Jean LeinhauserRezensionen

50 crocheted afghan borders. Some are wide and ruffled, some are narrow and tailored. Others are feminine, some are more masculine. Turn the plainest afghan into something special.

Contains written instructions only for each block. No charts.

Instructions and a few easy crochet patterns for the beginning crocheter.

Lessons and projects from today's top crocheters

#4422 39 crocheted afghans

Easy guide uses "look & compare" pictures

This book is great if you have straight hair. Curly-haired people need not apply. The patterns are pretty cute, though--most of them, anyway--and it's a great book to have if for some reason you are losing your hair and need to find creative ways to both work through your anxiety and cover up the loss of your crowning glory. For those of you going through this, my deepest sympathy as I went through it too in 2006. It *will* grow back--just don't expect it to be the same. Good luck!

This book has a *major* kitsch factor, especially for the crocheted items.

This book has a *major* kitsch factor, especially for the crocheted items.

This book is great if you have straight hair. Curly-haired people need not apply. The patterns are pretty cute, though--most of them, anyway--and it's a great book to have if for some reason you are losing your hair and need to find creative ways to both work through your anxiety and cover up the loss of your crowning glory. For those of you going through this, my deepest sympathy as I went through it too in 2006. It *will* grow back--just don't expect it to be the same. Good luck!

If I didn't already have a couple books with quick afghans, I might be more interested in this book, but as it is, none of the patterns really grabbed me.

BOTTOM LINE: This large, thick, hard-cover book is a decent compendium of all sorts of patterns, nicely illustrated and with clear instructions, but for my personal taste was "nothing special".

Patterns include scarves, gloves, ponchos, wraps/shawls, all kinds of sweaters, a couple of bags, and a lot of kids clothes and baby things, along with several knitted washcloths, doily patterns and a couple of afghans. So there's pretty much a little something for everybody.

Overall this would seem to be a good book to keep for "the basics" in your knitting library, since none of the skills required are much more than "intermediate" and although there are a couple of fisherman-like designs included, they aren't all that complex and are carefully worked out in the instructions. Most of the designs are quite basic, using mainly stockinette and ribbing, seed stitches and in a couple of instances, cables, but they are fairly easy cable designs and are thoroughly explained in the text.

Except for a bit of fair-isle-type color work there are no charts, which for me is always a big plus, and the colorwork/stranded knitting elements are minimal. But not only are most of the patterns in this book rather bland in design and execution, there were two Pet Peeves of mine that showed up again in yet another comparatively modern knitting pattern book:

Firstly, the sizings are quite small and limited in range, with the designs for women starting at 32" and often extending only up to 38", with a couple of designs up to 42", which they consider to be "extra-large".

Secondly the use of "fun fur!!" is fairly prominent, which is always a turn-off for me - while the occasional accessory might do nicely with a bit of trim of that sort, an entire sweater or scarf or hat simply looks tacky, at least in my estimation, particularly when worked up on large needles, as a couple of designs are here (and the colors they use in those instances are simply appalling). And, no, I don't like eyelash yarns much either, although there are none represented here, thankfully.

Not a bad book, and might be useful for you IF you are a size 42" or less, and if you don't want something startlingly new (this is from 2006) and would like to have a nice big book around with many sorts of patterns to dip into time after time. It's pretty much unusuable for me since even though there were a couple of sweaters I actually liked, the sizes offered were simply far, far too small. And nearly all the patterns are a bit bulky/boxy for my taste as well, but your mileage may differ.

BOTTOM LINE: This large, thick, hard-cover book is a decent compendium of all sorts of patterns, nicely illustrated and with clear instructions, but for my personal taste was "nothing special".

Patterns include scarves, gloves, ponchos, wraps/shawls, all kinds of sweaters, a couple of bags, and a lot of kids clothes and baby things, along with several knitted washcloths, doily patterns and a couple of afghans. So there's pretty much a little something for everybody.

Overall this would seem to be a good book to keep for "the basics" in your knitting library, since none of the skills required are much more than "intermediate" and although there are a couple of fisherman-like designs included, they aren't all that complex and are carefully worked out in the instructions. Most of the designs are quite basic, using mainly stockinette and ribbing, seed stitches and in a couple of instances, cables, but they are fairly easy cable designs and are thoroughly explained in the text.

Except for a bit of fair-isle-type color work there are no charts, which for me is always a big plus, and the colorwork/stranded knitting elements are minimal. But not only are most of the patterns in this book rather bland in design and execution, there were two Pet Peeves of mine that showed up again in yet another comparatively modern knitting pattern book:

Firstly, the sizings are quite small and limited in range, with the designs for women starting at 32" and often extending only up to 38", with a couple of designs up to 42", which they consider to be "extra-large".

Secondly the use of "fun fur!!" is fairly prominent, which is always a turn-off for me - while the occasional accessory might do nicely with a bit of trim of that sort, an entire sweater or scarf or hat simply looks tacky, at least in my estimation, particularly when worked up on large needles, as a couple of designs are here (and the colors they use in those instances are simply appalling). And, no, I don't like eyelash yarns much either, although there are none represented here, thankfully.

Not a bad book, and might be useful for you IF you are a size 42" or less, and if you don't want something startlingly new (this is from 2006) and would like to have a nice big book around with many sorts of patterns to dip into time after time. It's pretty much unusuable for me since even though there were a couple of sweaters I actually liked, the sizes offered were simply far, far too small. And nearly all the patterns are a bit bulky/boxy for my taste as well, but your mileage may differ.

On the plus side, this book really does have 100 patterns for lovely afghans in a wide variety of techniques.

On the negative side, there is nothing to tell you which are easy, and which should only be tried by very experienced needlewomen. Even the complicated lace crochet designs are only described in words and symbols - no stitch diagrams (the only diagram is for colour changes that create a picture). While each afghan is illustrated, the pictures are only large views, no closeups to illustrate the particular technique used. Even the yarns amounts needed are only described in ounces. If you aren't going to use the one the model was worked in, you had better check running length for that yarn on-line before purchase.

Although my knitting skill, as far as stitch variety, is intermediate to advanced, I am an unambitious knitter. I wanted to finally knit something that wasn't a square, or a rectangle - such as scarves, dish towels, etc. I purchased this book from an online store, so I did not realize that the sweaters detailed in this book were essentially rectangles with sleeves. I did knit one of the sweater styles, but I only wore it a couple of times. Boxy rectangles, and my body shape, do not play well together.

I do recommend this book, but only for very, very, very beginning knitters. Those who have not yet filled their homes with knitted squares and rectangles.

Lion Brand Yarns are the only yarns featured in this book.

This book is simply brimming with festive ideas - all with easy to follow instructions. Make a pretty poinsettia, Christmas bell potholder, wreath, or star package tie-ons which become Christmas tree decorations for the recipient in later years. A cute-baby red ruffled afghan is also included as well as several other patterns.

Four designs from the mid-80s

I think this is a great idea for those who like a page a day calendar but don't always like the patterns they choose in the "Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar". Plus this one is reusable from year to year. It has some great crochet stitches to try out.

This collection of afghans are either knitted or crocheted. An insert in the center of the book shows color photographs of the finished items. Instructions are basic and minimal, so it is suggested that the reader be an experienced knitter or crocheter before trying these patterns.

This book is a dictionary of stitches that you can use on any of your own projects. The yarn weight and needle size are up to you. You simply take the instructions to repeat the pattern and make it to your size and shape.

A fantastic book filled with crochet stitch patterns, one for each day o the year. I'll never use it as a calendar, but it's a great resource.½

While there are some very nice patterns in this book there are also a couple that look ill-fitting and quite ridiculous. The models even look pained occasionally.

US terms used but it does have a conversion chart

This book is about 1/2 knit and 1/2 crochet, give or take. So that sucks for me because I don't knit. I got this book for free, though, so I'm not complaining.

Honestly, some of the purses are okay, but most of them are a little old-fashioned for my liking. I am not a big fan of the "fun fur" types of yarn, and that's mostly what this has in it. Not a bad resource for general ideas on structure, accessorizing, etc., but I would modify most of the patterns before using them.

Very nice collection of different ripple stitches for both knitting and crochet. Pattern instructions only are included, no suggestions of needle or hook size. Color photos of all patterns.

Each pattern is illustrated by a numbered photographic swatch. Pattern directions do not include completed work, needle or hook size, gauge or material requirements. Instructions only provide pattern directions, requiring a more advanced level of knowledge for a completed project.