AFGHANS FOR ALL SEASONS, REVIEWED BY LESLIE AND BOB
from the Crochet Treasury series
Leisure Arts, Inc. and Oxmoor House,
Inc. 5701 Ranch Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212
Copyright 1993
143 pages, hardcover or softcover
Price was $13.58 at Wal-Mart
Praise from Leslie: Of all the leaflets, books, and magazines I have
on crochet, this book is the one I most often turn to when starting a
new afghan project. The wide variety of afghans has made this my
favorite source for patterns.
For many patterns there is a close-up of the stitches to help you
see what the pattern looks like in detail. Those photos have been
really helpful when I get confused about whether I'm following the
instructions correctly or not.
This book also includes a section in the back on general
crocheting instructions.
The book contains 52 afghans and is divided into four sections, one
for each of the four seasons. The photography is beautifully done and
most of the afghans have a full-page color photo that allows you to
really get a good look at the end product. There are patterns for
ripples, granny squares, filet, patterns worked in strips, and
numerous one piece, quick projects.
All the instructions are in a large type that makes it easy to glance
down and find your place while crocheting. The information given at
the beginning of each pattern includes finished size, materials
needed, and gauge. The yarn quantities are all listed by ounces,
grams, and yards which makes finding the correct amount of yarn
easy.
The book includes a section in the back on general crocheting
instructions. The directions and corresponding diagrams are a great
help. Also included in that section is a list of abbreviations used
in the pattern instructions. While I didn't learn to crochet by
reading this book, I had only taken a 3 hour beginner's class when I
tried to make my first baby afghan. The instructions were clear
enough for me to get started right away.
The afghans I've made from this book include "Bubbles for Baby",
"Soft and Feminine", "A Child's Very Own" for my son, and
"Tantalizingly Teal" for my daughter. I'm currently working on
"Precious in Pink."
I tend to ignore gauge and substitute different colors and yarn
weights as the mood strikes me. Therefore, I haven't made all of
these afghans "by the book." But of all the leaflets, books, and
magazines I have on crochet, this book is the one I most often turn
to when starting a new afghan project. #### Review by Leslie for
Crochet Partners, 1996 jeffries@cais.com
AND FROM BOB
I second the Leslie's review on the quality of this book for Leisure
Arts.
I've also used a newer book by Leisure Arts called Quick and Easy
Afghans or something like that. (It's buried in a bag of yarn I
just brought home with me for two new projects to begin soon.) I made
one in the Q & E book in 6 days over our between-semester break,
only mine is about 7 ft long and 5 ft wide (I like 'em big enough for
two!).
I've made one from each so far, and I have another 43 that I'd like
to make!!! I think both Leisure Arts afghan books are very much well
worth their price tag. ####
Review by Bob for Crochet Partners,1996
mackey@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu