200 Crochet Blocks For Blankets, Throws And Afghans: Crochet Squares to Mix-and-Match

I'm new the world of crochet having only been crocheting for around 2 months now. This book is brilliant. Although I've noted others have said there are not strictly 200 squares as some are the same square in different colours, there really is still plenty to be getting on with!! The book is simple to follow and the squares are inspiring and very pretty. She even gives you blanket designs at the beginning of the book by showing you which squares to use, where to put them, and how many you will need in order to create a lovely blanket of varying squares. Whilst the colours were often not to my taste, it's completely irrelevant as you can use whatever wool you like and design whatever you fancy. This book is a really good buy and a must for crocheter's bookshelves!

Okay, so there've been quite a few reviews already complaining about the lack of 200 individual crochet blocks - yes, quite a few of the blocks are merely different colour versions of previous blocks! That's okay, though! With this book, you not only get specific patterns for individual blocks, colour advice, suggestions for various sizes of blanket/cushion cover/afghans/etc, but you get the information necessary to create your own. Sure, block X and block Y might just really be block X and block X-with-a-different-colour-scheme, but I think it's actually a really encouraging book. It gives you a lot of advice, it shows you various different blocks and how to make each part of them, and that's where the magic happens. If you like the border from block A and the centre of block B, you can just make your own block AB out of the two. It's not as difficult as it may seem - trial and error will always happen with crochet - and it's definitely a lot of fun. For those of you previously put off from purchasing this book because other reviewers haven't appreciated the 'misleading' title, I say go for it. There're a lot worse books you could buy about crochet blocks, and at least this one is clear, has instructions on one page and also gives you some examples of how to put your projects together, as well as how many of each block you'll need for each example. I love this book! It'll have a place in my crochet box for many years to come!

The book contains a series of sample designs to create 6" crocheted squares. A square is large enough to practice different stitches, techniques, colour combinations, and designs patterns. They can then be mixed and matched and sewn together to form blankets. This book is better than two beginners' crochet books that I bought. It could be marketed as a beginners' book if a few more instructions were added such as how to increase stitches, add zips and creating button holes so that patterns could be adapted to make waistcoats or pillow cases. This book is well conceived and clearly displayed. I have always wanted to crochet a few blankets and a few smaller ones for my pets, this book will ensure that I won't get bored for some time to come. Some of the designs are stunning. My only real criticism is that when explaining a new stitch there needs to be a picture for EVERY step and EVERY movement of the hook or yarn. If there were more pictures I wouldn't have to scratch my head so much. For me a picture is worth a thousand words so I also find pictorial crochet diagrams easier to understand than text as it is easy for me to miss out a crucial step when reading text. This is a brilliant book that I know I will be using for years to come. However, I might just have to ask someone more experienced whether I am getting a stitch right, otherwise I might accidentally invent my own stitches.

I only recently took up crocheting, so this is exactly what I wanted. The instructions are clear, although I've taken a star away from perfection as some of the photos aren't best at showing detail (due to being too light or dark, or not contrasting enough to see the detail). My favorite so far is definitely willow (#189). Some useful ideas at the start for afghan blankets and how to mix the squares. The end has some crochet basics, which I found useful as I still can't get my head around stitches being very different depending on US/UK pattern (such as dc), so useful to have a guide as to which method to use for the patterns. Some basic edging patterns, too. Overall, a useful book to have. It is a bit cheeky to change the colour scheme and call it different, so there are actually get 125 different blocks.

I have already done several of the blocks to make a Christmas cushion cover and have bought more wool to do another floral cushion cover. There are lots of ideas for putting the blocks together, suggestions for different colourways and some beautiful and unusual designs. Instructions are easy to follow and some of the designs have charts, again very easy to follow. Not all of the blocks are worked in the 'round', some are worked 'across and back' and there are lots of different stitches, which is handy if you want to learn how to different stitches. It would be an ideal book for a beginner or someone getting back into crochet, like me.

Great long term book worth it's money and with a good range of squares. Very happy with this purchase and seems to have impressed everyone else who looks at it so far.

What a wonderful book. Although I am an experienced crocheter this book still delighted with its innovative patterns. The sections are clearly defined and there is a beautiful section which suggests blocks to combine into projects which is extremely helpful when inspiration is needed. The colour photographs are beautiful and the patterns very clear to interpret. I would have liked to have seen diagrams as well but that is just personal preference rather than any fault if the book. Make sure you buy the right book for your area as there is a diffetent one for UK and US terms.

I was fairly new to crochet at the start of lockdown and wanted to progress. I had bought this book a while ago and thought it would be a perfect project. And it was. I am a novice but I think that all levels would find something new to try there are so many designs. I have started at number 1 and worked my way through. Some are very similar but instructions are very clear and examples of stiches are easy to follow. I am very please with the book and it is excellent value. Thoroughly recommend.