In the second instalment of the Absolute Beginners Series you will learn to do a UK Double Crochet/US Single Crochet. It’s really important that you remember that there are different terms in the UK and the US. The stitches are the same, but the terminology is different. I know this can be a little confusing, but if you learn this from the start, you’re at a great advantage. You can find a great chart for the different terms HERE. Some of my favorite projects are the Teapot (and Teapot pincushion) as well as the Strawberry and Strawberry towel topper. Another one of my favorites is the Fabulous Rose Cushion. It’s full of texture and cheerful colors! If I was rating the book just based on the patterns, I would give it five stars. But because it is advertising itself as a course for beginners, I will have to give the book three and a half stars.

You Can Crochet with Bella Coco by Sarah-Jayne Fragola

And ends with a beautiful showstopper blanket incorporating many of the techniques and stitches learned along the crochet journey.

Success!

Join over a million Bella Coco fans and learn to crochet with her sure and simple method and learn to make beautiful items along the way! One of my favorite projects from the book is the Velvet Windowpane Throw. It is made with the gorgeous Bernat Velvet yarn in a beautiful plum color. Each pattern includes a granny square and some of them are turned into a sweet little project to make like a pouch, pot holder, pillow and even a pair of wrist warmers.

Bella CROCHET: How to crochet a granny square for beginners | Bella

The Skills section includes information about changing colors, stranded colorwork, and intarsia. It also goes over shaping, finishing and seaming just to name a few. The first project is a set of simple coasters, perfect for a beginner and the last pattern is the Showstopper Blanket where crocheters can show off their newly learned skills. The book continues with beginner step by step guides on how to do a slip knot and also how to hold your hook and yarn. If you’re a complete beginner, this section will take you through step by step with colour photos on how to chain and advise you with tips on tension and gauge. There’s also full colour pictorial instructions on how to double crochet, fasten off and also how to weave in the loose ends of yarn. crochet stitches

The patterns are actually at the front of this book. And there are so many cute ones to choose from! Two of my favorites are the Three Russian Dolls and the Monster Gadget Covers. But you’ll also find more traditional projects like granny square blankets and a Chevron Throw. The Crochet Home: 20 Vintage Modern Crochet Projects for the Home was written and designed by Emma Lamb. The pattern section includes gorgeous new designs like the Juvie Chevron Cowl and the Sulta Triangle Wrap. But the book also includes home decor projects like the Alpha Wall Hanging (which I adore) and the Motley Blanket.

Welcome to Bella Coco Crochet!

Before getting your hook into any projects, there’s a few other things that I covered in the book including: When it comes to crochet books there are a lot to choose from, you can opt for general crochet projects, crochet granny square blankets, crochet garments, crochet food and even specialised types of crochet like Tunisian crochet and amigurumi, which you can find out more about in our interview with Vincent Green-Hite, author of the new book Knot Bad Amigurumi.In this final episode of the Absolute Beginners Series you will learn to do a UK Double Treble Crochet/US Treble Crochet. This stitch is the largest in hight out of all of the stitches you have learned. The only negative I can say about this book is that some of the photos of the projects that were made with dark yarn are very hard to see. I’m giving the Modern Crochet Book 4 stars (would have given it five if the photos had been a little more clear). To reward your efforts, Sarah-Jayne then treats you to a section on advanced stitches that you can use to crochet her 'Showstopper Blanket' – a beautiful, textured blanket that you'd be proud to drape on your bed or sofa. This book contains 10 crocheted collages, each providing 10 different motifs, all inspired in some way by my garden. They roughly follow the pattern of the seasons in my part of the world., and so also represent a year in my Yorkshire garden, from the first flowers in spring, through the frosty leaves of winter. You may recognise some of the flowers and leaves as actual, real-life plant species, but many are imaginary, loosely based on shapes or colours found in my garden, but are not intentded to be botanically accurate representations of particular plants. Crochet Collage Garden