Crochet Stitch Dictionaries

I purchased these books a few years ago. They both have stitch diagrams along with written instructions. Both books contain closed stitch patterns, textured (post stitches), lacy, chevron and striping patterns.

crochet stitch dictionary by Sarah Hazell

This book contains a few diagrams for each stitch pattern to explain/show each row. The diagrams are color coded so easy to see what each row is. Each pattern has a small write-up about the pattern and instructions. The pattern instructions are well written and easy to understand. I quite like this book and have used it quite often.

Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary by Dora Ohrenstein

Quite a few of these patterns have 2 diagrams. One for a straight piece and one with increasing rows for garments. Some of the patterns only have one diagram that shows both. The instructions are easy to read and understand. The instructions are written for the straight piece and separate instructions for the increase rows. This is also a nice book, and I've used quite a few of the stitch patterns.

Which one would I pick if I could only purchase one? I'm not sure! Probably the one by Sarah Hazell. There are more stitch patterns in that one, and it has larger photo's of the finished stitches.