A complete introduction to this favorite craft, plus an illustrated dictionary of more than 180 stitches and patterns. Solids, openwork, fans, trellises, arches, laces, textures, medallions, shapes, edgings, and more are shown with instructions and diagrams on left-hand pages and a photo of a crocheted sample swatch on the opposite page. Includes information on choosing yarns, selecting hooks, understanding symbols and abbreviations used in crocheting patterns, essential crochet techniques, and the stitches and formations that are the essentials of all crochet work.--From publisher description.