YouTube crafting star Fragola has been teaching people how to crochet online for the last seven years, a time in which old-school hobbies such as making bread and clothes have, bolstered in no small part by the pandemic, boomed in popularity. Fragola brings the easygoing expertise of her wildly popular Bella Coco Crochet channel to this appealing book, which offers straightforward instructions to help beginners pick up crochet. After clear, inviting explanations of how to select the appropriate hook, equipment, and yarn, Fragola demonstrates how those new to this art form can make their first stitches and start to work on actual projects. As on videos like her "How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners" series, which have racked up many millions of views, the book's great strength is its true accessibility for those who are eager to get started but have never touched a crochet hook in their lives. With easy-to-follow instructions accompanied by illustrations showing the manipulation of hooks and yarn, Fragola all but guarantees that even the most clueless craftspeople will come away with a workable understanding of different types of stitches and when to use them. She also offers a breakdown of common abbreviations to avoid any confusion. This will help aspiring creators feel confident when they delve into projects such as coasters, place mats, scarves, baby blankets, and other functional items. Helpfully, the projects have been arranged from easiest to most complex, matching Fragola's goal that anyone who works their way from one item to the next will be able to crochet with confidence by the time they are done.

While the book is primarily intended for newbies, those looking to brush up on their skills will also find plenty to appreciate here--and some clever new patterns as well. Fragola has created a charming how-to guide for a craft that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Publishers Weekly, BookLife 10/10/22.