The Complete Book of Knitting, Crochet, & Embroidery by Pam Dawson (1976, Book, Illustrated)

This is for a large hardcover book called "The Complete Book of Knitting Crochet & Embroidery". As far as the crochet & knitting sections go, this book is mainly a stitch dictionary and instruction manual. It does have patterns also; some of them are cute & wearable hippie/bohemian/peasant styles, and some of them are just plain outdated. In my opinion though, the patterns are gravy; the value of the book really lies in the stitch encyclopedias.

This book begins at the beginning~ it starts out with basic stitches in knitting; it explains holding yarn and needles, casting on & off, knit stitches, purl stitches, and other basics that you will need to know in order to knit. It progresses into topics such as gauge, substituting yarns, working a pattern, and picking up dropped stitches. It also covers topics such as shaping, increases, decreases, buttonholes, hems, waistbands, pockets, necks, collars, blocking, seams, caring for knitwear, knitting in the round, and double knitting.

From this book you will learn how to knit gloves, socks, stockings, and garments. You will also learn some techniques for designing your own knitwear. There are instructions and advice for adjusting patterns, creating motifs, adjusting lengths, tucks & trims, pleats, cords, braids, tassles, pompoms, applied embroidery, covered buttons, applied edgings, shaped edgings, insertions, sequins & beads, changing colors, simple stripes, 2 color patterns, textured patterns, mosaic patterns, mock fair isle, traditional fair isle, jacquard, patchwork knitting, advanced stitch patterns, textured patterns, woven fabric stitches, raised stitches, fur fabrics, fisherman knitting, maxi knitting (working a fabric on very large needles), traveling stitches, cables, cables in rounds (hat project is shown), aran knitting, an aran poncho/shawl, aran shaping, lace stitches, shetland lace, picot knitting, and filet knitting.

The section on crochet is equally rich. It begins with a history of crochet. It goes on to show basic stitches, chains, increasing, decreasing, decorative stitches, clusters, bobble stitches, blocking, finishing, circular motifs, squares, square & wheel motifs, patchwork effects, color designs, free shaping, lace crochet, filet crochet, designing & working corners, open lace designs, fur fabrics and loop stitches, edgings, aran crochet, raised designs, berry stitch motifs, irish crochet, irish motifs on squares, colored patterns, zigzag stripes, chevron designs, braids, check patterns, crochet with leather & suede, covered rings, lace circular motifs, crochet on mesh & net, crochet on rug canvas, embroidery on crochet, beaded designs, needleweaving, experimental techniques, woven crochet, edgings, braids & cords, edgings, fringes, ruffles, buttons, fastenings, flowers, afghan crochet, fabric stitches, decorative stitches, advanced afghan stitches,& projects.

The embroidery section is wonderful too. It shows you how to do design transfers! That is really a useful skill if you'd like to design your own embroideries. It also shows straight stitches, satin stitches, chain stitches, detached chain stitches, chain stitch as a filling stitch, French knots, cross stitch, circles & spirals, essential stitches, assissi work, blackwork, drawn and pulled thread work, hardanger, needleweaving, cutwork, and more.

There are newer, prettier, trendier books than this, but this book does have a lot of fantastic information. If you find it cheap enough, it's worth getting.