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Rainbow Crocheted Afghans: A Block-by-Block Guide to Creating Colorful Blankets and Throws
This book is for those crocheters who have moved on from the humble granny square and are looking for more complex motifs, in a range of shapes and styles, that can be joined together to create more sophisticated finished pieces.
Amanda's blankets, afghans and throws are beautifully worked, and her careful use of color and pattern gives stunning results that are deceptively easy to achieve.
The book begins with some basic instruction on yarns and hooks, how to join motifs, sewing in ends, blocking, and yarn weight and tension, but no instruction on how to crochet, as this is not a beginner's book. For each blanket there is an index of motifs used, accompanied by the instructions for how to make both in written form and as a chart. The blocks include a range of shapes including circles, triangles, flowers, stars, diamonds and hexagons. Also provided are the various 'fillers', designed to fill the little gaps between the motifs in the finished blanket or throw. Each project has a full color chart, and takes the reader step by step through how to construct their blanket, block by block. At the end of each of the ten projects are two further color variations.
Amanda's blankets, afghans and throws are beautifully worked, and her careful use of color and pattern gives stunning results that are deceptively easy to achieve.
The book begins with some basic instruction on yarns and hooks, how to join motifs, sewing in ends, blocking, and yarn weight and tension, but no instruction on how to crochet, as this is not a beginner's book. For each blanket there is an index of motifs used, accompanied by the instructions for how to make both in written form and as a chart. The blocks include a range of shapes including circles, triangles, flowers, stars, diamonds and hexagons. Also provided are the various 'fillers', designed to fill the little gaps between the motifs in the finished blanket or throw. Each project has a full color chart, and takes the reader step by step through how to construct their blanket, block by block. At the end of each of the ten projects are two further color variations.
- GenresCrochetNonfictionCrafts
858 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2022
12 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 20, 2017
Rainbow Crocheted Afghans: A Block-by-Block Guide to Creating 10 Colorful Blankets and Throws by Amanda Perkins is a crochet pattern book filled with color, design inspiration, and other eye candy. The book opens with an introduction to Amanda, who used to be an indie yarn dyer. Amanda then welcomes readers with her introduction.
"Color" is a 2-page section that provides an overview of color theory from the perspective of an indie dyer and blanket crocheter. "Equipment" is a 2-page section that focuses on yarn, hooks, and sewing-in needles. As Amanda's dye company is no longer in operation, she provides recommended yarns in the same weights as her samples with a broad range of colors. "Techniques" is a 2-page section that explains Amanda's approach to crocheting blankets. She recommends using simple stitches so that the colors and yarn are the highlight of the project, joining as you go with a slip stitch seam, and washing (rather than blocking) your finished blankets.
The next section, "The Projects," starts with "How to use this book" which explains the way the book is organized and Amanda's preference for crocheting in the gaps between stitches, rather than into stitches. It also includes a key to international stitch symbol charts. This section includes 10 patterns (all of which are visible on the book's Ravelry source page here).
Each pattern includes:
- an introductory paragraph by Amanda sharing her design inspiration or other details;
- a color palette (including yarn swatch photos);
- construction (which explains how the blanket is put together); blanket and hook size;
- yarn notes, with a list of worldwide brands and UK indie dyers and spinners to choose from;
- a graphic design color chart (assembly diagram) as well as two other color variations;
- the motif pattern (including both U.S. pattern abbreviations and international stitch symbols);
- a layout key that indicates when colors are changed within an individual motif;
- written instructions (often with visuals, too) for assembling and finishing the blanket; and
- many large, full color photographs of the blanket.
The book ends with reference charts for converting U.S. and U.K. pattern abbreviations, hook sizes, and yarn weights.
Unlike most crochet books, pages that are typically left visually blanket (such as the title page) include full page photographs of colorful blankets and motifs. The book is stunning to look at and includes many vibrant photographs and graphics. Rainbow Crocheted Afghans: A Block-by-Block Guide to Creating 10 Colorful Blankets and Throws is written for a crocheter who knows the basic stitches and is comfortable working in the round, but is looking for ways to add color to their work or to create blankets with a combination of shapes. Although the motifs use simple stitches, several blankets combine multiple shapes so there is enough construction interest for a more advanced crocheter. If you enjoy making blankets and feel happiest when surrounded by color, this is a great motif book to choose!
Full disclosure: A free review copy of Rainbow Crocheted Afghans: A Block-by-Block Guide to Creating 10 Colorful Blankets and Throws was provided to me by Search Press North America. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
"Color" is a 2-page section that provides an overview of color theory from the perspective of an indie dyer and blanket crocheter. "Equipment" is a 2-page section that focuses on yarn, hooks, and sewing-in needles. As Amanda's dye company is no longer in operation, she provides recommended yarns in the same weights as her samples with a broad range of colors. "Techniques" is a 2-page section that explains Amanda's approach to crocheting blankets. She recommends using simple stitches so that the colors and yarn are the highlight of the project, joining as you go with a slip stitch seam, and washing (rather than blocking) your finished blankets.
The next section, "The Projects," starts with "How to use this book" which explains the way the book is organized and Amanda's preference for crocheting in the gaps between stitches, rather than into stitches. It also includes a key to international stitch symbol charts. This section includes 10 patterns (all of which are visible on the book's Ravelry source page here).
Each pattern includes:
- an introductory paragraph by Amanda sharing her design inspiration or other details;
- a color palette (including yarn swatch photos);
- construction (which explains how the blanket is put together); blanket and hook size;
- yarn notes, with a list of worldwide brands and UK indie dyers and spinners to choose from;
- a graphic design color chart (assembly diagram) as well as two other color variations;
- the motif pattern (including both U.S. pattern abbreviations and international stitch symbols);
- a layout key that indicates when colors are changed within an individual motif;
- written instructions (often with visuals, too) for assembling and finishing the blanket; and
- many large, full color photographs of the blanket.
The book ends with reference charts for converting U.S. and U.K. pattern abbreviations, hook sizes, and yarn weights.
Unlike most crochet books, pages that are typically left visually blanket (such as the title page) include full page photographs of colorful blankets and motifs. The book is stunning to look at and includes many vibrant photographs and graphics. Rainbow Crocheted Afghans: A Block-by-Block Guide to Creating 10 Colorful Blankets and Throws is written for a crocheter who knows the basic stitches and is comfortable working in the round, but is looking for ways to add color to their work or to create blankets with a combination of shapes. Although the motifs use simple stitches, several blankets combine multiple shapes so there is enough construction interest for a more advanced crocheter. If you enjoy making blankets and feel happiest when surrounded by color, this is a great motif book to choose!
Full disclosure: A free review copy of Rainbow Crocheted Afghans: A Block-by-Block Guide to Creating 10 Colorful Blankets and Throws was provided to me by Search Press North America. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
January 11, 2025
Really pretty afghans but not for me
February 7, 2017
CREATIVE CROCHETING BEYOND A GRANNY SQUARE
Basic instructions, beautiful patterns, easy to follow designs, and expanding to shapes beyond a granny square. This is not a beginners book of how to. It is for someone who already knows how to crochet and wants to be creative with new patterns and designs.
I no longer crochet and will be passing the book onto a friend who does.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to write a review and do so voluntarily. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.
Basic instructions, beautiful patterns, easy to follow designs, and expanding to shapes beyond a granny square. This is not a beginners book of how to. It is for someone who already knows how to crochet and wants to be creative with new patterns and designs.
I no longer crochet and will be passing the book onto a friend who does.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to write a review and do so voluntarily. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.
January 20, 2017
i didnt know i won this book till it arrived in the mail!
what a colorful book with lots of good instructions. i like that each page is in color. lots of good color combos.
its beyond what i can do, but i know a more experienced crocheter who will love it. thanks goodreads!
what a colorful book with lots of good instructions. i like that each page is in color. lots of good color combos.
its beyond what i can do, but i know a more experienced crocheter who will love it. thanks goodreads!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews