Unleash your creative spirit with Hooked on Shakespeare – a unique blend of the literary genius of William Shakespeare and the creative art of crochet. With over 30 playful patterns inspired by 14 of Shakespeare’s iconic plays, and even a handmade tribute to the Bard himself, you’re certain to find inspiration you can sink your hook into.
Each project comes with an introduction to the corresponding play and its characters, step-by-step instructions, and supportive photographs to ensure your handiwork remains true to the text. This Shakespeare-themed crochet collection is the perfect crafty companion for Shakespeare enthusiasts and literary aficionados alike!
Learn more about the book, Hooked on Shakespeare, the patterns and get a free excerpt of Yorick’s Skull Crochet Pattern in my book review post below.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book to review from Herbert Press, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing. The opinions expressed are my own.
Title: Hooked on Shakespeare Available from Bloomsbury Publishing. Written by: Gurinder Kaur Hatchard Publisher: Herbert Press, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-7899-4128-9 Current List Price: $22.00 Also available on Amazon
Fall in love with Shakespeare’s iconic plays all-over-again with 15 projects inspired by the Bard’s works, inHooked on Shakespeare!
Crochet Inspired By Shakespeare
Growing up in Southern Ontario, I was introduced the plays of William Shakespeare in my teens. We lived within driving distance of Stratford, Ontario and we attended plays regularly with our school at the Stratford Festival Theatre. I loved the plays and the atmosphere and one of my first book purchases with my own money was the Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
I love how Hooked on Shakespeare includes introductions to the plays and to the characters for each of the chosen projects. I would have wanted this book as a teen and I would have crocheted the characters from my favorite plays, along with a yarn version of William Shakespeare himself!
To have crocheted versions of the characters from his plays would also be a great way to introduce William Shakespeare to younger students; a wonderful way to encourage the love of the theatre, literature and drama at an earlier age.
30+ Shakespeare Crochet Patterns
Crochet patterns have been included for 14-well-known Shakespearean Plays. Among them are a few of my personal favorites: Hamlet, King Lear and Much Ado about Nothing. Also included are favorites like Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, and the Tempest (to name just a few!).
I’ve included a breakdown below of which plays and characters are included in Hooked on Shakespeare.
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo
Juliet
Macbeth
Macbeth (Tartan Chart)
Witches
Cauldron
I love the quotes that are peppered throughout the book. For example, in the Macbeth project, there is a pattern for a Cauldron with the quote:
Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
Three Witches (Act IV, Scene I)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Titania
Bottom
Antony and Cleopatra
Antony
Cleopatra
Hamlet
Hamlet
Yorick’s Skull (*See Below for the Free Pattern Excerpt!)
The Ghost
Henry VIII
Henry VIII
Cardinal Wolsey
Anne Boleyn
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Brutus
King Lear
King Lear
Lear’s Fool
Much Ado about Nothing
Benedick
Beatrice
The Tempest
Prospero
Caliban
Ariel
Othello
Othello
lago
The Winter’s Tale
Antigonus
Bear
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Falstaff
Mistress Page
Mistress Ford
Twelfth Night
Viola/Cesario
The final project included is Woolliam Shakespeare, the Bard.
Each pattern is accompanied by detailed written instructions in UK crochet terms and helpful photographs showing the steps to make each project.
If you are new to crochet you will be happy to find an excellent How to Crochet section included. It is by-far one of the most detailed I have seen included in any crochet book.
TIP: You will need a stitch marker to mark your place.
Some of the patterns include stitch diagrams, color charts and schematics for garment assembly purposes.
Yarn and Hook
Most of the projects were crocheted with 4-ply 100% cotton yarn available from Yarn and Colors Must Have.
You can use your favorite 4ply yarn, or even use DK Weight or Light Worsted Weight Yarn for your projects. Just remember if you change the yarn you use the finished size of your project will also be different. It is recommended that you use the same weight of yarn for the entire pattern you are making.
The crochet hook used was a 2.5 mm (C) for the 4-ply yarn. If you are using DK or Light Worsted Weight, it is recommended you use a 3 mm (D) crochet hook.
If there are holes (spaces or gaps) between your stitches you may want to use a smaller hook for your project. Amigurumi is supposed to be a firmer fabric with very little space between each stitch (so the stuffing doesn’t show through).
Safety Eyes
6 mm safety eyes were used for the projects in the book.
General Tips
The general tips can be found on pages 12 and 13. I recommend you read this section to learn how to crochet these pieces properly and to review the notes that apply to all the patterns in the book.
Legs
Arms
Head
Changing Colors
Notes for all Patterns
How to Crochet
Beginning on page 117, you will find detailed information (with images) to show you how to crochet the stitches and techniques used for the patterns. This section includes:
How to Hold a Crochet Hook: Pencil Grip or Knife Grip
Magic Ring
Slip Knot
Holding Your Yarn
Chain Stitch
Slip Stitch
Double Crochet (US Single Crochet)
Half Treble Crochet (US Half Double Crochet)
Treble Crochet (US Double Crochet)
Double Treble Crochet (US Treble Crochet)
Decreasing and Increasing
Back Loops Only
Working in the Round
Working in Rows
Embroidery Chain Stitch
Surface Crochet
Loop Stitch
Half Treble Cluster Stitches
Hair: Short Hair, Long Hair
How to Read a Pattern
Tension (Gauge)
Sizing
Charts
Conversion Table (UK term and US term)
Every stitch you need to make for the patterns in Hooked on Crochet has been explained in detail; with photographs. I am very impressed with this included How to Crochet Section. It would allow anyone picking up this book to be able to make the patterns without needing to look for other resources to get started.
My Favorite Patterns
My favorite Hooked on Shakespeare patterns are:
Antony and Cleopatra (this set is really eye-catching)
King Lear
The Bear (I love his square head!)
BONUS! Yorick’s Skull Pattern
Yorick’s Skull
With white yarn
Rnd 1: 6dc in magic ring. (6)
Rnd 2: 2dc in each st to end. (12)
Rnd 3: [2dc in next st, 1dc] 6 times. (18)
Rnds 4-8: 1dc in each st to end. (18)
With black yarn, embroider eye holesand nostrils.
With white yarn
Rnd 9: [dc2tog] 9 times. (9)
Rnds 10-11: 1dc in each st to end. (9)
Rnd 12 in blo: [dc2tog] 3 times until hole closes.
Use black yarn to sew on some lines tocreate teeth.
If you are not the winner of the Giveaway and you would still like to have your own copy of this fantastic book, you can purchase Hooked on Shakespeare online at Bloomsbury.
Or on Amazon:
I would like to thank Herbert Press, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing for both the review and giveaway copies of Hooked on Shakespeare.
🎭 Dive into the drama, wit, and brilliance of Shakespeare… with a twist! 🧶 This crochet collection is a Midsummer Night’s Dream come true for all you bookworms and craft lovers! 📚💖 Each pattern tells a story and you are the narrator, stitch by stitch. 🧵 Turn the pages, or rather, the yarn, to meet your favorite Shakespearean characters like never before. #WhenShakespeareMetCrochet 😄
🎭🧶 Unleash your inner Bard and get hooked with “Hooked on Shakespeare,” a unique collection of 30+ crochet patterns inspired by the timeless tales of William Shakespeare. Along with step-by-step instructions and helpful photographs, each project also serves as an intimate introduction to 14 iconic plays and their unforgettable characters. A perfect gift for the crafty Shakespearean enthusiasts out there! Prepare to stitch your way through the literary genius’s world one play at a time! #Shakespeare #Crochet #LiteraryLove 📚💕
Get #HookedOnShakespeare with this unique collection of 14 Shakespearean plays and 30+ crochet patterns! Follow step-by-step instructions to stitch your way through literary genius. 🧶📚 #Crochet
Get #HookedOnShakespeare with this unique collection of 14 Shakespearean plays and 30+ crochet patterns! Follow step-by-step instructions to stitch your way through literary genius. 🧶📚 #Crochet
Unveil your inner artist! Try this unique collection of 30+ crochet patterns inspired by the timeless tales of William Shakespeare. #Shakespeare #Crafting #LiteraryLove 🎭 🧶 📚 💕
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