Crocheting for Dummies (2nd Edition)

Ravelry Link (actually for the first edition but the patterns look the same); Book Depository Link

Impressions: While it uses US terms it does note the difference between US and UK terms.  This book concentrates on the basics, there aren't very many garments here but there are a lot of other patterns, the basics and this is where this book is quite good.  The diagrams are clear and I would think that this would be a valuable basic knowledge book for Crochet.  There's a guide to crochet stitch diagrams as well, that takes you through simple to more complicated.

Types of patterns: hats, bags, scarves, dishcloths, jumpers, amigurumi, cushions, blankets, towel and accessories to name a few.  It has several basic patterns that would lend themselves to experimentation.  Sadly while it does list a few variations on crochet it lacks a bibliography that would allow you to move on.  The back lists ravelry, Crochetme and Crochetville and lists Crochet! magazine and Interweave Crochet and the Crochet Guild of America but lists very few non-US sources.

Colour/Black & White: mostly black and white with a colour insert with most of the patterns.

Schematics: yes for the garments

Target Audience: beginners and I could also see it being a useful as a reference work.  I have several others that would do the same job but I was starting out again this would be high on my to buy list.

How to Crochet guide: yes

Experimental/Classical/Modern: mostly classical stuff.

Comments on patterns: The book teaches you some basics and then offers up some projects, like dishcloths, that would be pretty easy as starters and then works it's way up to garments, which are worked in one piece

Buy/Borrow: It would be a useful reference work for most folks, particularly if you plan to design for the US market.  It's pretty basic though, so if you already have a work that fills this gap, I'd borrow first before buying.  It's biased towards the US so don't rely on it for Yarn sources, magazines or associations.

Where found:  Dublin City Public libraries has a few copies.