Book Review: Crocheted Softies by Stacey Trock

Hi everyone!

Today’s book review is going to be on Stacey Trock’s second Amigurumi book titled Crocheted Softies. Comparing this book to her first book, which you can check out here, she has done another wonderful job in coming up with more adorable designs. With this book, the designs featured are animals from around the world.

Much like the first book, Stacey provides information about different stitches, yarn and yarn substitutes, and how to make child-safe eyes. She also has different yarn weights, a glossary of abbreviations, and resources where you can purchase different yarns and other materials towards the back of the book. Throughout the book, Stacey provides little tips to help you create each stuffed animal. Featured in the book are two different animals from each part of the world. For example, from Africa she features a cute giraffe and elephant. She even created two different aliens from outer space.

What I love about this book is how well-written it is. Stacey makes it easy to create each of these animals by providing detailed instructions that are easy to follow. Most of the animals start off with a basic head and body shape, so once you have that, you can continue on with whatever animal you are making. I highly recommend checking this book out and discovering your next project.

To find out more information about Stacey Trock, please visit her website: http://www.freshstitches.com/

Be sure to check out and subscribe to my blog for all future projects, hauls, and much more. As always, thanks for stopping by!

Book Review: Cuddly Crochet by Stacey Trock

Hey everyone!

Today I’ll be reviewing Stacey Trock’s book titled Cuddly Crochet. I first discovered this book a few years ago when I was listening to Stacey’s podcast Crochet Chat. Sadly, she no longer has this podcast, but I am grateful that I was able to discover her website and her books. Her website is amazing and very colorful. She designs adorable amigurumi, which I just had to try out for myself.

When it first started looking through this book, I noticed how detailed it was. She gave instructions for how to make each piece, different yarns she used and yarn substitutions, and of course different toys, hats, and blankets to make. For me, I wanted to start with something simple so I wouldn’t get discouraged and upset if something was confusing and didn’t turn out the way that I would like it to. I settled on making a bear. The bear turned out super cute and I couldn’t wait to get started on the next stuffed animal.

Overall, I think this book is well-written, detailed, and provides lots of beautiful pictures so you know what you are making. At the beginning of the book, Stacey provides different hat sizes, discusses different crochet stitches, and provides an alternative for child safety eyes. Towards the back of the book are different resources where you can find yarn substitutions, pattern abbreviations, and yarns featured in each pattern. Stacey also provides a list of different websites you can visit to purchase yarn, hooks, and other materials. If you are interested in crocheting amigurumi, this is one book you should definitely pick up!

To find out more information about Stacey Trock, please visit her website: http://www.freshstitches.com/

Be sure to check out and subscribe to my blog for all future projects, hauls, and much more. As always, thanks for stopping by!

Book Review: Crochet Stitch Dictionary by Sarah Hazell

Today’s book review is going to be on Crochet Stitch Dictionary by Sarah Hazell. I received this book as a Christmas present last year and have fallen in love with it. Like the front cover says, there are 200 different stitches you can learn and master. I enjoy new stitches as I feel it helps me learn more about crochet, so I couldn’t wait to get started.

Looking at the contents of this book, I noticed that each stitch mentioned comes with a little picture, so you can see what each stitch will look like. There are also different sections that are color coordinated such as basic stitches, fans and shells, and puffs and bobbles. I felt like this was helpful as they are categorized in some sort of way instead of thrown together without any rhyme or reason.

At the beginning of the book, you have a section talking about the different hook sizes as well as the different yarn weights. You also get a quick overview of how to hold a crochet hook, how to hold the yarn, and how to begin by making a slipknot. Towards the back of the book, you have symbols and abbreviations of each stitch and an index of all the stitches mentioned in this book.

What I love about this book is the endless possibilities you can do with each stitch. Once you have mastered a stitch, you can make it into a pattern. Each stitch is beautifully photographed step-by-step, so you are able to see what each stitch would look like. Underneath the pictures you have detailed instructions that will help you achieve each stitch. I have used this book many times when I’m trying to learn a new stitch or am looking to incorporate a stitch into a pattern. I think this is a great resource that all crocheters should have in their book collection.

Have you checked this book out? What are your thoughts?

Be sure to check out and subscribe to my blog for all future projects, hauls, and much more. As always, thanks for stopping by!