Let's Talk about Crochet Stitch Dictionaries.

Have you noticed how stitch dictionaries give themselves worthy names like, 'Complete' and 'Indispensible'? But are they really and how do you choose between them. Well, the easy answer is that you don't. You buy them all of course, because a person can never have enough!
I've just realised that I now have five, as well as more specialised books of motifs and borders. My latest purchase was recommended to me and rather surprised me. I wondered if we could distill down the contents of a dictionary so that we can choose between them. So let's talk about Stitch Dictionaries.

I suppose this is the story of not being taken in by advertising and not judging a book by it's cover. The first book I want to talk about is a very humble volume which as you can see is very battered and well thumbed. That tells you all you need to know. Betty Barden's Handbook of Crochet Stitches is practically the first crochet book I ever bought. It's my 'go-to' reference book. Why is it so good? Let's see.

• Basic information on crochet
• How to read crochet instructions both written and diagrams
• Thorough information on how to form various stitches with clear illustrations
• Glossary of terms, abbreviations and symbols, including Tunisian
• Contents organised into chapters
• Contents displayed as thumb nail images
• Index
• 208 stitch samples, motifs and edgings
• Good range of stitch types including Solid, Lace, Post, Spike, Tunisian, and Broomstick
• Single and multi colour designs
• Pocket sized 
• UK Terminology

Melissa Leapman's Indispensable Stitch Collection for Crocheters is my new, much-prized book. I wasn't looking for a new dictionary, after all I already had four, for goodness sake!

• How to read diagrams
• Excellent information on how to form various stitches with clear illustrations
• Glossary of abbreviations and symbols
• Contents organised into chapters
• Index
• Reversible stitch patterns clearly indicated
• 200 stitch samples and edgings
• Good range of stitch types including Solid, Lace, Post, Spike, Cable/Aran, Mosaic, Interlocking
• Single, multi colour and reversible multi colour designs
• Beautifully designed and photographed
• US Terminology

So now you're getting the idea of what I think is a good dictionary. When I bought Robyn Chachula's Crochet Stitches VISUAL Encyclopedia I was initially disappointed by the large quantity of squares and motifs it held. I'm a bit of a crochet butterfly. I become obsessed with this or that for a while, but quickly something else takes my interest. So, I have to admit that many of those motifs have tumbled off my hook at one time or another!

• Written information on how to form various stitches including Tunisian 
• Glossary of abbreviations and symbols, including Tunisian
• Well organised contents with chapters, sub headings, which are combined with the index 
• 300 stitch samples, motifs and edgings
• Good range of stitch types including Solid, Lace, Post, Cable/Aran, Slip Stitch, Tapestry, and an excellent selection for Tunisian
• Single and multi colour designs
• Special 'Tip' boxes throughout including additional helpful information on a variety of topics
• US Terminology

So far, so good! Now we get to style over substance. Collins and Brown's Ultimate Crochet Stitch Bible is very attractive but I think it was put together by a committee! The stitches have not been organised in any way, so the lace stitches are mixed in with the solid stitches. There is an index, but it isn't particularly helpful! Some of the motifs have been duplicated by being shown in one colour and also multi colour. But no book is without merit, and if you're fairly new to crochet the general information is excellent.

• Basic information on crochet
• How to read crochet instructions both written and diagrams
• Good information on how to form various stitches with illustrations
• Glossary of terms, abbreviations and symbols,
• Small section on Irish crochet
• 500 stitch samples, squares, motifs and edgings
• Range of stitch types including Solid, Lace, Post, Spike
• Single and multi colour designs
• UK Terminology

My problem with The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs is probably just the title. It isn't the complete book by any means, if it were called 'the big book' then I would be quite happy! Perhaps on reflection, there are just too many designs all worked in the same cream coloured yarn. How can I possibly choose between them?

• Good information on how to form various stitches with clear illustrations
• Glossary of abbreviations and symbols
• Contents organised into chapters
• Contents displayed as thumb nail images
• 500 stitch samples
• Range of stitch types including Solid, Lace, Post, Wrap-around Spike, Spike and a single Tunisian
• Single colour designs 
• Us Terminology

So that's my little dictionary library. I should probably explain my fascination with them. Is it that each stitch design, that like an acorn, is just waiting to burst into life? Is it that each one gives a little burst of those addictive crochet endorphins? Or even that they give me a way of dipping my toe into a technique without risking all or nothing on an entire pattern? All I know is that I'm addicted!

Perhaps you disagree with me; or think you have the best book ever; or perhaps you have a different criteria? 

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