Debbie does crochet! Debbie Stoller, the "knitting superstar," has been leading an entire movement of hip young knitters with her New York Times bestseller Stitch 'n Bitch and its follow-up, Stitch 'n Bitch Nation, together with over 521,000 copies in print. But guess what? For every one knitter in the world there are three crocheters-which translates into millions of hip, crafty, 18- to 35-year-olds ready to be happy hookers with Stitch 'n Bitch attitude, sexiness, ingenuity, and cool. Written in the author's cheeky chick style, this heavily illustrated book-featuring four-color photographs and instructional illustrations throughout-is chock-full of instruction, inspiration, and to-die-for designs, from a Fishnet Skullcap to a lacy evening wrap. For knitters and new crafters exploring the hook comes the primer: the advantages of crochet and the ways in which knitters (and nonknitters) benefit by learning this sister craft; a discussion of tools; all the cool yarns available, and what the different gauges mean; plus basic techniques and stitch patterns-including the chain stitch, picot, flowers, filet crochet, changing yarns, and finishing. Then come 40 fabulous, funky projects-the kind that make Stitch 'n Bitch rule-for crocheters: Pom Pom Capelet, Retro Clutch Purse, Anarchy Irony Hat, Ms. Pac Man Change Purses, Doris Daymat, Va-Va-Va Voom Bikini, Animal I-Pod Cozies, Kid's Sock Monkey Poncho. No, these aren't your grandma's doilies. Debbie Stoller is the bestselling author of the Stitch'n Bitch series of knitting books and calendars. She comes from a long line of Dutch knitters, has a Ph.D. from Yale in the psychology of women, and is the editor-in-chief of Bust magazine. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. Part One: Learning to Crochet 1. Voulez-Vous Crochet Avec Moi? 2. Hook, Line and Sinker: The Tools of Crochet 3. Get Shorty: Making the Chain Stitch, Single Crochet, and Slip Stitch 4. Walking Tall: Making Half-Double Crochet, Double Crochet, and Triple Crochet 5. The Shape of Things to Come: Increasing, Decreasing, and Working in a Circle 6. Hooked on a Feeling: Making Fancy Stitches 7. Picture This: Making Images in Crochet 8. Off the Hook: Sewing Your Pieces Together, Blocking, and Adding Decoration Part Two:The Patterns 1. Scarves and Shawls 2. Hats 3. Bags 4. Spring & Summer 5. Fall & Winter 6. Accessories 7. Home, Gifts & Baby Lacy, sexy summer tops. Chic, cozy sweaters. Chunky, funky hats and colorfully crafty afghans-it all starts with the single, simple act of wrapping a hook around a strand of yarn. Then come the stitches, the flourishes, the unlimited creativity. Stylish, cheeky in tone, chock-full of information and inspiration, this is the indispensable guide. Learn the skills. Speak the lingo. Make the stuff. And give old granny square a chance. Stoller's Stitch 'N Bitch and Stitch 'N Bitch Nation have become icons of the knitting craze: every hip young needleworker has at least one of them next to the yarn stash. Now, she uses the same approach that made her knitting books so successful in this entrée to sexed-up hookwork that takes pains to show crocheting isn't for grandma anymore. Stoller provides everything short of the hook and yarn a crafter will need to learn how to crochet. From a history of the craft to mind-bogglingly complete instructions and dozens of charted and explained patterns (the majority of which are for women's clothing and accessories-there are no afghans here), it's all presented in Stoller's bright, witty style and accompanied by cheery color photographs. Beginners will like the easy construction of the "Stripes (and Stripes) Forever Scarf," and intermediate crocheters will enjoy whipping up a "Cupcake," a purple sweater confection. Experienced crocheters have patterns here too, such as the astonishing lace "Go For Ba

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