I currently own two of the encyclopaedias. One on embroidery and one on knitting and crochet. They are wonderfully detailed and go well beyond the basics of each craft. Time is spent on ensuring you achieve good technique and projects range from small beginner projects to grand designs. There is also plenty of room for and encouragement to improvise and adapt designs, as well as tips on how to develop your own.
The Specials are like a thick magazine booklet all on the one topic. A lot of the projects are taken from the weekly series and collated together. They don't include a lot of how to information beyond the basics, rather they focus on cramming in as many patterns and projects as possible.
Some of the projects are wonderfully ambitious and inspiring, like this hexagon quilt.
And when I eventually find/draft a shirt pattern I'm happy with I'm definitely going to make one out of patchwork.
The childrens clothing and toys although very seventies in the styling would still translate well to today.
The thing I love most about these little books, is being an Aussie, I love that everything is metric/ English terminology so it saves my poor little brain from having to translate patterns in my head. Although they do also include conversion guides and inches where relevant.
Expect to pay only a dollar or two (or less) for the specials in the op shop, however the Encyclopedias will usually be a bit more as they are large format hard cover books. Don't forget to rummage through the knitting pattern heap as the specials can sometimes be hiding in there.
Mary
