All About Crochet | Book Review

Title: All About Crochet – The Dictionary of Crochet Stitches and Techniques
Author: Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss
Publisher: Martingale
Photographer:  Carol Wilson Mansfield
ISBN: 978-1-56477-906-9

All About Crochet is really a Dictionary all about crochet. If you are looking for a Crochet Pattern Stitch Dictionary (a term we seem to loosely label all books which include pattern stitches) which you can use to make specific designs (for example The Big Book of Crochet Stitches, Triple Play Pattern Stitches, 280 Crochet Shell Patterns, 99 Crochet Post Stitches, etc.) – this is not that type of book! You will receive basic stitch pattern designs like the Bobble, Broomstick Lace, Chainless Foundation Stitch, Cluster Stitch but not in depth pattern stitches.

This book is something more than just stitches. All About Crochet is truly a gift of knowledge. Something it would take years to collect and assemble – a reference book about crochet; all provided in one neat and handy publication.

The content is presented in an easy to find A-Z format.  Not only will you receive the definition of the term you will also in many cases find a small tutorial for the stitch, or a diagram to show you specifically what the term means in a visual way (as well as the written explanation).

I wish I had had this dictionary when I began crocheting! It is a fantastic reference book. There are even references to vintage terms used and what they actually mean to us today…for example

“Bedspread Weight

A term used to describe size 10 crochet cotton thread…”

p. 6

The dictionary is broken into parts:

Part 1 – Stitches and Techniques

This section gives you the A-Z listing of stitches, terms, techniques and crochet skills you may come across in patterns you find today and from years past. You will find explanations about schematics and garment sizing, cables, decreases, different stitches, how to carry yarn, how to change colors of yarn and on and on – everything anyone would ever need to know – from 2 of the most experienced and knowledgeable Crochet Authors.

Part 2: Standards and Useful Abbreviations

• Abbreviations
• Blocking Thread Crochet
• Crochet Terms in Other Languages (English US/UK, French, Spanish, Italian, German)
• Regular Yarn Crochet Hook Sizes  (mm, letter and number)
• Steel Crochet Hooks (mm and number size)
• Fibers
• Fringe
• Garment Sizing
• Size Charts (babies, children, youth, women, men and head sizes)
• Fit and ease (to make garments the correct size)
• Lengths (average lengths of garments for child/youth, women and men)
• Metrics (measuring weight, measuring length and width, standard metric equivalents)
• Sizes (Tablecloths, Afghans, Bedspreads)
• Skill Levels
• Standard Yarn Weight
• Symbols used in pattern instructions (asterisk, daggers, colon, parentheses)
• Symbol Crochet
• Tassels
• Yarn Labels

This book is a fantastic resource for both the Crocheter and the Crochet Designer.

Currently it is only available as an eBook from Martingale:

You can also purchase it from Amazon – it is available in a few different formats from Amazon.

Shopping from Canada:

Shopping from the U.S.:

Shopping from the U.K.:

A special thanks to Martingale for providing me with a review copy of this book!  All images used with permission from Martingale and their Photographer Brent Kane.

For more information about Martingale – visit their Website, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter !