Title: Make in a Weekend Shawls

Authors: Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss

Book Review by Marie Segares (www.undergroundcrafter.com)

Make in a Weekend Shawls is a pattern booklet that collects 12 shawl designs made with medium or bulky yarns that can be crocheted within a short time frame.  The booklet includes patterns by Cheri McEwen, Mary Ann Frits, Mary Jane Hall, Tammy Hildebrand, Margaret Hubert, Jean Leinhauser, Julee A. Reeves, and Shari White.  The designs are split equally between easy and intermediate level patterns.

Each pattern includes the difficulty level, size, a list of materials (written generically so substitution is easy, but also indicating which yarn was used in the sample), and special stitch patterns.  The appendix provides tips for pattern reading and gauge, along with information on yarn weights and hooks. 

Most of the patterns are designed for women, but there are three patterns for girls.  The designs include a variety of shapes.  As you might expect from the book’s title, the shawls use a combination of basic stitches and thicker yarns to work up quickly.  You won’t find intricate lace, or experimental contemporary designs in this booklet.  As a result, the patterns are great for gift giving and charity use, since they are all practical and easy to wear.  The booklet is thin enough to lay flat so you can crochet while reading.

The booklet doesn’t include international stitch symbols, so it is best suited for crocheters who prefer using US crochet abbreviations.  The booklet doesn’t include any patterns using lightweight yarns, so many of the designs may be too heavy for crocheters in warmer climates.  (There are a few lacy designs, like the Faroese Shawl, the Primrose Wrap, and the Five-Point Diamond Shawl, that could work in warmer weather.) 

If you enjoy crocheting shawls or wraps for gifts and charity and/or quick projects in medium and bulky weight yarns, this booklet would be a good one to pick up before the weekend begins! 

Full disclosure: A free review copy of Make in a Weekend Shawls was provided by Leisure Arts. 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.

Book Review: 50 Fabulous Crochet Bobbles, Popcorns and Puffs

Title: 50 Fabulous Crochet Bobbles, Popcorns and Puffs

Author: Jean Leinhauser

Book Review by Marie Segares (www.undergroundcrafter.com)

50 Fabulous Crochet Bobbles, Popcorns and Puffs by the late Jean Leinhauser of the Creative Partners is a pattern booklet featuring 55 textured stitch patterns.

Each pattern includes a large swatch photograph and clear written instructions using US pattern abbreviations. The book begins with a table of contents featuring thumbnails of each stitch, so it is easy to find patterns again. As a booklet, it can lay flat, making it easy to crochet and read at the same time. The booklet is also lightweight enough to be portable. The booklet doesn’t include any international stitch symbols. While there is diversity in the density of the different stitches – which create lacy to heavy weight fabrics – the patterns all emphasize dimensional/textured stitches and don’t include a variety of other stitch types.  There are no difficulty levels indicated, and the book assumes you already have basic to intermediate crochet skills.

I would recommend this booklet to crocheters who are beginning to explore stitch guides, crocheters who enjoy using textured stitches, and those who are budding designers. A stitch guide collector will probably find that several of the stitches are already represented in their other books. 

Retail price: $14.95

Full disclosure: A free review copy of 50 Fabulous Crochet Bobbles, Popcorns and Puffs was provided by Leisure Arts. 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.

Book Review: Ultimate Guide to Thread Crochet

Title: Ultimate Guide to Thread Crochet

Book Review by Marie Segares (www.undergroundcrafter.com)

Many crocheters who have always worked with yarn and larger hooks are intimidated by thread and steel hooks.  The Ultimate Guide to Thread Crochet: Everything You Need to Know and 23 Projects You Will Love is a Leisure Arts booklet designed to transition a yarn crocheter into a thread crocheter.

The booklet opens with a five page introduction that shares the history of crochet lace, reviews the supplies needed (including thread, steel hooks, tapestry needles, and finishing materials), and provides tips for the care, cleaning, and storage of thread crochet projects.

The booklet then launches into projects, which are arranged in order of difficulty.  Within this section, prior to a filet crochet project, there is a two-page section providing instructions for filet crochet.  The filet project includes a graphed alphabet for customization.  Each pattern includes a pattern skill level, at least one picture of the finished project, and a pattern written in U.S. abbreviations.  The filet crochet pattern also includes a graph.

The booklet ends with a nine page appendix that includes illustrated and written explanations of basic crochet stitches and the special stitches used in patterns, and tips for joining, weaving in ends, changing colors, working with beads.

The booklet doesn’t include international stitch symbols for any patterns.  While it includes some instructions for basic stitches, it is really targeted at an existing yarn crocheter that is familiar with the stitches but unfamiliar with working with thread.  I would have liked to see more discussion about avoiding hand strain, since it is sometimes physically difficult for crocheters to make the transition to thread.  The title is a bit of a misnomer - it really is an ultimate beginner’s guide.  More experienced thread crocheters will probably find the patterns too simple.

Overall, this booklet is a helpful introduction to thread crochet.  The opening section is written in a conversational tone and is designed to put the reader at ease.  This booklet lays flat so you can read while crocheting.  I would recommend the book for any yarn crocheter hoping to transition to thread work, or even for crocheters who are having difficulty transitioning from bulky and medium weight yarns to sock or fingering weight yarns.

Project types: 9 home decor items, 5 women’s accessories, 5 edgings, 3 baby items, 1 toy

Skill levesl: 4 easy, 19 intermediate

Retail price: $12.99 (ebook: $9.99)

Full disclosure: A free review copy of Ultimate Guide to Thread Crochet was provided by Leisure Arts. 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.