This week’s crochet book review is of Kathy Merrick’s Crochet in Color
Who this crochet book is for
This book is for anyone interested in using more color in their work. It includes projects that have only one color and projects that have many colors so you can jump in wherever you are most comfortable. Some of the designs actually lend themselves well to working in more neutral colors as well, so if you find that you just can’t bring yourself to leap into bolder colors then you can still get something out of this book. Kathy’s encouraging tone will make you want to try fun colors, though!
I would not recommend the book for beginner crocheters, per se, just because it doesn’t have the extensive introduction to stitches and techniques that many crochet pattern books do. However an ambitious beginner willing to double-check other sources when questions arise would do totally fine with this book.
Crochet book format
This crochet book begins with a basic introduction and then a more detailed intro specific to exploring color. This is followed by four sections of patterns divided as follows:
- One or Two Colors
- Stripes
- Color Blocks
- Color Adventures
- Title that tells you exactly what you are making (such as Pleated Hat or Splashy Flowers Scarf)
- Paragraph-long description of item. I love this because the author shares her own stories and insights about how the pattern came to be. Adds a super personal touch to the book!
- At least two photos of finished item
- Finished size of item, sometimes with drawings showing the dimensions of each part (such as the front and back of a cardigan)
- Yarn. This is done well because it tells you the weight and basic color but then it also tells you specifically which yarn the designer used
- Hook size
- Extra notions needed (like a split-ring marker)
- Gauge
- Notes at the beginning of the pattern. I love when designers to this because it tells you right away what you need to know to excel at the pattern (such as that you won’t join the rounds with a slip stitch because you are working in a spiral or that you will be crocheting in back loops only)
- Special stitches. These are set aside in a box on the pattern page with the row-by-row instructions
- Row-by-row instructions (easy to follow). These are separated for each piece of a multi-piece item (such as the front, back, sleeves and collar of a cardigan)
- Finishing information
- Some of the patterns also show a stitch diagram, color chart and/or a construction diagram
Favorite projects from this crochet book
Firefly Cardigan - leave it to me to like one of the one-color projects. 
Butterfly Turtleneck
Swirls Pillow
Special notes
The best part of this book for me is the terrific personable tone that the author uses throughout the book. I feel like I’m reading her blog, or better yet crocheting with her over coffee!
CONCLUSION: The patterns in this book provide a great opportunity to work with color in a modern way!
