Stripy Blankets to Crochet

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 ins

Haafner Linssen is a blogger, instagrammer and crochet designer with a knack for flower looming. She loves the retro vibes of this amazing technique, and has developed a recognisable style classic pieces with a modern twist.Trained in cultural history, Haafner is interested in the historical background of the craft. She has contributed to Mollie Makes and her first book, Mandalas to Crochet (2016), is an international success. Haafner lives in a cute old house, somewhere between Amsterdam and the North Sea. Visit her website www.byhaafner.blogspot.co.uk

Meet Haafner Earn your stripes! Chapter 1: The Blankets Patterns Borders and finishes Chapter 2: Bonus Projects Downsized versions Upsized versions Chapter 3: Background and Basics Yarns and hooks Colours Crochet refresher course Find the yarn Index and credits