How come pattern books do this?

[CLLinda]

Did you ever get a book that was supposed to be "Knitting and Crochet patterns" and notice that it was mostly knitting with just a few token crochet patterns thrown in just to keep us happy? I think when it is knitting and crochet in one book, they should be almost even in the amount of knitting patterns and crochet patterns.

 

I just purchased "One Skein" knitting and crochet book and there is the token crochet patterns along with about 30 or more knitting.

 

It doesn't really seem fair to us crocheters.

Just wanted to vent.

 

Linda

[ChainOFools]

Funny you should mention that book, because I was thinking of buying it! I have also noticed this in many of the booklets, etc. I've bought through the years, 'knit and crochet' and as you said, the one token crochet pattern that was somehow a lot less appealing than the knitted patterns, and I've felt the frustration.

 

If it's any consolation, I think the crochet patterns are starting to increase now though, because of the popularity this craft is now enjoying.

[craftconnie1]

I try to never buy "mixed" books...I always seem to be dissappointed. Same with magazines. I spend so much time flipping through patterns . Valuable crocheting time!!!!!

[angel88]

Ive noticed that myself also, and when they are combo books, the crochet pattern is usually just a scarf that you've seen a million times. It's almost never a unique pattern.

[christinascrochethaven]

I only buy mixed books if I can get them at a discount at thrift stores or used bookstores or yard sales. Then it's worth the money.

 

It's so hard when a lot is knitting instead of crochet.

[NexStitch]

I never buy mixed books for this reason and I tend to feel short changed when I get a magazine that has knitting in it, as if knitting doesn't get all the attention already. I've always wanted to pick the brains of the writers, designers, and publishers who do stuff like that and ask them, "WHY on earth..."

[eurolyons]

You know it's weird...lately I've been picking up the latest knitting mags (like knit.1) not expecting any crocheting to be in it, but yeah, there's the token patten...or two...but I'm not always happy with their selection...I personally expect better patterns if they are going to take the time to put one in, token or otherwise. But I'm not buying the knitting magazines for that token crochet pattern to begin with...I've got more crochet patterns that I will realistically make in my lifetime...I get the knitting mags to see what the styles are that I might want to try to convert to crochet. So it's still a win-win for me.

 

Ironically, I was given a German hot pad pattern book (hard cover too) for my birthday and over 90% of the patterns are crochet, with a handful knit...kind of like they put the knit ones in there as a token gesture to make the knitters happy...

 

 

But I agree that when I pick up a magazine or a book that says they are "knitting and crocheting" and there's hardly any crocheting, I get a bit annoyed...

[LI Roe]

I agree also. There should be a proportionate number of both patterns if it is advertised as knitting and crochet. I picked up, for only a couple of dollars at a temporary bookstore that opens only at Christmastime, the Family Circle Book of Easy Toys, 25 Delightful Creations to Knit & Crochet (that is what the cover says). Out of 25 patterns, there were only three (if that many) to crochet. For that amount of money, it was okay but I would never pay full price for it.

 

LI Roe

[artemis]

I buy very few books. I am good about checking the inter-library group to see if any libraries in NE Wisconsin have the book I want. If they do, I put it on reserve and it comes in a few days.

 

Or I spend a morning at Barnes and Noble drinking coffee and perusing the knit/crochet books. If I'm really sure that there are enough crochet patterns that I like...then I might buy it.

 

Yesterday at B and N I did buy Hooked Bags by Margaret Huber. 20 yummy bags at least half of which I'd actually make for myself or as a gift.

[wildthing1058]

I always wondered the same thing I have bought books that say both and then have 1 or 2 crochet and the rest knit now I skim through the book first to see.

[sakurasaku]

I always wondered the same thing I have bought books that say both and then have 1 or 2 crochet and the rest knit now I skim through the book first to see.

 

Same here. I noticed this when I borrowed "Scarf Style" by Pam Allen (Interweave Press) from the library, so I always look through a mixed book beforehand.

 

Now I happen to do both, so if I really like an item, I would make it either way, but I do believe there are a lot more crocheters than knitters overall? Is that true?

[NexStitch]

Kim from Crochet Me was making this same point just recently:

 

http://www.crochetme.com/blog/tnna-the-midwest-new-york-a-triptych

 

And I agree with her thoughts completely. I wonder if publishers think they are pandering the the whims of crocheters by tossing us a bone, figuratively-speaking.

 

When I see a cute looking books like, "Sexy Little Knits" I think, "Nice Design on the cover. Pleasant graphics nicely laid out using pleasing and eye-catching colors. Why are only 6 of 25 designs strictly crochet?" Then I put the book down and keep going. The remaining designs combine knitting and crochet, and quite frankly, that isn't going to make me slap down $20 for it.

[MBT]

I think it takes a little while between the time that publishers catch on that there is a need for something (in this case, decent crochet books) and the time that the books actually hit the shelves. Lily Chin has a great new crochet book coming out in the fall and Candi Jensen has one coming out for those of us who do both (called Knitting Loves Crochet). There is also a new magazine coming out from SoHo Publishing, called Crochet Today! It will be on the news stands on August 8.

 

Yes there are more crocheters than knitters, but the perception in the industry (true or not) is that knitters spend more money.

 

The crochet revolution is coming though, led by brave souls like Kim at CrochetMe (her new book for young crocheters is FABULOUS!).

[countingsts]

WHY YES I HAVE NOTICED THIS. IT IS PRECISELY THE REASON I TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM SUCH BOOKS. UNLESS I REALLY WANT THAT PARTICULAR PATTERN. AND DID YOU NOT ALSO NOTICE THAT THE KNITTED PATS ARE ALWAYS IN A MUCH NICER COLOR?

[CLLinda]

Well, I am glad I am not the only one that gets upset about this topic. Now if only the publishers would hear it. Anyone got any ideas?

 

Linda:manyheart

[tiggerhale]

I totally agree! I've gotten to where I don't buy a mixed book w/o looking at it first and if it's online, you can usually tell by the photos which are which. I too have wondered why if crochet is so huge, every single person I meet thinks I KNIT! I'm always saying - knitting is 2 needles; crochet is 1 hook! It's almost like a step-child craft sometimes!

[Bearsgrammy]

Most of the pattern books I have seen are uniformly without much imagination. Some of the patterns approach the impossible in being needlessly complicated, require very expensive and (sometimes) unobtainable yarn, and often, are just plain silly.I agree with you that knitting seems to preferred over crochet. It is frustrating to wade through endless knitting patterns---now some of you are so talented that you can crochet and knit, I am not one of you. SNB is good, and some of the others mentioned in the posts, but I guess the clincher for me is a book I saw at A.C. Moore for making Victorian style pins. These pins were so ugly! Its stuff like this that shouldn't be out there, but alas, will continue to be.

[NexStitch]

Well, I am glad I am not the only one that gets upset about this topic. Now if only the publishers would hear it. Anyone got any ideas?

 

Linda:manyheart

 

I mentioned this over at Craftster the other day, but feel free to contact magazines like Interweave (who publish crochet mags filled half way with knitting/croceht projects) and tell them your thoughts. Tell them what you like and don't like. Some have website contact forms.

 

I personally don't spend money on magazines that pander to knitters because I don't knit. I'm not anti-knitting in the least bit. But, when I see a magazine with a lot of mixed patterns, I feel cheated. My opinion is that it's OK to have 1 perhaps 2 mixed patterns in there, but not half.

[Paralee]

<snip> Yes there are more crocheters than knitters, but the perception in the industry (true or not) is that knitters spend more money.

 

The crochet revolution is coming though, led by brave souls like Kim at CrochetMe (her new book for young crocheters is FABULOUS!).

 

Obviously "the industry" hasn't noticed how much money we are spending on things like hand-made crochet hooks and hand-dyed yarn, among other things. Their loss.

[Squarah]

I won't so much as glance at a book that has "knitting" and "crochet" in the title. I just don't feel it's worth my time or money.