I love my mommy. And, though I love her, she’s not really the point of this post.

(I should probably point out that she’s not an invalid, she’s just regularly medicated for: back pain, due to deteriorating lower discs and the fact that there’s a steel box around a part of her spine; and shoulder pain, due to the fact that, while in Arizona a few years back, we went ATVing (four-wheeling) up in the mountains, where my mother decided it would be fun to flip hers and break her clavicle! It also doesn’t help that she’s in physical therapy, and outside of the exercising she does there, she regularly spends hours out working in her garden when she should be resting. Crazy garden-loving loon.)

After running her around, she decided she felt up to the half-hour drive to Barnes-n-Noble. I was trying to telepathically link to my paypal account the minute she mentioned books. Alas, a link was not established, but I knew there was enough in there to purchase at least one book. As long as I didn’t go crazy, I was safe, and there should be money left over for the domain name registration (it’s up on the 13th; I can’t forget to pay that bill or this place will go up in smoke!).

So, while there, I drooled, and oohed and ahhed, over two dozen or so books. I always sweep through the bargain area at least twice to make certain I didn’t miss anything. I noticed at least five knitting books. The Cool Girl’s Guide to Crochet was there, too, but I’ve picked that book up and put it back down so many times, that I don’t know why I bother. I think it has valuable information for some, but it’s not for me, and I don’t know why I continue to expect something different each time I look.

I’m digressing.

So, there I was, putting TCGCTC back down, and I saw a book I’d never seen before.

From Knit to Crochet: How to Get the Look and Feel of Knitting with Crochet! (hardcover, coil bound)

I have to say, my first impression is pretty favorable. It’s not a book on how to convert knit patterns/stitches to crochet. Frankly, I think crocheters can do that on their own if they took the time to research, think, and work with the stitches a bit. No, this book really just gives you some already-converted patterns, and, with photographs, shows you how similar the fabrics created are. It also proves the point that whatever method you use, we [knitters and crocheters] tend to have the same stitch vocabulary (that’s stretching that word a bit), we just go about creating it in differing ways.

Also, I would just like to point out that some of the crochet counterparts actually look better than the knitted ones. That’s not a poke at knitting. It’s a salute to those who understand that, for some reason or another, crochet gets picked last when it comes time to choose players. But, dammit, people, this isn’t kickball! Though, man, I really miss kicking that big red ball over kids’ heads. Little jerks who thought it would be funny to step in 10 paces because no one has faith in the short, overweight girl.

*cough*

Uhh, sorry.

It’s not crochet vs knitting, and this isn’t the playing field! Each of them have strengths, weaknesses, and beauty. Unless you throw in Tunisian, and then the playing field…the game…the, oh hell. We all know there’s no competition. If I were given a choice, I’d squish Tunisian to my breasts and hitch a ride to somewhere more private.

Back to the book.

I think my only complaint during my initial glimpse through is that some of the stitch comparisons aren’t all that great to look at. The yarn choices aren’t fantastic, and, therefore, don’t show a stitch off at its best. Other than that, all I really have to say is that this book will likely be thumbed through quite a few times. Definitely worth at least the $5.50 that I purchased it for.

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Before I get to the yarn, I want to also apologize for the fact that this all sounds so dry. Just straight facts, folks. (more…)