Stitch 'n' Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller

Last month at BEA, I got in line for Debbie Stoller’s autograph. She was signing her new book called Stitch ‘n’ Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker.

I knew that Stoller was the famous face behind Stitch ‘n’ Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook, but I hadn’t paid much attention before because I don’t know how to knit, and don’t have too much of an interest in learning. I do, however, crochet.

About a third of The Happy Hooker is actually devoted to teaching beginners how to crochet, so I skipped through that. The rest of the book offers some interesting patterns. While I’ll probably never crochet a “bikini-in-a-bag,” I may someday try a shawl or a beanie hat. Many of the designs are not exactly my style, but if I was really ambitious, I might try a sweater or two. One nice feature of this book is that there are some more unusual patterns, like crocheting wire into a beaded bracelet, or simple yarn for an iPod holder.

So I made it to the front of the line, and as Stoller was signing my book, I searched madly in the recesses of my brain for something eloquent (or at least not stupid) to say. I ended up mangling something like, “I’m so glad you wrote this book, because I don’t knit.”

Stoller gave me a shrinking look. The look said that I was the epitome of tactlessness, that I was undeserving of even the privilege or reading one of her books. “Knitting is… worth learning,” she said stiffly, and her hand jerked, causing her to spell a word wrong. She hastily scribbled it out, fixed it, and signed her name. I slunk off with my book.

I should just stop talking to authors. It’s too traumatic.

Stitch 'n' Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller

tags: craft books book reviews crochet knitting Debbie Stoller