It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed a new book, so I thought I’d review a new book for you. This one is special to me because I did a lot of the work in it (and my name is on the cover, too). The name of this book is “Complete Guide to Symbol Crochet” and it’s published by Leisure Arts. I worked on this book, on and off, with Rita Weiss over the course of 5 months during the last year. It was another one of those “labors of love”, just like another book I worked on with Rita Weiss and Jean Leinhauser 5-10 years ago called “Crochet Lace”. I love working on crochet books, whether I’m designing projects, tech editing patterns, writing patterns, making filet crochet charts or symbol crochet charts for them.
This book is special because it teaches how to read crochet symbol charts, which I absolutely LOVE!!! I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t know how to read symbol crochet charts. They are a visual representation of the crochet project and if you’re a visual person, like me, I’m sure you’ll love them, too. I learned to draw crochet symbol charts a few years ago with Adobe Illustrator. It’s really quite fun (and challenging sometimes) to draw them. But since I love a good challenge, it’s right up my alley!
Our symbol crochet book includes symbols for 47 crochet stitches (or combinations of stitches, such as clusters, popcorns, etc) as well as instructions and diagrams for how to work each of these stitches. It also includes photos, symbol charts and written instructions for 9 projects: 8 of the projects are “easy” and 1 is “intermediate”. Here are photos of the 9 projects in this book:
This book is a digest size book (8.5” x 5.5”), so it’s perfect to take along anywhere and it will fit in just about any size of crochet bag, too!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about this new symbol crochet book and you’ll give symbol crochet a try. Some of the current crochet magazines include symbol crochet charts in them, such as Crochet Today. And some good “older” magazines with lots of symbol crochet patterns in them are Magic Crochet and Decorative Crochet. They are/were both published in France and have lots of thread crochet patterns in them. Each pattern starts out with some written instructions, but then says to “follow chart”. And if you’re really adventurous, you can purchase some Japanese crochet books or Russian crochet magazines. Both of these have symbol crochet charts in them. I have many of each, but I can’t read a word of Japanese or Russian to save my life! However, I can follow the symbol crochet charts in both of them. In fact, I crocheted a cardigan several years ago (the one I’m wearing in my Annie’s videos) from a Japanese crochet pattern. The symbol charts were fantastic and the cardigan turned out really nice. I used 2 strands of size 10 DMC Cebelia thread to make my cardigan. Here are photos of the project in the book and me wearing it:
Isn’t it beautiful? I’m really pleased with how it turned out. Because I have gauge issues (I crochet too tightly quite often), I had to block the heck out of it so it would fit me! I added some waist shaping to my cardigan, too, which wasn’t in the original pattern. My cardigan came from this book:
It’s a great book and was well worth the $20 or so that I paid for it (directly from Japan).
To celebrate the publication of the Complete Guide to Symbol Crochet book, Rita and I would like to give away a free, autographed copy to a lucky winner. To enter this contest, you’ll need to leave a comment on this blog post (like if you know how to read symbol crochet charts, if you’d like to learn how to read them or something like that). You’ll also need to be subscribed to my blog. Both of these are quick and painless! To leave a comment, you’ll need to be registered on my website (this cuts down on “spam” comments, so registering is necessary these days). There’s a tab at the top of each page of my website that says “Login”, then a drop down tab that says “register”. Just fill in the blanks and click on the button at the bottom. After you’re registered, you can leave your comment on this blog post (and you can comment on any other blog posts here, too). To subscribe to my blog, simply scroll down a few inches and type in your e-mail address in the field that says “Subscribe to blog via email” on the right-hand side of the page. Now wasn’t that easy? Oh, this contest will end on August 28th (my youngest son’s 21st birthday). So enter today for your chance to win!
I wish everyone the best of luck in winning a free copy of this new book (although, realistically, only 1 lucky person will win). And if you don’t win, I hope you’ll consider adding this new symbol crochet book to your crochet library.
Happy crocheting,
Susan
I am looking for someone to take a crochet symbols pattern and make it a written pattern. I would gladly pay for your time and services Thanks
I’ve done some chart crochet work but nothing as fancy as the pictures you show here. I’d love to be able to do more. Symbol crochet truly is a “universal language”. I just wish knitting patterns could do the same.
Carmen,
I agree that symbol crochet charts are a “universal language”! It’s wonderful to be able to follow a pattern written in another language without needing to know the other language! With symbol crochet charts, the language barrier doesn’t exist!
Happy crocheting,
Susan
I had a little trouble getting on but I love crochet patterns with symbol charts. I like working with thread size yarn and all other sizes of yarn and hooks. I need to teach my youngest child how to read a crochet chart, she can read a pattern with my help.
Ann,
I’m glad you figured out how to leave a comment. You’re now in the running for the autographed book giveaway.
Good luck and happy crocheting!
Susan
I love using charts to crochet and while I am familiar with some still need to learn others! This book would be a great help to me!
Chris,
There’s always more to learn on reading symbol crochet charts. I find it fun to learn more while making something new and beautiful!
Happy crocheting,
Susan
Love doing symbol crochet! But I know there are many I do not know, so this book to add to the Library. Thank you for having the giveaway……..Fran
Fran,
I love symbol crochet, too. It’s so nice for us “visual” people!
Happy crocheting,
Susan
My nan taught me basic skills when I was 4 she was self taught and I picked up the love to crochet very fast and early in life. The only problem is nan could only do grandmas block, I would love to be able to learn how to follow patterns and continue the love nan taught me. This book looks fantastic with great projects. I’m a mum of 10 and would love to be able to teach my children this beautiful skill and make heirlooms that can be passed down. My nan is 92 and she made me a rug when I was 11, this rug was for my first trip to the snow and is now 28 years old. This rug was made for me when my nan was 64 and a tradition has been passed on and half of my children so far have taken it on their first trip to the snow. That’s the tradition that I want to be able to pass onto my grand kids with beautiful pieces they can have out on display. Your book would be my stepping stone. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to enter Tiana
Tiana,
It sounds like you have a wonderful nan. Two good places to learn more crochet would be at local yarn shops or local crochet groups in your area. That way, you can sit down with someone and learn directly from her/him. And there are lots of fantastic crochet books on the market, too. I hope you’ll seek out some resources to gain more crochet knowledge and skills. If you live in the US, you should check out the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA), too. Their website is http://www.crochet.org. I’ve been a CGOA member for about 10 years. It’s great and is filled with many knowledgeable crochet enthusiasts!!!
Happy crocheting,
Susan
Susan,
This book looks like fun! Pictures are worth a thousand words they say. I have loved working with you and Rita in the past and would love a copy of the book! Of course, if I don’t win it – I’ll buy it (but no autograph).
p.s. my youngest just turned 21 on Aug 21
Kathleen,
I’ve enjoyed working with you on some of Rita’s books, too. Did you know that the Treasury of Holiday Crochet book is available on the Leisure Arts website now? You have some really cute designs in that book and I thoroughly enjoyed tech editing them!
Your son was born on my dad’s 60th birthday! He’s 81 now and is still going strong. And you beat me to the delivery room by 7 days!
Happy crocheting,
Susan
I love everything you are a part of Susan!! I have finished 6 wiggly dish cloths since buying the pattern from you! I also made a bracelet from your jewelry book – adorable! Thank you for sharing your talent with the world!
Kara,
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying my crochet patterns. And I’m extremely thankful for the creative gift that God has given me. I thoroughly enjoy sharing that gift with others through my crochet designs. I would love to share photos of your wiggly dishcloths and bracelet on my website.
Happy crocheting,
Susan
I’ve stopped crocheting for some time now, but I am constantly inspired by your work Susan. I just love how crochet patterns are written using symbol charts, it makes crocheting easier, specially for newbies like me. That’s one reason why I enjoyed your class “Crochet with Thread” at Annie’s. 🙂
Sharon,
I’m so glad that you’ve enjoyed my Annie’s class. I enjoy making and using symbol crochet charts, especially since I’m a visual person. I include symbol crochet charts whenever possible in my self-published crochet patterns (and in my Annie’s class).
Happy crocheting,
Susan
I would absolutely LOVE to win a copy of this new book, signed by both you and Rita Weiss! Even if I don’t win, I will be buying a copy. I have never been very good at following symbol charts (although the newer ones with color changes every other round/row seems to make it easier). Written instructions have always been easier for me to follow, but I have some wonderful old patterns that are just symbol crochet charts that I would love to make. Congratulations on the new book and I love your cardigan (and the pineapple vest on the cover of the Japanese booklet,also) !!!
Judy,
I’m so glad that you’re interested in learning to read crochet symbol charts. They’ll open up a whole new world of crochet patterns that you never thought possible, like Japanese patterns!
Happy crocheting,
Susan
I would love to win this book, I have tried to crochet with symbols before but not very well, I love the angel dish cloth you have pictured from the book, it would make nice gifts. I have seen patterns on other web sites with stitch pictures and all the writing is in different languages, I could learn how to do them now. Thank you for the chance to win, but thank you more for the chance to learn!
Karen
Karen,
I’m glad that you’re eager to learn to read crochet symbols. They’ll really open up the door to crocheting many more crochet patterns that are only written in symbols.
Happy crocheting,
Susan
Of course I would love a copy of this book, I hope Rita is signing as well, you must know it would be treasured,,,,, I will definitely buy if I don’t win…..I will hunt you down (lol) at the next conference to autograph it, this is a must!!! I would be so honored if you did…..I have crocheted for many years but still have trouble with the symbols….maybe this will help…
Grace,
Yes, I’m going to get Rita to autograph the copy that I’m giving away on my blog. And I’ll autograph it, too. Hopefully Rita will be attending the conference in October. I look forward to seeing you there. By the way, are you subscribed to my blog?
Susan
I would love to get better at reading and following symbol charts!
Jana,
Symbol charts are fantastic! They open up a whole world of patterns (like Japanese, Russian and more).
Happy crocheting,
Susan
I would love to add this book to my collection! thank you so for this giveaway opportunity…
Linda,
You’re welcome. It’s fun to give away a prize now and then! And the winner is always excited to get it!
Happy crocheting,
Susan
I don’t have trouble reading knitting charts but I need a guide to help with the crochet charts and symbols…especially on exactly where to place the crochet hook, i.e. in the space, in the chain, in the stitch. I’ve started crocheting again just recently and need some help.
I’d love to get the book.
Thank you,
Sharon
Sharon,
Where to place the crochet hook is sometimes tricky. I’ve come across a few symbol crochet charts that actually specify working in a particular chain of the chain space. Otherwise, you’d typically work the stitches into the chain space itself to save time. The nice thing about symbol crochet charts is the bottom of the crochet symbol is located directly above the stitch or space where the new stitch is worked!
I’ll be writing a tutorial sometime for my website (when I have time and get super organized and disciplined) on where to insert the hook and why. Stay tuned for that!
Happy crocheting,
Susan
Where can I get the pattern for the Japanese Cardigan???
Mary,
I’ll have to go through my receipts from the past few years and see where I bought it. I’ll let you know when I find it.
Happy crocheting,
Susan
Would love to have this book. I have done some crochet with symbols, but hope to learn more. The patterns in the book are beautiful, expecially the cardigan.
Mary,
I’m glad you like the book. I love crocheting from symbol crochet patterns.
Happy crocheting,
Susan
This book looks awesome, thanks so much for putting it together! I would definitely enjoy a copy for myself. I am a mostly self-taught crocheter, so reading symbol crochet charts has always been difficult. This would definitely be a great addition to my resources. Thanks for the opportunity to win one! ^_^
Aubrey,
I’m glad you like the looks of this symbol crochet book. By the way, are you subscribed to my blog? It’s one of the requirements to win the book!
Happy crocheting,
Susan
I fell in love with symbol crochet many years ago when I saw a copy of the magazine, “Magic Crochet”, and immediately purchased a subscription. Since then, I tend to buy more leaflets and books that include symbols.
Congratulations on your new book. And I LOVE the Japanese cardigan!
Marjorie,
Thank you. It sounds like we have a lot in common, since we both LOVE crochet symbols!
Happy crocheting,
Susan
I love using charts, but have never used a chart only patten. I plan to make my first one from this book, then venture to a japanese book. Where are japanese books available?
Karen,
I buy Japanese books online. There are some for sale on Etsy, EBay, Amazon, etc.
Happy crocheting,
Susan