I’m sharing a review for a 100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make, a crochet pattern compilation, as well as starting a series where I’ll be sharing five crochet patterns from this book throughout the week. Oh, and did I mention there’s a giveaway, too, where you’ll have the chance to win your own copy of the book? 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. A free review copy of 100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make was provided to me by Search Press North America. 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
100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make is a crochet pattern collection from Search Press Studio that includes patterns from eight previously published books in the Twenty to Make series:
- Mini Christmas Crochet, Crocheted Bears, and Crocheted Granny Squares by Val Pierce,
- Crocheted Flowers by Jan Ollis,
- Crocheted Beanies by Frauke Kiedaisch,
- Crocheted Purses by Anna Nikipirowicz, and
- Crocheted Hearts and Granny Square Flowers by May Corfield.
The book opens with a visual table of contents that includes thumbnail images of all 100 patterns in the book, so it’s easy to find a project after perusing through. It continues on to an Introduction by the editors. The 4-page Crochet Know-How section starts off by explaining the differences between US and UK pattern abbreviations. (The patterns in the book are written in US abbreviations with UK abbreviations in parenthesis.) It then moves on to cover issues such as yarn selection (again, clarifying differences in terminology used in the US and UK), gauge, hooks, and notions. It moves on to written instructions for the mattress stitch and blocking, a written and photo tutorial for making pompoms, and a glossary of US and UK crochet abbreviations with a key to international stitch symbols. The 4-page Useful Stitches section includes written and photo tutorials for three methods for starting to crochet in the round (chain foundation ring, starting with two chain stitches, and an adjustable ring), tips for working in spiral rounds, stitch tutorials for three stitches (two decreases and the crab stitch), and changing colors.
100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make then dives into the pattern section. Each pattern includes at least one full page picture of the finished project being worn or displayed on a styled background and most include other small pictures as well. The patterns include a materials list, which describes the yarn requirements without listing brands, hook, notions, and size of the finished project. The patterns include written instructions in US terms with UK terms in parenthesis. Eight of the hat patterns also include international stitch symbols for a portion of the pattern.
The book includes a variety of patterns, reflecting its origin from eight books by five designers, including:
- 14 purses,
- 14 hats,
- 14 non-square motifs,
- 11 amigurumi bear outfits,
- 11 ornaments and Christmas decorations,
- 10 motif patterns with project instructions (e.g., how to make a pillow with the motifs),
- 9 granny squares,
- 8 flowers,
- 4 amigurumi softies (including the bear the clothes are designed for), and
- 4 jewelry projects.
As someone who makes a lot of handmade gifts, I appreciate the variety of projects. I also like that many styles are represented in the book because it is a compilation from different designers. It was easy to find gifts for children and women of all ages. 100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make is also a great value — with a retail price of $19.95, patterns are about $0.20 each. The photography is appealing and the layout is clean and readable. It’s a hefty paperback book, so it isn’t portable, but if you enjoy crocheting at home while streaming video or listening to audiobooks, you won’t be too worried about the size.
There are a few things about the book that make it challenging for beginners. First, the tutorials in the beginning are written more as a refresher than as complete instruction. Second, newbie pattern readers may find the use of terms in parenthesis confusing (and may think they are being asked to make additional stitches). The patterns don’t include difficulty levels, so a newer crocheter wouldn’t be sure which projects are simple enough to start with. The individual patterns don’t list the author, so you need to do a bit more sleuthing if you want to find it on Ravelry or seek out the designer’s other work. There is a slight difference in style among the patterns as they are written by different designers. For these reasons (and my own assessment of the difficulty level of most of the patterns), I would recommend this book to an intermediate crocheter who enjoys making small gifts, or a confident beginner who is willing to use online tutorials to supplement the book.
Throughout the week, I’ll be sharing excerpted patterns from this book so you can get a sense of the projects and pattern writing styles that are used in 100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make. I’ll be updating these links as the patterns go live.
- Teddy Bear by Val Pierce,
- Watermelon purse by Anna Nikipirowicz,
- Flirty Flowers Hat by Frauke Kiedaisch,
- Street Smart Beanie by Frauke Kiedaisch, and
- Sunflower by May Corfield.
Giveaway
Now that you’ve read the review (and possibly some of the excerpted patterns), I’m sure you’re ready to get your hands on your own copy. The nice folks at Search Press North America are providing one winner with a copy of 100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make!
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 Wednesday, August 16, 2017. One winner will be chosen at random from the entries submitted via the Rafflecopter widget. The winner will receive 1 copy of 100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make, courtesy of Search Press North America. Good luck!
I’d make my first gift from the book for my next pregnant friend, of course!
For my youngest Honorary Nephew who just turned one on the first.
I’ve followed your blog for some time now….love your work! I’d so love to win this cute book!
with retirement comes the hard decisions….and what can I buy and all the goodies I can’t!
I usually have to rely on free patterns – just so I can save up to buy yarn. Golden years my foot! I think a 20 year old came up with that phrase!
Good luck to all – and I’m wishing I’d finally win something! Thanks for the opportunity!
Hi there! I would love this crochet book. I would make some thing for my granddaughter. Can’t wait!!
Small projects are great stash busters! I have so many small amounts of high-quality yarns that deserve a great pattern.
My daughter.
This book is wonderful. I’d make a gift for my daughter as she is my mini-me so we both win!
I would make a gift for my granddaughter.
I’d make my first gift for my new niece?
I would love to win this book. I like it for small projects
I would likely make a gift for my daughter first.
Wonderful! Thank you!
Nice book. I would make a present for a friend. Thank you
What a lovely prize. I am always crocheting for my grandchildren. ?
A friend who has been having a rough go around and is into all things crochet.
I would love this book, grandson number 3 coming end of October, no girls yet. Thanks for the chance to win!
I would make my first gifts for my grand kids!
I would make gifts for several of my 21 family members for Christmas.
My first gift would be for the lady that does my manicures.
I would make the first item for me. Whenever I make small items, I always make one for me first to get all the kinks out. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love the idea of the bear with its clothing collection, and my grand daughter will enjoy this as a gift. I just checked out 100 Little Christmas Gifts To Make from the library yesterday, so I am excited to learn of the crochet book!
I’d make my first gift for my little sister. And my other two sisters, or my two brothers, or… I think I’ve got a lot to do, when I win this book!
Love this book! So many great projects! They would all make great gifts. Would love to win this.
I would make something first for my niece she loves the things I make for her.
Thank you for you giveaway. The first thing I make will be for my Granddaughter Miranda!
The first person I’d make a gift for would be my daughter. She’s 16 and the most amazing person I know!