200 Crochet Flowers, Embellishments & Trims: 200 Designs to Add a Crocheted Finish to All Your Clothes and Accessories [Tapa blanda]

I bought this book solely because I wanted to make the snowflake motif. I am a new crocheter (I have only used crochet in conjunction with knitting in the past) and this was my first project. I knew I could find snowflake patterns for free on the internet, but I figured a book like this would also make a good resource for the future.

Well, the snowflake pattern has errors in the written out instructions that make it impossible to do correctly. The chart is correct, but I am new to following charts and needed the written instructions for backup. The written out instructions are also confusing and hard to follow even when they are right; this was confirmed for me by an experienced crocheter who helped me with the pattern. She called it the worst-written crochet pattern she has ever seen. She also looked at the pattern next to it in the book and said that has an error as well.

I was able to figure out, by looking at the chart and photo, how to make the motif correctly. But I could easily see a pattern of this caliber scaring someone away from crocheting entirely. A pattern that I paid for, in a published book, should not have such glaring errors, especially when those errors show up in two randomly selected patterns in a row. I will be returning the book.

A good reference for different flowers designs. I think it's an excellent addition to my crochet library. I take the book out whenever I want to find a design quickly.

This book is packed with fun! In addition to a wonderful variety of flowers ( and leaves) there are patterns you can use to finish work with delightful edgings. There is a whole chapter that includes 50 patterns for making crochet fabric ( think blankets and shawls). If you are a "granny square" nut you will love the chapter that includes 50 different motifs - squares, hexagons,circles- from lacy and floral to geometric, that could be turned into an afghan ( for joining crochet motifs see the front of the book "help" section) or used to make or decorate many craft items. Each pattern comes with a sharp,color photo of the finished design so that you can see the stitch detail. Under this, you will find clear written directions. Below that, CHARTS are given for each design ( and if you do not know how to read those diagrams yet, there is an explanation in the front "help" chapters that includes the Crochet Chart Symbols. As if that were not enough, each pattern comes with a key for the chart symbols so that you do not need to flip back and forth....or so your pattern xerox carried in your work bag has complete info.) I find the charts invaluable because I can tell at a glance, without reading lines of directions and needing to imagine what is going on, exactly how an item will be made and if I need to learn or review a stitch before taking it on. In addition, I can glance at the charts when a work is in progress to get a quick reminder of where I am in a project. The front of the book has very useful information for the beginner and anyone who needs a quick reference or brush up on -Fibers, Colors, Yarn Weights, Tools and Equipment, Gauge, Basic Stitches (with explanations and photos) and More Complex Stitches, Following Crochet Patterns and more.
Sure, you can find other books with similar information on making flowers. I also own Croched Flowers by Nicky Epstein,100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet by Lesley Stanfield, Crochet Bouquet by Suzann Thompson, Crochet Flowers For Every Wear by Kooler Design Studio, and various magazines and crochet books that include more patterns. These are all really good books and I use them depending on what I want to make for any given project.
What I think is simply outstanding about 200 Crochet Flowers, Embellishments & Trims is the variety of information and really pretty patterns all in one book. For the price of a single monthly crochet magazine, you get a resource that will stay in use and in your home library for years.
That is why I come back to Amazon and purchase this book when I want a really nice gift for a friend who loves to crochet or for a student who is new to the wonderful world of crochet art!