Once in a while I come across a blog that really inspires me
and over the past few years Bella Coco has continued to be one of my
favourites.
Sarah-Jayne is the lovely lady behind Bella Coco, not only does she
manage her blog, regularly posting about interiors, weddings and craft, she
also runs a successful YouTube channel teaching crocheting and has opened BellaCoco Store selling yarn and crochet supplies. I often head to her blog to learn
a new crochet stitch or technique, knowing her tutorials will be modern and easy
to understand. So when I heard Sarah Jayne was bringing out her first eBook How To
Crochet: A Handy Reference Guide I jumped at the chance to review it.
When I first opened Bella Coco: How To Crochet eBook I was
impressed with the colourful front cover, which immediately made me want to
start crocheting. There’s something about seeing a new ball of yarn gets my
imagination flowing.
Inside the layout of the ebook felt fresh, clean and colourful
with beautiful images to explain every step. The book didn’t feel rushed or
over crowded which I found really refreshing from a craft book. Often they can
be very wordy making you feel overwhelmed with terminology, but Sarah Jayne’s
book is written in a friendly, chatty style that is clear and simple to
understand.
The book teaches you all the important basics you need to
know when starting out learning to crochet. It is a clear guide for all things
crochet starting with tools needed, yarn types and terms used in patterns, before
taking you through a clear step-by-step guide to starting your first project.
How To Crochet
explains the differences between UK and US crochet terminology in a way that is
logical and quick to refer to. Even though I have been crocheting for a few
years now, the straightforward tables are a big help, as it can be confusing at
times when I am looking at crochet patterns. Sarah-Jayne also goes through the
various type of yarn that can be used in crocheting and terms to look out for
when shopping, giving you the confidence to choose the most suitable yarn for
your project.
Even if you have never crocheted before the step-by-step
tutorials in the ebook are so clear and simple, that you’ll be able to follow
along with Sarah-Jayne as she demonstrates each stitch and practice over and
over again in your own time. Once you have mastered the slip stitch the book
takes you through some of the most popular stitches in crocheting, including
double and treble stitches before showing you how to increase and decrease your
work too. Although I regularly crochet, I am still learning everyday and found
these a good reminder of how to do the most popular stitches, as well as a handy
reference for when I come to a stitch I don’t often do such as decreasing. I
can refer back to the simple step by step and know that I am doing it right.
Along with the book, Sarah-Jayne gives her readers exclusive access to a video guide that talks through all the steps in the book in more detail, which is really handy to help you master each technique.
How To Crochet, was a pleasure to read and explore. I feel it makes learning to crochet fun, modern and fresh as well as being an simple reference guide and reminder for those more familiar to crocheting. Pick up your copy of How To Crochet over on Bella Coco Store here or why not give the gift of crochet this Christmas and grab one for a craft loving family member instead.
Hope you have enjoyed this little post, keep an eye out for another crochet project post coming soon.
Anna
x