Several books on crocheted blankets have been published in recent years. But this one stands out with it distinctive style and colour palette - it has a cool contemporary vibe, with most designs made up of broad stripes in muted pastels and neutrals, worked in crisp cotton and textured stitches. A couple of the blankets (Jaipur and Weimar), with their dramatic arrangement of stripes, could almost be hung on the wall as modern art.
There are 20 blanket patterns equally divided between easy, intermediate and advanced. Nearly all are knee blanket size, but can be made bigger if wanted. Half of them are worked in Aran, the rest in DK or 4ply. The broad stripes mean that there are not too many ends to finish off, and the simple repetitive patterns make for relaxing, even meditative crochet.
The last section has instructions for optional finishing touches including borders, pom-poms and tassels, plus useful advice on colour and blanket design, and last but not least, a crochet refresher course on basic stitches.
The subtle textures Haafner obtains through using stitches that have been seen in stitch dictionaries (but never actually tried) are rather fascinating! Yet they are simple to do, for example (1dc 1ch), where the dcs are worked in the ch space on each row. Try it: it looks really nice! A favourite is Seoul with its alternating bands of triple trebles and three rows of dc. Interesting textures emerge from various combinations of dcs and trebles - one blanket (Odessa) has seven broad stripes each in a different stitch.
Also some classic blanket designs are represented - such as Chevron, and what the Americans call 'Mile-a-Minute', where you make long narrow strips that are later crocheted together, so it makes a good portable project. Good for beginners, the first pattern (Marseille) has horizontal stripes of V-stitch, and very attractive it looks in leftover scraps of harmonious blues, greens and mauves.
This is another beautifully produced, original, high quality crochet book such as we have grown to expect from Search Press, with written instructions, photo and chart for each pattern. Overall, it would be a useful book for someone who wanted to learn new stitches without the complications that come with shaping.
-- Sally Magill & Rita Taylor * Slipknot Magazine, December 2018 *
Designer Haafner Linssen loves the joy in repetition involved in creating beautiful projects from simple, soothing stripes, and this new collection of blanket patterns shows them off to stunning effect. With designs inspired by towns and cities around the world, there's a great variety of colour and textures here as well, so there's sure to be something for everyone!
Our favourites include Jaipur, with a bold colour scheme that combines v-stitches with double crochet for lace and texture; Tokyo, which uses puff stitches and bursts of colour for a cityscape feel; Istanbul, with an unusual chevron effect created by chain stitches, and Casablanca, which has a scrappy, organised mess feel inspired by the rag rugs of Morocco. But there's a huge selection to choose from - and we're quite tempted to just hook a houseful!
The main collection of patterns is followed by tips for blanket borders and five more border designs, and then a few non-blanket designs made by adapting the main patterns, including a chunky rug and rustic wall hanging. All patterns use charts and written instructions, and there's a clear techniques section at the end. This is a stunning collection that's got us itching to get started today.
* Inside Crochet, Issue 106 *
Crochet is a wonderful peaceful pastime and this is the perfect project book to create something snug, warm and beautiful for the colder days ahead. 20 projects include blankets, wall hangings and even dish towels. The Salvador Bedspread, is just amazing. Each pattern has a pattern chart, colour guide and simple to follow instructions, and each stripey design is stunning. There are three skill levels, Easy, Intermediate and Advanced so even the basic crocheter can achieve something wonderful. Pattern notes and a how to guide is included, which is perfect to remind ourselves of techniques and even a resizing explanation is given, so all the patterns and designs are completely adaptable. These beautiful blankets would make the ideal gift. I absolutely love them and cannot wait to get my hooks going. -- Tracy Shephard * Postcard Reviews *
Love the patterns in this book. I have just started to get back into crochet and love the way the instructions are written so I can understand as well as in chart form (never managed to follow charts). Good to have the illustrations at the back as well to remind me how to do the stitches. Can't wait to finish current project and start on a Buenos Aires throw.
-- Lynda Hall * Amazon *
I was really looking forward to this book after loving her Mandala book and it did not disappoint. The projects are lovely - fab choice of colours, clear instructions in both written and chart form and some great blanket patterns that range from really simple yet effective to more advanced. I love the fact that included are notes on how to 'scale up' or 'scale down' a pattern and little tips that work as a usual refresher. A very modern crochet book that will be used again and again and would make a fab present for any crocheter, regardless of skill level.
-- Karen Relihan * Amazon *
This book is a really useful book to have, ok for beginners upwards, the instructions are easy to follow and great pictures, They are really nice blankets to crochet, ones I have never come across before and also other smaller projects .
It is also easy to design your own blankets using the patterns in the book. I have this book out all the time, I love just looking through the pages. My next project is definitely coming from this book.
-- Sue McAndrew * Amazon *
I absolutely love this book. These blankets are gorgeous and beautifully presented. I want to make nearly all of them, I think the one on the front of the book will be my first to start as I love the look of the stitches and how the colours have been used.
You have written instructions which is a must for me, and you also have the chart for each blanket. You can choose your blanket by your Skill Level, easy, intermediate and advanced. What I also love about this book is that there's a section on borders with information and patterns which again are fantastic. Then you get a project section for a rug, potholder, couple of cushions, a wall hanging and a bedspread. The last section features techniques explaining the sizing, colours etc... The book then finishes with crochet stitches which are beautifully explained with text and pictures. I would highly recommend this book for everyone not only are the blankets beautiful but there is so much more. Haafner Linssen is also author of Mandalas to Crochet which I haven't seen but will definitely be checking it out now.
I have received this book free of charge curtesy of Search Press Limited for an honest review.
-- Jane Potter * Amazon *
A very beautiful and useful book for all crocheters. I have been crocheting for many years and this would be more for beginners though I love the colours used and the instructions are easy to follow and some very handy hints and tips are included.
-- Jo Tough * Amazon *
Really pleased with this book.... It has clear instructions to some truly lovely blankets. I just love the colours used and I think everybody would be inspired to get crocheting these designs. They are not overly complicated or fussy, and I love the presentation of the book with its clear photography. Crocheting is truly having a renaissance and books like this make the craft so up to date with such fabulous projects. Looking forward to snuggling up in one of them as the evenings draw in! Just have to decide which one.........
-- Michelle George * Amazon *
I love this colourful crochet book! It is the perfect size with 20 well-presented, easy to follow stripy blanket crochet patterns. There is a good choice of designs that are suitable for all abilities, ranging from easy, intermediate and advanced. Each page includes the skill level, the size of the blanket, type of yarn and the hook size needed to make the blanket. There's a useful crochet refresher course and pattern notes.
I particularly enjoyed reading Haafner's introduction and visually, the photos of the blankets, are stylish and colourful. There is a good choice of blankets to crochet to suit all tastes and styles, inspired by the author's travels around the world.
Haafner's love of crochet shines through in this book, and the patterns are all individual and unique, inspiring me to improve my crochet skills. I look forward to making my own stripy blankets and I highly recommend this book.
-- Louise Hird * Amazon *
