Author: Margaret Hubert
Book Review by Kim Guzman (www.kimguzman.com)
From one of the hardest working crochet designers in the US comes Margaret Hubert's latest book, Granny Square Flowers.
I've always been a fan of flower motifs and these wonderful flower grannies are fabulous; a plethora of flowers!
The first chapter includes techniques used in the square construction such as making a chain ring, an adjustable (magic) ring, and how to crochet in the round. It discusses an invisible join at the end of the round and there is information on gauge/tension and adjusting sizes of the blocks. Seaming is illustrated with a whipstitch seam, weave seam, single crochet seam, chain join and lacy chain seam.
Then, you move onto the square patterns. As the title states, there are 50 individual square patterns. There are designated flowers for each month of the year, which would be perfect for making a birthday afghan. I just love August's poppy flower! After these 12, there are the remaining 38 squares, each unique and beautiful.
All patterns include a large, well-lit photograph of the block, written instructions and a stitch diagram. Wait until you see the Large Dahlia with Leaves square! Wow! Oh, and the Poinsettia. My goodness, I could go on and on.
Some of the squares aren't actually named after flowers. There are Orange Slice and Lemon Slice, for example. But, that just shows you the huge variety available in the book.
After the square patterns, I got a wonderful surprise. There are projects too! Unlike most square or motif dictionaries, this one includes some terrific projects as well.
There is a cardigan, a shawl, a tasseled ski hat, a short sleeve jacket, a scarf, a handbag, a trio of little amulet bags, a little girl's sweater and matching hat, a little toddler summer dress, a mesh long-sleeve pullover, adorable slipper boots, placemats, a baby afghan, a hassock, toy blocks and a lapghan.
The great projects show the variety of ways squares can be used to make something extraordinary.
Working flower squares is more of an intermediate level skill so a beginner would need to "work up to" the patterns. But, making squares is a really wonderful way to build your skill level!
I don't think I could ever tire of this book. I can imagine using it for years. The designated birthday flowers are especially intriguing for gifts. And, I have always loved exchanging squares for friendship-ghans.
Granny Square Flowers is available in hard-copy (spiral bound) and Kindle download.
I've always been a fan of flower motifs and these wonderful flower grannies are fabulous; a plethora of flowers!
The first chapter includes techniques used in the square construction such as making a chain ring, an adjustable (magic) ring, and how to crochet in the round. It discusses an invisible join at the end of the round and there is information on gauge/tension and adjusting sizes of the blocks. Seaming is illustrated with a whipstitch seam, weave seam, single crochet seam, chain join and lacy chain seam.
Then, you move onto the square patterns. As the title states, there are 50 individual square patterns. There are designated flowers for each month of the year, which would be perfect for making a birthday afghan. I just love August's poppy flower! After these 12, there are the remaining 38 squares, each unique and beautiful.
All patterns include a large, well-lit photograph of the block, written instructions and a stitch diagram. Wait until you see the Large Dahlia with Leaves square! Wow! Oh, and the Poinsettia. My goodness, I could go on and on.
Some of the squares aren't actually named after flowers. There are Orange Slice and Lemon Slice, for example. But, that just shows you the huge variety available in the book.
After the square patterns, I got a wonderful surprise. There are projects too! Unlike most square or motif dictionaries, this one includes some terrific projects as well.
There is a cardigan, a shawl, a tasseled ski hat, a short sleeve jacket, a scarf, a handbag, a trio of little amulet bags, a little girl's sweater and matching hat, a little toddler summer dress, a mesh long-sleeve pullover, adorable slipper boots, placemats, a baby afghan, a hassock, toy blocks and a lapghan.
The great projects show the variety of ways squares can be used to make something extraordinary.
Working flower squares is more of an intermediate level skill so a beginner would need to "work up to" the patterns. But, making squares is a really wonderful way to build your skill level!
I don't think I could ever tire of this book. I can imagine using it for years. The designated birthday flowers are especially intriguing for gifts. And, I have always loved exchanging squares for friendship-ghans.
Granny Square Flowers is available in hard-copy (spiral bound) and Kindle download.
(Creative Publishing, 2013; 144 pages, ISBN: 978-1589237803)
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