For my birthday I got this book: Crochet Noro: 30 Dazzling Designs. It’s published by Sixth&Spring Books, New York, and it is ah-ma-zing!
The book doesn’t have any chapters; after a brief introduction about the origin of Noro yarns, the pattern section begins. And really, who needs those pesky pages before the pattern section anyway, right? The patterns feature 30 projects ranging from wristies to shawls, and from blankets to purses and bags. There is a great variety in patterns and that is one of the things that I love about this book.
Most patterns come with written instructions and diagrams, and they could not be more clear. All stitches are explained very well and at the beginning of each pattern, so there’s no need for you to search what any abbreviations mean. Each pattern comes with a skill indicator, ranging from Beginner to Easy, Intermediate and Experienced.
The photography for this book is truly exquisite and such a joy to gawk at. The art direction is very good, as is the styling, and you can see that the people who made this book had a lot of passion doing so. The book is hardcover and bound, and my copy stayed open on the table very easily, making it easy to have next to you when you work a pattern from it.
There is one project in it though that I just don’t understand. As you know, Noro yarns can be quite precious and not for everyone’s wallet size, so the Nesting Bowls project doesn’t make any sense to me. Who wants to keep their knick knacks in a Noro nesting bowl? No thank you, I’ll save that expensive yarn for something else!
Crochet Noro: 30 Dazzling Designs is the third Noro book out there, following two Knit Noro books. Nine designers were asked to provide patterns for this book, which gives it that eclectic mix of fantastic patterns that are almost timeless.
This book currently retails for $17,95 (on Amazon here) and I highly recommend it. Even if you only make half the projects in this book, the other half is wonderful to look at on a rainy afternoon, making it a perfect coffee table companion in my opinion :)
xo,
wink
ps This book was gifted to me by my mom, and I didn’t receive any financial compensation for this review. Opinions stated are my own and I fully stand by them.
Photos of Crochet Noro: 30 Dazzling Designs published by Sixth&Spring Books. Book photography by Rose Callahan copyright © 2012 by Sixth&Spring Books/Knitting Fever, Inc. All rights reserved.
May 17, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Great review, thanks for sharing!!
Kate :}
May 17, 2013 at 4:26 pm
Great book review! I have this book, and I absolutely love it! I am going to ‘share’ your post . . . :D
May 17, 2013 at 5:06 pm
I received this book last weekend. I love it too! The photography and pattern directions are great. I agree with the nesting bowls, very beautiful to look at but expensive using Noro yarn. I just started making the large bowl using verigated Red Heart yarn left over from a project and feel much better than the added expense. When I’m finished I will start another project.
Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to crochet.
May 18, 2013 at 12:39 am
Beautifully reviewed Wink, thank you – makes me want to buy this book – oh dear – another one! Joy x
May 18, 2013 at 8:44 am
Your review caught my eye because last month I ordered one of the other books ‘Knit Noro Accessoires’ so thank you so much to share this one. I agree they contain lovely projects
As a good and less expensive alternative for the real Noro yarn I use Drops Big Delight.
May 22, 2013 at 11:34 am
I would definitely love to have this book, even just to admire the projects that are in the book as Noro yarn is so pretty to look at!