The Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop: Essential Techniques for Becoming a More Versatile, Adventurous Crocheter

I use this as a supplement to my crochet class. As a beginner/intermediate crocheter it is frustrating to find mistakes in patterns, when you are trying to learn from a book. Luckily, I have an expert in crochet that helps me and can identify it when I am confused. Otherwise, it's a good book. Illustrations are clear.

The Kindle version of this book is adequately formatted and readable. If you want a portable reference book this is a good one. However, if you are new to the craft of crochet, I would recommend getting a hard copy if you can.

If you enjoy crochet, whether beginner or experienced, Dora Ohrensteins' Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop, is a must have for your crochet library.Dora takes you through selecting yarn and hooks to give the results you want for your project. As those familiar with Dora's earlier books already know, she is a master at achieving the optimum drape for any project – from a slinky scarf to a softly flattering cardigan to a sturdy, practical tote bag- by choosing the right yarn, hook, and stitch pattern. She shares tips and strategies to help you pick your material tools and pattern. One often overlooked aspect where Dora shares her expertise is how to achieve to created the desired crochet fabric and project gauge by controlling yarn tension. An entire chapter is devoted to the topic and even those with many years of experience can learn helpful ways to control tension and prevent or ease aching hands.Starting with the basics of making a foundation chain, slip, single, double and triple crochet stitches, Dora gos step-by step though each, showing ways to hold yarn, where to insert your hook. The clearly written text is accompanied by photos illustrating each step.. If you are a beginner, this section of the book is a useful resource to teach yourself how to crochet. But there is much more than the basics here.There is information on working into foundation chains and instructions for alternate foundation stitches, turning chains, extended stitches, insertion points, joining and changing yarn and even unraveling the inevitable goofs. Complex stitches are explained and pictured in clear detail. Post stitches, clusters, bobbles, popcorns and spike stitches are covered and there are how-tos for making various cable patterns. The most useful chapters to would-be designers and those trying to make flattering garments that fit properly are two chapters on shaping crochet elements like squares and circles and stitch patterns simple and complex. Dora's texts covers the advantages and disadvantages of various shaping methods for different stitch patterns and uses.Perhaps the best feature among all the instructions and tips are the pattern directions for swatches to practice the stitches, motifs, complex stitch patterns, increase and decrease methods, and cables.Dora's writing style is clear while conveying warmth and openess. She urges her readers to experiment with swatches to find what yarn, hook and stitch pattern gives the best results. She even is clear to point out at several points along the way that you may have a different way of doing something and that's okay as long as the results please you. The photos illustrations are top-notch.Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop is recommended as a truly useful and practical book to join Creating Crochet Fabric and Custom Crocheted Sweaters, earlier works by Dora, on evry crocheter's bookshelf.

UPDATE 12/28/17I've used this book since April 2017, and my skills have grown rapidly. Between the exercises and lessons contained herein and the excellent online tutorials available now, I'm definitely at an advanced skill level, compared with a solid intermediate just a few months ago.Part 3 on Controlling Tension is a must for newbies who are trying to move beyond the Death Grip! My tension is nice and relaxed, which is vital with my chronic pain issues. I can crochet for hours with no problems, but the entry on Flexible Tension was very useful.Part 4 is a must for any crocheter who gains or loses stitches at the edge of their work, as well as all of us knitters who cry out "but where do I insert this hook??! "Part 5 covers squares, mitered corners, and The Math (!)Part 6, logically enough, is on circles and tubesPart 7 is one of my favorites, with elegant advanced shaping, including Internal Shaping, within the motifs or stitch patterns themselvesJumping to Part 10, the Finishing Techniques here are similar to those I have used forever as a professional seamstress, knitter and weaver. I agree with the author that weaving in ends as you go can work with dense, solid stitches, but pull out the tapestry needle and relax into some artistic camouflage and your work goes from Home-Made to Hand-Crafted-Artisanal.The projects included are excellent samples of the techniques in the book, and I highly recommend approaching these as personal homework / challenges / continuing education, whichever works best for your incentive. I love classes and assignments, and the ongoing skill-building of this book has inspired me to keep raising the bar, even though I've taught all of my fiber skills for years.So, I'm happily wearing out my copy, and keep it close, along with Top-Down Crochet Sweaters, the crochet motifs and borders of the Edie Eckman books, and my old beat-up copy of The Harmony Guide to Crocheting.

This book covers a lot of ground and many new (to me) techniques and stitch patterns. So even after half a lifetime of crocheting (mostly self and a little bit book taught), plus 5 years or so of availing myself of youtube tutorials, this book still had a thing or two (more really) to teach this old dog. This is definitely one of the better Crochet books I've come across.

This book not only has a wealth of information, it's content is quite unique from any other crochet book I own, or have ever seen.I purchased 3 of Dora Ohrenstein's books (The Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop, Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary & Custom Crocheted Sweaters - Make Garments That Really Fit) & they're all packed full of extremely useful skill building know how that I was beginning to think was a secret. Dora wrote these books because she felt there was a hole in the market for this type of content & she was right!Whilst the theme is consistent with the title throughout her books, individually their focus is quite different so I don't feel that I'm buying the same book repackaged.They're all of a high quality, well set out & clearly written, with great photos & charts. The colours used in the photos are spot on, neither distracting or washed out. The stitch details are clearly visibly & accompanying instructions are sensibly written & easy to follow.If you're interested in making your own patterns, learning about shaping to tailor a pattern to fit your particular needs &/or generally increasing your underpinning crochet knowledge and skills in a way that will put you ahead of the pack, I highly recommend you add some of Dora's books to your library. I'm planning on purchasing them all.I can't begin to explain how grateful I am to Dora. I'm totally enthused about the things I've learned & all the new skills & knowledge that I know are just around the corner, in fact I'm considering writing to express my thanks to her personally.

This should be in every crocheters bookshelf. Excellent reference book with east to understand instructions. I learned a lot of new info and I wish I had had it earlier.

Non esistono libri veramente completi per imparare l'uncinetto, ogni "bibbia" ha le sue lacune. Questo libro però spiega cose che nessun altro libro si prende la briga di affrontare e, soprattutto, chiarisce le ragioni per cui una cosa si fa in un certo modo e non in un altro, oppure se ci sono più modi per fare la stessa cosa. Insieme al dizionario di punti della stessa autrice, è una guida di riferimento inestimabile per fare il grande salto da principiante a crocheter avanzata.

A must for any beginning or intermediate crocheter's library. I'm not sure there are any crochet questions that this book can't answer. I bought copies for my sister and my niece, both of whom are experienced crocheters, and they love it.