Book Review: Crocheting with Lucy Loop

Title: Crocheting with Lucy Loop
Author: Karen D. Thompson

Book Review by Marie Segares (www.undergroundcrafter.com)

Crocheting with Lucy Loop is a storybook on a mission to teach crochet to children aged six to ten years.  The book’s author is Karen D. Thompson, a CGOA Master of Basic Stitches, a crochet teacher, and the owner of Hooksations, a traveling boutique specializing in crochet creations. 

The book opens with a story many of us crocheters are all too familiar with – the yarn stash. Lucy Loop is just one of many yarns waiting to be summoned forth to become a project. As Karen writes, 

“Lucy hoped and hoped that one day she would be picked too. Lucy wondered which fabric she would become. Maybe a nice warm hat or a long scarf! A sweater or blanket would be a dream come true.” 

Eventually, Lucy’s patience is rewarded when she is picked up and works together with The Great Hook to be crocheted into a scarf. 

After the story ends, Karen shares some tips for getting started crocheting with a child, along with a simple scarf pattern. It’s obvious from her tips that Karen has successfully taught children to crochet before. Karen’s enthusiasm is clear on every page of the book, and I think that will transfer to the adult and child reading along. 

Although the book is self-published, the printing standards are high and it looks just like any other picture book you might see on a child’s shelf. The font is large and easy to read, and the pictures are colorful and fun.There are a few minor grammatical errors which will, of course, only be noticed by the adult reading the book. 

The real highlights for me of Crocheting with Lucy Loop are the illustrations by Tony Smith, which use vibrant colors and bold facial expressions to bring the characters to life, and the tips that Karen shares for teaching children to crochet. This book would be a great gift for a young child you want to teach to crochet, or for a parent or grandparent who is struggling with teaching their child to crochet.

Project type and skill level: 1 beginner scarf. 

Retail price: $12.99 ($9.99 Kindle ebook)

Full disclosure: A free review copy of Crocheting with Lucy Loop was provided by Hooksations. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review.  My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.