CEO Reads: Beautiful Blankets, Afghans and Throws

Jane Cowell

29 March, 2022

Beautiful blankets, Afghans and Throws is a beautiful crochet book showcasing vibrant colour and stitch combinations. If you are looking for colourful block patterns and innovative stitch patterns, this is the book for you. There is plenty on offer for granny-square lovers and row-by-row enthusiasts.

I was first attracted to Leonie Morgan’s designs because of the colourful patterns, but I also wanted to try a row-by-row pattern to broaden my crochet skill levels after concentrating on granny squares for the past year. What I also loved about this crochet book is that the instructions and yardage for making afghans come in three sizes: baby blankets, lap throws, and bedspreads. So you can easily plan the size of the project you want to do for the pattern that is your favourite.

If you are looking for colourful block patterns and innovative stitches, this is the book for you. There is plenty on offer for granny-square lovers and row-by-row enthusiasts.

- Jane Cowell

Each of the 40 designs come with a clearly written pattern, an easy-to-follow chart, and a skill-level indicator, as well as a large photograph of the finished product making it easy to choose what to create. There is even a bonus section of 12 stunningly original edging patterns that I have not seen elsewhere. They are unique and can easily be selected to put that final finish to the blanket you choose.

The book also offers very good advice on selecting lovely colour combinations — which I definitely need when faced with the vast array of colour choices at my local craft shop! A technique section guides your crochet skills, and I have already learnt a new crochet stitch for my favourite blanket pattern: Coral Shell on page 46. This row-by-row pattern is a 15-row repeat pattern, and is coming along nicely after an exciting trip to the Bendigo Woollen Mills shop to choose my colours — the excitement that only a knitter or crocheter will understand!

This book is written for the UK market and all crochet patterns are written for the UK. Leonie Morgan hails from Wales, and is a freelance crochet designer who blogs at www.leoniemorgan.com She does have 4 other books, with her latest Block by Block Crochet: Quilt-inspired patchwork blocks to mix and match, published in 2021. Keep an eye out when it makes our shelves! Leonie is self-taught but her love of colour and design shines through in her work. I really recommend this one for beginner or advanced crocheters as there is plenty to inspire you.

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