24-Hour Crochet Projects by Rita Weiss

the bookworm book reviews, crochet, , , ,

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source: free copy via NetGalley
title: 24-Hour Crochet Projects by Rita Weiss
genre: crafting/crochet
pages: 128
published: Sterling (February 1, 2005)

Blurb:
Quick and easy doesn’t mean boring, as this vibrant crochet guide attests. Twenty-four simple patterns, each of which can be finished in 24 hours or less, include garments, bags, and home accessories. They’re easy to pick up whenever you have a few moments to spare — but they’re hard to put down! You’ll be amazed at what you can create in such a short time.
Patterns include stylish hats, scarves, sweaters, and purses as well as afghans, doilies, and baby clothes. Full-color photos illustrate the easy-to-follow instructions, and a helpful “Refresher Course” offers diagrams of stitches and describes gauge. From a cute little sweater to a trendy scarf and a little black bag for a night on the town, these 24 patterns offer a terrific variety of projects that make great gifts and treasured keepsakes.

My thoughts:
I have to start off by saying that I didn’t realize this crochet pattern book was published in 2005 when I requested it from NetGalley. On browsing this one some of the patterns do look outdated.

This set offers 24 crochet patterns that can each be finished in 24 hours or less. I found that the patterns included are very simple and you might even find similar ones online for free. This was a free review copy from NetGalley but one of my biggest things when purchasing crochet patterns is that I want to be paying for patterns that are unique and that I won’t find free of charge online.

While I was not a fan of the presentation, in particular the photos, the patterns themselves are well written and simple. This collection is good for beginners. There are patterns here for scarves, hats, baby items, purses and more. Each pattern gives you an approximate time for how long the project will take to complete.
There is also a “Refresher Course” at the end of the book with diagrams and a stitch guide like every good pattern collection should have.

Out of all the patterns, this Hipster Scarf is the one I liked. I have added this to my list of things to crochet.

I have to mention that one thing that made me cringe is the blurb on Amazon:

What would you like to have crocheted by tomorrow —a cardigan with a matching halter top? A cozy afghan? Perhaps a warm hat to ward off the wind? Then get out the needles and follow these patterns, because every one of them takes just a day to do.

Crocheters don’t use needles, we use hooks. Knitters use needles.

So, overall this is a collection of simple crochet patterns for beginners with clear instructions and would make a nice addition to your collection if you are a crocheting newbie and were looking to purchase a pattern book. However, if you are looking for great patterns, Lion Brand and Caron yarns are my go-to’s, and they offer them free of charge. I print patterns from there and keep them in a binder for reference.

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Disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received my free copy of 24-Hour Crochet Projects by Rita Weiss via NetGalley. Nothing in this post is available for download, the photos are my own.

11 thoughts on “24-Hour Crochet Projects by Rita Weiss”

  2. Hi Naida,

    I’m okay with crocheting Afghan rugs, but give me a crochet pattern and I am at a complete loss, although I do know the difference between a hook and a pair of needles!

    I look at old knitting patterns and think how outdated they are, although some would call them retro or vintage and be clamouring after them.

    I do have say that I got caught out like this a few weeks ago. I was donated a pile of old knitting patterns, which I had basically discarded, when a small bundle of modern patterns was found in the bag. Imagine my surprise when I found an old pattern which had been re-printed and slightly photoshopped, only then to be re-born as a new and identical modern design!

    I must admit that I would feel rather cheated if I was paying full price for a pattern book which was printed in 2005, unless it was made crystal clear at the time of ordering.

    I do like the pattern you selected as your favourite, although I would definitely use it as the shawl option 🙂

    Thanks for sharing, I guess as a free gift, if you got one pattern from it, it was worthwhile, but I’m not sure about giving the book a generous review 🙂

    I hope that the rash is improving, Take Care.

    Yvonne

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Yvonne, lol about the hooks and needles. I don’t expect non-crocheters or knitters to know the difference, but at least the crochet pattern book blurb should be correct. Yikes!
      Yes, I see many nice retro patterns out there, and there’s even a site dedicated to the vintage crochet patterns that I have bookmarked : http://freevintagecrochet.com/

      How unoriginal for them to reprint and photoshop then resell it as a new design! It doesn’t surprise me much.
      I used to sell some of my crochet patterns on ETSY years ago and imagine my surprise when someone informed me that a woman on EBAY took my crochet pattern, listed it for sale and was claiming it was a pattern her late grandmother had written years ago. Meanwhile the pattern was mine, plus she had used all my original instructional photos as well! Claiming it was her late grandmothers work! I was so upset when I saw that listing on her shop. I emailed the seller and notified EBAY who made her take the listing down but who knows if she took it elsewhere to sell. She never replied to my email, but I did tell her off lol. I’m sure she had no late grandmother and was just trying to make money off other peoples work. My pattern wasn’t the only one listed at her shop.

      I am feeling better thank you and enjoy your week and your knitting too 🙂

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      • The vintage pattern site was really good and I spent a great few minutes browsing!

        I then checked out a similar site for vintage knitting patterns and searched on to discover that they actually fetch quite good prices online. Perhaps I shall have to be a little more discerning when patterns are donated into the charity shop!

        I would have been so annoyed if I had found someone plagiarising my hard work and passing it off as their own. These people need to be named and shamed by the administrators of the site and never be allowed to buy or sell there again!

        I’ll bet that put you off selling on ETSY for a while?

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  4. Happy Sunday, Naida!

    Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts about 24-Hour Crochet Projects. Even though you say the patterns are simple, it would probably take me 24 days to crochets any of the items in this book. I hope you will get a chance to crochet a Hipster Scarf! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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