Inspiration: The Harmony Guides are seminal resource books—each edition makes an invaluable contribution to the needlecrafter’s repertoire.
I was first charmed by crochet when I saw the delicate edging on white cotton pillowcases, fine linen table cloths, and decorative anti-macassars found in thrift shops and yard sales, created and crafted by anonymous women whose proficiency and passion were evident in every stitch. But I was always wary of that little crochet hook, and just naturally preferred knitting—what I was used to!
All that changed while I worked in the Far East for leading fashion companies where a wealth of local craft skills and expertise was available. Here anything was possible, from fine, intricate, and embellished crochet to the more raw-edged stitches constructed in exciting new yarns and fibers from Japan. The women that crochet are skilled, quick, and creative, and it was a pleasure to work with and learn from them.
I soon overcame my initial wariness and realized that crochet is perhaps the most versatile of all crafts. Using just a hook and a ball of “yarn,” it is possible to create a fabric from almost any length of continuous fiber: wool, cotton, string, ribbon, fabric, leather, wire, even plastic bags cut into strips! Just keep in mind the intended use of the finished product, and choose the appropriate hook. – Editor Erika Knight
Tools & equipment: It is sometimes hard to believe that beautiful and intricate-looking crochet is created using only two essential tools—a crochet hook, and the yarn itself.
The basics
Stitch gallery
Abbreviations
Index | 
