Observe: I can now crochet in a circle (left) and also make a granny square (right).

I am sure that my family and friends will be delighted to know that they will be getting more than just scarves for Christmas and birthdays from now on.

I can even make blankets and things for my friend K’s baby, who is due to arrive at any time now. I was going to make her a scarf, but several people questioned the wisdom of giving a scarf to an infant.

It’s progress, y’all.

Enter Debbie Stoller’s fun and fresh approach to crocheting for Generation X: Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker.

I am putting a lot of faith in Stoller’s claim that her book can teach anyone — even knitters — to crochet, as I am not only left-handed, but also have trouble creating anything three-dimensional from a 2D representation.

Stoller discusses a history of crocheting and then explains the tools of the trade, relevant lingo and how to read a pattern. Explanations of stitches are thorough and placed in a logical sequence. Though explained from a right-handed point of view, southpaws like myself shouldn’t have a problem inverting the directions.

The book also contains about forty patterns using the techniques outlined in the first part of the book. Each pattern shows a photograph of the finished item, provides specific information about the yarn and materials used, and gives a background of the pattern designer.

The patterns are also cute and fun, appropriate for the target audience of twenty-somethings. It’s sometimes hard to find patterns that aren’t too grandmother-ish, but this book hit the nail on the head. I haven’t completed any projects yet, so the verdict isn’t in as to how the patterns match up to the visual representations of the finished product.

All in all, Stitch ‘n Bitch Crochet provides an fun and unintimidating entree to crocheting for young women trying to capture our grandmothers’ lost art.