Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans: More Than 50 Beautiful, Affordable Designs Featuring Berroco's Comfort Yarn

by Norah Gaughan, Margery Winter, Berroco Inc.

For many of us, afghans are the epitome of comfort. Colorful and inviting, they are a staple of the home, without which a living room or bedroom just wouldn’t feel complete. And whether you’re making one for yourself, as a housewarming gift, or to welcome a new baby into the world, the process of creating a handmade afghan can be as rewarding as the finished product.
 
Comfort Knitting and Afghans features 50 patterns for these cozy blankets, made with Berroco Comfort yarn—an affordable, ultra-soft acrylic/nylon blend—and designed by the Berroco team, headed by Norah Gaughan. The book includes something for The designs range from ultra-modern to traditional, from spare to embellished, and are inspired by sources as varied as Scottish tweeds, Japanese Ikat, and Delft pottery. Intended for knitters and crocheters of every skill level, this collection brings new life to the well-loved and versatile afghan.

Also available from Norah Norah Gaughan's Knitted Cable Sourcebook , Comfort Knitting & Babies & Toddlers , and Knitting Nature .
 

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Crochet, Nonfiction, How To, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Anastaciaknits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comfort Knitting & Crochet is a book of 50 or so afghan designs, using mainly worsted weight Comfort (acrylic/nylon) yarn. There's a great variety of designs, from pieced or paneled afghans to one piece designs. Some are written as baby blankets (which can always be done with different colors for lapghans for adults, which is what I usually do for baby blanket designs). Some are pretty standard type afghan designs that you've probably seen before, but most are pretty unique designs for all skill levels.

[Lisa B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another nice collection of afghans for knitting or crochet. Lovely pictures and easy to read instructions. Can't wait to try and make one!

[Andi Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of these are nice (Houndstooth, cables), but some patterns appeared as though they were struggling for something novel or different. I didn’t love the more open designs (though they could be worn as wraps). I also expected something a little more varied than just the typical garter selvage, even an i-cord or picot edge here and there. Still, you could probably find at least one or two patterns you’d like, and that makes it worth a check out…

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the prettiest books of afghans I've looked at. There are several that I would love to make. Some of them are ridiculously complicated though. Knitting patchwork squares, embroidering each one, and then sewing them all together? No, thank you. There are easier and cheaper ways of driving myself crazy.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not keen on full-sized knitted blankets. However, there are some lovely ones here.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

magnificent patterns!!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL afghans that make you want to dust your crochet hooks and knitting hooks off to use. I love the modern look of many of these or at least the updated look of afghans.

[Corinnagoodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful afghans, but I am looking for a beginners level book

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool patterns

I will make some of these. Nice patterns and color combinations. Can do knit or crochet and have variety of styles.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found several patterns I would like to try. Added to my want to purchase list

[Linda Larbi-Cherif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful patterns

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 patterns for beautiful afghans, had hoped for more than just 3, and these look very challenging! Not for beginners!

[Maggie Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

These are beautiful knitted and crocheted afghans! If I could actually read a chart (sorry! Can't read a map either) I would make them all. I did enjoy perusing this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimmed - appears to be well written & beautifully photographed.

Not really anything that's my style.

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans: More Than 50 Beautiful, Affordable Designs Featuring Berroco's Comfort Yarn
Author: Norah Gaughan, Margery Winter, Berroco Design Team
Publisher: Open Road Intergrated Media
Published: 6-10-2014
ISBN: 9781480494701
ASIN E-Book: B00KGMIXKQ
Pages: 263
Genre: Crafts
Tags: Crochet, Home, DIY
Overall Rating: Excellent
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Reviewer: DelAnne

This book really does have something for everyone. Whether you crochet or knit there are bound to be more than a few of these bold beautiful afghans that will appeal to your eyes. You can learn a few new stitches or designs, but there is nothing more comforting to receive or give than an afghan made with love. You can keep them for yourself, give as a gift or donate them to a good cause.


So many different styles to choose from will give you hours a creative fun. Pick up a copy of Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans: More Than 50 Beautiful, Affordable Designs Featuring Berroco's Comfort Yarn and begin the fun. As you can see from the wonderful photographs of various afghans there is no shortage of beautiful ones to make.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

COMFORT KNITTING AND CROCHET: AFGANS: MORE THAN 50 BEAUTIFUL, AFFORDABLE DESIGNS FEATURING BERROCO's COMFORT YARN by Norah Gaughan is has an afgan for everyone! I was very impressed by the afgan patterns in the preview copy of this book that I received from Net Galley. My copy only contained seven afgans with their patterns. But those seven were all gorgeous and well-illustrated with clearly written instructions. All of these afgans are meant to be made with Berroco Comfort yarn, an ultra-soft blend of super fine acrylic and nylon, spun into a luxury twist. It is hypoallergenic and can be machine washed and dried. The projects are intended for every skill level, from beginner to advanced.


Patterns range from a Houndstooth, to a Herringbone which both take their inspiration from traditional Scottish tweeds to a playful take on woolen rugs from Eastern Europe to afgans derived from traditional folk crafts, Delft pottery and Ukrainian Easter Eggs and much more. This book will provide hours of creative fun for years to come. The full book contains over 50 patterns and I plan to definitely pick it up!

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains 50 patterns made with Berroco's Comfort yarn. There is a huge range of techniques used here - obviously straightforward knitting and crochet but also styles like tunisian crochet, broomstick lace, intarsia and embroidery (among many others).

The Netgalley preview copy I read only had seven of the 50 patterns in it. Each of them was clearly written and photographed beautifully. I really want to make the Bright Star pattern (rav details: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libra...), designed by Norah Gaughan. I will definitely be checking out the rest of this book when I get a chance!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good Afghan book. The directions are easy to follow and it contains both crochet and knitting projects. Some directions may be confusing for beginners though. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found some great projects to start. The only issue I had with this book was for project Greenway the start up row and the first row were missing from the directions. A book I would recommend to others.
I received a copy from Netgalley with a limited number of patterns for an honest review of this book. My review is based on the 7 patterns in the review copy and my review was honest and not swayed in anyway by receiving a review copy from Netgalley.

[Katherine Cowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful afghans, though unfortunately for me, I tend to like the knitted afghans much better than the crocheted ones. A lot of the crochet patterns are rather simple, with the risk of being quite monotonous from row 1. Still, a very solid collection, though it always bothers me a bit when crochet and knitting are lumped together.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great afghan book for both crocheters and knitters. I am more of a crocheter than a knitter. Many afghan books containing both crochet and knit afghans have one or two crochet one. This book is almost 50-50. I've made a couple so far. The directions are good and the pictures are nice.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure whether there's any tutorial or beginning help as my copy launched straight into some truly gorgeous afghan patterns. I am personally too much a beginner to say whether the instructions are clear if you work through them but when I'm beyond double crochet, this might be the source of one of the first patterns I try.

[P.]

some very nice intarsia patterns in here, and simple classic knit patterns. also crochet stuff that once again makes me resolve to learn to crochet.

I will say that if you, like me, are unfamiliar with color knitting, you will need a supplemental book or youtube video to get yourself started. there is a small glossary but it assumes you have the knowledge to jump right in (I don't).

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Afghans are one the harder but most rewarding crochet projects and this book assembles some lovely patterns. I enjoyed the variety but the instructions may be a bit difficult for beginners and can become frustrating.

[Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous patterns!

[Sue Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent selection of different afghans. Beautiful pictures and simple instructions.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in 3 of the knitting patterns but they seem a bit complicated just now & I've loads of patterns ahead of them to try.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite pieces in this book! This is nothing like your grandmother used to knit/crochet. Very contemporary with international flair. LOVE IT!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with some great pieces to challenge new knitters as well as experienced ones. I'll be learning crochet too so I can try out some the patterns as well!

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book, nice bright pictures, clear text and easy to follow instructions. Some really nice patterns for crocheters, Tunisian crocheters and knitters of all levels.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many easy to follow designs. Gave ideas on techniques and inspiration to make something for yourself or to make for someone else. Loved the layout and pictures too.