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Amanda's bold and inspiring use of colour and pattern gives stunning results that are deceptively easy to achieve. This colourful book contains illustrated block-by-block guides to creating ten stunning blankets, with colour variations providing twenty further creations. Each of the ten blankets is constructed from a series of simple motifs, including squares, hexagons and triangles: creating a large and sumptuous blanket is simply a matter of piecing together colourful motifs into wonderful arrangements.
The book contains basic instruction on yarns and hooks, explains how to join motifs and sew in ends, and provides a brief guide to using colour. For each blanket there is an index of motifs used, accompanied by the instructions for how to make them: both in written form and as a chart. The blocks include a range of shapes and are accompanied by the 'fillers' needed to fill the gaps between them. Each project has a full colour chart, and takes the reader block by block through the entire construction process.
Introduction 6 Colour 8 equipment 10 Techniques 12 Projects 14 How to use this book 16 Crop Circles 18 Solstice 28 Arabian Nights 38 Lilian 50 Rose Window 62 Knot Garden 72 Flying Geese 84 Mirage 94 Flower Power 106 Liberty 116 Reference 128
Amanda Perkins designs and crochets her own blankets, shawls and scarves, and her patterns can be found on Etsy and Ravelry. She has her own blog: amandascrochetblog.blogspot.co.uk, and she regularly self-publishes her designs, which she sells via her website and at shows and exhibitions throughout the UK. Until mid-2015, Amanda ran the Natural Dye Studio from her home in Exmoor, North Devon.
This colourful book contains illustrated block-by-block guides to make ten stunning blankets, and colour variations provide 20 more designs. Each blanket is constructed from simple motifs, so creating a large and sumptuous blanket is simply a matter of piecing together colourful motifs. Each project has a full colour chart and step-by-step guide.
This is such a happy, joyous book. The front cover just about says it all. Amanda is a lady with a mission to create colour on a large scale. She wants to paint the whole world with a rainbow. Her blankets are not only practical, they are gorgeous. She certainly has an eye for colour combinations and if you struggle with colour, this would be a great book for you. Easy to follow squares make eye-catching blankets. You could mix and match. Fabulous alternative colourways, variety of yarns (4ply just use the yarn gauge to substitute), written instructions, charts, good photography and easy stitching make for addictive crochet. You'll see the blanket size, hook size, yarn type and notes at a glance. No particular yarn is given so as not to restrict your choice. Choose from 10 blankets. Creativity is encouraged to make your own blanket designs and this is not a how to crochet book, although step-by-step are given for the blocks.
There are circles or triangles within the blocks, and Amanda has used the blocks creatively. Stitches used are mainly use just double and treble crochet. These blocks are easy to make on the go, whereas the kind of all-over pattern is hard to travel with, as you are taking a full-sized blanket on the go. Amanda recommends using scrap yarns to create the blankets. Grab some 4 ply and start crocheting.
Practical, adaptable and colourful designs in one of the best crochet books on the market. Recommended.
The cover is very tempting with its display of the rich harmonious colours that are Amanda's trademark, and are based on the colours she produced when she ran the Natural Dye Studio (no longer in existence). Colour is a main theme in the book. There are many charts showing whole blankets with suggested colour schemes - very helpful for crocheters who feel nervous about the subject, especially when tackling a large project such as a blanket.
The blankets are made up of small motifs which are joined together later. The patterns are clearly written in black print, and are accompanied by a large photo of the motif and a clear chart, all on one page. That's what we crocheters like!
The patterns are straightforward, most of them worked entirely in half trebles. An interesting aspect - each crochet stitch is worked between two stitches, not into a stitch. I confess, it never occurred to me to do this, but it does make crocheting quicker and easier! Most of the motifs are square, but there are some triangles and hexagons too.
Amanda spent several years focused on patchwork, and this interest has led to some unusual designs here like my favourite, Rose Window, inspired by those in cathedrals. It combines squares, triangles and circles - not for the faint-hearted! Other intriguing designs based on patchwork are Knot Garden (squares) and Flying Geese (triangles).
I do have a criticism of the book, in that there are not all that many designs - 10 in all, and 3 of those are 'sister' designs - pairings with other designs. Certain motifs are repeated throughout the book, particularly the circle in a square, which features in 7 designs.
this book of straightforward blanket patterns is great for beginners wanting to tackle a bigger project. Or for any crocheter wanting a relaxing project to do while watching TV or travelling.
A great book for those who are familiar with crochet and ready to start making blankets. I found the book easy to follow and there are lots of ideas and paterns inside to make your own blanket unique
Issue 83
With an artist's eye for colour and shade, Amanda Perkins has put together a collection of ten glorious blanket designs, mixing patterns and tones to truly show-stopping effect. Our favourites include the purple hued Knot Garden and the beautiful rainbow Solstice, but any one would be a stunning addition to your home. Amanda recommends you work using yarn oddments left from other projects, and each pattern begins with a discussion of the colour palette and recommended brands.
This book is a refreshing change from the norm. It doesn't want you to make exact copies of the blankets, it wants you to make your own design using the patterns. The book uses written patterns as well as charts and diagrams. The patterns are easy to follow and the colour charts give you so many. The whole point of the book really is colour. It's amazing how the different colours with the different designs create amazing blankets.
Amanda uses 4 ply yarn so the designs are more detailed and more colours can be packed in. Each of the designs are so different from each other and I love the fact that quite a few aren't just rectangular. Amanda uses different shapes to create blankets that look unique. Working together with the different colours she uses create many beautiful designs. If you love to crochet blankets then this book really will fill your time. The only problem you might have is deciding which blanket to crochet first.
I love this book! As a very, VERY novice crocheter, afghan squares is the absolute limit of my talent. But I'm very proud to say that since receiving this book, I've also managed a hexagon! Yes, I'm a long way short of a blanket, but it's a start.
The book is 128 pages long, in full colour, and with excellent drawings of colour charts and photographs of the finished items. You can tell straight away this is a quality edition.
It's a very easy book to understand, even for a complete beginner. Everything is explained- in terms I understood- and there are even conversions in the back for readers from other countries. There are recommended yarns and hook sizes, tips on how to join your motifs, as well as colour charts for 10 different projects. A sample motif for each blanket is written out- in the way a knitting pattern is- but also shown as a stitch diagram. I'm sure everyone would be able to follow one set or the other.
I'm really enjoying getting back into crochet again.
This is a lovely well presented book which is full of easy to follow ideas. I can't wait to start making some lovely blankets
A new book from a designer I admire, is always worth the wait. Therefore you can imagine my excitement when I received a review copy from the publishers at Searchpress of 'Rainbow Crochet Blankets' by Amanda Perkins. There are many, many books for beginner crocheters. But I am more than pleased to say this is not one of them! So refreshing to read a book with projects for the established crocheter, eager to be challenged. There are 10 of Amanda's glorious blanket projects in this book. Each is made up of simple shaped motif and includes both stitch charts and written patterns, along with many variations of colour charts. In this way you are given a total of 30 project options to choose from. It is the colour charts that make this book stand out from similar books. Amanda has carefully planned and designed colour variations on her original blankets. I love this aspect of the book, because I enjoy stamping my own style on a pattern and will rarely reproduce someone else's work to the exact colour specifications.
On a rainy day it was a joy to flick through, with a cup of coffee and notebook by my side. Future projects are in the planning... The beauty of these blankets is in the yarn choices. Independent yarn dyers and spinners are recommended along with handy details of where they can be purchased. The larger commercial yarn companies are also listed as an alternative. I do realise that making a blanket using yarn from independent companies would work out very expensively, but what a beautiful heirloom to hand down to our families...?
So to sum up: this a book with 10 beautiful projects for a beginner crocheter to aspire to, and for a more experienced crocheter to make. The colour charts give you a further 20 pattern options. Construction information is included, is well written and very easy to understand.The charts are very handy and there is a small section explaining how to read a chart which I found useful. If you are looking for a Christmas present for a crochet fan, buy this! They will not be disappointed with it, and will probably love you forever.
I also had the pleasure of seeing these blankets in real life at Yarndale recently. They are stunning!
http://www.lazydaisyjones.com/2016/10/searchpress-rainbow-crochet-blankets-by.html
By Amanda Perkins
£14.99
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