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