Super stitches crochet by Jennifer Campbell and Ann Marie Bakewell is a useful resource for crocheters of all experience. The book contains a dictionary of over 180 stitch patterns. There are many positive features to this book including:

Lie flat format – the book stays flat when open meaning that it is easy to read the stitch instructions and crochet at the same time. This is useful for people who find it frustrating when a pattern book snaps shut at the wrong moment!
International Symbols – one major feature of the book is that as well as text, it includes international crochet symbols. This opens up the book to crocheters around the world who enjoy crocheting by symbol. It also means that crocheters who speak other languages can pick up the book and enjoy the stitch patterns.
Illustrations - photos and line drawings are clear and easy to view.

Introduction and Techniques
Super Stitches Crochet offers a good basic background to crochet without going into too much detail, a certain amount of basic knowledge is assumed. A novice crocheter will be able to follow the instructions to make basic stitches. Although the book is positioned as a how-to-crochet guide, this is not a 'learn to crochet' book. There are plenty of excellent beginners guides to crochet freely available so this really should not be a problem. The instructions are illustrated with clear line drawings that make it straightforward to see how to hold the hook and where the yarn should be. There are some useful tips included such as how to wash and store your crochet – this is important to keep your crochet looking good for years to come.

The Stitch Patterns
At the heart of the book are the crochet stitch patterns. There are over 180 patterns that are presented with both written and symbol instructions and a photograph of a stitched sample. The photographs are clear and the yarn that has been used ensures that the stitches can easily be seen. The stitched samples have been photographed to show the stitches and not demonstrate fancy yarns, which is useful for seeing how a pattern has actually been formed. The stitch instructions and photograph are presented together for easy reference.

The stitches are broken down into stitch type, for instance all trellis stitches are together. This is an excellent way to find variations on stitches. The medallion section presents a wide range of options and would be particularly useful to someone planning a blanket or afghan.

Who Will Find This Book Useful?
This book would be excellent for crocheters who design their own patterns and are looking for inspiration for different stitches. It would also be ideal for people who like to adapt or vary patterns. The book is rich with photographs of stitches and is also great for visual crocheters. This would be a good companion for beginner crocheters, but is not a substitute for a 'how to crochet' guide. Experienced crocheters will find the range of stitches useful and much to inspire.


Further Information
Title: Super Stitches Crochet - Essential Techniques Plus a Dictionary of More than 180 Stitch Patterns
Authors: Jennifer Campbell and Ann-Marie Bakewell
ISBN: 978-0-8230-9908-5
Publisher: Watson-Guptill