Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats and Cool Caps

In Get Your Crochet On! Afya Ibomu breaks down the basics of crocheting into several parts. She begins by explaining her love for yarn and breaks down the workings of yarn, and how certain types of yarn can be used to achieve fancy looks. Detailed pictures are used to provide examples of the different kinds of yarn, and she explains that the hook you need might depend on the type of yarn you will be using. The book then lists the types of crochet hooks, again with detailed pictures. The pros and cons of each type of hook is examined briefly, so even beginners can feel comfortable choosing what kind of hook they feel might be right for them. Ibomu also does not fail to mention other tools that might be of use for crocheting, and makes sure to tell her readers how each of these tools will be of use.

I was pleased to see that Get Your Crochet On! included a color wheel and suggestions for color pairs. Although a color wheel might seem elementary to some, I believe her inclusion is extremely helpful to those just starting out or someone who might be picking up crocheting as a first craft. Seasonal colors are explained as a guide for selection with certain patterns or projects. The illustrations are very helpful to exhibit each basic type of stitching so that newcomers can understand without feeling intimidated by the book. Other helpful inclusions explain how to change color; how to knit in rounds; and how to weave in elastic, make pom poms, fringe and so forth.

More advanced readers might want to skip to the second part of the book which covers Ibomu's patterns. In this section, each pattern is explained by breaking down materials needed, what course to follow for the stitching, what types of hooks you will need to use (and where) and easy-to-follow words on how to complete some hats with a brim or bib. Most of the hats in her book are unisex and could easily be worn by either men or women of any ethnicity, and children as well. Examples of the patterns demonstrate a wide-range of styles including a skull cap, visor, fedora, ski hat, winter hat, caps, reggae style and hats for those with dreadlocks. Although the patterns do not include information like the difficulty level of each project, Ibomu explains her patterns simply so that those who are new to crocheting or those who are more seasoned can both use the book to guide them with the projects.

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