This is the book for beginners that we always wanted to write. It’s the one we wish we could have learnt from. Between the two of us we’ve taught hundreds of people to crochet in classes up and down the UK (and abroad). The more you teach beginners the more you see the different areas that people struggle with and which simple tips can be shared to overcome them. We wanted this book to give you the same feeling of being in class, to give you the same level of information imparted in a friendly way, to distil all the teaching experience we’ve gained. It is spiral bound so it lays nice and flat while you work and makes it easy to flip back and forth between the various bits of information you might need. We want this book to give you the best start possible.

As makers and designers we have always been more interested in things to wear than things for the home. And it is fair to say that we get very frustrated with some of the useless items that beginners get given to make (mug cosies we are looking at you!) That’s why in this book we have focussed on wearable items. There is something very wonderful about being able to make something to wear right from the beginning. There’s no better feeling than being able to respond to a comment about your clothing by saying “Thanks, I made it!”

So let’s get you crocheting! We have written the book as though it is a course so it is best to start at the beginning and work your way through the text and the projects in order.
It contains 4 projects over 80 pages:

The Burwell Cowl is the first project in the book and is designed to help you practice your basic stitches.

The Wicken Mitts are an introduction to working into row ends, following a pattern and making something to fit.

The Bottisham Hat introduces you to working in the round, making a traditional motif, working seamlessly and decreasing.

The Quy Shawl introduces you to reading charts, working lace patterns, picots, understanding special stitches, increasing in pattern.

The book is written in UK standard crochet terminology and has a full discussion of the differences between the UK and US standards and makes references to the US terms throughout.