Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques [Paperback]

This is a different type of crochet book still with some of the traditional designs, but with some added zing. These designs are all done with attention to detail. These are not just thrown together and are not boring. They are truly artistic works done by top designers. Here are the main contents of the items in the book:

CABLES
Tuxedo Pillow + Cable Tips
Eloise Baby
Artesia Zigzag
Croises Cable
Vika
Veledilo Cable

GRANNY MOTIFS
Hatsukoi Pillow + Granny Motif Tips
Dots + Poppies Baby
Peacock
Mod Retro
Cabine de Dentelle
Kaleidoscope

COLOR
Elan Waves Pillow + Color Tips
Peerie Baby
Behrens Color Block
Desert Sunrise
Moroccan Circles
Bethlehem Star

LACE
Vigne Pillow + Lace Tips
Amada Baby
Sunken Treasure
Damask Lace
Exploded Pineapple

TUNISIAN
Nauha Pillow + Tunisian Tips
Smocked Elegance Baby
Mission Cabled
Aryanah Sampler
Van Gogh Waves
Starburst Entrelac

Even the names are works of art! And as you can see, each section has specific tips concerning that particular type of crochet work. Each chapter has a mini-workshop to help the crocheter succeed with each pattern.

The mixing of lace and single crochet struck me as quite different in Cabine de Dentelle. This would be best used as a decorative piece, not for warmth. One piece I particularly like is Van Gogh Waves; it is just gorgeous and lush looking. I love the colors and the wave design does indeed remind me of Van Gogh's art. Also, I usually don't like cables in crochet, but these are better looking than most and used to full advantage in these afghans.

The yarn requirements are clearly stated. They use some sweet yarn, but substitutions would be easy to do. The rest of the pattern is very readable in a good font and each special stitch is explained in detail. All skill levels can use this book, but I would say it's more for intermediate crocheters, rather than for beginners.

This book isn't perfect, but then again sometimes all those 'out there' type crochet books really aren't for the usual person looking for some unusual designs. They can sometimes look a bit too artsy to be practical. I think this book balances the two approaches and I can recommend it to anyone looking for a slightly different approach to the usual afghans.

In compiling this collection of traditional but thoroughly modern afghans, crochet designer Robin Chachula asked other well-known designers "to use the afghan as a vehicle to showcase their favorite aspect of crochet." The designers responded with afghans using crochet cables, colorwork, lace, granny motifs, and Tunisian crochet.

In purchasing this book, I was hoping for more of the "unexpected". Thus I was somewhat disappointed by the "traditional" look of most of the afghan designs. Two of the most intriguing designs are Vika (Celtic cables and knots) and Bethlehem Star (inspired by the Bethlehem Star quilt pattern). However, Vika's central Celtic knot is accomplished with applied I-cord, and Bethlehem Star's motifs are made from small, individually-crocheted pieces (the rays of the stars) that must be sewn together. Thus I can't see myself making either afghan, although both are quite pretty.

However, you can't go wrong with a pattern collection published by Interweave Press! The crochet instructions are given in both written-out and charted form, and the full-color photographs of the afghans (including closeups showing important details) are beautiful. The individual patterns include quotations from the designers, plus tips for making the particular afghan look its best. For example, the Vika tip explains how to avoid catching your stitches on other stitches when you're working post stitches behind stitches already worked; the Cabine de Dentelle tip explains the importance of blocking the squares by carefully ironing them.

Many of the designers have contributed short motivational "Beginner Tips" in the book's introduction. The cable designs are by Robyn Chachula, Marty Miller, Drew Emborsky, Annie Modesitt, Jill Wright, and Simona Merchant-Dest. The granny motif designs are by Robyn Chachula, Linda Permann, Ellen Gormley, Edie Eckman, Annette Petavy, and Tammy Hildebrand. The colorwork designs are by Robyn Chachula, Kathryn Merrick, Leigh Radford, Carol Ventura, Kimberly McAlindin, and Mary Beth Temple. The lace designs are by Robyn Chachula, Tracie Barrett, Kristin Ohmdahl, Marly Bird, and Doris Chan. The Tunisian crochet designs are by Robyn Chachula, Darla Fanton, Diane Halpern, Dora Ohrenstein, Kim Guzman, and Megan Granholm.

I agree with both of the other reviewers that this is quite a special afghan book and will be appreciated by the advanced crocheter looking for something unusual. The first section of cables is for me the most difficult one. I like the Tunisian crochet and the lace and granny sections. The afghans I'd most like to make are the Tunisian crochet sampler by Ohrenstein, Van Gogh waves by Guzman and Starburst entrelac afghan by Granholm. This book doesn't have a lot of information on doing the cable stitches. with all of the regular type afghan books it's good to have one that is definitely original by lots of well known designers working today.