Interweave Presents Classic Crochet Blankets – Book Review and Excerpt
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Interweave Presents Classic Crochet Blankets
Interweave/F+W; $19.99
Interweave Presents Classic Crochet Blankets
Interweave Presents Classic Crochet Blankets includes a warm and welcoming collection of 18-blankets. From cover-to-cover, you will find a wide-range of spectacular colors, textures and styles. This is in part because this collection is created by a number of Designers, rather than only one. You have a range of gorgeous designs to choose from including motifs, classic granny squares, hexagons, pineapples, lacework and textured cables.
The Designs included are:
- Kaleidoscope Afghan – Tammy Hildebrand – 43″ x 57″
- Moroccan Tile Afghan – Kristin Omdahl – 39″ x 52″
- Dots + Dashes Blanket – Ellen Gormley – 37″ x 37″
- Exploded Pineapple Afghan – Doris Chan – 52″ diameter (after blocking)
- Urchins + Limpets Blanket – Kathy Merrick – 48″ x 36″
- Damask Afghan – Marly Bird – 62″ x 77″
- Buttercup Blanket – Kristin Omdahl – 30″ x 35″
- Happy Hexagons Throw – Maryse Roudier – 56″ x 48″
- Behrens Colorblock Afghan – Leigh Radford – 45″ x 60″
- Reflected Sunlight Afghan – Ellen Gormley – 47″ x 61″
- Shark Hunter Blanket – Kristin Omdahl – 38″ square
- Chevron Bedspread – Kathie Eng – 54″ x 80″
- Starfish Blanket – Kristin Omdahl – 46″ x 71″
- Hialeah Honey Blanket – Bonnie Barker – 21.5″ x 23.5″
- Granny Sofa Blanket – Sarah London – squares measures 6″ x 6″
- Filet Zigs + Zags Blanket – Mari Lynn Patrick – 38″ x 62″
- Sailboats Blanket – Bonnie Barker – 33″ x 26″
- French Country Afghan – Ellen Gormley – 41″ x 57″
The yarns used to create these pretty blankets range from Sportweight and DK Weight to Worsted Weight. Each design is written in U.S. Crochet Terms and includes the stitch diagrams and construction diagrams where needed.
Interweave Presents Classic Crochet Blankets also includes Optional Edgings you can add to your own finished blankets. Each edging provides the stitch multiple, a written pattern and a stitch pattern diagram. The Optional Edgings included are:
- Spade
- Circle Coins
- Birch Scallops
- Textured Waves
- Foundation Petal
- Deco Scallops
- Gothic Cathedral
Page 112 includes a very helpful explanation to assist you with crocheting an Edging Around The Corner.
Symbol Crochet is addressed from pages 115 to 118 for both working in the the round and in rows. This section is easy to follow and understand and includes the Top 6 Rules of Symbol Crochet.
Abbreviations (p 119) and a detailed Glossary (p 120 – 125) of stitches and techniques, each with written instructions and supportive diagrams are also provided.
Some of my favorite designs in the book include:
Interweave has generously provided an excerpt for us of one of my favorite designs – Hialeah Honey Blanket by Bonnie Barker. The pattern excerpt is available below.
Excerpted from Interweave Presents Classic Crochet Blankets: 18 Timeless Patterns to Keep You Warm Copyright © 2016 by Interweave, an imprint of F+W Media, a content + ecommerce company. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Photos courtesy of Joe Hancock.
Hialeah Honey Blanket
DESIGNED BY BONNIE BARKER
Named for designer Bonnie Barker’s Florida hometown, this is the first project in which she experimented with lighter weight yarns. She instantly became an enthusiastic believer. Not only does this yarn help keep down the bulkiness of the post stitches, but it also produces a beautiful drape to the finished project. Be sure to use a yarn that can easily be washed for your special little honey!
“As a blessed mommy of five children, I remember the joy of discovery in my little tykes’ eyes as they experienced everything for the first time. I also have vague memories as a little girl of studying the patterns in my “blankie,” which was a small, handmade, patchwork quilt—over and over again. This is why I design with a lot of interesting texture for baby’s eyes.” —Bonnie Barker
FINISHED SIZE
21½” × 23½” (54.6 × 59.7 cm), excluding edging.
YARN
DK weight (#3 Light).
SHOWN HERE: Caron Simply Soft Light (100% acrylic; 330 yd [302 m]/3 oz [85 g]): #0003 honey, 3 skeins.
HOOK
G/6 (4 mm) crochet hook.
GAUGE
24 sts = 41⁄2″ (11.4 cm) and 7 rows = 3″ (7.6 cm) in Celtic Weave pattern (measure from back).
NOTE
The double crochet stitches in between the Braided Cable and Celtic Weave stitches are worked in the top loops of the stitches, not as front posts. All other stitches are front or back post stitches
STITCH GUIDE
Braided Cable (worked over 6 sts)
On a RS row: [sk 2 sts, 2 fptr over next 2 sts, working in front of sts just made, fptr in each of 2 sts just skipped, fptr in each of next 2 sts (BC made)].
On a WS row: [sk 2 sts, 2 bptr over next 2 sts, working in back of sts just made, bptr in each of 2 sts just skipped, bptr in each of next 2 sts (BC made)].
Celtic Weave (worked over a multiple of 4 sts)
On a RS row: [Sk 2 sts, fptr in each of next 2 sts, working in front of sts just made, fptr in 2 skipped sts (CW made)] across.
On a WS row: Bptr in 2 sts, [sk 2 sts, bptr in each of next 2 sts, working in back of sts just made, bptr in 2 skipped sts] until 2 sts remain, bptr in next 2 sts.
Blanket
Ch 106.
Row 1: Dc in the 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn, (104 dc).
Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc here and throughout). Dc in 2nd dc, *work BC over next 6 sts, dc in next 2 sts. Work CW over next 12 sts. Dc in next 2 sts. Work BC over next 6 sts; **dc in next 2 sts; work BC over next 6 sts; dc in next 2 sts; work CW over next 24 sts; dc in next 2 sts; work BC over next 6 sts; dc in next 2 sts. Rep * to ** once more. Dc in last 2 sts. Turn.
Row 3 (WS): Rep Row 2, working the WS version of the indicated st patterns.
Rows 4–53: Rep Rows 2 & 3 twenty-five times more, or to within 2″ (5.1cm) of desired length.
Row 54: Rep Row 2.
Row 55: Ch 3, bpdc in each post st and dc in each dc across. Turn.
BORDER
Rnd 1: Ch 1. *Sc in each st across row, ch 1, turn 90°, sc in same sp (corner made). Sc evenly along row edges, ch 1, turn 90°, rep from * around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc of row. Turn.
Rnd 2 (shell with picot): Ch 1, sc in 1st st, * sk 2 sts, [4 dc, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch (picot made), 4 dc] in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st. Rep from * around perimeter of blanket. You may need to adjust the number of sts skipped occasionally in order for the shells to appear uniform around the corners. End by joining with sl st to 1st sc of row. Finish off.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block if needed.
Excerpted from Interweave Presents Classic Crochet Blankets: 18 Timeless Patterns to Keep You Warm Copyright © 2016 by Interweave, an imprint of F+W Media, a content + ecommerce company. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Photos courtesy of Joe Hancock.
Interweave Presents Classic Crochet Blankets includes a wide-range of designs at different skill levels. Gorgeous color and texture will inspire you to pick up your own hook to make your own pretty blankets. Whether you are a newer crocheter or a more seasoned crocheter there are designs included for you to choose from and the optional edgings are perfect for blankets of all shapes and sizes. For more information and additional images, please visit this link: Interweave Presents Classic Crochet Blankets.
For more information about Interweave, visit their website, Facebook or Twitter!
I agree it would look beautiful as a shawl!
I think the Hialeah Honey Blanket would look beautiful made into a shawl/wrap.
H Alice, I’m not sure what you mean by “what all the letters through me” means? If you can explain, I can try to help! All the best, Rhondda
I love love love your blanket an would like to try making one but I don’t know what all the letters through me
It’s great that there is a variety of blankets using a variety of different weight yarns.
There are some very pretty designs in this book!
Love your reviews. This is a great compilation of beautiful afghans. Definitely have to have this book!