The Well-Knit Home: Simple Techniques for Beautiful Results

I really enjoyed flipping through this book, many an inspiring project. Alas, I do not crochet. The book was very good about giving knitting instructions for stitch patterns such as the basket weave stitch, bobbles, and so on. However, when I chose various patterns to construct, many of them started with crochet instructions such as, "Using waste yarn and a crochet hook, chain 110 stitches. Turn the chain face-down with bumps at back of chain upward. Using the project yarn pick up 53 sts, one in every other bump in the chain." Wait a minute, I am a knitter. I do not know how to crochet, and further, I did not buy a book of crochet patterns. If I were a classical violinist, I would not want to pick up a sheet of music that says, "OK, first you play a classical guitar intro, no musical notations provided--just do it--and then pick up the violin and play, detailed instructions to follow." Perhaps one day I will learn how to crochet, but today I am a knitter and unless I can figure out an alternative and similar method to cast on, I cannot do these projects as pictured. My suggestion to the author is to either provide an alternative cast-on or to provide detailed instructions on how to crochet. If neither of these are palatable, do not market this solely as a knitting book but as a fibers arts book. That being said, I am inspired by the diversity of patterns and ideas. I am constantly on the lookout for gifts that are unique and come from my needles with love. After all, how many scarves can friends and relatives possibly wear? I love books that make me think outside of the scarves-sweaters-socks box. The baby blanket with the owls is adorable, the jewelry bag is the perfect gift, the bath mat looks ever so inviting, and the knit hot water bottle cover makes me look forward to my next aching back. If I only knew how to crochet...I would have given this book 5 stars.