book. Well, the nice folks at Search Press North America have set aside a copy for one lucky winner!

This giveaway is open to readers with mailing addresses in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, or other parts of Europe, except where prohibited by law. Enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, October 31, 2019. One winner will be chosen at random from the entries submitted via the Rafflecopter widget. The winner will receive 1 copy of 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns, courtesy of Search Press North America. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Leave a Comment

Subscribe to the newsletter to get my secrets and access to the subscriber vault!

5 Secrets for Improving Your Crochet Skills