What do you like about your favorite craft books?

I'm wondering. I like when they lay down flat, you know, when they're spiral bound.  That's not the only thing, but it's important to me.  I'd been thinking about this for a couple of days, I don't know why.  My mind just seems drawn to the qualities of a book which make it appealing to me.

I really enjoy the Japanese craft books, though I have absolutely no knowledge of the language.  I like the aesthetic and the sparsity.  I prefer pattern diagrams anyway; for some reason, every time I try reading patterns I usually get lost or end up confusing myself if it's a long round/row.  It's a lot easier for me to find my place when I can just look at a diagram.

If it's a pattern book, I like all the patterns to be at the front of the book, with all the basic stuff at the back. Of course, I don't think it's too much to ask to have illustrations that show left handed directions too, I mean the written directions could be changed to something a little generic like "primary hand" or "hand with hook" instead of always right hand. But maybe that's just me.  I just don't understand why with a craft that is essentially dependent on your handedness, why those directions aren't written for both. 

Colored photographs are definitely a must, at least for the finished item/garment/article.  I like when there are close up images, as well, I don't necessarily need photos of every step of the pattern, unless it's sort of tricky, but I do like to see at least front & back of what I'm going to be making.

Anyway, this is getting pretty wordy & I have some things to work on for my little girl's birthday party on Sunday.  So what do you think- what do you like craft books to have included for them to make the top of your list?

Comments

[Mandy Bee]

I seem to be drawn only to books with good photography.

It's nice to have the books for reference and pictures, but I usually find that just printing a pattern off the internet is easier than trying to hold a book. I guess my criteria for buying a book is that it contains patterns I can't get online and that it has great pictures. I can definitely see how opening flat would be one of the biggest criteria though, since that seems to be why I don't really buy many craft books.

[Josefin]

Thats a good question. I dont know, I have got a bunch of books from mum that I dont think I would buy myself.

But good pictures are a must! And a easy (not necessery simple) language is always good, especially if the books are in English, which isnt my mother language.

Well, thats it I think. I havent bought that many craft books yet, so I dont have that much to rely on. ^^

[haley]

For me, good pictures of the finished project are a must. And I don't mean just a classy photo of the front. Show me what the project should look like from different angles. What about the sides and the back? I really like Amigurumi by Elizabeth Doherty for that reason. There are lots of pictures of the little creatures from all different angles.

And I think it should be mandatory for all craft books (with patterns and notes to follow) to be spiral bound. It's really hard to crochet/knit/hot glue something with one hand while trying to hold open your instructions with the other.

[Karen Strona]

I agree with Haley about pictures from all sides, that's why I love your patterns! Larger print would be nice, not that I am getting old or anything, it would just be nice to be able to follow the pattern without having to use a ruler because the print is so small they all run together. I'm not really big on pattern books, I would rather support the small businesses. Besides, that's where I find the most awesome patterns!

[danna]

When I was first starting out crocheting I so darned confused- I had no idea how to translate right handed diagrams so that I, a lefty, could produce the same thing (you know, without standing on my head or anything!)

So both-handed diagrams aren't a must, but would make things so much easier!
and pictures. nice closeups too ;)

[sara]

for me a book must have straight forward directions that are easy to understand and their must be pictures. i am huge on the visuals and love color. it helps to keep my attention. I love when a book has little tip circles or boxes. the pages must have a neat clean layout thats not cluttered. I like written patterns as well as chart diagrams...its always great to have a combo of both going. i learn best when i have visuals to back up directions or vice versa. For a binding i like one that isn't really stiff and one i wont worry about if i bend it to much. If its a pattern book i like the picture to be with the pattern and not have all the pictures in the front of the book and patterns at the back.
i think thats about it.

[Melissa]

Oh, are you left-handed, too? I've never really tried working from a chart. I suppose that I could always scan it into my computer, flip it, and print it out - I understand why publishers don't make charts for both. The cost/extra space is pretty prohibitive when you're talking about (what is it?) 8-10% of the population.

Of course, with written directions there's no need to 'translate' for left handedness except for a very few, specific circumstances. I actually wrote an article about crocheting as a lefty that was published in Interweave Crochet last year, and another one with left handed tips that I put on my site. (http://www.innerchildcrochet.com)

Mostly for me, it's not a big deal. :)

[yarngirl]

i personally love books specificly made for preteens and teens because everything is so detailed and colorful. (the projects are usually really fun, too!!) :) and since i'm a lefty, i prefer written intructions, not charts, and agree that craft books should be spiral bound.

[Cam]

Oh, please publish a book of all your patterns! Excellent photography, clear instructions (along with a list of specific materials), and helpful diagrams convince me to buy a book of patterns. Favorable reviews (like those on amazon) seal the deal. Nice extras are a blog that will provide video for those steps that many people couldn't follow and a spiral-bound book that lays flat so that you can follow along while crocheting.