Beautiful Blankets, Afghans and Throws

Having been a knitter for over 50 years (which in itself is something of a shock, to actually realise it's that long!), I've taught myself the art of crochet. Why? I've found knitting makes my hands and shoulders ache and instead of helping the arthritis in my fingers, it makes it worse. However, I like to be creative, and to keep my fingers working, so the alternative is crochet.I love it – possibly more than knitting. Crochet patterns are a foreign language to me and if you throw in my confusion over the differences between UK and US terminology – someone please standardise this one way or the other! - you'll see my need for this book. It's full of beautiful colour photographs, patterns which are easy to follow, and simple charts; each pattern is given a skill level, found on the top left corner of the page, and all pertinent information regarding stitches used, colours, yarn and hook size. At the back of the book you'll find a section called Techniques in which is a plethora of information covering basic stitches, joining and edging, reading patterns etc. Oh – there is also a section on Edgings.This book, along with an earlier purchase “Rainbow Crocheted Blankets” by Amanda Perkins, are now my go-to books for help and inspiration.My one suggestion would be to use a slightly stronger/bolder type to make reading it a little easier on the eyes.

I love the projects in here. The projects aren't difficult. I'm an intermediate hooker and find them pretty straightforward, but I'd say once you've grasped the basics of crochet you'll have no difficulties with these. Her colour choices are beautiful and I particularly like the section at the back on different edges/borders. She provides really helpful yarn tables too to calculate how much yarn you'll need for different sized versions. Excellent and great value for money. Would make a lovely gift for a hooker (not a lady of the night!).

This book is full of gorgeous and varied patterns. Some complete blankets and some blocks to sew or crochet together however many you want.The patterns are easy to follow with diagram patterns as well. This is my one fault actually. The diagram patterns on some of the pages are too small for me to be able to follow on their own. I just use the written pattern.The yarn used is so bright and colourful you want to start straight away. It's just working out which to do first! Unlike some books you buy and only want to do one or two of the blankets, I can see me using most of the patterns in this one.One thing I absolutely love is that the chart for yarn requirements tell you how much you need (for each size) by the yard and metre not by the ball. So you can accurately and easily work out exactly how much to buy. This is especially useful if you are changing the size of the blanket or how many blocks to make as the measurements are also per block! Fantastic!The information 'how to' pages are detailed and easy to understand.I recommend this book for beginner and experienced crocheters.

Absolutely beautiful book, clear patterns and unusual granny squares and other stitches! I have started doing squares and am loving the pattern, they are very pleasant to do! Very very happy with it, thank you.

Love this book. Very clear pattern instructions and pictures and instructions for all stitches. I've now tried quite a few of the patterns. Colourful pictures and one of the clearest simplest instructions I've ever seen! Absolute must for beginners as well as accomplished crocheters. Highly recommend this