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Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques
Unexpected Afghans presents 29 innovative interpretations of a favorite at-home essential. From best-selling author Robyn Chachula comes an in-depth look into crocheting traditional afghans using contemporary techniques, colors and patterns.
Expert designers including Kristin Omdahl, Kathy Merrick, Kimberly McAlindin, and many more, provide an abundance of fresh patterns and projects that are perfect for new and advanced crocheters as they start out beginner-friendly and become more complex, allowing a crocheter to build skills and confidence. Designers at any level will
ÌýÌýÌý•ÌýA detailed technique's workshop in every chapter including cables, motifs, color, lace, and Tunisian crochet.
ÌýÌýÌý•ÌýHelpful tips from designers for working through each afghan project.
ÌýÌýÌý•ÌýEasy-to-follow charts and diagrams.
Along with tons of beautiful afghan projects for all skill levels, you'll find many of your favorite designer's biographies--giving you an exploration into their inspiration.
Expert designers including Kristin Omdahl, Kathy Merrick, Kimberly McAlindin, and many more, provide an abundance of fresh patterns and projects that are perfect for new and advanced crocheters as they start out beginner-friendly and become more complex, allowing a crocheter to build skills and confidence. Designers at any level will
ÌýÌýÌý•ÌýA detailed technique's workshop in every chapter including cables, motifs, color, lace, and Tunisian crochet.
ÌýÌýÌý•ÌýHelpful tips from designers for working through each afghan project.
ÌýÌýÌý•ÌýEasy-to-follow charts and diagrams.
Along with tons of beautiful afghan projects for all skill levels, you'll find many of your favorite designer's biographies--giving you an exploration into their inspiration.
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2012
172 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 11, 2022
Another beautiful book. I thought it was an art book only to find out it’s a pattern book - and I don’t crochet lol. That’s ok, I still enjoyed looking through it and reading the inspiration for each.
January 26, 2015
A variety of afghans from multiple designers. The designs are organized into cables, granny, color, lace and tunisian. Great to see tunisian crochet included in the collection. Fans of cable designs will find a nice variety and the granny motifs are modern and diverse. Although there is an intro section with advice and tips for beginners, the designs are really for more advanced crocheters. There are a few pillow projects which may be accessible for confident beginners, but even those projects are geared to folks with a fairly good knowledge of crochet. Most projects use worsted weight yarn and varied fibers. Recommended for those with Intermediate to Experienced crochet skills.
August 6, 2012
Maybe I expect too much, but I did not find any designs of interest in this book, and was a bit disappointed.
Want to read
May 3, 2014A book that needs the subtitle, as it's not a military memoir.
July 1, 2024
What a pretty book. One of those that is perused while enjoying a cuppa. Correct: it is joyful to examine for the projects' artistry as well as creative and inspiring ideas.
HOWEVER, they're all rather detailed and long-term projects. And my pet peeve: would you really want a lacy, finger-holed afghan as your baby transitions from newborn to curious 9 month old? Cables too are gorgeous, but so often their beauty is one-sided.
I had fun looking at and reading comments in this book: the creators are truly inspired. Alas; I'm transitioning out of crochet as a pastime pursuit. Wouldn't you know I'm sensitive to acrylic yarn? So cotton yarn it is. And my future projects will be limited to knit or crocheted dishcloths...creative? Not really. Quick and functional? Yes. But thank you, Robyn and the other makers for the nice dose of eye candy.
HOWEVER, they're all rather detailed and long-term projects. And my pet peeve: would you really want a lacy, finger-holed afghan as your baby transitions from newborn to curious 9 month old? Cables too are gorgeous, but so often their beauty is one-sided.
I had fun looking at and reading comments in this book: the creators are truly inspired. Alas; I'm transitioning out of crochet as a pastime pursuit. Wouldn't you know I'm sensitive to acrylic yarn? So cotton yarn it is. And my future projects will be limited to knit or crocheted dishcloths...creative? Not really. Quick and functional? Yes. But thank you, Robyn and the other makers for the nice dose of eye candy.
March 10, 2019
Different
I'm pleased with the variety of projects in this book. I would not recommend it to a beginner. It has many intermediate and advanced stitches, however, it does explain how to do the stitches step by step. The only thing I disliked is the choice of colors used in the samples. But, that's my personal opinion.
I'm pleased with the variety of projects in this book. I would not recommend it to a beginner. It has many intermediate and advanced stitches, however, it does explain how to do the stitches step by step. The only thing I disliked is the choice of colors used in the samples. But, that's my personal opinion.
March 13, 2019
5 Stars
This is a great little crochet book that "reads" like you are sitting down with your favorite crochet teacher. The personal stories at the first of the book, the very clear written instructions ( AND graphs), plus the fun mini vitae of the designers at the end of the book make this a "keeper".
This is a great little crochet book that "reads" like you are sitting down with your favorite crochet teacher. The personal stories at the first of the book, the very clear written instructions ( AND graphs), plus the fun mini vitae of the designers at the end of the book make this a "keeper".
August 29, 2021
Best collection of beautiful patterns
Gorgeous designs in a wide variety of styles. Chapters focused on texture, lace, join as you go, cables, Tunisian, � I have so many starred to do that it will take me several months to finish them all. :) just finished the lacy log cabin called Chantelle something or other and starting the entrelac starburst next.
Gorgeous designs in a wide variety of styles. Chapters focused on texture, lace, join as you go, cables, Tunisian, � I have so many starred to do that it will take me several months to finish them all. :) just finished the lacy log cabin called Chantelle something or other and starting the entrelac starburst next.
February 16, 2024
This book shows how photography could be everything. There’s one on the front cover that looks absolutely stunning and then if you look at it inside, it’s like yeah maybe not so much. There are two that I would make. One is the van Gogh waves, and the other is Bherens Colour block Afghan� Especially the colour block one. Doesn’t look that difficult.
October 15, 2019
Afghans, baby blankets, new techniques, oh my.
seriously though, I enjoyed perusing this book full of crochet patterns. It's inspiring, and readily available at my library, so I can return to it when I'm ready to make some of these awesome projects.
seriously though, I enjoyed perusing this book full of crochet patterns. It's inspiring, and readily available at my library, so I can return to it when I'm ready to make some of these awesome projects.
April 30, 2018
I am more inclined to knit an afghan than crochet one. There are some really interesting patterns in here though.
August 24, 2018
I love the look of Tunisian crochet. I really need to try it. Also the cable patterns are gorgeous.
May 4, 2019
best exlusive book! all respect!!
May 22, 2019
Various afghans grouped by category, cable, Tunisian, motifs, lace, etc.
April 17, 2021
I have been stuck on a pattern for some yarn I had and this gave me some great ideas
March 5, 2023
Eloise’s afghan pattern
March 11, 2025
Nothing in here calls to me.
May 11, 2013
Enjoyed this very much, filled with very "Bright!!" designs, something that I always love (grin), and nothing too, too really strange-looking. There were several that made me want to make them up for myself almost immediately, and that doesn't happen very often these days. The innovative use of color was what grabbed my usually limited attention/focus, and, generally speaking, not unusual/interesting techniques, but overall this is a very good afghan pattern book.
There are several "all-in-one" afghans, but most of these are of motifs, generally used in what were for me fairly unusual manners (i.e., lace doily-type designs upgraded into wool-sized motifs), with one of them being absolutely gorgeous (a combination of a lace doily motif coupled with log cabin design, worked in browns, cream, and grey - lovely stuff!). There are lots of bright designs here, though, with one of the designs being of a rampant "daisy-ish" sort, that is unexpectly lovely - if very, very "Bright!!", kwim? (grin)
BOTTOM LINE: Not an absolute winner of a book since it has tight, thin paperback construction and some of the designs are, IMO, almost ugly, but that's for my taste; YMMV - I liked most of the designs, and loved a couple of them.
There are several "all-in-one" afghans, but most of these are of motifs, generally used in what were for me fairly unusual manners (i.e., lace doily-type designs upgraded into wool-sized motifs), with one of them being absolutely gorgeous (a combination of a lace doily motif coupled with log cabin design, worked in browns, cream, and grey - lovely stuff!). There are lots of bright designs here, though, with one of the designs being of a rampant "daisy-ish" sort, that is unexpectly lovely - if very, very "Bright!!", kwim? (grin)
BOTTOM LINE: Not an absolute winner of a book since it has tight, thin paperback construction and some of the designs are, IMO, almost ugly, but that's for my taste; YMMV - I liked most of the designs, and loved a couple of them.
November 29, 2015
That blanket came out of nowhere! But seriously, folks, this is a great choice for intermediate to advanced crocheters or the crochet-curious who want to see the possibilities beyond granny square potholders. Excellent discussions of technique and theory, a sense of fun, true love for the craft, and new designers to discover elevate this beyond your typical book of patterns. I did NOT try any of these out yet, but each pattern has both instructions and detailed charts. I love that they included a pillow pattern for practicing a technique before applying it to an entire afghan. I think this might up my crochet repertoire considerably. Recommended.
September 20, 2012
Unexpected Afghans - like what the title says, indeed most of the designs in this book are really unexpected and unusual!! I would highly recommend this book to those intermediate crafters out there, especially those who are seeking for long lost inspiration in crocheting!! Also, this book contains a number of japanese crocheting diagrams which are very easy to understand, unlike some english instructions which may seem hard to digest from an amateur's point of view. Last but not least, I am seriously amazed by the designs in this book!! Surely this is a fantastic find/read!!
August 23, 2015
This books is too advanced for my beginning crochet skills. However, I enjoyed seeing the range of techniques that stretch the art/craft of crochet.
Robyn Chachula's writing style seems transparent to me. That is the highest compliment because it means I grasp what she is explaining without apparent effort. Anyway, I bought her Blueprint Crochet book so I can learn how to read crochet charts and work on less ambitious projects before returning to this book.
My review might have been colored by the photographs--all taken at the Room & Board store in Denver. ;-)
Robyn Chachula's writing style seems transparent to me. That is the highest compliment because it means I grasp what she is explaining without apparent effort. Anyway, I bought her Blueprint Crochet book so I can learn how to read crochet charts and work on less ambitious projects before returning to this book.
My review might have been colored by the photographs--all taken at the Room & Board store in Denver. ;-)
November 17, 2018
I had this book out of the library earlier in the year and liked it enough to add to my wish list. I finally got around to buying it and after looking through it, I realized it was even better than I remembered, so I upped it to a 5 star book.
As I already have an afghan in progress, it's going to take a bit before I get to make any of these but they will be fun when I do. They are just my style with all the extra textures and the Tunisian crochet patterns might even inspire me to learn how to make them.
As I already have an afghan in progress, it's going to take a bit before I get to make any of these but they will be fun when I do. They are just my style with all the extra textures and the Tunisian crochet patterns might even inspire me to learn how to make them.
February 25, 2017
Some nice ideas, either as afghans, or maybe to use for other projects. I didn't always like the color scheme, but that doesn't make any difference, since I would get the colors I wanted, if I was going to do something. I especially liked: mod retro, desert sunrise (carrying the color adds an interesting dimension), exploded pineapple (or how about another doily pattern, as afghan?), smocked elegance,and mission cabled.
October 2, 2014
I used the Dots & Poppies pattern (an adapted form) to make a small flowery lovey for Operation Christmas Child. The pattern - join as you go hexagons - was easy to understand, for the most part. When I got a bit confused, I could look at the chart and confirm what I thought the directions were saying. The lovey came out very cute!
July 25, 2012
I heard an interview with the author, and a quick online perusal of the projects left me keenly interested - the book itself did not disappoint. There are a range of fresh, interesting projects in different styles that are really charming. How I wish I already knew how to crochet...
September 4, 2014
What an amazing collection of crocheted afghans. I'd never heard of Tunisian crochet before, but it looks so beautiful. I'm not a crocheter, but it's inspired me enough to purchase the book - and try and learn.
This is a gorgeous, and really innovative book. I loved it.
This is a gorgeous, and really innovative book. I loved it.
February 4, 2015
Unexpected???? It should have read Amazing, Awesome!!!!
Directions for very beautiful afghans can be found in this book. One warning, it is not for beginners. You must be an expert at crochet before attempting the afghans in this great book.
Directions for very beautiful afghans can be found in this book. One warning, it is not for beginners. You must be an expert at crochet before attempting the afghans in this great book.
February 5, 2016
The afghans in this book are absolutely gorgeous, and I love that they give diagrams for making swatches. The instructions are a little overwhelming in places, but I think if I take the advice offered, I should be able to easily complete the projects...I'll let you know.
August 14, 2012
Great patterns, I can't wait to try a few.
October 24, 2012
Great patterns that don't seem too complicated.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
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