Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques

This book is a great addition to any crocheters library. It has easy to read patterns and many, many beautiful afgans to choose from. I am just getting started but plan to make at least 4 of the afgans, maybe more. There are tunisian crochet patterns as well as some cabled blankets and also a couple of pillow patterns thrown in. You can't miss with this book.

This contains lots of interesting patterns. I have not crocheted for some time and so I am sort of starting at the basics again. Many of these are a bit too difficult for someone trying to refresh thier memory after 20 years, but I think they are lovely and I am looking forward to trying the more challenging ones.It is a good buy. I don't think anyone who has basic knowledge of crocheting will be disappointed. Remember you can always change the color scheme to fit your taste.

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 purchased this as a beginner in 2016 specifically because I wanted the vika afghan. This is very complicated cable work so I set this as a longer term goal and completed several others in this book first. I love the extra warmth of cables and completed several of these. The instructions are generally very clear. When I wasn’t sure if I understood a stitch I used u-tube videos to clarify the pattern. My version was published in 2012. I was unable to find any of the yarns listed in the book so if you are looking to duplicate any of these it can require thinking out of the box a bit. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in larger crochet projects and enjoys a bit of a mental challenge!

One of the best crochet books I’ve found - so many amazing patterns. Usually I only find one or two patterns I want to make from any book - this one has at least 10 or more that I want to make! It’s a thick book with a LOT of patterns and types of crocheting such as canceling, Tunisian and more. I highly recommend this book if you love to crochet & want to find something different than what’s in every other book!

Ilike this book because it has lots of different ideas I can carry along with me. I always have to be doing something with my hands while listening or watching so afghans are a must. Great book!

As far as books are made this is a beautiful book and I’m going to keep it because I keep everything crochet related. I am disappointed in the patterns and designs. The colors presenting the projects in their photos are not pretty to me. Color has a lot to do with whether or not someone wants to attempt to crochet a project. These colors are mostly orange, brown and blue, and I’m not an orange person I guess. If you love those colors, you will feel differently than I. And I know a lot of people love those colors, it all depends on what you are used to and what colors decorate your home and life. As far as the patterns are concerned, you can find many of them online, most free. On the positive side, they are presented with written patterns and charts. Pictures are clear and beautiful as far as the photography goes, and the book is well made with a really pretty, shiny cover. Had I been able to see small pictures of all of the Afghans in the book prior to purchase, I most likely would not have purchased this book. I took a picture of one page that shows a few of them so you can at least judge for yourself prior to purchasing and see if you would like the patterns for these designs. I gave it three stars instead of one because the book is printed beautifully. Have to give them props for that at least.

A great selection of afghans, suitable for confident beginners and those more experienced with both written patterns and diagrams to cater for all preferences, I could happily put all of the designs on my to do list.

本のタイトルのアフガンは毛糸で編んだブランケットという意味です。日本でアフガンというとアフガン編みを連想しますが、海外ではチュニジアン・クロッシェ（直訳すると、チュニジア地方の かぎ針編み）と呼ぶのが一般的 です。タイトルでアフガン編みの本だと勘違いなさらないようにしてください。内容は かぎ針編み7割、アフガン編み3割といった感じです。長編みでパッチワーク風（ログキャビン、エイトスターなど）に編んだり、単純な技法で びっくりするような仕上がりになっていて感心しました。面白い本だと思います。

I like that there are lot of different afghans illustrated with colour photos, as well as with instructions. INteresting and unique designs. I liked that there are tips in the book as well. (For example, I am working on learning how to do moving (diagonal) cables.) THere is also a section on tunisian crochet, which I happen to be interested in as well. So lots of different types of afghans that the instructions are clear (for the ones that I have looked at and tried anyway). I would recommend this book for people who have have some good skills in crochet, but want to do something interesting. Afghans are keepers. They are with us for most of our lives, so why not put the effort into making one that is this memorable.

Très beau livre avec photos magnifiques mais Hélas en Anglais ce qui complique un peu les explications ..Cet ouvrage a néanmoins un grand intérêt par ces nombreuses photos ... et possibilités de créations .

Wunderschöne Designs, danke!