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image courtesy Stackpole Books

Book: Sweet & Simple Baby Crochet: 35 Adorable Designs for Newborns to 12 Months

Author: Kristi Simpson

Publisher: Stackpole Books

List Price: $19.95

Love getting new stuff in the mail? I was excited to receive my reviewer’s copy of Sweet & Simple Baby Crochet. Author Kristi Simpson says that her design goal is to “create the sweetest items using the simplest stitches possible”. She certainly accomplishes that! The projects in the book are super cute and very accessible.

Simple stitches are great for novice crocheters, and I have to say this book is really accessible for newcomers to crochet. Some of the features I love:

  • Each pattern comes with very detailed pattern notes. Now, as a technical editor, I’m used to reading through pattern notes. Generally they just give the bare minimum of additional information. Kristi goes beyond that to explain and spell out things that many others wouldn’t. This is fantastic for anyone just starting to get into crocheting.
  • There are lots of photo tutorials! In addition to step-by-step photos for the stitches used in the book, Kristi has also included helpful photos throughout for special stitches, techniques (like joining fringe hair on the elephant hat), and details like edging on a cardigan.

image courtesy Stackpole Books

As a designer, I also really admire Kristi’s ability to use the fun textured or thick and thin yarns in her designs. In Sweet & Simple Baby Crochet, she balances them out with smoother yarns for a great overall look.

image courtesy Stackpole Books

Kristi’s crochet pattern writing notation is a bit different that what I’m used to, but that’s ok because she spells out exactly what she means in a helpful note on page 1.

image courtesy Stackpole Books

Ready to get stitching? Thanks to Stackpole Books you have the chance to win a copy of Sweet & Simple Baby Crochet! Simply leave a comment on this post before Sunday, October 6th at 11:59 pm, telling me what you love about crocheting for babies. I’ll use a random number generator to pick a winner. Open to US and Canadian residents.