As soon as I saw Simple Crocheting: A Complete How-to-Crochet Workshop with 20 Projects, I was instantly drawn in by it's pretty cover. When I opened Simple Crocheting I was treated to a beautifully presented pattern book.

I tend to think *yawn* whenever I see a crochet pattern book that is aimed at beginners. I like to be challenged when I crochet and I will get easily bored if I see patterns that are too simple. That is not the case here at all.
Designer Erika Knight has created a pattern book that beginners can follow, yet seasoned crocheters can enjoy as well. Aside from the well written patterns, I love Erika's style of writing. I read this pattern book cover to cover. The photography in this pattern book is as the title suggests, simple, yet it is beautiful. I love the presentation.

"It is the simplicity of crochet that inspires me. With just a few basic stitches worked either in lines or round and round, using only a hook and some yarn you can create seemingly endless textures. With only one stitch ever in work on the hook, it is a deceptively simple craft that anyone can master, as well as being conveniently portable."
p.6, Simple Crocheting

The patterns in the book range from very easy to a bit more entailed. The skill levels are Beginner, Easy, Intermediate and Experienced. The book contains an Introductory section, Materials and Techniques and a Stitch Library. I enjoyed reading Erika's take on choosing the right yarns in the Materials and Techniques section. She favors crocheting with natural fibers and has her own line of natural yarns.

The patterns in the book, which are called "Project Workshops", incorporate the different techniques in crochet. There's a Basics section with patterns like Simple Dishcloth and Laptop Cover and a Shaping section with patterns like Triangular Scarf and Slipper Boots. Also included is a Motifs section with patterns for a Traditional Square Motif Throw and a Patchwork Motif Blanket.
The patterns are written out clearly, the photographs will inspire you and you can use the stitch guide for reference.

"The projects in this book, Simple Crocheting, are very much my take on crochet. This book is not intended as an exhaustive "wikipedia" on the minutiae of crochet. Instead it is as simple introduction of the craft, to set you on your way to mastering techniques, selecting yarns, and considering color palettes. I have pared down the craft to the essentials as I see them with the aim of providing the means to get you crocheting."
p.6, Simple Crocheting

One project in particular caught my eye, the Rag Pet Bed. I know my chihuahua would be right at home in something like this. This bed is actually worked up by crocheting with fabric strips instead of yarn, which gives the project a nice, rustic look. Erika provides a section in her book on how to make yarn from fabric strips, which is pretty simple to do.

Overall I found Simple Crocheting: A Complete How-to-Crochet Workshop with 20 Projects to be a beautifully presented crochet pattern book, with a nice variety of patterns and photographs that will inspire crocheters to pick up those hooks and yarn and start creating. This book and this designer are new favorites!

Disclaimer:
This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and designers, such as this one, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. ( )

The projects in the book are very modern with clean lines. The yarns are different and fun. I love this book! ( )

Very nice pictures. A book for beginners.

Includes very clear instructions for beginners on all the different stitches, how to follow a pattern etc. Beautiful modern designs with clean lines - nothing fussy. ( )

The projects in this book are pretty easy, I would say the most complicated one is the Turkish Slippers featured on the cover, and that only because of the shaping required, which is slightly daunting (though at the same time I feel confident that I could make them, they just might not look that nice). My one qualm is that the photos of some of the afghans are not big enough -- you don't see the entire finished afghan, so it's hard to get a sense of what it might look like in the end. I'm currently working on a project out of this book, but I can't tell you which one as it is the Big Secret Project.