Interlocking Crochet: 80 Original Stitch Patterns Plus Techniques and Projects

This reviews the Kindle edition.

As with every knitting and crochet book I've purchased for Kindle, they are not joking about "optimized for larger screens". However, I have checked this book on the wee screen Kindle, and it works--better in landscape mode. Better still, to appreciate the colour, check it out on Kindle for PC or Mac.

My only complaint about the Kindle version is that the author's references to page numbers within the book have not been linked to Kindle "locations". The balance in the Kindle universe is that you can easily search for something, say a stitch pattern, if you remember its name, without consulting the table of contents or index.

As for the book itself, explanations of the fundamental interlocking filet and the post stitch variation are very clear. The illustrations are not as clear, and I would take off a star in my rating for that, except that the author very generously has provided video tutorials on her website--so I would give this a sixth star extra credit if I could.

I'm surprised by the reviewers who found this book unclear and/or the technique too challenging. Read the beginning instructions and summary of the rules, view the tutorials, and don't be timid about taking up two yarns and a hook. Assuming they are of normal quality, you will not break the yarns or the hook by trying, and you can use most yarns over and over again. One. Stitch. At a time. Basic crochet stitches.

I was introduced to this technique as intermeshing by James Walters years ago. That may give me a jumpstart on understanding. Still, I think the author's explanations would be clear to anyone who has learned basic crochet stitches, especially with the supplementary videos.

Quibble one of two is a personal one, based on my preference for fine fabrics that drape. I doubt I would ever use yarn heavier than light doubleknitting (DK) (sport) for this technique, with the possible exception of a floor rug. You, however, may live closer to polar bears or penguins and find use for heavier blankets and scarves.

Quibble two of two is the author's use of the words weaving and woven. There is no weaving, and it seems potentially confusing to me to use those words. If you are not also a weaver, this may be of no concern.

I like that the author provides suggestions for using the stitch patterns (pattern tips). The projects are all based on rectangles: bags, scarves, baby blankets, afghans. You may be wishing for a sequel with shaped garments--or you may be quite content to keep this technique on the square grid where it shines. I would also like a sequel to show us the author's design process. Leave the audience wanting more....

Another plus, there are photos of both sides of the afghans and blankets spread out flat. You don't have to guess, from a soft-focus, draped-over-a-whatever photograph, what a finished item will really look like. To add to this truth in photography, you can see in one afghan that differences in gauge between the various stitch patterns were not torture-blocked into submission for the photo. There are gentle waves where some stitch patterns draw in more than others. If this bothers you, you can take the photo as a signal to change hook size to even things out. Photos that inform. Imagine that.

It should be obvious, but in case it isn't, be prepared to purchase a lot of yarn for these projects. For example, one sampler afghan requires 4 colours totaling 16 7-ounce skeins of a simply soft acrylic, 366 yds or 335 metres per skein.

If you need an interesting and beautiful technique to perk up your crochet repertoire, I highly recommend this book.

This was the second most confusing book I read. It would be better served if the author concentrated more on to the point instruction rather than confusing gibberish.

If you want to try a new technique that creates a rich crochet fabric, this is it! Some of the instructions could be better illustrated, and there are errors - but the author has a website with the corrections and VIDEOS (which helped me immensely) at: [...]. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and once you "get" the technique, it really isn't difficult. The results are impressive. If you sign up at her website, you can also get free additional patterns.

First, a disclaimer. I have only downloaded the sample book so far to see whether this technique is something I would want to pursue, so my impressions are based on a limited viewing.

I am an experienced crocheter - I've made shawls, blankets, and clothing - many of which are based on my own designs - but I found this book extremely hard to follow. I started off trying to follow the "The Process" that was outlined at the beginning. Making the foundation rows was easy but after that I got lost. I read and reread, and could not figure out what she was trying to tell me to do because the illustrations didn't seem to match the words (it turns out that the actual instructions to make the stitches come afterwards). In the end, because I understood the concept, I figured out the process for myself and made a very cute two-colored potholder/dishcloth.

I think the technique is very interesting because the results don't look anything like any other crochet, Tunisian, or knitting technique and I think it could produce some beautiful items. I do want to learn some more patterns but I might wait until I can borrow the complete book through Amazon Prime and then decide if I want to buy it. I expect it would be easier to follow in printed form rather than on the Kindle.

I had never heard of this but have seen many things made this way. It is broken down in a way that I understood and have a whole new world of patterns to buy!!! 🥰

You will need to have some basic skills to start. Chain, double crochet, and filet mesh, to start. Once you have crocheted an afghan, and a filet crochet doily, you might be okay to start.

The explanations are not clear- and there is no standard language for this method of crochet. Interlocking Crochet is a trademark name, but I’ve heard it called Locking, or Locked, Filet Mesh, and others.

The very short explanation is, you are working two filet crochet pieces together at once, perhaps if you can understand how you can knit two socks, one inside the other. You always only ever work one color into that same color. Say you’re working with black and white yarn. The black only ever works black, and white stitches work only ever white stitches.

There are now videos, and you should watch them before ever picking up hook and yarn. Otherwise, there may be a mess.

There are pictures, but the kindle version makes it less easy to use. The pictures are too few, and not enough detail. Be very sure to use high contrast yarns, say, black and white, or pastels and very dark colors.

Good product

I love this book. Easy to follow and understand, although I am experienced in crocheting. I have made a full size afghan and a baby afghan and both are reversible.

So many amazing patterns! I had to look up her YouTube tutorials on how to do the specific stitches, but once I had that down, it was easy to read the pattern instructions.

Each of the patterns has photos to accompany them which makes it easy to visualize how the final product will turn out. Made my friend a blanket using patterns from the book. Be warned that these patterns take up twice the amount of yarn and time to complete. That said, the end result is very warm while being airy to boot.